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Post by chech on May 6, 2016 11:41:53 GMT
300 pounds a night! Holy cow! The fun part in Rome was crossing the streets. They had metal barricades....miles and miles of them that were impossible to get through. You can imagine the insanity in the centre of Rome! LOL I was in Copenhagen during their marathon too....no barricades there. They trusted us to cross the streets without getting run over.
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Post by californian on May 8, 2016 17:07:44 GMT
I almost got run over by a car near the Vatican, after that, my grandchildren watched me like hawks! And we never crossed the street from the Forum to the church with the Michelangelo's Moises...! We were tired and I didn't want to push my luck.
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Post by tassiedevil on May 8, 2016 22:56:44 GMT
300 pounds a night! Holy cow! The fun part in Rome was crossing the streets. They had metal barricades....miles and miles of them that were impossible to get through. You can imagine the insanity in the centre of Rome! LOL I was in Copenhagen during their marathon too....no barricades there. They trusted us to cross the streets without getting run over. After driving around for hours, eventually found something, but it was still by far the most expensive night's accommodation of he 2 weeks travelling around the UK. The next night at the same hotel was under half the price.
I forgot, also last year Dubrovnik had their inaugural run the wall while I was there. They had metal barricades up all over the main square/street and obviously the wall was closed. If I had of known about it I would have signed up for it! The included tour of Dubrovnik got us there before the start of the run, so it would have fitted in nicely.
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Post by chech on May 9, 2016 11:05:26 GMT
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Post by tassiedevil on May 9, 2016 23:06:53 GMT
They opened the wall up later in the morning just in time to be walking on it in the midday sun. The people that waited until later in the afternoon to escape the heat had something else to contend with, a major thunderstorm!
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Post by chech on May 10, 2016 11:14:32 GMT
LOL...what a choice. Die of thirst or get hit by lightning.
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Post by chech on May 15, 2016 11:12:47 GMT
One month to South America! Guess there's no sense is putting my luggage away. And it's amazing what a little research can do. Monograms offers an optional to Sugarloaf mountain in Rio but I couldn't find anything offered for the afternoon (either with Monograms or via Viator) so I checked out what was involved in seeing Sugarloaf on my own and it's actually within walking distance of my hotel. So, with the afternoon of my arrival free and likely the afternoon of the included tour partially free, I can go see it on my own (for about half the cost). That leaves the second full day free, so I'm looking at a full day excursion to the park in Rio where you can climb to the highest peak in the city.
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Post by bet on May 29, 2016 10:23:34 GMT
I finally booked my tour to India for Nov/Dec and my flights back to NZ for Xmas & New Years. I just need to save now. It's nice to do something cheaper for a change.
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Post by bet on May 29, 2016 10:46:01 GMT
Chech - after South America what's next on your agenda? Globetrotting around the world every few months must be really hard....If I was only so lucky.
Tiffany - how's your Eastern Europe plans going? it's not long to go now so you must be getting a little excited. Which tour is it your doing.
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Post by tiffany on May 29, 2016 13:02:42 GMT
Hi Bet, the tour I'm doing is Trafalgar's Highlights of Eastern Europe. I haven't done much in terms of planning, as I may have to cancel due to some health issues I have as well as my father. As of now, it looks like I'll be able to go, however, I'm waiting for my dad to have some tests done in July before confirming. I have until mid-August to cancel and get my money back, so I'll have to decide by then. I really hope to be able to go though, as my friends have already booked their flights, and are going even if I can't make it. I can always reschedule for next May, but that would mean going on my own and paying the single supplement. We were originally going to fly to London for four days before the tour starts, but have already decided against that, and, instead, are going to fly into Vienna a day early, and stay a day after the tour.
I'm glad you booked India. I know you've been talking about going there for a while.
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Post by chech on May 29, 2016 15:20:05 GMT
Oh, India in the late fall. I'll be very interested to hear about that. The only thing that delays me going to India is having to take something for malaria (doxycyline for me) and that means I have to take it for four weeks after I'm done. What I might do is combine it with a visit to Thailand so I take care of two malaria zones at once. Right now, my countdown includes South America in a couple weeks, the cruise through the Northwest Passage in September, Costa Rica at Christmas and Tibet/Nepal with Everest base camp next May. I'm hoping to take the winter off so that I can recover....or at least let the bank account recover. So many places, so little time. Hopefully everything works out for Tiffany!
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Post by bet on May 30, 2016 7:38:26 GMT
Tiffany - I was in the same situation last year with my mum & I had to make some cutbacks with my Christmas trip so I hope things work out for you and your dad. The Highlights of Eastern Europe looks a good tour, I'm yet to see Lake Bled & Budapest. I hope you make it with your friend - the single supplement is steep.
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Post by bet on May 30, 2016 8:15:13 GMT
And so little money Chech. It's a nice time to go to India, definately want to avoid the extreme summer temperatures. I'm still considering the need for malaria tablets but will take some repellent regardless, but I'm not concerned. I think much depends on where you go - doing the golden triangle route and doing regular touristy things and staying somewhere decent, I'm sure you will be fine. I spent 3 months in Thailand, I didn't take anything and never got sick, not even with food poisoning. I loved Thailand and it's spicy food.
Nepal & Tibet will be great, I did consider doing a Delhi to Kathmandu tour but wanted to see other parts of India the tour didn't cover so I'll be looking forward to hearing about them if you go.
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Post by chech on May 30, 2016 11:32:07 GMT
If you don't go for malaria pills, make sure the repellent has a lot of deet and don't forget to apply it. Just one bite is all that is needed and the risk in the Triangle is year-round. (And despite common thought, it can be fatal. In South Africa, our guide knew of a teenager that didn't take the pills and died from malaria). I use a cream repellent that is considered one of the best in the world - Watkins' Great Outdoors - which comes from the Mosquito capital of Canada...Winnipeg. It has the high deet level recommended for risk areas, and as a cream, it's easy to see that you've covered all exposed skin as you apply it. Sprays are useless but can be used to lightly spray your cloths in the cuff areas and around the neck. And they recommend applying sunscreen first, and after 10 minutes, apply the repellent. And of course, reapply before dusk. That's when the little buggers get ya! LOL And you can get the Watkins on amazon.
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Post by tiffany on May 30, 2016 11:36:42 GMT
Tiffany - I was in the same situation last year with my mum & I had to make some cutbacks with my Christmas trip so I hope things work out for you and your dad. The Highlights of Eastern Europe looks a good tour, I'm yet to see Lake Bled & Budapest. I hope you make it with your friend - the single supplement is steep. Thanks Bet. I really hope I can go as well. 2016 has not been the best year for me to date, and having this tour to look forward to has been very helpful. Now that it looks like my health issues are almost over, and that I’ll be able to go, my dad may have his own set of health issues. He has some tests booked for July 6, so we will know more then. Once we know the results, I’ll be able to figure out if I’m able to go or not.
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Post by bet on Jun 2, 2016 6:39:47 GMT
Thanks Chech, I came across a high strength deet repellent the other week, I'll pick up some closer to the time. I'm more concerned with road/personal safety and avoiding Delhi belly. Have a great & safe time in South America. If you don't go for malaria pills, make sure the repellent has a lot of deet and don't forget to apply it. Just one bite is all that is needed and the risk in the Triangle is year-round. (And despite common thought, it can be fatal. In South Africa, our guide knew of a teenager that didn't take the pills and died from malaria). I use a cream repellent that is considered one of the best in the world - Watkins' Great Outdoors - which comes from the Mosquito capital of Canada...Winnipeg. It has the high deet level recommended for risk areas, and as a cream, it's easy to see that you've covered all exposed skin as you apply it. Sprays are useless but can be used to lightly spray your cloths in the cuff areas and around the neck. And they recommend applying sunscreen first, and after 10 minutes, apply the repellent. And of course, reapply before dusk. That's when the little buggers get ya! LOL And you can get the Watkins on amazon.
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Post by bet on Jun 2, 2016 6:44:33 GMT
Good luck for next month, it's never nice waiting not knowing & havings things on hold. Tiffany - I was in the same situation last year with my mum & I had to make some cutbacks with my Christmas trip so I hope things work out for you and your dad. The Highlights of Eastern Europe looks a good tour, I'm yet to see Lake Bled & Budapest. I hope you make it with your friend - the single supplement is steep. Thanks Bet. I really hope I can go as well. 2016 has not been the best year for me to date, and having this tour to look forward to has been very helpful. Now that it looks like my health issues are almost over, and that I’ll be able to go, my dad may have his own set of health issues. He has some tests booked for July 6, so we will know more then. Once we know the results, I’ll be able to figure out if I’m able to go or not.
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Post by chech on Jun 2, 2016 11:02:14 GMT
Bet....to combat traveller's gut, I get Dukoral from the pharmacy or travel clinic. It's an oral e-coli/cholera vaccine that can combat more than 70% of the reasons behind traveller's gut. The catch is it's not available in the US (cause it's only good for three months and the FDA doesn't consider it useful for such a short efficacy. Meanwhile, it's ideal for travellers cause you don't need it to cover you for years.) It's an absolute essential for me especially for non-first world countries and I have yet to get sick. The only time I've gotten sick was on the one trip when I didn't take it...Australia. I was fine there but the two days in Fiji got me good. I know one American who is close to the Canadian border and pops over here to get it before his trips. For India, it's certainly a must for me.
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Post by Tulips on Jul 11, 2016 21:55:38 GMT
So, I am now 43 days away from my trip to Africa - 6 days Cape Town, 3 days Kruger Park, 3 days Victoria Falls, 2 days Botswana with crossing into Namibia and 4 days Johannesburg.
I'm very excited and cannot wait. I've been bad with your tales in the past. I work full time and am often wiped when I get home so don't want to spend a whole night behind a computer, but I'm determined to do one for this trip.
Ive tested some malaria pills and have had no issues, so that is good to go. Expecting docs and luggage to arrive this week. My South African adaptor arrived last week and I'm borrowing another from a work colleague. Clothes are getting there, just waiting for a couple of things to arrive.
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Post by tiffany on Jul 12, 2016 11:32:53 GMT
Sounds like a great trip Tulips, and I’m looking forward to reading about your trip when you get back! I know what you mean though, about spending the evenings behind a computer writing after spending all day behind a computer at work. When I draft my tour tales, I just type a day at a time. It usually takes me a few weeks to finish, but at least I do one!
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Post by chech on Jul 12, 2016 12:20:44 GMT
I like to decompress at the end of the day while travelling by typing up the day. Takes me about half hour to type up a busy day right before bedtime. It's something to do while waiting in the airports or flying home. Australia was the only time I didn't do it, and yes, it was hard to get it going practically from scratch when I got home. What's on the agenda for the four days in Johannesburg?
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Post by Tulips on Jul 12, 2016 15:43:24 GMT
I keep a diary, but tend to like to have a drink at the end of a day and catch up on news etc.
For Johannesburg, I am doing, Pretoria, the Cullinan Diamond Mine, Soweto and the Aparteid Museum, which part of a day long Journey to Freedom tour, Lilliesleaf Farm and the Cradle of Humankind.
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Post by chech on Jul 12, 2016 15:54:31 GMT
That'll keep you busy!
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Post by Tulips on Jul 12, 2016 16:08:06 GMT
Well, I don't want to sit and have nothing to do. LOL! Everything is private, so won't be tied to a group schedule, which will give me a lot more freedom.
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Post by Tulips on Jul 12, 2016 16:09:30 GMT
Sounds like a great trip Tulips, and I’m looking forward to reading about your trip when you get back! I know what you mean though, about spending the evenings behind a computer writing after spending all day behind a computer at working. When I draft my tour tales, I just type a day at a time. It usually takes me a few weeks to finish, but at least I do one! That's probably all I could do in an evening also. Any word on whether you can still go on your trip?
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Post by tiffany on Jul 12, 2016 16:27:47 GMT
My dad just got his test results back this morning, and all is good with him, and while my health issues are still not totally resolved, they are not bad enough to keep me from going, and I have my doctor’s go ahead, so I should be good to go! My friend and I just booked our hotel for our pre- and post day stays, and we are planning what to do on those days. I have until August 6 to pay in full, so I still have a few weeks to cancel, in the event that something comes up, but it doesn’t look like anything will happen.
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Post by tiffany on Jul 13, 2016 11:50:18 GMT
I keep a diary, but tend to like to have a drink at the end of a day and catch up on news etc. For Johannesburg, I am doing, Pretoria, the Cullinan Diamond Mine, Soweto and the Aparteid Museum, which part of a day long Journey to Freedom tour, Lilliesleaf Farm and the Cradle of Humankind. I also keep a diary, but I normally write in it while on the coach. I’m usually one of the first ones on the coach in the mornings, so I’ll write in it while waiting for everyone to get seated, etc. Sometimes I write while we are driving, but since I get motion sickness, I can’t do that for long. I find if I write a little, and then look up for a while, and then write a little again, I’m okay. I usually join people for a drink in the hotel bar after dinner, so by the time I get to my room, I just have time to wash up before bed. I like to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. while on tour, as we are up so early! If I brought a lap-top with me, I could draft my tour tale while on tour, but I find them too big to bring with me, and only bring a small tablet so I can check email, etc.
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Post by bet on Jul 17, 2016 21:45:45 GMT
Despite my good intentions I'm completely hopeless at maintaining a travel journal, by the end of the day I just want to relax and not think. I'm also a bit fussy and never like my own work so I now just dot down main points with the intention of writing it up nicely when I'm back home, which I never do. Fortunately my memory is still good so I hope to finish writing up my last trip before I go on my next one to India, where I will definately be keeping a journal.
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Post by kiwigrandma on Jul 18, 2016 11:06:55 GMT
I'm not good with diary either but am also going to India in November will try to do one then. We hiring a car and driver but arranged through tour company. Probably doing much the same as you Bet. I'm a bit worried about getting sick. Have just had hep injections and will have typhoid bit nearer time and get malaria tablets. Mosquitos love me.
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Post by plane2catch on Jul 18, 2016 12:58:14 GMT
Headed to CALGARY CANADA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I finally get to see Jasper, Baniff and Glacier National Park
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