Tagged With "Shock Top"
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Re: November 24, 2016: Enger Tower, Duluth, Minnesota
Hi Garry I never thought of counting the number of steps to the top of Enger Tower for I was too preoccupied with the beautiful scenery; However, thanks to your question I did some internet investigating and discovered that apparently there are 105 steps you must walk to get to the top of Enger Tower (therefore 210 steps in total to get up and down the tower). You really don't need to be an Olympian to get to the top of Enger Tower. Although the number of steps sounds like a lot, and the...
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Re: Top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens In The World
I think that's one of the problems with so much travel journalism: Top-Tenism, the urge to line things up in order and crown a winner. That means, often, directing attention away from wonderful things that 'didn't make the list.' I'd much rather see lists of 'Ten wonderful gardens you might enjoy' or 'ten restaurants I've enjoyed.' As for gardens: Some are quite formal, others either informal or with the goal of showing nature rather than decor. Some are large, others small. Some are...
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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: Norwegian bank is out of cash, on purpose
I think what we're seeing here is a blindness in planning, which goes beyond questions of technology. You've identified some scenarios where cashless becomes hopeless/helpless. I see the same kind of lack of forethought when I see several huge residential towers being built in downtown Brooklyn...on top of already overcrowded subway stations, and with no forethought to larger sewer or water connections... In the bleakest possible view, we may self-destruct not through a world war, but...
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Re: Heidelberg Castle: Where Gumbo Was (#135)
I'm interested in the darker stone or brick construction right in the center of the top photo. Did I miss a reference to it or is it an illusion?
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Re: Heidelberg Castle: Where Gumbo Was (#135)
No, in the lower left of that one, right below the individual tree on the left and below your circle. Put your finger dead center of the top photo and it's there, just above the 2 gothic windows, between the 2 halves of the castle. Looks like a modern construction and appears to be leaning left, 2 chimneys.
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Re: Limone, Lake Garda, Italy
In Spain they take the largest, roundest fruits. Cut off the top and scoop out the inside. Fill with Lemon flavour Ice Cream and put the top back on. Wrap in food wrap. Freeze them. Buy them in the store next to the Ice Lollies. No drip Ice Cream !!
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Re: View From The Chair Photography
Amazing photography! Love the top picture especially. Look forward to seeing more.
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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: Oct. 4, 2018: British Car Show, Delaware City DE
Once had a white 1976 MG Midget. It was a constant maintenance nightmare, but loved the feel of the cabriolet with the top down.
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Re: New cable car offers 'roof terrace'
Might be a little frosty, but those of us who like to take photos on such journeys would relish the chance to sit on top. Every bit as safe as in the cage underneath.
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Re: Bangkok still #1, but most-visited list shifts
I was under the impression Orlando should be near the top of this list.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #6
So we're looking for two adjoining countries like somewhere on this map. Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Burma and Cambodia seem like top contenders. Which two would the bridge connect?
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Re: Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Kennedy Space Center
Thanks for the comments, guys! The entire shuttle is actually much longer than I'd thought, maybe 180 ft. What was surprising is how small the living/pilot compartment is where the astronauts spent so much time. It's that space in front of the opened cargo door. The US space program is just a former shadow of itself with the retirement of the Shuttle program and nothing ready to take its place. But I was pleased to hear that NASA is working on the Orion project. It is a rocket based space...
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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: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Here's a link to the current rates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Passenger_Duty The rates are based on distance from London to capital of the other country; for U.S., that's 3661 miles and the rate converts to about $108, twice that for any class above cattle class. The APD particularly bites for Caribbean people living in UK; they're in the next band up and that means a family of 4 visiting home pay about $750 round trip on top of the tickets!
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Re: Renting an apartment in Europe
John mentioned the Google street maps...really a very good way to check out a neighborhood, since it has more than just the maps! On top of the zoom scale on the map, you'll see a little orange man. Drag him onto a street on the map, and you'll see photos of the street. It takes a couple of moments to get used to maneuvering, but you can go up and down the streeet, turn and face the opposite direction, "walk" around corners, and zoom in and out. You can use the Windows snipping tool or other...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #15
I agree with Dan Carter that it looks like a ferry in the picture, but I don't see Maine out there. I believe I see two countries. Also, it seems to me that Gumbo may have climbed to the top of a mountain and continued to climb for a better view.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #15
Originally Posted by WorkerBee: I agree with Dan Carter that it looks like a ferry in the picture, but I don't see Maine out there. I believe I see two countries. Also, it seems to me that Gumbo may have climbed to the top of a mountain and continued to climb for a better view. I can see now that I was mistaken about what Gumbo saw. Only one country. What is beyond the islands is a peninsula. And Gumbo climbed nothing except a few steps to enter an elevator.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #15
It's Friday evening here in Texas. I'm on the first stopover of a trip to Girona, Spain. The view is truly fantastic from the top of the space needle in Seattle!
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #36
Looks a bit like a Tudor cottage stuck on top of an obelisk. Let me start the guessing with the idea that despite the decor, it's not all that old (since when Tudor-era builders used those wooden crosspieces they were structural, not decorative.) But if I'm right about when, it completely unmoors this from the idea of 15th-century England, and it could be absolutely anywhere!
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #36
Still no correct solution, so time for some clues. 1) Yes, PortMoresby, that is a Canadian flag on top of the building (but, does that mean it's in Canada????) 2) It is close to an important river and surrounded by more than 1000 acres of parkland Does that help you figure out where Gumbo is?
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Re: FCC: Cell Phone Use In Flight Coming Soon
I love the extended use of electronics, but don't like the idea of using a cell phone (as a phone -- go ahead and play games with but shut up!). Imagine a cross continent flight beside an aggressive salesman? Not quite as bad as dying and going to hell, but not far from it. Will need to be sure to buy some top quality ear plugs if that's the case. Like to sleep on a plane? Hope you can fall asleep to 30 people speaking loudly (the airplane is noisy, after all).
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Re: Airbus Survey: 41% Willing to Pay for More Space
It is not entirely the airlines' fault. They cannot help some of the things that passengers do to their fellow in-flight detainees. http://gawaya.com/top-ten-annoying-airline-passengers
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Re: Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart
GarryRF, by bimbo selling a car, I presume you mean the guy in the blue t-shirt above, right? The ones in the bottom photo are just mannequins in frilly color coordinated wraps. And a man can dream. No question that the Mercedes product is a top-notch one.
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Re: Buenos Aires -- Cappucino in one of the city's many cafes
It is a great way to start a day, or to perk up an afternoon! Italians don't drink Cappucino except in the morning (they don't believe you should put milk on top of their lunchtime tomato sauce). I however, don't have that hangup, nor do the Argentinians.
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Re: Denver airport leads the charge for your phones
Having traveled to Denver in the past month, I'll vouch for that fact there a lot of places to charge your devices. And there are still lots of gates that completely lack chargers, so they still have a long way to go. The free wifi at Denver is quite fast and widely available. Much appreciate! I think this should be a top priority for all airlines -- places to charge that phone and iPad before you fly. It would be good if the consumer organizations provided comparative scores.
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Re: Visiting Markets in Lima Peru
A great day in Lima, Peru. The only place I've encountered even worse traffic than Lima was in Bangkok, although I'm told several Chinese cities top that. Nice piece, Jonathan, thanks!
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Re: Paris warned: bigger floods will happen
Actually, part of the problem is that the Seine, like many others, is no longer a "natural" river. It's had its banks turned into walls, its flood plains turned from farms to cities, and more. And that requires, yes, experts to figure out how we can live with that when it rains. In the U.S., we have a similar issue with the Mississippi River, which has been so altered that floods that once spread over wide areas of land or were contained in marshy areas, and which fed fresh soil to farms and...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sept. 6, 2015: Berlin Buskers
I think the guys in the top photo were classmates of Harry Potter
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Re: Banksy Opens up a Bemusement Park in England
I think Disney would get bad press by suing and this park is only going to be open a short time, but I guess we will see. In the 1990's , there was a top ten hit by a group called Dada called Dizz Knee Land and I don't think Disney bothered them, but not certain.
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Re: Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt seeing visitors again
I find "...Spain is only on top if the Balearics are included..." an odd addition, not unlike saying the US is only on top if Hawaii is included. Am I missing something?
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Re: From the Shoebox: Germany in the early 60s
Looked up one more. The one with the river barge is taken from Heidelberg looking across the Neckar River. I was able to match up some of the structures from then and now. I once tried to rent a top floor apartment on that side of the river back in 1990.
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Re: In Egypt: Luxor West Bank
A brilliant collection of pictures and commentary. Avoiding the bus loads is all down to timing, so your patience was well rewarded ! I've visited the West Bank loads of times with groups and it never fails to astound ! Our trips began by meeting up with a host of donkeys from the ferry, at 4.30am. We rode up to cross the cliff top above Hatshepsut's temple then walk down to the Valley of the Kings. Riding a donkey named Saddam up there was always a guaranteed wake-up
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Re: Krumlov Castle, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic. Where Gumbo was #68
Cesky Krumlov like many of the cities behind the old "iron Curtain" seem to be frozen in time. I'm glad I visited eastern Europe before the arrival of McRonalds appeared on street corners. The Czech Republic has produced excellent cars for 50 years but was starved of cash by Moscow for many years. But it's just now become one of the top producers in Europe.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#77)
Good observations, Mac. An important clue are the buildings towards the top of the photo. what do they remind you of?
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#77)
At first, I was thinking the Pacific North West or BC, but the grain elevator points strongly to the Great Lakes. This is supported by Port Moresby's observation of the Ontario company's container. The largest city in the province is Toronto. It has an airfield beside the lake, and my own photograph from the top of the CN Tower taken a few years ago shows hangers just like in the first picture. I therefore vote for Toronto lake shore.
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Re: The National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology, Dublin: Where Gumbo was #78
Wonderful. Can't wait to read the rest of your Ireland posts to help plan my next trip. Ireland was at the top of the list.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#59)
A library... maybe in Asia? The top looks like it may be dragons
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Re: Coastal California: The Pigeon Point Hostel
Any travel tale that starts with a road trip following giraffes (nice pic, BTW), includes a lighthouse, the surf, goat cheese and cute granddaughters, is top rate in my book! Can't wait for the lighthouse tour!
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Re: Marseille's Vieux Port and Forts: An Urban Hike
Great write up on a magnificent city! If you approach Notre Dame de la Garde from the side, it's a hike in itself climbing to the top of the hill.but the beautiful views and church are well worth it.
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
I have a Mobell (same company as Mobal) UK sim that I got years ago, very convenient, phone bills charged to my credit card, rather than having to keep track of the balance and "top up". However, calls are relatively expensive although I don't mind for the convenience and limited use when I'm in the UK. Knowing full well it would cost me, about a £ a minute because I was in Italy, I allowed a British friend who was meeting me in Italy to call me when she arrived using her UK phone and my UK...
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Re: Mont-Saint-Michel: Like no other (Pt. 2)
A visit to this church, almost exactly 30 years ago, is one of my fondest travel memories. I stayed on the island and went to mass, it was a dark and stormy night (really), the wind howled, we were welcomed in English, the only visitors present in the small congregation and I've never felt so included as a traveler. Part of what I remember was a distinct dip worn into the stone of the stairs on the climb into the church. It appears from the beautiful photo at the top of this page that the...
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Re: Where do the "permanent travelers" go?
I have one friend who's a permanent traveler. While he spends time in a variety of places, his preference is Asia, with Thailand at the top of his list. Chiang Mai is where we met and in nearby villages is where he spends the majority of his time. He has a private income so work has nothing to do with his choice. I'd be interested to see how the results of the survey would change if that element was removed from the equation. And how it would change if broken down by age group. Also, how...
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Re: Spring Time on Table Mountain
I have spent whole days hiking Table Mountain and haven't even covered half of it. The top of the mountain is divided by the single two lane road that cuts up and over it. This day was spent on the West side of the divide. I couldn't find any information on the square mileage, but as a rough estimate I would say "huge". There are also caves, which I have never found, but then again I have never found Phantom Falls, either. Just North of this spot there is a "ghost town" called Cherokee.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 13, 2014: The Damsels of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
The lovely damsels of Sigiriya would be quite at home at Hugh Hefner's PLayboy mansion! Amazingly well preserved given their 1500 year age. Key to visiting, Mac, is to go very early before it gets too hot, or late in the afternoon as it starts cooling down. But a spry young dude like you should bound all the way to the top of Lion Rock like a springbok. One of the most memorable times I've ever had in my travels was at the top of Sigiriya, right at the end of the day, when I was the only...
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Re: St. Louis Gateway Arch - Gateway to the West
I visited the arch many years ago on a hot, windy summer day. I like your comparison to the Mork ride, because it was quite fascinating to work our way up to the top of the arch in that unusual tram. But it was extremely unpleasant at the top. Very hot and stuffy, and the wind was shaking our footing like a major earthquake would have. Views were limited but interesting, but the arch is beautiful and an amazing feat of engineering. Thanks for sharing your memories of this great landmark!
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Re: "World's scariest walkway" re-opens; may be safer
There are some experiences in life I can live without trying. This would be near the top of that list.