Tagged With "High Level Bridge"
Comment
Re: France: Cameras are watching more than speed
I'm very wary of surveillance when it applies at an individual level. However, traffic, often high speed traffic, has to be regulated (Highway Code) for us to expect to survive most journeys. Who is it that would object to bad driving being scrutinised ? They may well be grateful some day that someone else's misdemeanour has been noted. if you mindfully do that stuff, you shouldn't. And if you won't behave among the rest of us, then maybe you shouldn't drive.
Reply
Re: The Best Things To Do In Boston
From Logan Airport you can take the Metro into the City. When you've seen enough at the first stop - get back on the Underground system and come up to ground level at the next stop. Repeat as often as time will allow. Great way to spend 8 hours between flights. Only the Bostonian's would drink green beer on Paddy's Day.
Comment
Re: Google Maps dominates the field
I use OpenStreetMap (OSM) a lot. It also goes down to the footpath level - and is often more accurate than Google.
Comment
Re: Hurricane cancels hundreds of flights, cruises
The causeway from Miami down to Key West is just above sea level. Even a few feet would damage the roadway. I'm sure Rob will be OK. Someone will take him in and feed him ! (only joking Rob)
Comment
Re: Belfast: An Uneasy City
Garry, I'll live with judgemental, but without taking it as a bad thing. Travel and observation involves judgement, even at the simplest level (am I having fun? would I come back here?), but sometimes the circumstances require a deeper look and thought. In that way, for instance (and perhaps unfairly) it is possible to visit Dublin, and have only a historic thought to 1690 and 1916; they're woven into history and customs, but only at a level that does not consciously intrude—but to visit...
Reply
Re: Yesterday & Today in France.
Thanks for those links! truly fascinating. My two favorites are the second, from 1907, which clearly shows a place with almost no change (as opposed to the next where the buildings have remained but so much has not, and the 1911 road scene which at first glance shows little change; a closer look at the combination shows significant re-grading of the road level in the meantime!
Comment
Re: Paris-Barcelona Now Linked by High-Speed Train
Great thing about Europe, especially for travelers, are the many options they have for getting around. Train is often the best option for those going from the heart of one city to the heart of another. I'm glad to her this route is now open to people.
Reply
Re: Best Outdoor Workout Spots?
We travel indie style, taking public transport whenever possible. Jumping on and off buses and trains with luggage takes a certain level of physical fitness. We try to start trips in good shape because, if not, we shape up the hard way with all of that walking to bus stops and running for trains. You have not really lived until you have jumped, with bags, at the last possible instance, to catch the ferry behind Amsterdam Centraal just before it pulls away from the dock.
Comment
Re: High Force Waterfall, Middleton-in-Teesdale
Incredible pics Ian. I love waterfalls and have added it to our growing bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
Comment
Re: May 10, 2017: Frozen Lake - Clear Creek County, Colorado
Most of these high altitude lakes remain frozen most of the year. While it's further north, I am very familiar with Lake Louise in the Alberta Rockies. While at only 5200 ft above sea level, it receives a heavy snow fall and the ice remains on the lake until well into June, returning in the early fall. Hiking in the area is really limited to June, July and early September (unless you hike slogging through snow and slush)
Comment
Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #37
Looking closer...no sign of a bell, so not a church steeple. When you look closer, too many people (tourists?) for a firewatch station. Long walkway...must connect to some building? Otherwise, why so high off the ground. Can't be a pedestrian bridge; no way down from the walkway level. I'm stumped!
Comment
Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, August 1, 2014: Postcards from Greece - Santorini
That looks like a tough climb from sea level (where I presume you arrived). what's the altitude gain, about 100 m?
Comment
Re: Endangered tourist destinations around the World
I agree that these destinations are famous and must-sees for every tourist, but all of us have an obligation to not destory these beautiful corners of the World. Like for Venice, as mentioned in the article that so many Cruises pass through here (stops) each year, so they must have dig-up the area and hence the water level keeps rising?! If we don't take care, our future generations wouldn't be able to see these historic places.
Comment
Re: A stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail
Thanks for the comments, Garry. Yes, winter arrives early because of the very high altitude. Over a mile and a half above sea level. Summers are very nice -- warm (75-80F) dry pleasant days (no humidity to speak off), and it always cools down nicely at night, so most places don't even have air conditioning. It really was that empty. No more than 6 folks in the garden including my wife and I, and of course not counting the hundreds of birds flying about.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Thanks for the comment, Garry, and a good question. The waterfall is almost a sea level and only a few kilometers from the ocean. So it is very moderated by the Gulf stream. So far as I could tell, the cliff and ground around it are caked in ice in January and February and hard to navigate. Flow is down, but the water continues flowing even in the coldest months. This photo was taken mid-September. It was a cold and windy day, but most days in Iceland are.
Comment
Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
As a frequent Airbnb renter (about 16 times) I obviously think it's a valuable thing and want it to succeed. I also think that there's room for reasonable regulation that's sensitive to local needs, and that a reasonable compromise can be found. Let's take the case of New York City...there is a real shortage of affordable housing. While it's not caused by Airbnb, but rather by a series of market issues that I won't rehearse here, it's reasonable for the city/state to ban short-term rentals...
Comment
Re: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
I'm glad that you liked the pics Paul. The floating villages there are the only ones quite like it that I recall seeing in Vietnam. Down on the Mekong it is quite usual to see extensions to homes built far out over the water that they pretty much classify as floating! There are a lot of house-boats on the Mekong too but the villages in Ha Long bay are much more substantial in that they are made up of floating platforms upon which several houses can be built together. In Cambodia a similar...
Comment
Re: Happy Birthday, Eiffel Tower!
I like her tips, especially the advice not to rush past the second level, which too many people regard as just a place to change elevators. I also like that up-from-under shot of the tower...It reminded me to go and find my darker version of that view from 1960, on my first visit to Paris.
Comment
Re: Graffitimundo: Art from the streets of Buenos Aires
Graffiti is always a good way to start a hot conversation, because the line between art and vandalism is so hotly contested, as is some people's comfort level with work that is clearly art, but which confronts their vision both of art and society. That confrontation can be sharp, because street art often comes from people who don't have the resources to take part in the "conventional, comfortable" art world. Ironically, people are now paying huge sums for work by the late Keith Haring, who...
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#105)
And so the ball rolls…but it is neither garden nor park. But the sharp-eyed doctor is correct: it is not viewed from ground level. And that’s the first day’s hint.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#105)
Let's get down to ground level. Not at the place, but in the same town. Toss me some more ideas, and tomorrow you'll get another clue!
Comment
Re: Ryanair's 5-year plan: Trans-atlantic for 10£
I love Ryanair for short haul flights but I'm not sure I could 'survive' a trans-Atlantic with that level of comfort. Then again, the trip from Dublin to New York isn't *that* much longer than other flights we've done on Ryanair (e.g., Dublin to Latvia). Perhaps I can be convinced if the price is right ;-)
Comment
Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding
50 years ago this area of Liverpool UK was underwater twice a day. Every tide. And storms would cause the land to flood half a mile inland. So this area is now a man made construction. Sand hills cover the solid foundation. Marrem grass has roots that bind the sand together. And it works. Copied off the Netherlands where much of the land is below sea level all year.
Comment
Re: The newest, biggest, bestest airport: Aren't they all?
It's a nicely researched and well-written piece, PHeymont. Thanks. I'm with PortMoresby, though. Given a choice, I'd rather travel to a smaller airport, and avoid these mega-hubs if at all possible. I know at some level you agree with this (based on some of your past comments on Heathrow for example).
Comment
Re: SNCF: Oooops, we made the trains too big!
I'm astounded at the level of incompetence! Does SNCF order trains without providing manufacturing specifics, like how tall and wide a train should be? Really?
Comment
Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?
To be fair to the TSA (which I find hard to do), the $7.3 billion is not all for screening, only about half is. That said, while airports are looking to outsource the screening, maybe they should hire Transport Canada! As for the PreCheck point: TSA can't seem to make up its mind. When it started, they semi-randomly selected 'extra' people to go through it, on the theory that they would like it enough to buy it—and some did, but not enough. Then the people who had paid for it started to...
Comment
Re: Emirates cuts U.S. flights, blames 'Trump Slump'
Having just flown Emirates from Dubai to Colombo and back, and having gone through security at DXB several times, I have these observations to share: 1) Emirates offers among the finest service of any airline in the world. And at a very good price. If it was a convenient option, I wouldn't hesitate to fly Emirates again. The only other airlines in my experience with a similar level of service are Singapore and Thai. American and European airlines don't even come close. 2) DXB has security we...
Reply
Re: Books That Send You Packing...
I enjoy a good fiction book as well as non-fiction, especially if the writer is skilled. I really liked "Travels" by the late great Michael Crichton, my favorite of the nonfiction travel books I've read.. "Robinson Crusoe" made me want to visit tropical islands as a boy. "Fantastic Voyage" by Isaac Asimov intrigued me with traveling at a cellular level, within a human body no less (maybe lead to my current day job?) And my all-time favorite, "2001: A Space Odyssey". Made me want to travel to...
Comment
Re: A visit to Normandy: exploring the D-Day beaches
Thanks for your comment, Arion. It's hard not to be moved by D-Day. The vastness of the assault, the staggering loss of life (civilian and military). What most impressed me is that the local people remember. Not French people away from the coast, but those whose relatives went through the assault make a point of teaching their children and grandchildren the price paid to liberate them from the Nazi fascists. The Juno Beach Center, built by the Canadian Beach, really did a great job of...
Comment
Re: Where the Food IS the Tourist Attraction
I wish I had some good pictures of the crafts workers there—some are at a very high level! My wife is an addict of fascinating glass earrings made by one woman there...she has several pair (and the interesting thing is that each pair is two earrings that match in feel but are not identical!)
Comment
Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, January 2, 2015: Postcards from Morocco - the Berber nomad
Most flattering kind Sir - I would that I could reach that level of skill!
Comment
Re: From Corfe Castle to Kingston Lacy - Part 1
I almost made it to Corfe Castle once, walking the SW Coast Path, but ran out of steam in Weymouth. That path almost killed me and I decided I was old enough to declare old age and settle for level walks along rivers and canals. And a lesson in paying attention to the spacing of those wiggly lines on the map that warn us of climbs and descents. In any case, between the re-enactors and your pictures, I think this visit is even better. Thanks so much, Mac.
Comment
Re: When there are no more beaches, will we all head for the hills?
I am not smart enough to know what the correct temperature or ocean level of the earth should be.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #47
Is the sphere actually ON the head, or above and behind it, as on another level?
Reply
Re: How Dumb can you be? Things not to say to the TSA
I'd love to be the "Mystery Shopper" when travelling through security. Some Airports are so welcoming and respectful. Others are just so rude and awkward because they can be. And the power kick feeds their ego. Both do the same job. To be able to pull a higher level TSA ID Card and tell someone " Go and see the company Psychiatrist !"
Comment
Re: If you're happy and you know it...press here, please!
The reason most airports don't ask is because they don't care ! JFK and Heathrow continue to increase their passenger numbers without the need for customer satisfaction. So by some misguided indicator they presume all is well down on the farm. A captive audience doesn't attract an acceptable service level. A penny saved is a penny earned.
Comment
Re: Airbnb: 1 Night Free for New Users, Andorra new top choice
Given the way the system works, I don't believe it concerns the hosts at all who will be paid for all nights. The promotion is, I have to believe, at the expense of the company and not the individuals with listings. Since there's a promotion code, it should all take place at the website level when booking.
Comment
Re: Stockholm's Skansen Museum Park: Where Gumbo Was #27
I'd never heard of this museum, PHeymont, and find it all fascinating. Another reason to visit Stockholm! But I did guess the building was a cache (name used in Canada for structures like these people use to store meat in the winter without any access except a ladder). Not claiming victory as I had no idea where it was, but you want a building without windows, large doors (although you need a way in, be it from the bottom or side) or an ability to chew threw on ground level to protect your...
Blog Post
A tropical oasis: Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Oahu
I'm fond of exploring parks and libraries in the cities I visit, for different reasons. Libraries are fun because I love and collect books, and because the quality of a city's libraries tells me a lot about that city's priorities. ...
Blog Post
More Frequent Flier changes in the air
The world of award travel and elite perks continues to shake and shift. Delta, which like United, has switched for next year to awarding flight miles based not on distance but on price paid for ticket—a move that hurts many frequent...
Blog Post
Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion or laccolith in the Bear Lodge Mountains (part of the Black Hills) in northeastern Wyoming, above the Belle Fourche River. It rises dramatically 1,267 feet (386 m) above the surrounding terrain and...
Blog Post
Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 3, 2015: Norfolk Broads
A boat trip on the Norfolk Broads is one of the pleasures available for visitors to one of the world’s most idiosyncratic areas of wetlands and waterways. The low-lying coastal lands of East Anglia, the English counties of Norfolk...
Blog Post
Airbus A380. No new customers in 2014
Apparently the massive two level Airbus A380, capable of passenger loads in excess of 600 passengers, failed to generate a single new customer in 2014, according to this story by Bloomberg Businessweek. The only buyer so far this year was a...
Blog Post
The Bear Blog
I had a hunch when Shelly and I were planning our 59 National Park in 59 weeks tour that wildlife would be center stage. I knew that the buffalo would roam in Yellowstone, that the tropical fish would dance...
Blog Post
Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians. Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...