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We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
right there were you can snorkel or just swim.

We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.

Scott

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It's the same with us when we see people running for McDonalds at a stop.
Makes no sense.




"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

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My wife's sister and her husband have taken trips to Paris, France several
times and they eat their meals at McDonalds. Go figure.


"Mike Cordelli" <mike@cordelli.com> wrote in message
news:KSZ0e.11045$ZB6.1332@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
> It's the same with us when we see people running for McDonalds at a stop.
> Makes no sense.
>
>
>
>
> "Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> > We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> > time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> > to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> > and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> > cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> > have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> > there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> > where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> > right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
> >
> > We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> > wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
> >
> > Scott
> >
>
>

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You see it everywhere. Folks hit Burger King after the opera or a play in
metropolitan cities. I don't get it.


"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

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There is a Wal-Mart near the dock in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Several crew
members have told us that it is more expensive than the Wal-Marts in the
US.

You know, the people may be in Wal-Mart looking for soft drinks, which are
expensive on ships.


"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

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"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

I've never hit a WallMart in port, but I have certainly gone to drug stores,
supermarkets, etc. Usually it is because I forgot to pack something (shaving
cream, etc.) and I don't like what the ship offers for this item.

This is usually at a port in which I have little interest or one I have been
to many times. It never happens in Kona though -- there the problem is: to
the volcano or to the botanical garden north of the town.

On my last cruise (LA -> Hong Kong), the ship stopped in Honolulu. I've been
there quite often, don't particularly like the city and didn't feel like
driving to the North Coast. So, I hit a used book store and then went back
on board and read. <grin>

Paul

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"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in news:1111779694.771168.226470
@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

Crew members love Wal Mart it may be a shuttle for them

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Interesting you would say that... last month crew members told me that pax
frequently do a LOT of shopping in that Wal-Mart, because it's LESS
expensive than the "one at home". I have no first hand knowledge, this is
just what I was told.

"Don & Lynn" <dmcinnes@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:C6_0e.4420$H06.3523@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> There is a Wal-Mart near the dock in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Several crew
> members have told us that it is more expensive than the Wal-Marts in the
> US.
>
> You know, the people may be in Wal-Mart looking for soft drinks, which
> are
> expensive on ships.

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I*'m with you Scott. Perhaps the cruisers want to shop for Hawaiian
goods and crafts and Wal-Mart could be the best place price wise for
this.
When we were on the big Island I did my clothes and gift shopping in the
Market
That was on our land trip.
The second time we went it was on a cruise. My DH's brother is buried at
the National Cemetary and we took a cab and spent most of the time there

S'nd I
XXX

(* _ *)

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We were on a road trip some time bqack and looked for a placwe to eat.
We saw a sign and as it loomed neare it was the Olive Garden. Ah,
someplace we knew

S'nd I
XXX

(* _ *)

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"Don & Lynn" <dmcinnes@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:y_Z0e.3870$gI5.1424@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> My wife's sister and her husband have taken trips to Paris, France several
> times and they eat their meals at McDonalds. Go figure.
>
>
> "Mike Cordelli" <mike@cordelli.com> wrote in message
> news:KSZ0e.11045$ZB6.1332@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
>> It's the same with us when we see people running for McDonalds at a stop.
>> Makes no sense.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>> > We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
>> > time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
>> > to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
>> > and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
>> > cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
>> > have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
>> > there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
>> > where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
>> > right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>> >
>> > We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
>> > wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>> >
>> > Scott

McDonalds in Germany sells beer, so maybe French McDonalds sells
wine with the burgers. When I was in the Army serving in many overseas
assignments, the first food on a GI's mind was a "Big Mac" when they arrived
back home. I can only guess that McDonalds is as much a symbol of America
as the American Flag, and McDonalds is the taste of home, no matter where
you get the "Mac". Besides, no matter where the McDonalds is located, it's
almost always cheaper than the local joints if all you want is a quick
lunch.

But when you go to France, you should want to eat French and drink fine
wine,
likewise anyplace else in the world.

As for Wal Mart, they are in a lot of countries now and still growing. Like
McDonalds, Wal Mart is very American and people are expecting American
service and goods. I can't imagine how the locals feel about Wal Mart
sending
a bus to pick up customers at the pier. But business is business and he who
gets the customer, gets the dough.

Bottom line is most likely economics. McDonalds and Wal Mart may be a lot
cheaper than the local establishments.

When we went to Bermuda a few years ago, we stayed away from the familiar
places and ate at local restaurants. We found a nice German Biergarden, but
we
found it too late to eat there.

I have also found that the shops on board are not as expensive as one would
think, and of course the food is free.

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I assume the shuttle is free? Free always attracts a crowd. If it's
free.....they will come.

--
Greg
readgc.invalid@hotmail.com.invalid
(Remove the '.invalid' twice to send Email)


"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

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Probably because there is no Hilo Hattie's in the area.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
videomaven1nospam@comcast.net


"Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1111779694.771168.226470@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

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jcoulter wrote:
> Crew members love Wal Mart it may be a shuttle for them
No, it is clearly passengers, here is a photo of the Wal-Mart shuttle
loading at the pier.

Scott

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Scott W wrote:
> jcoulter wrote:
> > Crew members love Wal Mart it may be a shuttle for them
> No, it is clearly passengers, here is a photo of the Wal-Mart shuttle
> loading at the pier.
>
> Scott
I forgot the link, here it is.
http://www.pbase.com/konascott/image/41224662/original

Scott

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Dick Goldhaber wrote:
> Probably because there is no Hilo Hattie's in the area.

There is a Hilo Hattie's in the area and a free buss to that as well.
The buss on the right in this photo is going to Hilo Hattie's
http://www.pbase.com/konascott/image/41224662/original

Scott

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"Rich Greene \(oldsarge.nospam.@richgreene.com\)"
<oldsarge(nospam)@richgreene.com> wrote in
news:d21s9g$6eh$0@pita.alt.net:

> When I was in the Army serving in many overseas
> assignments, the first food on a GI's mind was a "Big Mac" when they
> arrived back home.

In the early 1970s, there was one Mickey D's in all of Britain, and it
was south of the Thames in London. There was a map with instructions
about how to reach it on the bulletin board at work where I served with
the USAF. About 1974 or 1975, a second one opened north of the river.

When I took my adopted daughter to Britain around 1986, we ate at
McDonald's across the street from Windsor castle! In the mid 1990s,
while in Britain again on business, I visited friends from the village
where I used to live. We took a drive to the American memorial cemetery
in Cambridge. For lunch they decided to go to Burger King. Quite
frankly, I would have preferred sausage and mash at a good local.

--Roy Cochrun

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>There is a Wal-Mart near the dock in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Several
crew
members have told us that it is more expensive than the Wal-Marts in
the
US.

It's a short walk from the docks (across an 8 lane street). Most prices
were higher and some were the same. A few things are cheaper, like
touristy t-shirts and tobbaco products (no US taxes).

The problem is that if you pay in cash (US), you get change in pesos...

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My reason for going to Wal-Mart is to buy Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi and
perhaps some bottled water.

Arlene

Scott W wrote:

> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott

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My knowledge is not first hand either. I assumed that Wal-Mart was there for
the tourists, not the locals. There are lot's of resorts and condos there.
Maybe someone knows for sure.
Don


"Marsha L" <ThoseEyes@invalid.att.net> wrote in message
news:Sm_0e.8068$cg1.2227@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Interesting you would say that... last month crew members told me that pax
> frequently do a LOT of shopping in that Wal-Mart, because it's LESS
> expensive than the "one at home". I have no first hand knowledge, this is
> just what I was told.
>
> "Don & Lynn" <dmcinnes@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:C6_0e.4420$H06.3523@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > There is a Wal-Mart near the dock in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Several
crew
> > members have told us that it is more expensive than the Wal-Marts in
the
> > US.
> >
> > You know, the people may be in Wal-Mart looking for soft drinks, which
> > are
> > expensive on ships.
>
>

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My guess would be that your local Wal-Mart carries Hawaiian "stuff",
not found in the ones back home. A few years ago I shopped at a
K-Mart in Branson, MO, and found all the souvinir T-shirts and other
Branson stuff. Would the muumuu's at Wal-Mart be as good as the
ones at Hattie's?

Ermalee

Scott W wrote:
> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>

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1. To pick up over-the-counter remedies not available on board
2. To buy a pair of shorts when the ones you brought got torn
3. To get some crayons and a new coloring book to keep the kids busy

Come on -- use a little imagination! There are so many things
you can't get aboard ship, might have forgotten to pack, etc.
it doesn't suprise me at all to see people shopping at an
easily accessible store.

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005, Scott W wrote:

> We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
> time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
> to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
> and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
> have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
> there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
> where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
> right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
> We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
> wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
> Scott
>
>

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Katherine Becker "As god is my witness
I thought turkeys could fly"
NEVER SEND A FERRET TO DO A WEASEL's JOB --WKRP

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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They go to Walmart for the same reason that they MUST have internet
connections while on vacation.



On 25 Mar 2005 11:41:34 -0800, "Scott W" <biphoto@hotmail.com> wrote:

>We get a lot of cruise ships visiting here (Kailua Kona) and every
>time there is a ship in Wal-Mart sends a shuttle buss to shuttle people
>to and from the ship to Wal-Mart. A lot of people take this shuttle
>and go to Wal-Mart, what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
>cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart? I
>have nothing against Wal-Mart mind you but our town is very nice and
>there are any number of interesting places to see right from the pier
>where the tender boats come in. There is even a nice little beach
>right there were you can snorkel or just swim.
>
>We see passengers from the ships at Wal-Mart all the time and I keep
>wanting to ask why they are there but it seems kind of rude to do so.
>
>Scott

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Scott W wrote:
> what I would love to know is why, if you are on a
> cruise to someplace like Hawaii, would you want to go to Wal-Mart?

soda
suntan lotion
batteries
souvenirs
film
toiletries or otc meds you forgot
water shoes
etc.


~ Peri

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ah yes. I remember seeing it from my ship when i was on Vision of the
Seas 2 years ago...

there was also a Sam's Club there if i recall correctly

Don & Lynn wrote:

> There is a Wal-Mart near the dock in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Several crew
> members have told us that it is more expensive than the Wal-Marts in the
> US.

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