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Tagged With "Chinese Communist Party"

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Re: Where Gumbo Was #12. Brasov, Romania

Travel Rob ·
Congratulations Worker Bee! Nice write up PHeymont! The Black Church holds some significant memories for me personally as does the whole city. In the aerial shot, if you look closely, you will also find some drab communist era apartment buildings. The time of Ceausescu and the Securitate was a time no one who lived in the country will forget. It was also Romania's baby boom when a lot people of people were born due to no birth control. The Romanian people are talented and o pen and I...
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Re: Krumlov Castle, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic. Where Gumbo was #68

Roderick Simpson ·
I first visited Cesky Krumlov in 1995, when it was still being restored and the tower repainted, as it had deteriorated during the communist period. I would also advise anyone visiting the area also to see nearby Rozmberk, which is a pretty village with a quite impressive castle, but with far fewer tourists (First 2 pictures). Prague is rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, but there is much more to see in the Czech Republic including Cesky Krumlov and South Bohemia.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

DrFumblefinger ·
That's an interesting link, GarryRF, because Sri Lankans tend to be pretty mellow about most things. Still, being disrespectful (or perceived as disrespectful) to Buddha is frowned on and not tolerated by the Sinhalese majority. As many know, it is considered very disrespectful to show too much skin in a Buddhist temple or shrine (no bare shoulders or legs). You won't be allowed admittance to the shrine unless you cover yourself. I believe this woman offended these customs. But this POD is...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

GarryRF ·
My daughter was in Vietnam a year ago on her honeymoon DrF. She would visit the local Churches - as these were often pieces of exquisite architecture. On occasions outside Christian Churches she would recognise the tune of a Hymn - and while staying outside - she would sing along ! Yes - I know - a little crazy and religious too ! Communist countries don't outlaw religion, its just tolerated. The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo by my daughter) She has a list of good and...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!

GarryRF ·
Mac. Cuba has already changed since my first visit 15 years ago. Buses and cars are everywhere now thanks to those intrepid Chinese salesmen. Living standards are rising rapidly thanks to the tourist dollar. Fields of Sugar Cane are now rare. Castro has decided that Cuba's future lies in tourism. Bicycles prevail in most Towns and a horse and buggy are common. When I first went to Cuba it was painfully poor. It's like going back in time to a 3rd world country. But with safety and very civil,...
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Re: Las Vegas Celebrates the Chinese New Year!

GarryRF ·
Even for people who don't gamble - like me - Las Vegas puts on such a great show that its an absolute pleasure to visit. The colours and the floral displays are second to none. I do miss the water show at the Bellagio. And so much of it is free. Maybe not as old as some of the exhibits would have you believe. But a thing of beauty is a joy forever !
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Re: Las Vegas Celebrates the Chinese New Year!

DrFumblefinger ·
If Vegas relied on gamblers like us, none of those fabulous buildings would exist. I like Vegas in small doses. A long weekend is just about perfect, and usually then to meet with friends or family to catch up some. I agree the best stuff in Vegas is the free or near free, like the floral display at the Bellagio.
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Re: Las Vegas Celebrates the Chinese New Year!

GarryRF ·
There are only a few destinations where all the family over in the US and us English can meet. Vegas, Florida and New York. So we all went to Vegas to meet up. Walking along the strip towards NY,NY. 9 Fine Irishmen looked like an attractive bar - so in we all went. They had real "Pint Glasses" - 20 ounce. Not the 16 ounce we've had to suffer ! But after a few minutes we were frozen. They do love AC in Vegas. Too much like Ireland. Freezing cold. So we moved outside and sat in the shade...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 24, 2015: Chinese lantern festival in Toronto’s Ontario Place

DrFumblefinger ·
What a beautiful colorful display! Do you happen to know how long they leave it up, DrY?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 24, 2015: Chinese lantern festival in Toronto’s Ontario Place

Dr.Y ·
Hi Karl, just back from USCAP trip. The one in Ontario Place actually happens in summer and the exhibition lasts several weeks each year (I noticed this year, Ontario Place is undergoing a major renovation). The festival also happens in other North America cities like this year's "Arizona Chinese Lantern Festival - February 19-22 and February 26-March 1 ~ 5PM to 10PM Each Night".
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Re: British make visas easier & cheaper for Chinese tourists

GarryRF ·
Not hard to understand why. Have you seen how much these wealthy tourists are spending ? Just following Paris in making them feel welcome - and to spend more.
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Re: Chinese Airlines Looking for Bigger Share of Int'l Service

PortMoresby ·
I have, indeed, noticed that Chinese airlines (China Eastern, China Southern) that I've used domestically or from other Asian countries to China, appearing on fare searches lately, usually with very competitive fares. I intend to pay closer attention. Thanks P.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#63)

Roderick Simpson ·
The clues are: 1. Deciduous not coniferous trees. 2. Sign in Latin script. 3. Cars in parking lot look German, particularly a VW Beetle (not made in Germany for many years). 4. Date of 1992 on one arm. Overall, I favour ex-communist East/Central Europe, possibly Poland.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#48)

Mac ·
Huuum, a sneaky one... I think I see a statue to Gengis Khan on the bottom of the statue column... But why would he be celebrated in a Euopean city? MAD is this geographic Europe or politically-defined Europe? I'm wondering if we are talking old Communist bloc here.... Is this any warmer? It's beautiful either way!
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#48)

MAD Travel Diaries ·
Originally Posted by Mac: Huuum, a sneaky one... I think I see a statue to Gengis Khan on the bottom of the statue column... But why would he be celebrated in a Euopean city? MAD is this geographic Europe or politically-defined Europe? I'm wondering if we are talking old Communist bloc here.... Is this any warmer? It's beautiful either way! Warmer with the Communist Bloc Comment. Statues are Freedom Fighters Not Gengis Khan It's at the end of a famous avenue that's also a world heritage...
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Las Vegas Celebrates the Chinese New Year!

DrFumblefinger ·
Happy New Year!!  Tomorrow is Chinese New Year, the dawn of the Year of the Goat (or Sheep or Ram).  The date varies from year-to-year, but Chinese New Year falls on the first day of  the first lunar month  in the Chinese...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 24, 2015: Chinese lantern festival in Toronto’s Ontario Place

Dr.Y ·
    The lantern festival is on the 15 th day of Chinese New Year season on the lunar calendar, and it usually also corresponds to the full moon.  It marks the end of the Chinese New Season.  After this day, lives goes back to...
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Hackescher Markt and Hofe, Berlin: Where Gumbo Was #72

Paul Heymont ·
The Gumbo Guessers have done their best with this week's puzzle, but it has defied solution, although Jonathan L got the right city. It's Berlin, alright, a city with two rail transit systems (U-Bahn and S-Bahn) and where poor maintenance caused a...
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Liberland awaits: who will be the first tourist?

Paul Heymont ·
Taking advantage of a small (only Monaco and the Vatican are smaller) piece of Europe that is apparently unclaimed by either of its neighbors, Croatia and Serbia, a Czech politician named  Vít Jedlička has proclaimed the Republic of...
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Journey into the past: Prague's Lobkowicz Palace

Marilyn Jones ·
While on a cruise expedition, Marilyn Jones has the chance to see the past through the life and home of a noble family.
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Eastern Europe Rail Odyssey: Budapest to Kiev

Wilbur's Travels ·
Do you love unusual train journeys as much as Wilbur does? Check out this fascinating adventure through eastern Europe.
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Eastern European Rail Odyssey: Gdansk to Vilnius

Wilbur's Travels ·
Wilbur's Eastern European train journey continues, with travels through Gdansk, Kaliningrad, Minsk and Vilnius.
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Scenes of Cesky Krumlov

Paul Heymont ·
Gumbo's mystery destination this past week was no mystery to a number of readers. Join us for scenes from this UNESCO World Heritage town.
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A Marvelous Food Tour in Krakow!

DrFumblefinger ·
DrFumblefinger enjoyed a wonderful food tour in the beautiful and historic Polish city of Krakow. He shares details and photos of this experience.
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The Museum of Chinese in America

Jonathan L ·
Jonathan L visits the Museum of Chinese in America, which explores the long history of immigration to this country
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China, Russia team up for 'red tourism'

Paul Heymont ·
Visitors at Mao Zedong's birthplace                        Photo: Brucke-Osteuropa / Wikimedia Chinese and Russian tourism authorities have agreed to work together on activities that center...
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Fewer Mainland Chinese Going to Hong Kong

Travel Rob ·
Chinese mainland visitors to Hong Kong fell almost 10 percent in July, compared to last July. In contrast, Japan National Tourism Organization said 576,900 Chinese mainlanders visited Japan in July, more than double July of last year. One ...
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"Red Circuit" Bringing Chinese Tourists to Russia

Travel Rob ·
Chinese tourists now visit Russia more than any other countries, up 10% in 2014. The reason say Russian tourist officials is that Chinese tourists are flocking to cities like Saint Petersburg to soak in the city's turbulent revolutionary history that...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 2, 2015: Botanical Garden, Montreal

DrFumblefinger ·
    Montreal is a great travel destination, with a four century old historic center, wonderful restaurants and museums, and a great botanical garden.  There are different regions to the garden, including a fascinating Chinese section...
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Boeing Looks to China for its Future Success

Travel Rob ·
Photo of Boeing's Dreamliner by GarryRF Boeing's counting on China's fast-growing airplane market and will host the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, next week at their main production facility in Washington State. Boeing's CEO, Jim McNerney. said,...
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Affluent Chinese Travelers luv their Duty Free Shops!

DrFumblefinger ·
  As the Chinese economy has improved over the past few decades, there has been the emergence of greater international travel among a growing segment of its population.  Chinese tourists love traveling as much as anyone, and love their duty...
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Madrid Mayor to clear the city of Dictator Franco

DrFumblefinger ·
    Manuela Carmena, the new mayor of Madrid (and a former communist judge), is going to clean the streets of Madrid.  It seems there are 150 streets and public places that are named after or refer to the late dictator Francisco Franco,...
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Paris bridges language gap with new app

Paul Heymont ·
Paris is consistently the world's most-visited city, and while it's fairly easy for English-speakers to get what they need, it's harder for speakers of many other languages. Paris has just rolled out a new app called "Yes, I speak touriste?" to help...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 7, 2015: The World Timeclock, Alexanderplatz

DrFumblefinger ·
  One of the more unusual clocks I've seen in some time (pun intended) is the World Time Clock (Weltzeituhr) in Berlin's Alexanderplatz .  It was constructed in former Communist East Berlin in 1969 (and restored in 1997, after...
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British make visas easier & cheaper for Chinese tourists

Travel Rob ·
Britain announced Wednesday that it was increasing the usual 6 month visa for Chinese tourists to a two year visa, effective in January and for the same cost of 85 pounds. And Prime Minister David Cameron announced...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, October 7, 2015: Neptune's Fountain (Neptunebrunnen), Berlin

DrFumblefinger ·
  Berlin's Neptune Fountain sits near popular Alexanderplatz in the former communist side of the city, between the old Red City Hall and Marian's church.  The fountain was built in 1891 and features Neptune at its center, the four...
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Tampa Bay Automobile Museum: 1) Museum Overview and its Czech collection

DrFumblefinger ·
 One of the great pleasures of traveling is discovering those special places -- gems that aren't necessarily very famous or perhaps are off the beaten path, but still so very worthwhile visiting.  So it was with the Tampa Bay Automobile...
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Bratislava: An overlooked travel destination

DrFumblefinger ·
(Bratislava's Slovak National Theater) Bratislava, capitol of land-locked Slovakia, was not what I expected.  It’s an old city whose history goes back to well before the time of Christ, including envelopment into the Hungarian and...
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Praha = Prague = Fantastic!!! (part 2)

DrFumblefinger ·
  (View of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Petrin Hill) This is a continuation of my blog on Prague; you can find part 1 by clicking this link. 2) Castle Quarter (Hradcany).  The first castle in Prague was built on the west...
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25 Years Later: Reflections on Living Behind the Iron Curtain

Travel Rob ·
  This is a day full of emotions for me, mainly happy ones! For me, the Iron Curtain ended on Sept 12th, 1989 when my son was born. I lived  in Communist Romania for a lot of  1988-1989. I was one of the few Americans banned from...
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Strahov Monastery, Prague. Where Gumbo Was #57

DrFumblefinger ·
  One of the great things about visiting a city like Prague is having the opportunity to see and explore so many interesting historic sites.  As an example, our featured travel quiz, the Strahov Monastary.  Congratulations to TravelRob...
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Gumbo's World: The Exiled Statues of Budapest

Paul Heymont ·
This is, in a way, an essay on memory. Ever since ancient history, the winning side of history has erected monuments to itself, hoping to inspire greater love, respect or at least obedience. And, over time, newer rulers often change the script.  ...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 21, 2014: Mád Synagogue

MAD Travel Diaries ·
There is a beautiful synagogue in Mád, a village near Tokaj in Eastern Hungary, that is not as popular as it should be amongst visitors. Today it is a Holocaust memorial and represents rare Hungarian synagogue architecture;...
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Budapest's Great Synagogue

Paul Heymont ·
Commonly called the Dohanyi Street Synagogue, Budapest's biggest Jewish house of worship is also the largest synagogue in Europe, and one of the half-dozen largest in the world. But its significance goes well beyond its seating capacity (1500 men at...
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Contemporary philosophers

DrFumblefinger ·
This has nothing much to do with travel, but I enjoyed these insights and thought you might too:     ***** The first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone. ~ George Roberts ***** If God had intended us to fly he would have...
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Carnival will build ships in China for new brand

Paul Heymont ·
Carnival is betting big on the growing Chinese cruise market, in a joint venture with Chinese companies.
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Impoverished Spanish town wins big in Christmas lottery

Paul Heymont ·
Spain's big Christmas lottery showers prizes on a town where a third of the population is out of work.
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June 21, 2016: Medieval Budapest in the 21st Century

Marilyn Jones ·
Budapest's long history shows in its Castle District and the Matthias Church, where the medieval era can still be sensed.
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Walking LA - Downtown LA

Jonathan L ·
To see the best of Downtown Los Angeles you don't need a car. Get out and walk the streets.
 
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