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Tagged With "European Bee-eater"

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Re: April 2, 2020: Busy Bee in Spring, Liverpool, UK.

DrFumblefinger ·
Great photo Garry! Just the right amount of movement on the wings. I guess the bee didn't get his self-isolation notification.
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Re: January 20, 2020: Newport Beach, California

Paul Heymont ·
Always a puzzle, Garry, when looking at restaurant reviews, because not everyone values the same thing, and not everyone is health-conscious, even if they say so! And it's not just portion size, either: even in more sensible portions there can be a lot of unhealthy extra calories, food that isn't fresh, etc. And with the arrival of plant-based 'meat,' I find myself amazed at how many people who rail against processed food are pleased to eat this incredibly-processed 'food' because it is...
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Re: Sea World gives up its killer whale shows

DrFumblefinger ·
I grow weary of political correctness. Orcas are highly intelligent animals, no doubt -- and have the "cruelty" we expect of intelligent animals (anyone who's seen them hunt a baby gray whale for hours, only to kill it, eat its tongue and let the rest go to waste knows what I mean). I never saw Blackfish, but I do recall at the old Marineland park in Southern California. The park was closed for a number of months, and the orcas got depressed. Listless, didn't eat, didn't look good. Someone...
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Re: EU Parliament Ends Cell Phone Roaming Charges in 2017

Travel Rob ·
I'm guessing this is going to affect pre paid plans and sim cards for travelers. Anybody else know more, please comment.
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Re: EU Parliament Ends Cell Phone Roaming Charges in 2017

Paul Heymont ·
Yes, it will apply to prepaid plans, which many Europeans as well as visitors use, but it's not as happily absolute as some of the celebrators make it sound. The final June 2017 step depends on a reform of the European wholesale roaming market in which carriers pay each other for roaming use, and is also subject to limits for those who roam "too much." Here's a quote from one of the Parliament members who was a leading proponent of the law (which also originally included provisions for net...
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Re: Al Fahidi Historical District

valentinasdestinations ·
In this area there's a really cool museum that we visited - the Museum of Illusions. Also, make sure to eat at the Arabian Teahouse 5 minutes walking from this neighborhood! https://valentinasdestinations.com/
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Re: Sept 1, 2016: Wild Roses on the River Side.

GarryRF ·
WILD ROSES Wild Fruit - before the birds eat them ! I've been told by other walkers that further along you can only smell wild Jasmine. On the waters edge - where these grow - can best be described as a cool climate. With the onshore breeze off the river it rarely passes above 21c / 70f. So about the same climate as your Mountain rose. The smell really takes you by surprise - like walking into a small room holding a large "Women's Institute"meeting ! Perfume overload !
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Re: October 5, 2018: Sweets Shop, Delhi

Amateuremigrant ·
Actually K, neither would I, but as the author of 'Supernature' it was kinda in his brief ! His friend advised the beef tapeworm because they're easier to evict than pork ones (!) - he had to eat ~50% extra to placate the sucker (sic) BTW resistances don't really last that long but you're right, I very rarely got, or get ill.
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Re: July 14, 2018: Amsterdam's Dapper Market

GarryRF ·
The sounds - smells and colours of an open air market. I like the one's that do a taste sampling. And the fur coat you get on your teeth after eating Rhubarb. Stewed and served with custard. Is it true that Rhubarb is the only food that pigs wont eat ?
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Re: What's the Best City in the World to Eat in?

Paul Heymont ·
I won't claim any city to be the best in the world—at least not until I have time to visit them all! I'm always skeptical anyway about "the best" "the most" and so forth. That said, I'll also add that the best is not always the most expensive or famous. And I'm pleased to see that he's not pushing posh places, but rather inexpensive curry houses and a 24-hour cafe. His point seems to be that London is the best city to eat in because it is, his opinion, the best city to BE in. So, I'll...
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Re: What's the Best City in the World to Eat in?

GarryRF ·
The Restaurants in London have Chefs and Staff from the country they represent. They're not 2nd or 3rd generation French or Indonesian people. They have mostly arrived in the UK after learning their trade. Even in Liverpool I can taste the authentic food of 30 or more countries, So in a Cosmopolitan Capital like London I'm sure I could eat genuine food from anywhere in the world !
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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: On Safari in Africa -- wildlife gallery

DrFumblefinger ·
Thank you for your comments PortMoresby and GarryRF!. Yes, we got quite close to the animals Garry, although you definitely need to have a telephoto lens and best to have a camera with a quick shutter speed. I used my digital SLR on these and shot photos in bursts of 5-6, picking out the one I like best. You need to be very careful about where you eat in Africa, maybe more so than in most places. But we traveled with a quality safari outfit (And Beyond), which not only prepared great meals,...
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Re: Luxembourg, Old City

Paul Heymont ·
Clafoutis (I lost an s in typing) is a French dessert that is essentially a tart with fruit (the most traditional is cherries) in a flan-like custard. Usually you bake part of the custard a bit, add the fruit and more custard. I always thought it was from Normandy, because I first encountered it there, and then in a Norman restaurant in Paris, but it turns out the food historians say it comes from Limousin, and the name is from the Occitan "clafotis" which means "filled." So what probably...
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Re: Post-Merger AA Route Changes at DCA, LGA

Jonathan L ·
Virign America will bee getting some of AA's slots at LGA - That is a net plus in my book!
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #5.5

Former Member ·
Worker Bee - This does look a lot like the medieval lanes of Rhodes. Except - Those southern European spots do not usually have tidy postboxes and glossy wooden doors. The lane is well kept and recently repaired. I agree that it is a proper residential area. While the overall feel is something Spanish or Italian, because of the postbox and tidiness, I am thinking Kilkenny, Lyon, Quimper or even Brighton. The stone ( is that stone ?) used in that recent doorway lintel is similar to the...
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Re: Where Gumbo Was: #5.5

JohnT ·
Well done worker bee!!!
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Re: Where Gumbo Was: #5.5

TravelandNature ·
Worker Bee, my my, what good eyes you have. Nice work. Congratulations. Rhodes looks very interesting, even in brrrrr February. Thanks, PHeymont, for showing us this.
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,

Hank ·
Again thanks, this is incredibly helpful!! So I think I'll look at trains for trips from bigger cities to other cities, and fill in the gaps with bus if the pricing works out. A little more planning is needed. Even though it's expensive, I do want to spend around a week in London. Being an architect, there's just so much to see and do there, like seeing the Houses of Parliament and Westminister Abbey. I plan on being on the go almost all day each day there -- can rest later, maybe in the...
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Re: Spring Honeymoon Help

DrFumblefinger ·
Congratulations SueZee! We're delighted in your marriage, and you've picked a great country in which to honeymoon. May is not too early to go to Italy, although pack a light jacket just in case. The crowds won't be there yet and you'll save some money when compared to the peak summer season. Where to go is very much a matter of taste. Most definitely you need to go to Venice and I'd say spend at least 5 days here, maybe with a day trip or two (such as to the glass making island of Murano or...
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Re: Montreal: Je Me Souviens

arion ·
I'll give it some thought while cruising the Hawaiian Islands later this month, if I have a minute when not learning to hula dance, eat poi and look down into volcano craters. Aloha from Montreal, in the Province of Quebec where our provincial government wants to pass a law making it illegal for Muslim women to wear the hijab, for Jewish men to wear the skull cap (forget the proper name) and for South Asian men to wear turbans, if they work in government institutions (i.e. schools,...
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Re: Renting an apartment in Europe

arion ·
Of course, you don't have to cook. But it is nice to make a pot of coffee in the morning and eat nice warm croissants fetched from the bakery down the street, before you venture out into the city. It's also pleasant once in a while when you are tired at day's end to pick up something to heat in the microwave and maybe a bottle of decent wine for only a few euro, and sit with feet up and watch TV. Ahhh....
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,

GarryRF ·
England is only as big as Florida ! I haven't seen a Guide book that sub-divides us! Wales is full of Castles, Mountains and Lakes. Tourists often divide England between the North and South. The North is often cooler and wetter than further South. But your Dollar will go twice as far up here in the North! And we're much friendlier. Have a look at places you'd like to visit. York (the old one) will keep you busy for 2 days. Train or Bus from Liverpool. Or a day or two in Europe from Liverpool...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 14, 2013 : Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland

Ottoman ·
Voyager... along with my free pint of Guinness, I enjoyed a delicious Irish Stew. By the time I finished both, I couldn't eat another bite. Travel Luver...I'm thinking at least two pints of Guinness were consumed by the bartender, a man who as Bling mentioned, gives his all to his work and (cough cough) may have to sample an occasional pint or two to make sure the brew meets his high standards.
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?

DrFumblefinger ·
I certainly understand GarryRF's comments completely. A guest has a right to expect a good quality meal with good service. That should be part of the dining experience. That said, because I was raised and have lived in Canada/USA my life, I have a sensitivity to food service employees not being paid well and being stressed by their employers. So I tend to follow Dave B's guidelines (thanks for outlining these, Dave!) If I see a waitress is trying hard, I'll leave the 15% tip (and don't come...
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Re: In which US city do people dine out most?

Former Member ·
People eat out a lot in xxx because the prices are reasonable, there is a great variety of types of restaurants - thanks to its status as a city of global commerce - and you can be sure of getting lots of free air conditioning .
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Re: Hi Everybody! I'm new here.

Theodore Behr ·
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: Hi Everybody! I'm new here.

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.
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Re: A Birthday Message from the Gumbo Gurus

Paul Heymont ·
Have they no cake? Then let them eat bread!
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Re: How to not miss a connecting flight

Paul Heymont ·
Thanks! There's a lot of good advice in there, including the factor that often isn't thought of in the standard connecting times: walking. So many terminals have gates so far apart that it can take 15-20 minutes just to walk the distance, which can eat up the time between flights quickly. And, as one of our NewsLinks pointed out last week, airports are developing more local restaurants with regional cuisine to tempt you while you wait.
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Re: 'Elk Sensor' wins Swedish innovation prize

DrFumblefinger ·
Vehicle collisions with animals kill more people than dog, snake and bee bites combined. And while the photo you use shows an animal that weighs about 1000 pounds, that animal is a moose. I know it's tough for city folks to tell them apart. Here is what a bull elk looks like.... Here's what a cow elk looks like....
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Re: August 2 2017: Duck Herding in the Kerala Backwaters

PortMoresby ·
In Bali I watched from my rented house in the rice paddies as ducks were regularly brought to the fields to eat insects and fertilize the crop. Not to say they don't eat them, too, but probably a similar routine in So. India.
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Re: Jetlagged in Rome

PortMoresby ·
You can be sure it never would have made it to this page if it was bad. It was delicious. I never eat sweet in the morning so this was perfect for me and a something I'd never had before.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 7th, 2014: Bees

Still Country Photo ·
Sure PortMoresby, the two cameras I use are a Pentax K10D dSLR with a Pentax DA 55-300 mm f4-5.8 lens and the other is a Panasonic Lumix TS2. The Lumix takes macro pictures like nothing else I have used, I am learning to get better at taking macro with my K10D but am still not as good yet as I am with the Lumix. DrF, the honey bee (the one with no hair) was taken in the lovely flower gardens at Lake Louise, Alberta and the bumble bees were taken on a trip to the Bowden Corn and Sunflower...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 25, 2014: Fall colors at Upper Kananaskis Lake, Alberta

DrFumblefinger ·
Hi GarryRF, Yes, this part of the world includes vaste stretches of wilderness. Lots and lots of unspoiled mountains, valleys, forests, rivers and lakes. It is only an hour's drive from west Calgary, so lots of those of us who live here spend our weekends in the Rockies. Much like those in Denver. Camping is wonderful in the summertime, as the weather is mild and the days very long. It's also great to hike here at that time. Camping in the winter is only for the brave of heart. You need to...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 8, 2014: Onion Soup, Pied de Cochon

GarryRF ·
I think I'd have to take a knife and fork to that soup ! Looks delicious - how was it ? Did it have you searching for the antacid tabs ? I couldn't eat a main meal after tackling that soup.
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Re: Montmartre Cemetery, Paris

PortMoresby ·
Hmm, that sounds pretty good, ending my days in the old neighborhood, selling peanuts to supplement my Social Security. What I don't sell, I can eat. I can think of worse ways.
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Re: HOW YOU CAN SAVE THE ASIAN ELEPHANT

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Elephants are highly intelligent animals, probably smarter than dogs for example. Wild elephants in Asia are having a hard time because of loss of habitat and conversion of their normal range to agricultural land. Most do not have ivory tusks so unlike their African cousins, they are not slaughtered for their teeth. In Sri Lanka I visited the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala a number of times, which I've previously written about on TravelGumbo at this link .
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Re: Old San Juan: Beautiful...and not all old

Jonathan L ·
Plaza de Armas is NOT the premier pigeon feeding spot in San Juan. The honor goes to the near by Plaza de las Palomas (Plaza of the Doves). This park has a wall with literal Pigeon holes and is the home to hundreds of the birds. There are machine to buy food and if you stand real still they will land on your hands and arms to eat.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread

DrFumblefinger ·
I also love a fresh loaf of bread. When it's just right, it's easy to make a meal of just bread and butter. I have great sympathy for those who can't eat gluten. I'm not sure I'd find life worth living without fresh baked goods.
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Re: Food, glorious food...

PortMoresby ·
My favorite food stand in PR sold Cubano sandwiches. If you see one, P., eat one for me.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 27, 2014: The Feast!

Travel Rob ·
Wow, Ottoman! Don't know if I've ever said this especially with desserts,but that food looks too good to eat. It should be displayed in a museum!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 27, 2014: The Feast!

GarryRF ·
You're right there Rob ! Too good to eat ! Like a kid in a candy shop. Love seeing displays of disposable art. Like all the shapes and designs you can get on a Frothy Coffee !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 27, 2014: The Feast!

Ottoman ·
Hello everyone DrFumblefinger, you are so right about the chocolate fountain. If it wouldn't have been for my family holding me back, I would've done the dive. Travel Rob and GarryRF, you are so right when you say the food looked too good to eat. I was rather conflicted when it came time to enjoy these delicacies...my stomach said "This is making me so hungry, eat it!!" but my brain said "Don't eat it for these creations are works of art!!" Eventually my stomach won the battle.
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Re: Four Days in Berlin

Paul Heymont ·
I'll be posting some Berlin blogs in the next few weeks, since we visited last month...but for the moment, I'll start with one of our best experiences—a food walking tour. It's a great way to meet other visitors and to experience local foods and their history. We started at a small cafe/sweetshop and ate our way through breads and meats and pastries and ended up at a beer garden run by a small artisanal brewery, where the owner/brewmaster sat with us and then took us on a tour of his...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, August 27, 2015: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Red Rocks Park, Colorado

DrFumblefinger ·
It's a great summary of a fun place to visit. Besides the amphitheater, there's a drive through the park which takes you by other red rock formations. The park isn't that large, but it is memorable. If you're looking for a place to eat, the amphitheater offers an outdoor terrace restaurant with great views of the Red Rock.
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Re: Signs of Aspen, Colorado

DrFumblefinger ·
Originally Posted by Travel Rob: Nice of the Bear to tell us to fight back if attacked He is a nice bear to tell us, and that's good advice with BLACK bears only. There are no grizzlies left in Colorado, but the general advice for them is to "play dead" and not fight back. If a black bear attacks you he likely wants to eat you. If a grizzly attacks you he likely wants to dominate you. Of course, you need to use your judgement on the spot, if you've time to assess. A thin wasted grizzly might...
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Re: Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park, Hawaii Island, Hawaii

DrFumblefinger ·
Some beautiful photos, Ottoman! I'm fond of black sand beaches because you only find them in places with active volcanoes, and I love volcanoes. White sand beaches are generally formed from the breakdown of coral (often by parrotfish, who eat it and clear the fine particles out the other end). This beach isn't that large, but the black sand is striking. And the turtles -- how lovely they are. They look soooo relaxed. Makes me want to take a nap in that warm sand, too!
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!

GarryRF ·
Most city centres have been laid out in the Spanish style with an open park. This is lunchtime when all the school children and workers eat their packed lunches. No radio - music - skateboards - headphones - just peace and tranquillity !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 5, 2014: Modern Toilet Restaurant, Taiwan

Travel Luver ·
I can see it as a novelty place to eat, but am surprised in the franchise interest !
 
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