Tagged With "Viking Ocean Cruises"
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
To say that Ireland is typically wet and cold is true of Winter. The Summers are often pleasant and warm but when you get to the West Coast then the wind blows in of a cold Atlantic Ocean. But the weather can change 4 times a day - so there's something there to please everyone. Ireland has wonderful fresh food. Fresh from the sea and farm. Try a locally produced Vintage Cheddar Cheese or an 18 year old Jamesons Whiskey. Soda bread is a local speciality. But stay away from the home made...
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
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: Greenland from six miles high!
Thank you for your comment, voyager. I shut the shade if it's clouded over, but I still peak form time to time. I shut the shade when we're over the ocean or if it's dark outside. But if the flight is over a scenic place, I like to study the geography and try to figure out where I am. It's interesting, often beautiful, and I enjoy it.
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Re: Greenland from six miles high!
Dark is not the end of the show. I have seen streaking meteors flash in view. There have been times when I could see a part of the Milky Way or had a view of the Big Dipper. Over the ocean, I have seen flotillas of fishing boats off of places like Newfoundland. Even at night, you can see the lights of the boats bobbing. Once, I even saw a pod of whales in the channel off of Molokai. I peek every chance that I get. You never know what you will see.
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Re: WiFi on the way for international flights
I've been told that wi-fi over the ocean is a real technological challenge, because it requires constant re-positioning of 2 moving targets (the plane and satellite). In contrast, Wi-Fi over a continent only involves connecting one moving target with a stationary one, a simpler thing to do. Glad to hear this problem seems to be mostly solved. It would be nice to catch up on some wi-fi chores while on a long flight (although I usually manage to fill such flights watching movies or working on...
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Re: Hi Everybody! I'm new here.
Originally Posted by Travel Luver: Hi Ted, I think we're all pretty new here. I'm from the Pacific Northwest. Welcome to the group. I get out to LA some. My business takes me to Ventura County (Amgen). Any good tips for a place to eat out that way? I saw the link to www.roadfood.com on a different thread, so I'll check that out, but wonder if there's some place you like to go. Hi Nature Lover, Amgen is T.O., just west of the San Fernando Valley and I really never go there. But about 20 miles...
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Re: The Beautiful Pools and Geysers of Yellowstone National Park
Hi Andre, and welcome. As DrY is away on vacation, I'll try to answer your question before he gets back. Yellowstone National Park does sit on what is known as the "Yellowstone Hot Spot". You see this in its geysirs and hot water pools. This does have the potential to become a massive volcano and cause a tremendous eruption. As big as any volcano in recorded history and then some. The jet stream would carry the ash and smoke mostly east (towards the Atlantic Ocean), so those areas would be...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day September 9, 2013: Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
I like the idea! We'll put the idea out there as bait for our members. Anyone want to write about the origin of their country (or some countries that interest them), especially from a modern travelers perspective?
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Re: Aug 4. 2016: Delaware City. Delaware.
Delaware City has only one set of traffic lights - how's that for small ! I only get crab when visiting the family in the US. Not here in the UK. I've had crab from Delaware - Chesapeake - Rehoboth Beach (Hooters) down to Ocean City Maryland. All gorgeous and worth waiting for. I've learned to say "These are the best ever" because that's what the locals say. Best Pizza - Best Crab-cakes - Best Chilli Fries. When my son was working his way through University he worked the late shift in a...
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Re: Air Miles vs Low Fare Airline
The AA-BA mashup is tricky, yes, but not as devious as it may seem. Between New York and Paris, for instance, AA has only two non-stops a day; BA has a half-dozen (or more, including Open Skies). And, BA has many seats LON-PAR, so availability is greater. A similar situation exists on this side of the ocean, where BA feeds many AA domestic flights. It's sometimes possible to get around better if you don't mind one stop...we've used AA to Madrid paired with Iberia to Paris (Iberia's charges...
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Re: Ryanair Ticketing through agents; codeshares next?
"Will the future take you on an American Airlines flight ...crossing the ocean and Ryanair taking you from there?" I rarely say "never" but, in this case, never. I've tried it and will say unequivocally, never again. I have a personal rule which states, "if the only way to get there is on Ryanair, I won't go there." The airline is a reflection of it's founder, which is to say, trashy.
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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.
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Re: Top 7 Things to do in Avalon – Catalina Island
Thanks for the comments everyone. Loved the song! Hadn't heard it for a LONG time. Not being near the ocean is the hardest thing (besides missing family/friends) about being in CO. But that's what vacations are for, right? Thanks again all.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#123)
I see what looks like s a structure to hold back ocean waves up front and mountains in the back. I am initially thinking Chile or Peru.
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Re: May 5, 2016: Liverpool Homes That Were "Saved" by World War II
In May 1941 - during WWII - Liverpool and its docklands area was bombed for 8 consecutive days. 61,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. When the truckloads of bricks and rubble were removed they were placed between the houses in danger of disappearing and the mighty ocean. Eventually it was possible to reclaim 1000 feet of land back from the water. The tide covered it with sand. And Marren grass was planted along this 2 miles of reclaimed coastline. So today we have a boating lake, kids...
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Re: California road trip ideas
Elephant seals are always good. If you also want to see their smaller cousins, the sea lions, you can find them at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. It is about 40 minutes south of San Francisco at Moss Beach. Nearby Half Moon Bay has several reasonably priced restaurants with views of the ocean. Check this nifty video of the Reserve http://www.fitzgeraldreserve.o...rald-marine-reserve/
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Re: California road trip ideas
Mrs. Briggs - There are roads aplenty in California. Where you go depends on your family's interests. Pick a theme and the route will take care of itself. Would you say that your family more enjoys scenic routes or taking advantage of what cities have to offer ? Mountains or ocean ? Would you like to see gardens or maybe historical homes ? Maybe your crowd would go for a trip that strings together movie filming locations or old west towns ? What are your hobbies ? - shopping for antiques ?
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Re: California road trip ideas
My kids want to do Hollywood and all that stuff, so I guess we have to start or end up there. Me and my husband aren't too interested in that stuff, but nature is appealing, like redwoods and the ocean and stuff. Is Hwy 101 the one that goes along the coast? I think we could plan on getting to San Fran, too, because I think if you go to California and you don't everyone will tell you you should have...and I hear it's got lots of interesting food, too. And kind of quirky museums if there are ...
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Re: California road trip ideas
That helps me figure out what to tell you, Mrs. Briggs OK, so I'd suggest you fly into LAX. You'll need a car rental to get around LA. Spend three or four days here, may go see Disneyland, maybe go see Universal Studios, maybe go to Knott's Berry Farm. Maybe see the making of a TV show. You could easily spend 10 days in LA, but you've got 10 days for the whole trip, I guess, so that's all you'll have time for. Then head out of the city. You'll want to head out on Hwy 101, which takes you...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #8
The port is a little hard to place. There is a partially obscured sign on the building in the background that may say "SHOPPING". Could English be the local language? Due to the size and type of boats visible I believe that it is connected to the ocean. There seems to be relatively little elevation difference between the boat dock and the land behind it. Probably a protected bay or inlet. No guess yet.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #8
It might be "Shopping," or it might be "Shipping," or "Shilling" or just someone's name. It might be a 6-letter port city beginning with B...but it isn't. English? Nearly any port in the world--because it IS a port. Is it connected to the ocean? Only in the sense that ultimately all navigable water is. Ooohhh! I feel like Rumpelstiltskin!
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
I'm not sure on your question about WB's trip, because it depends on routing. From NY, AA most often uses their own seats for the ocean hop, but does use some BA seats from Newark. Other cities...not sure how many BA seats used in that direction. And sometimes it's a matter of class. For instance, last year flying home from Paris, there were AA seats in business class available non-stop, but economy was only available on BA Orly-London-Newark.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo (#13)
Did they include Photo's of the undersea Mountains ? When I was a Kid they had Slates and Chalks for recording images !! Cameras ? I don't know ! You youngsters today ! Did you know there's fossilised remains of sea creatures at the top of Mt.Everest ? That was under the Ocean once !
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Re: Luxembourg Pastry shop, Old City
Paul bakeries are my downfall and they seem to be everywhere. Millions of calories I don't need have been forced on me by this company, against my will of course. They clearly use hypnosis or some similar mechanism, from which one cannot escape. Fortunately, as far as I know, there's an ocean between me and the closest such tart pusher.
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: (Part 7) the Cliffs of Moher
We've been to The Cliffs of Moher twice and each time was most enjoyable. Walking along these cliffs is exhilarating and the views of the Atlantic Ocean are beautiful. A very short drive from The Cliffs is the quaint little town of Doolin, which is also on the sea. It was late afternoon when we departed the The Cliffs and just decided, on a whim, to stop in Doolin to find a b&b to spend the night. We saw a sign for several b&b's, but decided to try a place called Susan Daly's...
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Re: Iceland's Keflavik airport aims to become major global stopover
I hope they succeed...Reykjavik is great...but I'm doubtful they can do this. Certainly it will make the airport a nicer place to be, but how will they get planes to stop there, when most people just want to one-hop it across the ocean? I can't see European or U.S. airlines stopping there routinely, although many of them have flights to and from Iceland.
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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.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 29, 2014. Shira Plateau, Tanzania
Garry -- that's like saying stay at home with the kids and play in their kiddy pool instead of taking them to see the ocean. It was a hard but most fascinating trip. Standing on the roof of Africa, watching the sun rise above the clouds (which are thousands of feet below you) is an experience I'll never forget! But having done it once, I'm not going back anytime soon.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 29, 2014. Shira Plateau, Tanzania
We live near the ocean ! But yes - I take your point. Reminder - must buy a kiddy pool for all these Grandkids !
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Following the European Beer Trail: Oktoberfest to Sorrento
To answer your question. Yes, Italians drink beer. It’s not a well-known pastime of Italy, however it is becoming more common. But before we get to Italy let me tell you about my beer adventure that led me to central Italy. I started the...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 29, 2015: The art of lava
I'm often amazed at how beautiful the small things in nature can be. Whether a bee pollinating a flower, a wild animal stopping to look at you, a blade of grass struggling to grow in a desert, or how sculpted lava can seem. These photos...
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The Medieval Fortress and Town of Chinon
There are few places in France of greater historic importance than Chinon. You wouldn’t know that by what you see when you drive thru it today as it seems a small sleepy rural town. You’ll see little evidence of...
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Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #82
Gumbo loves a room with a view! This one's got a great view, but where is it? An island in the ocean? A fjord? A river? A lake? THE RULES Share your suggestions, hints and discussions with others by...
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The Valley Island of Maui: 3) Central, Upcountry and South Maui
The largest stretch of (relatively) flat land on Maui is the valley between the two volcanoes, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. This area is commonly called “Central Maui” and it’s here most locals live....
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A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
I remember being in Wales several times and looking across the sea to the west, thinking that I needed to get to Ireland. Well I finally made it, completing this journey with my brother on our annual "getaway trip"! It was a trip we really...
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Walla, Walla: “So nice they named it twice!”
What’s a Walla Walla? It’s a Indian name meaning “many waters”. It’s also the name of a charming city in southeastern Washington; nestled close to the Columbia and Snake River valleys, and with a river of its...
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Washington State’s Long Beach Peninsula
For most travelers, the southwestern corner of Washington state is easy to bypass. It lies well over an hour’s drive from the busy I-5 Interstate Freeway. The broad mouth of the Columbia River limits access from the Oregon...
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Columbia River Gorge, Where Gumbo Was #82
Gumbo was visiting the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, which straddles northern Oregon and southern Washington states. Specifically, Gumbo was enjoying the amazing view of the Gorge through the lobby window of the Skamania Lodge in...
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Washington Oaks Garden: a Peaceful Paradise in Florida
With all that Florida has to offer, you'd think it would be hard for anybody to pick a favorite place in the state. In my case though, it's not. By a mile,my favorite place is Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Washington Oaks is one of the most...
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Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
I love visiting the state of Hawaii. Although I have enjoyed all the Hawaiian islands I have visited (Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii Island), my favorite island would be Hawaii Island (aka the Big Island). The diversity of the Hawaii...
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Visiting Western Greenland. Part I – Three Towns
In July 2006 I gave in to curiosity and realized my ambition to visit West Greenland. I returned 6 times in the next 8 years! I knew that about 10% of the world’s freshwater was sitting on Greenland with the capacity to raise...
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Road Trip, Day 1: City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and The Skunk
Gateway to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas March 9, 2015 In the late ‘80s, I lived in L.A. for a couple of years. My S.O. knew lots of cool L.A. stuff. One of those was something he’d read that...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar. 19th, 2015: Bluecoat Chambers, Liverpool UK
Opened in 1717 as a charity school, Bluecoat Chambers in School Lane is the oldest surviving building in central Liverpool, UK. When I'm walking the streets of Philly, Boston and New York admiring the architecture, I often wonder...
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Road Trip, Day 2: Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden
March 10, 2015 I woke the first morning of my visit along the Northern California coast at a friend’s house in the village of Elk. I was alone, the kitchen toasty warm from the fire Jane had made for me before leaving...
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South Beach Miami - A walk through Art Deco History
South Miami Beach is probably one of the most photographed cities in the United States. It is home to what may be the densest collection of art deco architecture in the United States. It is hard to find something new to say, in fact, when I...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 4, 2015: Sea Gull Inn, Mendocino, California
March 10, 2015 On my road trip to the Northern California coast in March, I stayed with a friend 17 miles down the road from Mendocino. But on 2 previous visits I’d stayed at the Sea Gull Inn . The first time was in...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 6, 2015: Turtle Watching in Trinidad
I've been all over the world but never turtle watching in my own country. That was until last weekend when I got to get up close and personal and experience this natural wonder. The main nesting season for sea turtles in Trinidad and...