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Tagged With "Pigeon Point Light Station"

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Re: November 30, 2016: The Guggenheim Museum, New York

Paul Heymont ·
I'm not a big fan of the Guggenheim's collection, but i do love the building, and wonder why it hasn't become the template for many others. Quite aside from its own beauty, it seems one of the best ways to display art. I'm often frustrated in museums by a labyrinth of rooms, not always well laid out, that keep me from back-tracking to reconsider a painting I'd passed in light of ones I saw further on. The spiral solves that brilliantly. In 1962, my uncle, a painter, took me there to see an...
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Re: Ryanair's O'Leary: I have a way to make flying free

Paul Heymont ·
I hope I didn't sound as if I were kicking him, although at points he's opened himself to it, and I think intentionally...in his business, gejotting noticed is important and he's good at it. And, as you point out, he's reshaped an entire industry, nearly on a worldwide basis. Even Uber and Airbnb haven't achieved that degree of 'disruption.'
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Re: England’s Thames Path: Kew Gardens

George G. ·
My wife Diane and I spent almost an entire day at Kew Gardens. So much natural beauty to see. We arrived from central London at the Kew Station in mid-morning and didn't leave until almost dusk. At one time our son had a possibility of being transferred to London and I recommended getting a place in the Kew Garden area for the beauty and quiet. One of my photos from Kew.
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Re: Tips to help with packing no matter where you are going

Paul Heymont ·
Adding to Mac's point. A big turning point for us was when we started packing for 7 days, no matter how much longer the trip. Usually we have a washer in the apartments we rent, but when not, there's always a laundromat nearby, and usually one that will wash and fold while we tour. We don't often enough change locations to want to keep everything packed (and anyway, I'm a compulsive unpacker) so some of the tools are less useful to us...but I do remind everyone that shoes are actually...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#230)

DrFumblefinger ·
And here are the final clues for this week's puzzle. I think these should help pin point where we're at. The reveal goes up on Monday so good luck with solving the puzzle.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#288)

Travel Rob ·
Leave the station and you might run into this scarecrow.
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Re: Notes and Noticings from the road

Paul Heymont ·
Actually, I think the banks have a fairly minimal (as small as I can make it) impact on my currency transactions, in part because I never deal with exchanges; I use bank ATMs. That way, the exchange takes place not on my account, but as an interbank transaction at the base rate banks use with each other. I used to use my ATM card from Citibank, but eventually they began charging a 3% foreign exchange fee even on withdrawals. At that point, I opened an account with Charles Schwab, a brokerage...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 13, 2015: Gettysburg at dusk

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks for the note, Marilyn! I agree. The low light really added to the drama of that setting.
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #14: A Sewer Journey

TravelandNature ·
IslandMan - Good one ! Your island home of Malta is an interesting case in point of modern water and wastewater management. The limestone and clay geology there leads to rapid groundwater runoff during the winter rains. Because of this, precious water is reused after treatment in one of the two above ground sewer plants. Water has always been a very valuable resource on the island. Perhaps you might like to make a report sometime about the natural springs and history of the Maqluba doline in...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #11

PortMoresby ·
And what possible good is a puzzle without a bit of chicanery - by definition, I should think. I haven't seen the arena at Arles, though it's already on my list for the next visit to France. I have walked past the arena in Verona as it was between the train station and the garden I'd come to photograph. Likely why it came to mind just after the Colosseum.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #11

Paul Heymont ·
Well, here it is Friday night, and I see everyone gathered around to see what's in the Gumbo (e)mailbag and here...because indeed, the mystery has again been solved. Gumbo was in the Roman Arena at Arles, deep in the heart of Roman France. First to point at the site (but not to actually claim it) was Port Moresby, who contributed a picture of it at 1 pm on Wednesday while others were pointing out other Roman arenas. PM was followed by TravelandNature at 11 pm that night—you'll have noted...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #11

Paul Heymont ·
PortMoresby put the finger on what made this one hard. It was the ancient-days equivalent of being asked to identify a free-standing Barnes and Noble store, or an Exxon station. Easy to know what it is, not so easy to know where . What's been fun in these is watching people dig out bits and pieces that then fuel other folks' guesses. WorkerBee has done that a number of times; in this case, even though T&N doesn't play as a guesser, the geological analysis of the stones was a stunning...
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Re: Where We Went: London, Paris, Toronto

Paul Heymont ·
That's a great point! I never like "best" lists, anyway...and like to stray into any place that looks good and take a chance on whether it's "Zagat-quality." The cost of living is interesting, too, especially for travelers on tight budgets; my experience in Portugal last summer (see BLOG here on TravelGumbo) has sent a couple of younger colleagues off to plan Portugal trips instead of more expensive parts of Europe.
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Re: "Mind Your Manners!" VisitBritain Warns Hoteliers

GarryRF ·
CICAK. No one gets upset over a few words here. Unlike my family in the US who think that an exchange of views is the start of WW3. I enjoy exchanging opinions and alternate ideas. As do most people here in the UK. Constructive criticism is a wonderful thing ! DrFunblefinger likes to throw me some "bait" occasionally - but he knows I wont bite the hook. PHeymont likes to rock my boat too. But it's just "light hearted teasing" and we've all been friends for many years ! Some of the...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? 7.5

PortMoresby ·
It seems to be "Leopold", a symbolic 1890's photographer, by David Clemons, Higgins Point, Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? 7.5

WorkerBee ·
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: It seems to be "Leopold", a symbolic 1890's photographer, by David Clemons, Higgins Point, Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. Well done Port Moresby. However there is a minor point about the location. Higgens Point (yes, this is the correct spelling) is about 0.2 mile southeast of the location of the statue. The statue is actually located on the 34 acre Coeur d'Alene Parkway, a thin strip of park land running along the Centennial Trail for about 1/2 mile...
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Re: Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Kennedy Space Center

Paul Heymont ·
Thanks for an orbit of memory lane! I think for me the most amazing aspect of the whole space program is how we have moved from each launch being a major news event before, during and after to seeing space in the papers only when something goes wrong--and these days, it seems to be mostly plumbing issues on the International Space Station. Looking at the pictures...it's amazing how big some aspects are, and how small the actual shuttle is!
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Re: Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Kennedy Space Center

GarryRF ·
I enjoyed watching todays launch from Virginia. A Ton of supplies to get aboard the Spacestation ! And 10,000 ants ! The folks on the station have to reach out and grab it as it floats around. Just as well its weightless !
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Re: Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Kennedy Space Center

GarryRF ·
Last launch I watched was from the East Coast of Florida - maybe near Cocoa Beach. The Sky was complete darkness, just a few stars and the moon. We were listening to the launch radio station from about T minus 15 minutes - as NASA described the last minute checks. A few seconds before launch time you could see the ground at Cape Canaveral illuminated like a bright white flare. The steam from the launch pad turned into a white cloud and on "Zero" the rocket was moving slowly into the air. For...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Feb. 2, 2014: New York Harbor at Sea Level

PortMoresby ·
My only experience of being on the water in NY Harbor was a lesson in perspective and point of view, as this one is. Seen from a clear distance in this way, a great city is an entirely different beast.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #5.5

WorkerBee ·
Interesting clues here but nothing definitive. The vegetation growing through the cobblestones might indicate a moderate climate throughout the year. This path appears to be residential and not one frequented by tourists. Maybe Mediterranean or a colonial city in the Americas. The cobblestones are on the small side and are more common, I think, in southern Europe. Also the light fixtures are a modern design and not typical of a city trying very hard to preserve the old look and feel of the...
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Re: The "Eiffel Tour" Only Starts with the Tour Eiffel

Paul Heymont ·
T&N, you make an interesting point about the air circulation and coolness of Eiffel's building. These days we are constantly reading about advances in "green design," intended to reduce excess energy use. Ironic how well some of those principles of making life bearable were known so long ago by those who didn't have the option of mechanical air-conditioning! Another example is in today's blog about Gaudi's Casa Battlo in Barcelona, which uses an open well through the center of the...
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Re: Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!

Todd ·
Nice article, but have to point out that the "Capitol" is a building in Washington DC while Ottawa (and Washington DC itself for that matter) are the "capitals" of their countries. One letter, but very different meanings.
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Re: Canal St-Martin in Paris/Where Locals and Travelers Mix

Paul Heymont ·
The Canal St.-Martin area is also good for food. One of the best-regarded new bakeries, Des Idees et du Pain is on its edge, and there's a great twice-a-week open-air market between the point where it goes underground and Bastille.
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Re: Please Don't Squeeze the Passengers: Airbus

Paul Heymont ·
Interesting point, Mac. Large planes with bright decor somehow seem to me roomier, even if the seat is the same size. I think there's a balance between physical comfort and "feel" that airlines may not always recognize. On the other hand, I've been on 777s that had so little division of space that my mental image was sitting in a huge concert hall...and felt a bit uncomfortable from that!
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People

GarryRF ·
When I go to my local Pub in Liverpool I'll have a choice of Beers. Heineken Dutch Lager - San Miguel Spanish - Carlsberg Danish - Stella Belgian - Fosters Australian - Sagres Portuguese. Plus many local brews. Old Speckled Hen, Bishops Finger and my favourite Newcastle Brown Ale. Served in a Pint - 20 ounce - Bottle. With a half pint glass. It keeps cooler in the bottle ! Liquid Toffee ! Not a light Beer. Lots of Flavour and quite potent. I've found bars around Ocean City Maryland who serve...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 17, 2013: Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

vivie ·
Yes Montreal is great. Wish I could go back more often. The fun thing about these attractions is while they are all near one another, there is also a metro station nearby. Cheaper than the taxi and an experience in itself. This is only the tip of the iceberg...so much more to see and experience.
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Re: The Worst Train in the World

Jill's Scene ·
Fascinating read! If I do take this train trip, and it's currently included in the plan, for our hoped for trip to Mynamar later this year, I can't say I wasn't warned. Coming from a country that shakes, rattles, and rolls pretty much every day there were two things about the earthquake that worried me. First, it was big enough to produce screams!! Second, it seems that no-one bothered to check the tracks before the train left the station. And so as I was reading I expected a derailment -...
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Re: The Tulou of Fujian Province

PortMoresby ·
HistoryDigger, I'll explain. At the end of the first day of tulou visits, the large tour bus rendezvoused with a small van and it was indicated that I should bring my things and come with a young man. Since no one could explain, I had to simply trust and go along, an interesting sensation. I later realized that I was the only one who had opted for the second day. The young man drove me to a very basic village of mostly new buildings built, I suspect but of course don't know, for...
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Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool

DrFumblefinger ·
No offense intended, PHeymont. I was trying to make a point that the modern reality is very different than the "reputation".
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Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool

Paul Heymont ·
No offense taken...your remark just started me on a train of thought that stopped at a new station!
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Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool

Paul Heymont ·
Garry...I certainly did not mean to pick on Liverpool, or to pick it out of the very large crowd consisting of all large cities of the time. My point was that the reputation that Dr. F mentioned was not untrue--but was also nothing special about Liverpool. All the great and interesting places have been through that stage, and to some extent it will never end. While Prof. Rosner's description is a little simplified and sensationalized, it could serve as a prototype for writing about most...
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Re: Airbus Survey: 41% Willing to Pay for More Space

DrFumblefinger ·
Good for Airbus! It seems the airline industry may have reached a tipping point where people will pay a little more for a little comfort. I hope that's the case and that they listen and provide options. I always look for a good airfare, but I also look at what kind of comfort that airfare buys me and am willing to pay a little more for a little more. 8-12 hours on a plane is not great fun, although I can divert my attention usually. But it's made infinitely more pleasant by a few extra...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?

Paul Heymont ·
Garry, I have to disagree with you there...having worked in situations like that. It's certainly true that there are often too many tables to serve (if the owner can get by with three waiters instead of four or five, that's money in his pocket). And it's true that too many tables means poor service, even when you want to do better: You just can't, and that often means lower tips as well. Remember: if the party coming in the door is not on your station, you're not serving them. And if they...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?

Paul Heymont ·
Garry, I think you missed my point. I, too, want a decent meal and good service...and when the owner sets up conditions in which either one is impossible, no matter how willing the staff...well, it's the owner who should shape up or ship out of the business.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 4, 2013: Patterns from the Air

Former Member ·
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: With the softening of TSA inflight electronic requirements, this should be even less of an issue in the future. Hello, good Dr. F That is a good point. Sure, the flight attendants ought to be less fussy now.
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP

Paul Heymont ·
John's point about the ratio between the two tiers is interesting (we looked at that a little in a forum post this week on value of miles). My guess--and it's just that--is that the same kind of yield-management used to set prices has taken a look at this and is carefully balancing loyalty vs. burn... I can't really compare East vs West availability personally; my school schedules have defined when I can travel well enough that I'm able to start hunting tickets 330 days out, when the...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #22

Paul Heymont ·
If you hadn't said it was natural, I would have imagined it at night, with cartoon monsters and an even light glowing from within Skull Rock...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar. 30, 2014: Jean Cocteau on Wine

Paul Heymont ·
Well, borders change and Jerez is no longer "on the edge" of anything. Aside from the sherry houses, it seemed a pleasant mid-size city with nice parks and squares, a gorgeous tiled rail station and an Alcazar with an interesting history. The last two are featured in a blog here on TravelGumbo. See https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo...-window-into-history
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Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers

DrFumblefinger ·
That's an excellent point, Travel Rob. The Premier AAA card is the way to go. But I believe it is only offered to long-time valued members of AAA. You can't walk in off the street and ask to be a Premier Member, at least that's my impression. They will offer it to you. But you should ask for it if you've been a AAA member for quite a while for all the reasons Rob outlines.
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Re: Lighthouses of Lake Havasu – Part 2 of 3

Samantha ·
They are cool to see. Some are just for fun, but many of them do actually light up to help the boaters.
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Re: New Orleans—Museum Highlights Young Voices of Resilience

DangTravelers ·
Great post! New Orleans is such a vibrant and amazing city with rich history & culture. The people of the city lived through such a horrific event, but to see that some light has come out of the darkness is uplifting.
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Re: Alitalia: No money, but new uniforms

PortMoresby ·
I'd suggest that, designer duds aside, Alitalia has arrived at this point in the company history because someone, or someones, has their head you know where. I was on an Alitalia flight this past Thursday and for those hours I was unable to put my knees together, so stingy was the leg room (aka "pitch") for my steerage-class seat. I had to place my feet on either side of the seat-back pocket and there they stayed. I'm a mere 5'6" in height and I felt for the tall guy next to me who was...
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Re: The Lure of Stonehenge

GarryRF ·
I've never written a review and used the opening paragraph to criticise a few idiots I may have encountered. Of which there have been many. Nor have I needed to draw on the bad experience of another to make a critical point. I've never heard it called "Boring" and I've been here for 60 years. I suppose this will add to the list of "Warm Beer" questions I find boring whenever I visit my American Family. Nice photo's.
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Re: Amsterdam councillors: cheap visitors, stay home!

GarryRF ·
It's because the beer, dining, hotels, museum, coffee shops and the red light district are so expensive we can't afford to stay longer. Perhaps Udo Kock should change the image of Amsterdam away from drugs and prostitution so that the more discerning traveller - like myself - would make it a week instead of a weekend.
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Re: November 26, 2017: Ranakpur: The Most Delicate Jain Temple

Professorabe ·
You are absolutely right. Not only is Ranakpur a convenient stopping-off point between Jodhpur and Udaipur, it is also one of Rajasthan's gems. We spent several hours there last year exploring both the main temple and the adjoining one. There were a few other tourists there, but it seems that most tours bypass the site completely.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#222)

DrFumblefinger ·
Here are the next set of clues for this week's puzzle. The first, of a curious chap on a light-pole..... The bird's studying these fisherman. They happen to be cleaning lake trout....
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Re: Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt seeing visitors again

Paul Heymont ·
The report I took figures from made that distinction, likely because some sources report report figures separately for Balearics and Canaries. In that light, I thought it useful to mention. Since the context was the thin margin for Spain over Greece, I will venture a guess that separating Greece's islands from the mainland would drastically alter the rankings.
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Re: Back to Oaxaca: VWs Everywhere!

DrFumblefinger ·
Even more than mole, I believe we now have an ironclad reason to visit Oaxaca! The first car I can remember my father owning was one of these classic bugs -- a light blue one.
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Re: Is your airport bin clean enough? Maybe not.

DrFumblefinger ·
I think I'd rather have rubber globes patting me down than someone's sweaty hands! But your point is well taken. The intrusion of airport security into our privacy is truly shameful.
 
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