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Post by purvis on Mar 9, 2016 20:05:09 GMT
plane2catch: My niece has a son who just returned from Greece after working with the refugees and inspired my eldest son(57) to apply to several aid organizations on the ground in Greece and has received callbacks from 4 to come over and help . He has to pay his own way as he volunteered on his own. He has booked his flts. and now has to make arrangements for housing etc. My youngest son was an underground mining engineer and after nearly 30years in some very desolate places in Australia and Canada decided to retire . He now golfs and travels. Purvis
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Post by chech on Mar 11, 2016 12:36:17 GMT
Three weeks to Italy....and Boop, I am hauling out my luggage today!
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Post by purvis on Mar 11, 2016 16:28:14 GMT
Chech: I'm surprised you don't leave it fully packed in your bedroom and just pick it up when you head out the door on your next trip. I love to travel but would get quite exhausted by your schedule. Happy Tours . Purvis
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Post by chech on Mar 11, 2016 16:58:23 GMT
Yeah...it's been a bit much lately and I would have left the summer free if it hadn't been for Brazil waiving it's visa for Canadians (it's a crazy visa to get and can sometimes take a long time). I might be leaving next winter free with five months between Costa Rica and Nepal. My bank account would like that too...LOL
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Post by plane2catch on Mar 18, 2016 21:31:43 GMT
Two weeks till Disneyworld!! Time to start thinking about what clothes to pack.
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Post by purvis on Mar 19, 2016 16:56:51 GMT
plane2catch: Have a wonderful time at Disney World with your family. Since it is usually crowded this time of year due to school breaks throughout the US and Canada may I suggest that you carry as little cash as possible or wear a money belt when visiting the different theme parks as crowds often mean pick-pockets . Since your park tickets cover all expenses except food and souvenirs you really don't need much cash anyways. As for clothes to take good walking shoes , sunglasses, hat and possibly a sweater for the long days you will be in the different venues. Purvis
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Post by plane2catch on Mar 19, 2016 21:56:41 GMT
Thanks for the tip about not taking a lot of cash. I will most likely leave most of the cash I carry in the trunk of the rental car. For some reason, I never feel comfortable leaving any Gold Jewelry or cash in those hotel safes. Even though I travel with credit cards I still feel prefer to carry enough cash to pay a few nights at a hotel and the price of an airline ticket in case I end up in a hospital unexpectedly on one of my trips.
I only ended up in a hospital twice on trips. Both times in the U.S. Once, I flew to Maui from DFW but before I got on the plane I accidently got bit by a fire ant.
During the 8 hour flight my lower lip just kept on swelling and protruding outward. I had never experienced anything like it before in my life. My lips were huge. You would never think that they could swell so. I went to the hospital and they gave me some med that brought the water back out of the lips.
The second time I had obtained Canadian currency and had flown from Dallas Ft. Worth to Portland, ME intending to see my grandparents grave sight in Lewiston, ME and continue on up for a short visit to Québec but I had a pain in my abdomen and it turned out I had a fairly large blood clot which I was then placed on Coumadin and admitted to the hospital in Portland, ME for 7 nights. Never made it to Quebec on that trip.
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Post by purvis on Mar 20, 2016 14:23:21 GMT
plane2catch: Must admit I never have ended up in a hospital while on a trip but seem to after I return home. Once from pneumonia after a Trafalgar tour to Hawaii three years ago and the next year after a fall on an escalator at Toronto International when returning from a holiday in Florida. Both times just treated and returned home the same day. Still mulling over the idea of going to Ireland this coming May but have not made any definite plans . The cost is very high for just eight days since my son and I always book as solos . Purvis
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Post by bet on Mar 21, 2016 10:10:01 GMT
Turkey, with its recent bombings is now off my agenda for this year. Instead India booked for Nov/Dec and Christmas back home in NZ.
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Post by chech on Mar 21, 2016 10:48:21 GMT
Very cool...are you going with Insight? Check with your travel clinic to see if you need malaria pills.
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Post by tiffany on Mar 21, 2016 13:02:20 GMT
Turkey, with its recent bombings is now off my agenda for this year. Instead India booked for Nov/Dec and Christmas back home in NZ. I'm sorry to hear about Turkey Bet. I know you've been wanting to go there for a while. India sounds great though.
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Post by bet on Mar 21, 2016 21:34:02 GMT
Definately not with Insight Chech, I do prefer smaller groups and I want to see and experience the real India. I'm going with Intrepid.
Disappointed about not getting to Turkey though, I've been itching to go for a long time Tiffany but thought I'll hold off with all the suicide bombings and India was next on my list. Unfortunately this might be my last trip in a long time as I'm planning on going back to uni. I'm totally bored and burnt out with my job so I want a career change. I've been putting it off for years and years but as I'm not getting any younger, I just have to do it and forget travel for a while.
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Pauline
Full Member
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley, WW1 Battlefields and Northern Spain in Sep 2023 with Insight
Posts: 210
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Post by Pauline on Mar 22, 2016 1:27:51 GMT
bet, I hope you enjoy India. I was there for a month back in February 2013. Started in the North in New Delhi and finished down South at Trivandrum. An amazing country. A cousin of mine toured India with Intrepid in 2014 and had a great time.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Mar 22, 2016 5:17:48 GMT
Definately not with Insight Chech, I do prefer smaller groups and I want to see and experience the real India. I'm going with Intrepid. Disappointed about not getting to Turkey though, I've been itching to go for a long time Tiffany but thought I'll hold off with all the suicide bombings and India was next on my list. Unfortunately this might be my last trip in a long time as I'm planning on going back to uni. I'm totally bored and burnt out with my job so I want a career change. I've been putting it off for years and years but as I'm not getting any younger, I just have to do it and forget travel for a while. Hi bet. Am also going to India in November but haven't booked yet. Am looking at company odyssey who arrange car and tour guides. Reviews on trip advisor all good but not nz based company. Also thought about intrepid.
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Post by tiffany on Mar 22, 2016 13:48:55 GMT
Definately not with Insight Chech, I do prefer smaller groups and I want to see and experience the real India. I'm going with Intrepid. Disappointed about not getting to Turkey though, I've been itching to go for a long time Tiffany but thought I'll hold off with all the suicide bombings and India was next on my list. Unfortunately this might be my last trip in a long time as I'm planning on going back to uni. I'm totally bored and burnt out with my job so I want a career change. I've been putting it off for years and years but as I'm not getting any younger, I just have to do it and forget travel for a while. I think it's great that you're thinking of going back to school Bet. It may mean taking some time of travel, but you can always go back to it. I know you've been wanting to go to Turkey for a while, but you're better off waiting and being safe. Turkey will still be there in a few years. I have to admit, India is the one place that I have no desire to go. My boss went last year and loved it, but I think I'd have a hard time with the poverty. Maybe I'll get there one day.
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Post by chech on Mar 22, 2016 16:56:31 GMT
India isn't high on my list either. The malaria pills being the one thing that dissuades me and the heavy pollution the other. What I might do is do Monograms Golden Triangle. It just does Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - so the Taj Mahal is included. Since it's only 9 days, I'd probably include a few days in Taiwan on the way home. And Air Canada now has a direct to Delhi. And doing it in winter means malaria is less of an issue.
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Post by plane2catch on Mar 22, 2016 19:03:15 GMT
India isn't high on my list either. The malaria pills being the one thing that dissuades me and the heavy pollution the other. What I might do is do Monograms Golden Triangle. It just does Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - so the Taj Mahal is included. Since it's only 9 days, I'd probably include a few days in Taiwan on the way home. And Air Canada now has a direct to Delhi. And doing it in winter means malaria is less of an issue. I went in February a few years back and we had great weather. Didn't take any malaria pills at all. Loved the Golden Triangle. Especially the red fort. Went to Kerala and spent a night on a houseboat.
I remember exiting the Delhi airport and being taken back by the pollution in the air. I was worried that pollution would bother me throughout India. But, thankfully it didn't and I didn't get a throat infection like I did when I visited China back in 1985. I enjoyed India although it is not a country that I will most likely return.
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Post by bet on Mar 22, 2016 22:10:54 GMT
India is a place that's not for everyone, that's for sure. But there's the history and beauty amongst the poverty. I've been to Thailand, China & Mongolia so not afraid of seeing something 'different' and haven't been sick yet. I didn't realise how big India is and how much there is to see. My tour is 15 days includes Delhi, Agra for the Taj Mahal, Jaipur and further into the Rajasthan area, as I heard it's beautiful there. Also includes a couple of safaris which is why I picked Intrepid. Looking forward to it, I'm sure it will be great.
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Post by bet on Mar 22, 2016 22:21:21 GMT
Definately not with Insight Chech, I do prefer smaller groups and I want to see and experience the real India. I'm going with Intrepid. Disappointed about not getting to Turkey though, I've been itching to go for a long time Tiffany but thought I'll hold off with all the suicide bombings and India was next on my list. Unfortunately this might be my last trip in a long time as I'm planning on going back to uni. I'm totally bored and burnt out with my job so I want a career change. I've been putting it off for years and years but as I'm not getting any younger, I just have to do it and forget travel for a while. Hi bet. Am also going to India in November but haven't booked yet. Am looking at company odyssey who arrange car and tour guides. Reviews on trip advisor all good but not nz based company. Also thought about intrepid. Hi Kiwigrandma I haven't heard of Odyssey before but I've heard a lot of good about Intrepid, but it depends on what style of tour you do and your comfort levels. Have you heard of On the Go Tours they are a British company with good reviews as well. They are more comfort tours with similar standards to Trafalgar with hotels etc. I was originally going with them but changed to Intrepid purely for the itinerary.
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Post by plane2catch on Mar 22, 2016 22:42:47 GMT
Bet those Safaris sound fun!! What month are you planning on going? I've heard India can get heavy rains in the Spring. Glad I went when it wasn't too hot as well. Enjoy your trip. Looking forward to your remarks upon your return.
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Post by mary on Apr 18, 2016 1:19:01 GMT
I've been away from this board again for some time.
I recently booked Scenic Parks Explorer with Trafalgar Tours. Going solo in September. Very excited to do this tour.
I'm leaving April 23rd on the Historic South & Golden Isles cruise (7 nights), a US coastal cruise with American Cruise Lines. Cruising from Charleston, S.C. to Jacksonville, FL on 100 passenger American Star. Ports are Beaufort, SC, Hilton Head, SC, Savannah, GA, Sapelo Island, GA, St. Simons Island/Jekyll Isalnd, GA and Amelia Island, FL.
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Post by plane2catch on Apr 18, 2016 20:39:52 GMT
Mary, TT's Scenic Parks Tour has everything. I went back in 2012 or 2013 can't remember the exact year. I went as a solo traveler and met many nice individuals on the tour. I think you will be happy with your choice. One of the better hotel's is the one in Moab. With all the red rock and river close bye it felt like you were in heaven. Enjoy your trip.
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denise
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by denise on May 2, 2016 4:44:36 GMT
I've been away from this board again for some time.
I recently booked Scenic Parks Explorer with Trafalgar Tours. Going solo in September. Very excited to do this tour.
I'm leaving April 23rd on the Historic South & Golden Isles cruise (7 nights), a US coastal cruise with American Cruise Lines. Cruising from Charleston, S.C. to Jacksonville, FL on 100 passenger American Star. Ports are Beaufort, SC, Hilton Head, SC, Savannah, GA, Sapelo Island, GA, St. Simons Island/Jekyll Isalnd, GA and Amelia Island, FL.
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denise
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by denise on May 2, 2016 4:48:04 GMT
I've been away from this board again for some time.
I recently booked Scenic Parks Explorer with Trafalgar Tours. Going solo in September. Very excited to do this tour.
I'm leaving April 23rd on the Historic South & Golden Isles cruise (7 nights), a US coastal cruise with American Cruise Lines. Cruising from Charleston, S.C. to Jacksonville, FL on 100 passenger American Star. Ports are Beaufort, SC, Hilton Head, SC, Savannah, GA, Sapelo Island, GA, St. Simons Island/Jekyll Isalnd, GA and Amelia Island, FL.
Just checked into this site to read travel reviews - I too have booked to do Scenic Parks Explorer - going solo at the beginning of October - I'm sure this will be a great tour. 6 months counting down! Last time I travelled to some of these places was a Contiki tour in 1982 - camping - even in Las Vegas!
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Post by chech on May 2, 2016 11:35:49 GMT
Cool! Still one of my favorite parts of the world! I camped in LV on my own travels in the area in 1990. It was like 36c at night and we couldn't sleep with anything on in the tent. It was suffocating. It'll be chilly in October. We had snow in Yellowstone when we camped there on Labour Day Weekend! You'll definitely want a pair of gloves and a fleece.
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Post by tassiedevil on May 4, 2016 4:24:06 GMT
142 days until I travel to New Zealand, where I will spend 2 weeks touring the south island (plus Wellington).
I also have 233 days until I go to San Francisco, get to spend Christmas there. Over the following 4 weeks I get to see San Francisco, Orlando, New Orleans and Dallas.
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Post by chech on May 4, 2016 10:37:10 GMT
Two weeks on the South Island! Fabulous! Are you going to see the penguins in Dunedin? We had people opt out thinking they wouldn't see any and they were everywhere. Going to Disneyworld in Orlando?
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Post by tassiedevil on May 4, 2016 23:13:16 GMT
I don't know if I will go and see the penguins or not. It depends if it clashes with going to see the Cadbury Factory! I have to get my priorities right!
The only reason for my US trip is Disneyworld, so definitely going there when in Orlando! Heading there for their Marathon weekend. The run has caused some headaches as some of the distances sold out in 14 minutes and one of our party of 4 wasn't able to gain entry in any of the runs. Personally I'm happy as I got what I wanted and eventually my father, who I am going to run with, got what he wanted (just had to pay a bit extra and have him registered in the full marathon as well, which he isn't going to run in).
Also have 4 trips to Melbourne booked as well. Two are to see the musicals The Sound of Music and We Will Rock You, the others are for my annual footy trip with my brother and finally for my annual run in the City2Sea.
Looking forward to all my travels.
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Post by chech on May 5, 2016 18:05:00 GMT
Chocolate or Peguins....hmmm. Yes, I can see the dilemma there. LOL So, you'll be running in Florida in January? At least the temps then will be manageable. Can't imagine running in their summer or even shoulder season heat. We had a run in with the Rome marathon when I was there last month. What a nightmare for tourist! LOL
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Post by tassiedevil on May 5, 2016 23:06:53 GMT
Last year I arrived in Edinburgh the day before their marathon, it was a nightmare trying to find somewhere to stay! It took a couple of hours to find somewhere that had vacancy and wasn't going to charge over 300 pounds for the night! Managed to steer clear of the run by visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia in the morning and then head into the city late morning.
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