The TRAVEL Thread!
-
Please feel free to share the stories of your travels here! How many countries have you visited? Which place in the world holds the most special place in your heart and, if you care to divulge, why? Have you ever tried something in your travels that you were previously afraid of but somehow you survived it and want to share? As I mentioned on another thread, I love to travel. Have done many road trips in the US, have been to 42 states so far....hope to see all 50 one day. Have visited over 30 countries and love meeting the people there. The world keeps becoming a smaller and smaller place for me. At the end of the day, no matter what the language barriers may be, it's so clear and reassuring to me to know that everyone wants love, acceptance, knowing that their children and other loved ones are well and taken care of properly. For many people in this world when you mention the word "community" they think of their own immediate neighborhood but I have a much more global thought process regarding that word. "We're all on this crazy planet together" is what I've discovered! I once tried a hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley, CA. Never thought I'd do something like that but it was such fun!I did however keep wondering as I was up there what would happen if the "pilot" took a heart attack....how would we have gotten down? You can't think about such things when you do this! I had the same fears on my first helicopter ride in Alaska....and on my second ride in Hawaii when there were no doors. Would have been great if we had not turned sideways over steep canyons so many times...yikes! Still fun though. I'd love to hear from anyone who has visited Liverpool and what they did or saw there as I would love to visit one day. Any other travel stories are welcome of course!
-
Wow! You've been to 30 countries and haven't been to Liverpool?! I've been in '93, '06 and '11. The last time was the best because I was with a tour group and we were taken to lots of places I'd never have found on my own (or would have taken a bit of trouble to find) Went to The Casbah, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, John & Paul's boyhood homes (inside tours), Ye Cracke, The Jacaranda, The Cavern, The Cavern Pub, The Beatles Shop, the Jewish cemetery where Brian Epstein is buried, Chiswick House (where Paperback Writer & Rain were filmed--nothing has changed!) Twickenham Studios, Woolton Parish/St. Peter's (where John met Paul), Walton Hospital (where Paul was born), and the pub where Ringo's scene in A Hard Day's Night was filmed and many other locales! It was wonderful!
-
Hi Scarlett14, So glad you made this thread! It sounds like we've done many of the same/similar things. I've taken numerous road trips across the US, starting from when I was a little girl. I've been 46 states and have lived in NJ, TX, NE, DE, CO, AZ and have spent alot of time in CA with family. I've been to 27 countries, quite a number of islands. I also love meeting people and try to read up on the culture and learn the basic Hello, how much, Please and Thank You, money and numbers and direction, ticket and travel words before I go there. You are right, we are all on this crazy planet together! I've found some people have some funny ideas about Americans and so I really try very hard, to leave a positive impression wherever I've gone. Mainly by realizing I am visiting "their" country and behave accordingly...as the saying goes..."When in Rome, do as the Romans... I try to dress to blend in and practice my few words...it means so much, I've found. A smile and being humble is the way to learn a lot and a way to meet the locals...and leave with new friends Everywhere I've gone, I find that people want to try and communicate and love to show you "their" corner of the world. I've always wanted to try a hot air balloon, however, I have the notion that I want to do it over the Loire Valley in France, to see all of the castles!! I've taken a helicopter ride over the East River in NYC and I also took the one in Kauaii over the Hawaiian Grand Canyon...that was so amazing as the music in the headphones was so perfect, and that first time they drop you over the edge...WHOOOOOOWWW I have done some hang gliding and also loved zip lining and want to do that any chance I get! One of the scariest things I've done is riding rapids with the three other people in my raft, well lets just say they were under the influence. Of course me being the designated rower, of course guess who was dumped out of the raft, only to surface with a whirlpool right in front of me I do not know how I made it through that!!! I just remember the instructor had said to keep your feet up in front of you...and I rode the whole rapid bouncing off of rocks on my bum!!! As my life was flashing in front of me in slow motion... I don't know if I will try that again! I hope to see the whole world some day! I love to fly and have flown in the cockpit a number of times... Have had some frightening flying stories, but I so love flying. One of my last flights at night the flight attendant came by to let me know there was an Aurora Borealis out my side of the plane. It went on for about 25 minutes, very cool! I have seen the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the San Andreas Fault, the Matterhorn and Windsor Castle from the air... to name a few landmarks. You should definitely go to Liverpool and do every Beatle thing you possibly can! My new fun thing is to go to concerts in Europe with Paul in Verona, and Bruce in Hyde Park and going backstage through a friend, being my two best shows!! My favorite places so far are Venice, St. Petersburg Russia and the Hermitage, anywhere in Italy and the food and the Uffitzi Gallery in Florence with Botticelli in Florence, Paris and the Louvre and the Muse De Orsey, Mykonos and Santorini and London with the National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Courtald. I want to go to the Netherlands to see Vermeer and Van Gogh and tulips and Thailand, Bali, China, Spain, Portugal...the list is endless!! I am just an ordinary person, who works way, wayyy too much so that I am able to do this. But, if you really want to do something, you do whatever you have to, in order to make it happen! it is always a bit of a downer to get back to my real life job So my message to those who always wanted to travel is JUST DO IT!!
-
Nancy - I want to do Liverpool the way you have done it, so exciting! And you are so right....30 countries and I never went to Liverpool, it's a sad tale. But I'll have something to look forward to in the future, that's what I keep telling myself. I hear the people there are very friendly and hospitable. A friend got stuck over there due to some weather-related incident and people offered their homes to him. My kind of people! L2T - it's amazing, you and I have done many of the same things but you are braver than I for sure. I am not a pilot and never could be - too frightening a prospect for me. And when I think about what happened to one of my favorite singers - John Denver - well, I just couldn't consider it for myself, too risky. But I do know that he was so happy when he was flying like an eagle...that's the happy feeling you must feel inside when you are the pilot. And what wonderful places you have flown over! Lucky you! JD wanted to be the first private citizen in space, that's how much he wanted to fly. (If he had been chosen instead of a school teacher he would have died in the Challenger shuttle disaster)Would you also have an interest in space travel? My 2nd helicopter ride was in Kauai...that's the one where there were no doors. Thought I was going to fall into one of those gorgeous canyons, I really did. It was just an old seat belt keeping me in! But oh the scenery! My most fascinating trip was one week on land throughout all of Greece and then a one week cruise where we stopped at Santorini, Israel, Egypt and Turkey. Santorini is one of my favorite places I've visited, not that I spent a long time there. It's just totally beautiful...like the Mama Mia movie! And I must say - I really loved the Greek food! The destinations I look forward to the most for the future New Zealand and Australia. If I can get there one day I will be a happy woman! I too am an ordinary person...not rich at all by any means...but it's all about priorities on how I spend my money. I save for the trips I want to take one day and I dream all year about my next vacation! I have been to quite a few concerts (only two for Paul) but the location I would really love to see SOMEBODY in concert would be Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. That place just looks fantastic in photos. Can't believe I have never been to a concert there as I've done a thorough Colorado vacation twice. (If anyone has been there please tell me how it was!) More later! Scarlett
-
Nancy what tour were you on in Liverpool. That sounds like a really great tour! I'll have to do that one some day!! ops: Scarlet, I don't actually fly a plane, I reread what I wrote and I see how you could have thought that ops: oops I just like to fly when other people are at the controls! I've been able to fly in the cockpit and that's my best experiences, especially when the plane lands... very cool to see from the front. I worked for the airlines a bit, free first class back then and interesting travelers. It was so sad about John Denver wasn't it? I didn't know he wanted to be the first private citizen in space. Glad he didn't go in the Challenger, but sad how he died flying. Those canyons were so great in Kawaii weren't they? I didn't think about my seatbelt breaking I'm glad as it was a bit nerve wracking how the helicopters fly in such different directions! I was really enjoying it!! They played such great music in the headphones it was as if you were a bird flying... sooooo nice! I love Santorini, but was sad for the donkeys that take the people up to the top of the mountain. Better to take the cable cars and give them a break! It was like the Mama Mia movie, wasn't it? The food is soooo good! Feta cheese and grape leaves and baklava yummy! Mykonos is very nice also and at sea level if you get a chance to go back. I have also wanted to take that cruise that you mention. The one I was looking at starts or ends in Venice! Love cruises BTW!! I also want to go the New Zealand and Australia... I would need a long vacation for that one!! There is so much to see. I love the scenery from the Lord of the Rings in NZ. It looks so beautiful and I want to see Ayer's Rock in Australia! The coastal area seems really nice and they have some beautiful fish and coral and underwater areas. It's like going to the US, it's a large country and so much variety. Have been to Red Rocks a few times, but not for a concert. It is so beautiful to be in that Natural Ampitheater and the stars at night are so clear, being at that altitude. It's like being at a planetarium, but much better! There are a lot of good hiking trails and I've hiked up Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National park, very beautiful scenery. A bit scary as you could take one wrong step and fallllllll really far!
-
I rode on one of those donkeys in Santorini. The pathways were so narrow and rough...I thought I was going to be tossed into the sea at any moment! I can't comment on the music in the headphones during the helicopter rides...especially the ride without any doors. I have blocked out some of the experience because I recall thinking at one point when I was sideways over a deep canyon with my fingers clenched to my seat cushion, "Yep, this is what the Big Bopper must have felt like on "The Day The Music Died"! Travel can have its stressful moments!
-
There's an interesting discussion on another thread regarding the song "Rocky Raccoon" and what the first line of the song is as sung by Paul. No matter what the exact lyrics, he's talking about the black hills of South Dakota. To that regard Let me take this opportunity to point out what a lovely state South Dakota is - do try to visit one day if you can. I have seen the Black Hills and the Badlands....a quiet kind of beautiful I must say. I have driven through the beautiful Custer State Park late at night after dining at a restaurant in the park, only to have our car totally surrounded by bison on the way out. (And it remained that way for quite a while because you don't move until the bison allow you to move!) I have stood before the wonderful Mt Rushmore and watched my young daughter stand on a bench not too far away with her index finger in the air....which upon gazing at that photo later looked like she was sticking her finger up one of the nostrils of Abe Lincoln. And you have not lived unless you have visited the world-famous Wall Drug! Ah, the family road trips, I miss them!
-
These are my grandchildren walking to mt. rushmore for the very first time a few years ago. The one on the left and the one on the right were in the top 2 % in the state for their overall educational intelligence. We are a very concerned and dedicated working and thinking people...and not financially rich or poor...
-
Scarlett14:
I rode on one of those donkeys in Santorini. The pathways were so narrow and rough...I thought I was going to be tossed into the sea at any moment! I can't comment on the music in the headphones during the helicopter rides...especially the ride without any doors. I have blocked out some of the experience because I recall thinking at one point when I was sideways over a deep canyon with my fingers clenched to my seat cushion, "Yep, this is what the Big Bopper must have felt like on "The Day The Music Died"! Travel can have its stressful moments!
I think the pilot was testing you there... my ride was bad as far as dropping into the canyon and a little bit of tilting, but not like that How are you expected to see the canyon after that!? Sounds awful... sorry to hear, doesn't sound very nice of the pilot. For the price they charge on those rides, I would have complained!! Wow, someone warned me not to take the donkey ride in Santorini and they said the poor creatures had a tough time of it because it was so steep and also smelly What a great view when you get to the top tho... My girlfriend went on a separate trip and they had a pool at their hotel, with the most beautiful view... it looked really nice and I hope to go back some day! I love the outdoor cafes and the bougainvillea everywhere! Wall Drug 400 miles... Wall Drug 380 miles... Wall Drug 360 miles... is there anyone who can resist stopping at Wall Drug?! It's like South of the Border signs driving South on I 95. You have to stop!
SurSteven:
These are my grandchildren walking to mt. rushmore for the very first time a few years ago. The one on the left and the one on the right were in the top 2 % in the state for their overall educational intelligence.
You must be so proud of them!! I bet they loved Mt. Rushmore!
-
My photos got ruined on this trip from the constant x-raying the film, every time you got on and off the boat! They're a bit fuzzy... This was the trip that I went digital. Putting up some photos and you can see the donkey trail zig zag up the cliff from the boat! Views from up on the cliff Views of the pavers and outdoor cafes with bougainvillea everywhere! From the cruise ship, you can see the donkey trail zig zag up and then the gondola car on the left. The whole city hangs on the top of the cliff, every place has a great water view!
-
love2travel:
Nancy what tour were you on in Liverpool. That sounds like a really great tour! I'll have to do that one some day!!
It was the Beatletour.com. I thought it was a great tour, but the guy who was in charge was pretty clueless even though he had done many of the tours before. If I go on a tour again it would be with Charles Rosenay and Liverpool Productions Magical History Tour.
-
What is Wall Drug?
-
Nancy R:
What is Wall Drug?
When you drive across South Dakota so see about 1,000 signs for Wall Drugs, many of them with miles to Wall Drug...you can't help but stop in http://www.lisagiulietti.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/walldrug.jpg
-
Wall Drugs is advertised just like Ruby Falls. I've been to both. They brainwash you. LOL!
-
I am surprised that no one has mentioned The Corn Palace in Mitchell. It is legendary here in The Midwest. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/CornPalace2008.jpg
-
Hey, I haven't passed that one yet! Haven't passed Ruby Palace either...next road trip! How about "South of the Border" same deal http://jimvid.smugmug.com/Amusement-Park/South-of-the-Border-41506/i-B3Hh372/0/L/sob-L.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVTfXA4IVIE/URWb3yCMfXI/AAAAAAAADSI/Xr3gmg1iELM/s1600/3505893334_ec1250daf4_b.jpg Is Stuckey's still around?
-
love2travel:
Hey, I haven't passed that one yet! Haven't passed Ruby Palace either...next road trip! Is Stuckey's still around?
I haven't thought about Stuckey's in ages! The original A-Framed 7-11
-
love2travel:
Nancy R:
What is Wall Drug?
When you drive across South Dakota so see about 1,000 signs for Wall Drugs, many of them with miles to Wall Drug...you can't help but stop in http://www.lisagiulietti.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/walldrug.jpg http://travelingdancers.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/p1030957.jpg
I still don't know wtf Wall Drug is. Is it a drugstore?
-
love2travel:
Is Stuckey's still around?
Apparently there are quite a few! http://locationsfound.com/Stuckeys/
-
Steven, you must be very proud of those grandchildren! I like your photo of them walking...and I recognize the surface they're walking on. Brings back nice memories. Nancy, Wall Drug is an everything-you-ever-needed store...sometimes it's an everything-you-never -knew-you-needed store. We had no idea what it was exactly as we were driving there. My teenage daughter said she hoped they sold moccasins with fringe and beads with a fuzzy, warm interior to them and sure enough there was a moccasin section of the store and she found exactly what she had hoped for! I recall a large boot section...lots of leather products...just tons of stuff. There are restaurants inside too. The outside looks like you could just ride a horse up to it. I felt like I was in a western movie when I was there. https//www.walldrug.com/ I have never heard of Stuckey's...I must investigate!