Tagged With "People Over Profits"
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Re: December 12, 2016: Percheron Horses, Alberta
Wonderful work horses with a positive future. Known for their cool temperament and strength these animals are used by police in cities where heavy traffic doesn't distress them.. For over 200 years breeders have a kept stud records and kept the breed pure. As you say they were a war horse too. A million were left in France by allied troops after WW1. And unfortunately France has a "taste" for horse meat
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Re: Switzerland: First passengers for world's longest tunnel
That sure is a long tunnel, and from a country that likes to make them as much as the prairie dogs I see on the plains. I would think ventilation would be a problem in such a long tunnel. Would you know if the trains need their own oxygen system? Having driven through the Swiss tunnels by car before, which were about 15 km long as I recall, the air was extremely bad in them and made me regret not driving the scenic route over those windy roads across the mountains.
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Re: April 8, 2020: Standley Lake Regional Park, Colorado
Thank you DrFumbleFinger. This whole no travel thing is making me insane, l We've missed two trips already, one because of sickness over Valentines Day and one one because of this irritating virus issue. We also have two more (2+ week road trip through 11 states for our anniversary, and a trip to Atlanta for a convention) before the end of June that will prob not happen. Just so frustrating. I am also worried about a trip to AZ in Sept, NH, VT, and ME in Oct and CA in Nov. Not knowing when...
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Re: 12 Countries ask vouchers instead of refunds
I have said it before and certainly have not changed my mind: why do airlines think they are above the law? There are plenty of other businesses suffering severely at present, but they do not have the option of hanging on to their customers' cash to keep themselves afloat. The way in which airlines have behaved over this issue is simply disgraceful and will have done nothing to engender goodwill amongst their customers. Indeed, many might - at a stroke - have destroyed the benefits of their...
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Re: 12 Countries ask vouchers instead of refunds
In a conversation with Travel Rob last week, I set out my minimum conditions before a bailout or other relief can be discussed: 1) All boarding to be by efficiency, no priority for anyone except physical need 2) minimum one free checked bag for all flights over 250 miles (under 250, you should drive or take a train, anyway) 3) elimination of most nuisance fees 4) minimum 32" pitch with no more than 2" recline 5) 20-year cap on exec salaries...CEO to earn max 20x full-time flight attendant...
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Re: The Beluga gets even bigger
It's a beautiful sight as it passes over Liverpool. Descending into Hawarden Airport. It collects new Airbus wings and then returns to Germany. This aircraft is so big it appears to be stationary in the sky as it passes above.
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Re: Tips to help with packing no matter where you are going
I have packing cubes too. Makes things so much easier to find when you are shifting from hotel to hotel or apartment to apartment. I still over pack. I just need to remember how much I love my jeans and t-shirts when I'm on the go. I never bring jewelry except cheap earrings. Simple style feels best on a trip.
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Re: Tips to help with packing no matter where you are going
Very useful reminders Marilyn, thanks. Absolutely agree with "don't over-pack" (I still do and get cross with myself when I have unused items at the end of the trip. And yes, Kindles, packing cubes and ZipLoc bags have made great additions to my bag in recent years. Two other thoughts occur: 1) fast drying travel clothing (wash and wear overnight) helps lighten the load 2) don't pack every last item of shampoo, tea bags, snacks etc etc in the belief that you can't possibly buy x x x-thing in...
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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: Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland. The infamous 'Arbeit macht frei' sign at the entrance
I have not been to Auschwitz but have been to some in Western Europe such as Dachau, Bergen-Belsen and Buchenwald. It is an experience like no other. The atmosphere is oppressive and dark. It is almost like nature knows these are sites of unspeakable horror and you can sense it. When we went to Dachau it was a sunny day walking to the camp but once inside it seemed like everything clouded over and there was an absence of the birds singing that we heard outside the camp.
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Re: Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland. The infamous 'Arbeit macht frei' sign at the entrance
I visited Aushswitz over 20 years ago and I still wont forget the chilling feeling I felt when I walked alone in Aushswitz Birkenau.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 20, 2015: Sicilian Fiat
Belongs in the pantheon of true "people's cars" along with the Citroen 2CV and (dare I say it?) the ugly duckling of the lot...the Trabi, which was advanced over its peers in a number of ways. Ironic, isn't it, to think the original Fiat 300s like this one were banished for smoking, and now we find that VW's "clean diesel" was smoking a pack a day on the road!
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Re: Marriott buys Starwood for $12.2 billion...what's in it for loyalists?
Received this e-mail this morning. Today we're excited to share the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts will join together with Marriott International to create the world's largest hotel company. For our Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG® members, this will mean even more choices in even more places, giving you access to 1.1 million rooms across 5,500 hotels and resorts in more than 100 countries. We will work to bring you the very best of SPG and Marriott Rewards®, two of the most...
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Re: Sydney Expat Guide
My first impression of Australia was how clean and modern everywhere is. Oz has a shorter history span than the US. Their view of people from other countries is limited to what they see on TV News. Similar to Americans. My 3 kids lived in Australia for a while and found it very safe with well mannered folks. I have lots of family over there and the great plus of living in Oz is being able to enjoy the great outdoors. Even in winter when most days are above 60f - which the locals call cold !
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Re: 50 Years Later, Paris
Some great memories. My wife and I head there in 3 weeks for the first time in over 25 years. We are so looking forward to it. Thank you.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks Samantha. All great tips. Some we do now and some (public transit) we do not since we live outside Edmonton and both work in the city. A 15 minute commute would turn into over an hour on transit. We actually just redid our cable subscription, obtained a better plan and updated internet with a reduced monthly cost. With our kids now moved out we are able to save a good bit on our utilities, phone costs and especially food costs. All extra coin for the next trip.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Hi there Rob. Since I wrote this post we actually cut the cable and only have OTA and Netflix. Saves us over $100.00 a month. Nice amount to save for our travel adventures! And you are right about the drinks. That is what will kill you. Stay away from them and it should help. Thanks for the comments. Part 2 this week!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks for the comment. Glad you were able to get a new contract with your cable company. We had Comcast and they don't care about retaining customers, only getting new ones Such a shame. Thanks for the comment and happy travels.
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Re: Paris: new urinals get mixed reviews
Other places have tried to address the problem through improved signage, sometimes in a humorous way, as seen on our travels last week in Miltenberg (Germany). Roughly translated, the sign says "Over there, dad!" - and points to a public toilet just around the corner.
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Re: End of an era: U.S. airlines drop last turboprops
I can't say that I'm a great fan of turboprops, but they are used in Europe all over the place and I find myself on one quite frequently. I do not believe they are any less safe than jets.
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Re: Conwy Castle, Wales
The castle is part of my Intrepid Berkeley Explorer video of Wales, Northern Ireland & Ireland, "My Pub Runneth Over Too". Video Plays at: http://www.adventurepics.com/I...MyPubRunnethOver.mp4 Stills at: http://intrepidberkeleyexplorer.com/Page4.html
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Re: Belfast: An Uneasy City
I think I have to disagree on comparing human societies to plate tectonics; over the latter we have no control, but I would hate to ever think we've exhausted the possibility of dealing with the former. Examining mass religious conflicts generally reveals other issues beneath. That's certainly true of the long and tortured history between the two islands and the two Irelands. While James was a Catholic and William a Protestant, the real issues behind the conflict that set Ireland's future...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan, 21, 2014: Raccoon, Vancouver, British Columbia
Yes, that sounds about in character for them. Cute, but cunning. When there is a global Holocaust someday, it will not be the insects that take over the world. It will be the raccoons! Or at least the raccoons will be the commanders. The insects might be their foot soldiers.
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Re: Scotland Bridge Nominated for Heritage Site
PortMoresby, How can you hear us chuck or groan over the e-ether?
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #14: A Sewer Journey
Very good. Mrs. Gumbo and I will wait for you over une carafe de vin ordinaire (blanc svp) over there.
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #14: A Sewer Journey
How people have solved civil engineering problems is of great interest to many persons. I have visited the Egouts several times over the years. It is very interesting to see how the engineers went about providing - and continue to do provide - this important service for the growing city. A related infrastructure challenge for developing areas is always how to provide clean water for the populace. In Istanbul, it is possible to visit one of the ancient cisterns to see how this feat was...
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Re: Crashing the geocache
Is there a main website that the geocache folks have set up? You could also ask over on Craig's list www.craigslist.com in the "community" section of where ever you want, or even where the kids are traveling to..... I would do some research, but Europeans are into travel alot, maybe they have done it more than the Americans ever had since they have been around longer? I hope this helps.....
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks for your comments TatToo. Summer is the best time for water sports,from May to October. Most operators usually shut down over winter. There isn't much surf to speak of unless there is an exceptionally stormy day, but the northern parts of the island are more suited for windsurfing and paragliding as the winds from the northern Mediterranean tend to have more strength in them
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day: Jan. 16, 2014: Liverpool Victoria Gallery
Hello GarryRF, good post. Interesting to know there is more to see in Liverpool than The Beatles (it's okay, I'm a huge Beatles fan). I've always wanted to visit there, not only for Beatles sights, but I've heard it's had a revamp over the last few years and is now a tourist hot spot. Can you recommend a good time of the year to visit and how many days to see the main attractions?
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Re: Your Favourite Travel Camera (or 2)
Those are all good pieces of advice, GarryRF! I too have the Fuji XP for wet days, beach, rafting, canoeing, etc. Nice not to have to worry if it will get wet. Usually I travel with two cameras, one a digital Canon pocket camera (fits into my shirt pocket). Handy to have at hand and shoots nice HD video, too. And when I want to take serious photos, I use a bulkier Canon Digital Rebel . It is a DSLR. Reason I like it is because of the large lens size (over 70 mm diameter). It lets you pick up...
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Re: Thai Tourism Blossoming
I think of travel in Thailand as "Asia Lite". In a good way. It was the first place I ventured in Asia and have continued to go back, combined with more challenging destinations. So I'm not surprised. It's also my destination of choice for recuperation when the food elsewhere does me in. It's pretty much in the middle of the region with flights in from all over and that, combined with the fresh & delicious food, makes it a relaxing and beneficial spot to forget one's food woes. It's high...
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Re: Made in Puerto Rico - Jibaromania!
Mmmmm...Crab stew over plantains! Worth the trip just for that! Thanks for sharing this experience.
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Re: "Mind Your Manners!" VisitBritain Warns Hoteliers
CICAK. No one gets upset over a few words here. Unlike my family in the US who think that an exchange of views is the start of WW3. I enjoy exchanging opinions and alternate ideas. As do most people here in the UK. Constructive criticism is a wonderful thing ! DrFunblefinger likes to throw me some "bait" occasionally - but he knows I wont bite the hook. PHeymont likes to rock my boat too. But it's just "light hearted teasing" and we've all been friends for many years ! Some of the...
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Re: Has the Revolution Started? Ryanair allows 2nd bag and reduces fee
The intention is to increase the profitability of Ryanair. For the first half of 2013-14, it announced revenue up 5% to €3.25bn and profit after tax rising 1% to €602m.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan. 8, 2014: Blue Sky, Over Me
Not so fast, TatToo! First, the first one was taken from a dock on-shore. Second, I think the pilots were probably cursing and hold hands over their eyes trying NOT to look at the clouds in the 3rd one. Best to just keep on checking Gumbo for the best clouds...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Technically, it would be possible to create very large WiFi zones, whether free or paid. But since someone gets paid (either on the meter, or a fee for the project) and there is a cost to constructing/installing the equipment to broadcast that signal...it won't happen unless someone is paying. In the case of the hotel, picking up on rbciao's point about breakfast--have you noticed that the free WiFi and the free breakfast tend to come with the budget chains, while the high-end places charge...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Actually, privatized toll roads are the coming thing these days! Some states have sold off roads; others have allowed private companies to build from scratch. The road to Dulles Airport near Washington is a prime example. But the comparisons to WiFi here don't really work. No one charged extra for electric light in hotels when it was new; it simply replaced the gas lighting. It took 70 years of broadcasting to create a pay system. As for WiFi, or internet access in hotels generally, it's not...
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Re: Where Gumbo Was, #6: The Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An, Vietnam
JohnT, over the years Asia has become more & more a favorite part of the planet for me to wander and hang out. I think the reason may be, in part, because it's much more in a state of flux than, say, Europe and as a result has more to offer someone who likes a bit of edge to their travels. I fear Europe has become somewhat more of the same wherever I go these days while Asia offers more of what I seem to need. Not to say there aren't parts of Europe to which I still enjoy returning. But...
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Re: Merry Christmas from all of us at TravelGumbo
Thanks DrF for those words. We will all be trying to be kinder and more considerate people in 2014. In many countries around the world - including here in the UK. We all have everything we need at this time of year, maybe too much. So its back to the diet in January and back into those Speedo's by April ! Hope you all have everything you need over the next year !
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Re: It's not snow: silvery cholla cactus, backlit, Christmas Day in Green Valley, AZ
Always worth trying a little tape or dried Elmer's glue over the area. Gently pull and hope for the best. What you really do not want to do is sit on the cacti. Ask me how I know.
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Re: Sedona AZ-Red Rocks rise above townscape
I think I may know where the picture was taken, PHeymont, if that's the church in the rocks (forget the exact name) over on the very left of the picture. If so, had friends who lived in that development years ago, Bell Rock to the south if I remember correctly. I haven't been there for many years now. Memoreees.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? 21.0
The mystery and waiting are over. The puzzle has been solved by PortMoresby. Here is her answer: " Tangalla Bay Hotel, Tangalle, Sri Lanka." I'll post the discussion for this on Tuesday. Another travel puzzle will be up very soon.
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Re: Biggest Apple Ever: NY Gets 54M Tourists, Expects More!
Are you sure that number is correct? Paris does just over 20 million visitors a year.
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Re: The "Eiffel Tour" Only Starts with the Tour Eiffel
I'm personally acquainted with one of Brunel's railway bridges, the Gatehampton Bridge over the Thames in Berkshire, England. I was advised by my Thames Path guidebook that I was approaching it. There was a strategically placed bench in a meadow where I sat, had a snack and looked at it from a distance for a bit before walking under it. Not at all knowledgeable, or even much interested, in bridges I tried to get at least a glimpse of what the guide meant when it said "one of Brunel's Great...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #5.5
Waterloo...I can relate...my foot is starting to tremble over an imaginary clutch just thinking about it.. I agree that it looks a little haphazard to be french. I'm thinking peloponnese? Where is that type of smaller white cobblestone used ? And what is that on the facing of the archway?
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Re: Tampa Bay Automobile Museum: 1) Museum Overview and its Czech collection
Thanks for that interesting article Rob. I didn't know that Tatra finally sued Porsche successfully over the T97. I like a story to finish with Justice.
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Re: Classic American Cars #5
Looks like one of the many Kit Cars that were fashionable in the 60s-70s-80s . You bought a fibreglass body and a donor car. Usually an accident write off. Changed over all the body parts and engine and you had a sports car for less than a few thousand dollars !
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Re: Newgrange; Ireland’s ancient Passage Tomb
It's interesting how we perceive age. In the U.S., we have few buildings over 200 years old, while in other places buildings older than that are part of the housing stock. And here we have a building of intricate design and decoration old enough that we hardly know any of the history of its builders. A reminder to us how much there is to see and know that is beyond our daily lives. Thank you for the tour!
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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?