Tagged With "National Gem and Mineral Collection"
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Re: Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka
You had an amazing experience here, Professor. Wish I'd skipped a return trip to Yala NP park and come to Udawalawe.
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Re: Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka
Fantastic bird photography Professor and those crocodiles look like they aren't missing any meals lately. If I compute correctly, 1000 rupees is equivalent to $6.43 or 4.66 British pounds. Seems the Sri Lanka currency has weakened quite a bit since 2014, so maybe a good time to get a value vacation there.
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Re: Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka
Sorry about the delay in responding - I have been on an Indian train for what seems like eternity! Yes, George, Sri Lanka is a good-value destination and it is changing fast. So now is a good time to go. As to Udawalawe vs. Yala, we prefer the former. Yala seems to be the one which everyone knows about, but we were a bit disappointed when we went (admittedly a long time ago).
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Re: Gallery: Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
Wow! Some amazing shapes and colors. How long was the tour? Was it cold down there?
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Re: Gallery: Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
Thanks for sharing these interesting photos and for bringing back memories. I was last in Jewel Cave in 1982, when there was much less known about how extensive a cave network it was. I found the beautiful rock formations to be absolutely fascinating! Travel Luver, I seem to recall that the cave was quite cool, but maybe Still Country Photo can elaborate for us. Also, I vaguely seem to recall that the last formation in your series of photos was called the "Bacon Strip" or something similar?
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Re: Gallery: Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
If memory serves me correctly, the tour was about 90 minutes. Yes, it was quite cool down there but since I had made the trip in late August, it was quite refreshing to be there. At one point, the guide turned out the lights so the guests could see what true darkness really looks like. I have been in the dark before but not like this, it even seemed to mess with your equilibrium and I felt like I wasn't going to stay upright. Yes DrF, that is a "bacon strip" formation. Water running down a...
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Re: Gallery: Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
Absolutely incredible! i'm a huge fan of caves and your photos captured the details. Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Chrome Sparkles at Sherborne Castle (Part 3)
Wow, Mac! This is definitely the gem post of your great series. Some absolutely amazing machinery. I assume you were there from opening to closing?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 23, 2014: A drive through the Alberta Rockies
Great pics. The Jasper-Banff trip along the parkway is just spectacular. One of my favorites.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 23, 2014: A drive through the Alberta Rockies
I think it's one of the greatest drives in the world! Some beautiful images of a beautiful road trip.
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Re: The National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology, Dublin: Where Gumbo was #78
Wonderful. Can't wait to read the rest of your Ireland posts to help plan my next trip. Ireland was at the top of the list.
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Re: The National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology, Dublin: Where Gumbo was #78
It really is a terrific country to visit, HistoryDigger! Wonderful people, great history, great scenery. We enjoyed every day of our visit and I hope to get back to Ireland sometime soon. Just as an FYI to our audience in general, I've published around 15 posts on my visit which you can find at this link .
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Re: Wawona Hotel, Yosemite National Park, California: Where Gumbo Was #60
Looks like a very nice and comfortable place to stay!
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Re: El Morro National Monument - a hike to early american graffiti
Looks like a great hike, Jonathan! A nice combination of nature and archaeology. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, August 22, 2014: Postcards from Greece - The Donkeys
When I stayed on Santorini 10 years ago, on a walk around Oia, I saw the donkeys used to collect trash. I sincerely wish they'd adopt the practice where I live. I'd so much rather wake to the sound of hooves than the crash and roar of garbage trucks.
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Re: Banff National Park: A hike along Lake Louise and the Plain of Six Glaciers
Gorgeous views and a wonderful article! Thank you.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 21, 2014: Mád Synagogue
What a great travel gem. Great trips are made by finding small treasures like this! Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
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Re: A visit to Waterton National Park
I love the pictures, Roderick. Part of what makes Waterton so special are its many wild animals. Almost like going on safari in America! I'm especially fond of the little bear. He looks so very lost without his mother. Hope you didn't get between her and the little one! And thanks for your first contribution to Travelgumbo!
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
I think you're exactly right, PortMoresby. For quite some time, we've looked mostly at the inexpensive chains precisely because they offer clear and valuable perks: Free breakfast, free parking, free WiFi. Our occasional high-end hotels through Priceline have sometimes moved the per-room fee down to a lower tier, but after you've paid $20/day for parking, $11.99 a day for WiFi...not so lower! The two-tier WiFi issue is becoming a bug for me, too. I recently stayed at a DoubleTree by Hilton...
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Re: Memphis, Tennessee 3) The rest of the city
I love love LOVE Memphis, would go back in a heartbeat! Enjoyed reading your post! Global Mimi.
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Re: Memphis, Tennessee 3) The rest of the city
Thanks for your comment, Mimiadventures! Good food, great music, nice people -- always something great to return to. I really didn't get into the great local food very much, but Memphis is reknowned for its "soul" style cooking and, of course, its BBQ.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 11, 2014: Jeffery Pine, Sentinel Dome
Nature has so many works of art that sometimes you need to stop and breath. Like so many photographers of nature - you need a keen eye to capture that precious moment. I once found that perfect scene and took a photo of each member of the family standing in for a "Portrait Picture" Until I was asked by a group of maybe 20 people to move along ! I'd started a Kodak Moment where there was just a passing glance 20 minutes ago !
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
It's really amazing because the US dollar has done so well in 2014 compared to most currencies . I'm not surprised at all that Japanese tourists to the US decreased after the hit the Yen been taking, but i guess thats been more than made up in increased travel from travelers from Brazil,Mexico and China
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
Actually, what surprises me is that overseas tourists keep coming, despite the terrible attitude so many of them encounter from airport Customs and Immigration people, and the whole visa issue.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
The post indicates the biggest growth comes from China and Brazil. Folks in those countries are used to their governments treating them poorly. The TSA/Immigration probably seems like business as usual to them. Just my humble opinion.
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Re: Devils Tower National Monument
Nice photos of a fascinating place, Ottoman! I also visited the monument many years ago, and recall what an imposing and striking place it is. I can certainly see the cinematic appeal to Mr. Speilberg, who uses the physical drama of the place so very well in the last half of the movie.
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Re: View of Mt. Rundle, Bow River and golf course from Tunnel Mountain
Brings back memories. I lived in Canmore AB for a year as a Fulbright exchange teacher. It was an a amazing experience.
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Re: View of Mt. Rundle, Bow River and golf course from Tunnel Mountain
Canmore is on the far side of Mt Rundle, not more than a few miles from where this photo was taken. It is a beautiful place and I'm glad you enjoyed your stay there, Jonathan!
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Re: View of Mt. Rundle, Bow River and golf course from Tunnel Mountain
I taught at Canmore Collegiate HS. Mt. Rundle was the view outside my classroom window. The Three Sisters was the view out of my living room window.
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Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
Well, I see the point of your argument, but even without any liability on Airbnb's part it could work. Part A) If the local jurisdiction (NY or elsewhere) catches you in violation you can be fined, or whatever penalty. Part B) on notification by local jurisdiction that a listing is in violation, agency required to remove listing. I'm sure Airbnb and others would be able to work with that...they're willing to collect taxes and this would be far less burdensome than that!
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Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
I missed something...what taxes do they collect? None in my case. I collect it, include the bed tax in my price, which Airbnb gives to me in their payment, and I file a return with the county quarterly when I pay them. Income reported to IRS, but my responsibility to pay any tax due. But I think the rest is reasonable. No requirement that Airbnb enforce anything except in response to local authorities that a rental is illegal. In theory, they already remove substandard listings, so much the...
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Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
In their negotiations with New York and San Francisco, among others, Airbnb has offered to collect and transmit the taxes imposed. Don't know if they currently have an agreement along those lines in any jurisdiction.
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Re: AirBnB vs New York. Update
I'd love it if they collected the bed tax here. Since they don't, and it's my impression that few here pay it, including it as part of my fee creates an imbalance for me, making it appear as though I'm getting more than I do. I state the breakdown in my listing but hardly anyone actually reads the listings. If they collected it, it would give a fair comparison of the room rate with the taxes added on at the end, as the fees are now. I think, though, despite what seems a good idea from the...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
DrY is vacationing this week in Cuba, GarryRF, which we know to be one of your favorite hangouts. He'll get to you when he has reliable internet connections. I posted some photos of the great Prince of Wales hotel on my blog last summer which addresses some of your questions. Here's that link if you're interested
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
Hope DrY brings back loads of photos to share. I do miss the simple life in Cuba - but I soon miss some decent food ! Those little labels they put next to the serve yourself Ice-Cream. Chocolate - Strawberry - Lard .
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Re: Fort Hancock NJ - Where Gumbo Was (#131)
Fooled me completely! I was sure it was European and before the 18th century...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 16, 2015: Fall in Glacier National Park
Beautiful photos! Makes me appreciate all over again the wonders this nation has to offer!!!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 16, 2015: Fall in Glacier National Park
Absolutely beautiful!
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Re: Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, England.
Beautiful images of an amazing place! Thanks for sharing these, Paul. And welcome to TravelGumbo!
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Re: Banff National Park: Hiking to Boom Lake
Beautiful piece of country you have there DrF. As someone who's never seen a bear - what precautions do you take ? Looks like excellent cycling country too. But the thought of a grizzly knocking me off my bike worries me !
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Re: Banff National Park: Hiking to Boom Lake
Thanks, GarryRF. Bear attacks are about as common as lightening hitting folks, but it does happen. I've never encountered a bear while hiking except at a distance (could see them across a valley for instance). Here's what you do to be bear safe 1) Follow the park rules. They're very good about placing warnings (eg. trail closed, bear hovering over a carcass) 2) Hike in tight groups of four or more. Bears have never attacked a group of people this large 3) Avoid baby bears. If you see one,...
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Re: Colorado National Monument
Thanks for the beautiful pics. One of these summers I'm going to start touring the U. S. of A.
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Re: Colorado National Monument
Excellent idea, rbciao! Although I'd recommend visiting the desert regions of the southwest in the shoulder seasons, rather than during the heat of summer. No question in my mind that some of the best scenery in the world is in North America. Ciao!
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Re: San Juan's El Morro: Layers of Stone, Layers of History (Where Gumbo Was, #84)
Fascinating history. Stunning photos. Thanks.
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Re: San Juan's El Morro: Layers of Stone, Layers of History (Where Gumbo Was, #84)
A missing bit: El Morro and the historic site as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but while I included that in the Tags and Collections for the blog, I forgot to mention it in the text! My apologies...