Tagged With "Big Mac"
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Glad that you and the lovely Mrs. are able to hit the road again, Mac! How long will you be in the area and do you just want to "leaf-watch" or are there other things you'd like to sightsee?
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
That's good news, Mac! OK...the leaves start turning first in the north, moving south as the weather changes...but timing is always tricky because it depends on each year's combination of temperature and humidity. Here's a link to a site I've found useful in the past...it's from Yankee magazine, and includes a live map of the progress of the leaves as well as itineraries and more. http://www.yankeefoliage.com/ We haven't had a good leaf-peeping piece on Gumbo yet, so I'm looking forward to...
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Glad you're traveling again, Mac. Boston is my home town, and October is THE BEST MONTH. Where are you staying in the city? I'd walk the Freedom Trail if you're feeling up to it. Go down to the waterfront. Boston Common and Charles Street are fun places to hang out. Newbury Street is fancy shopping and also has a few fun bistros and coffee shops. The Science Museum is excellent. Plenty of seafood to be had. New England clam chowder is great if you have sweater-weather. Go whale-watching...
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Mac. I'll be in Pennsylvania - Delaware - Maryland - Virginia later this month through September. Although a good way south of your expedition the colours of winter arrive gradually and the days are still warm enough to enjoy walking the empty State Parks. Only a leisurely days drive south of Boston. I love that warm gap between the end of an English summer and getting back home for that first chill of winter. LATE SEPTEMBER
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Regarding hotels, Mac, I think I'd spend a few days in Boston to begin with, presuming that's where you are flying into. This will let you get over your jet lag and also give you a chance to see the state of the colors and plot out where you want to go. I would NOT go without having at least a night's reservation booked ahead because you'll waste too much time looking for a place to stay and will end up paying rack rate. Things will be busy and pretty filled up in the small towns of New...
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Re: France's love-hate relationship with Mickey D
The French see themselves as being the pinnacle of epicural delight. But unfortunately the McD chain provides a good and affordable alternative. Not everyone wants waiter service 3 times a day. Only the well heeled could afford it. The French object to calling a fast food outlet a "Restaurant". So that's the root of the problem. Snobbery. You can take the quails eggs in aspic - at the top of the "dress for dinner" brigade - or a Big Mac to fill your belly. I love a well presented meal as...
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Re: How'd We Live Without Travel Apps?
Translation app is easy! Google Translate is free, and runs on Android, iOS, Mac and Windows (and probably everything else, too.) It allows you to see or hear the translation, it can translate your incoming text messages, and by using the camera, you can have it translate signs, menus, etc.
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Re: Gas bottle delivery by motorcycle side car
Forget the gas delivery; I want the "Best Pancake in Koh Tao" ! Very nice picture. Two guys and a poodle. Thanks, Mac.
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Re: The Big Island of Hawaii (Part 4). Kohala & Saddle Road
We just found this site. Bookmarking this information for our next vacation. Can't wait !
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
No, Mac, that doesn't cross any sort of policy. We want to help travelers get good honest feedback about products that might be helpful to them on the road (or conversely that aren't worth the money). What's not tolerated is people paid to promote products on our website and providing dishonest information. Ravpower is exactly the kind of unit I'm looking for. Need to go order it soon.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
In the Duel of the Devices, I'm going to declare the RAVPower unit the winner. Both of these devices are essentially external batteries, something that's becoming more popular as more phones come with non-removable batteries. There are two critical differences, however: capacity and output. The PowerStick has a capacity of 750mAh (about half the power held by an average cellphone battery) and a maximum output current of 700mA (phone chargers usually supply 1000mA). The RAVpower device has a...
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Re: Please Don't Squeeze the Passengers: Airbus
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: Please Don't Squeeze the Passengers: Airbus
I've never flown an A380, Mac. They still haven't caught on in North America, where Boeing clearly dominates the market. One thing that I've wonder about is with all those people to board (somewhere over 500), is the process of getting on and off the plane very slow or have they figured out how to make this move along with reasonable efficiency?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 8, 2013 : The Sanctuary Knocker, Durham Cathedral, a World Heritage site
It's an impressive image, Mac, made all the more interesting by the story behind it. One sometimes forgets the role the church played in "forgiveness" acts through the centuries. I'm always astounded at the quality of craftsmanship behind these thousand year old items. In many ways, we've lost ground, not improved on their skills. Thanks for the education, and sharing this photo!
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other (Part 1a) Colombo
Originally Posted by Mac: Ah Galle Face Green! Many a delightful stroll taken with my folks on a Sunday afternoon in the 1960s, then home for tea at 42 Galle Face Court, the flats opposite the hotel. Ah sweet memories Ouch that seems a long time ago..... I was told the Galle Face Green was actually green until the pope showed up and a massive crowd destroyed the grass. After that it became the Galle Face Brown. The green is slowly trying to make a comeback, though. I actually visited someone...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 15 2013: Blue Lady at White Waltham - retro-revival in England
A brilliant photo, Mac! A perfect moment on a perfect day! Appreciate you sharing it with us One of my favorite pictures on this website.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 22, 2013: Moab before the storm
Great story and great pic, Mac! Moab is such a photogenic area, but never more so than when a storm is threatening. Some day you'll have to share more details of that motorcycle journey with us. Sounds like a wonderful experience!!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 22, 2013: Moab before the storm
I keep coming back. Makes me want to hop on my (mountain) bike and cruise around! I'm not bold enough for a motorcycle, but do like my mountain bike. Love it, Mac!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan 24, 2014: Saddler at Bar U Ranch, Alberta
Interesting article Mac. Sounds like you went back in time and the picture tells a story in itself
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan 24, 2014: Saddler at Bar U Ranch, Alberta
I remember him well....The cowboy poet/philosopher who was working on a miniature pair of leather chaps for his grandson. Nice photo, Mac!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan 31, 2013: Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
Thanks for the interesting post, Mac! I love the old abbeys of Britain and Ireland. And perhaps most important is the valuable roll they played in preserving the written word and scholarly traits during the Dark Ages. I imagine that the Lindisfarne Gospels are a lot like the Book of Kells?
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Mac says, a good travel insurance policy is an absolute requirement - The part he left off was "for me", for him. Insurance, any kind, is playing the odds. When you buy it you're betting you'll have a disaster. When you don't you're figuring the likelihood of a dire event is low. If you take an occasional trip of short duration and can afford insurance, sure, why not. When the number & length of trips begins to mount and the budget becomes more of an issue then maybe not. It's called...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
As with many things travel, insurance is a matter of choice. Travel Health Insurance seems to be a lot more expensive in the US than elsewhere. Policies in the US usually include trip cancellation and medical coverage and often run 5-6% the cost of a trip. Given the amount you travel, Mac, the investment of a few hundred dollars a year seems prudent to me. But when I was 30 the thought of insurance never crossed my mind. Not once. A few years ago I did start buying trip cancellation (and...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 18, 2014: Warehouses in Trondheim, Norway
That's a GREAT photo, Mac! Love the colors, the reflection, the energy of it!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 25, 2014: The Rewind Electrician
A place of organized chaos....and a gracious new friend. A memorable scene, Mac.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 25, 2014: The Rewind Electrician
I suspect this picture may stand as the best on this site for a long time, unless of course, Mac has another which beats it. Mac, can you comment, please, on the lighting? I'd very much like to know how you managed to get it so even. Did you alter it or was it that good in the camera?
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Re: July 27, 2016: Bighorn Sheep at Hemenway Park in Boulder City, NV
Wow! That's a lot of sheep! I imagine there are few places that offer such succulent moist grass for these desert dwellers. Must have been fun to stop and study them. And good that you didn't let those little dogs out of the car, as the sheep likely would have killed them.
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Re: July 27, 2016: Bighorn Sheep at Hemenway Park in Boulder City, NV
Yep, it wouldn't have ended pretty.
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Re: Whitcombe Church, Dorchester.
It's a great church, Mac, thanks for sharing this visit. Always makes me wonder just how many are there in the England and beyond that the European continent? I'd like to see them all.
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Re: Clouds Hill - home of Lawrence of Arabia
I'm so pleased to see Clouds Hill, long on my list and a definite for my next visit to the south. Thanks Mac.
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Re: The Battle of Waterloo, June 2015 (part 2)
Marvellous piece of history and such a great photo blog to accompany it. Your camera work certainly gives us a taste of the original battle. The end of another tyrant who wanted world domination. Worthy of an entry in any glossy magazine Mac.
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Re: Banksy Opens up a Bemusement Park in England
I can't wait for your report Mac! That's one park I really like to see.
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Re: A House in Essaouira
Thanks, Mac. (Still wondering about "The Electrician".) And GutterPup, I think I'm in love.
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Re: A House in Essaouira
Oh, and this was a very young Mac, complete with an Olympus OM2n film camera, sitting in the crenelations of Essouria's Portuguese fort all that time ago...
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Re: A House in Essaouira
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: Thanks, Mac. (Still wondering about "The Electrician".) And GutterPup, I think I'm in love. My "Electrician" was an excellent gent whose warmth radiates from his pose. A lovely guy to meet.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #40
To answer some of the questions raised and hopefully move this along, here's some new info: 1) Jonathan L, of these two countries is correct. But we need something more specific than that. 2) Mac, you are one of the most traveled people I know so I believe you'd recognize any roof you'd seen before. And it is close to a major river 3) PHeymont, it's in a large city So where exactly is Gumbo?
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #40
Mac -- there are S-o-o-o-ooo many military coups around the world on a nearly everyday basis.... But indeed, the military took control of this place recently
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #40
Mac and Andre Pur, you guys are just too smart. Puzzle solved! This is indeed Wat Pho, the temple of the giant reclining Buddha in Bangkok. We'll have a full discussion of this along with a new puzzle posted Saturday morning.
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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, Oct. 4, 2014: A Courtyard in Marrakech
Originally Posted by Mac: Off to Marrakesh on Saturday to start a travel photo course and then down to the southern towns over the mountains.... Very much looking forward to seeing the results of this adventure, Mac!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 4, 2014: A Courtyard in Marrakech
Mac, will you by any chance be going to Taroudant? I was there briefly years ago and am thinking of returning for a longer visit. Wherever you go, I'll look forward to your report and in particular, about your experiences in smaller places.
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Re: From Corfe Castle to Kingston Lacy - Part 2
Great home and great photo tour, Mac. thanks. And I'll keep the Mrs. away from that stable....
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Re: Chrome Sparkles at Sherborne Castle - 1
Some beautiful machinery on display, Mac. Can't wait to see the rest!
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Re: Majorelle Garden - Marrakech
You certainly have caught the gardens at their most colourful Mac. What time of year was it ?
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
I'm also surprised there's no per photo toll imposed on the great unwashed masses visiting the shores of the drive, Mac!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 13, 2014: Statue of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
So there really was a "Big Kahuna". I thought it was just a slang expression.
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 14, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - Ait Ben Haddou
It's a beautiful place, Mac! I presume it's still an active town, with people, businesses and such. Or is it just a preserved site, a movie set if you will.?
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 14, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - Ait Ben Haddou
Good to know, Mac, and I hope you'll be kind enough to share some of those carpet-making, couscous-cooking photos with us sometime!