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Tagged With "Zip Lining"

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Re: Antarctica, part 3. Antarctica Rocks!

DrFumblefinger ·
Hi Kirsten, Behind in my emails, but did want you to know that the last of your series on Celebrating Nature went live today. I want to personally thank you so very much for sharing your tremendous talents with our audience. I enjoyed reading -- and learned a lot -- from your posts and greatly enjoyed your wonderful photography! I'm sure many others did, too. If you have more material you'd like to post on TravelGumbo in the coming months, it would be our pleasure to host it. Hope you had a...
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Re: Top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens In The World

Paul Heymont ·
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: 'Flying Dutchman' ends 15-week cruise

Paul Heymont ·
UPDATE: Home at last... Costa Deliziosa finally docked in Genoa, Italy around noon today, New York time after being at sea since January 5th. It was the last major cruise line ship still at sea, and has no known Covid-19 cases on board. Debarcation of the remaining 1519 passengers and 898 crew will take several days as Costa and Italian authorities work on how to get them home without exposure to infection.
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Re: 50 Years Later, Paris

Paul Heymont ·
Thank you for sharing your memories, and wakening some of my own. It's a trite line, I know, but despite all that changes, "we'll always have Paris." In fact, maybe that's 'because' and not 'despite.'
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#288)

Travel Rob ·
Since this is a hard puzzle, Gumbo is showing you Sundays clue early for extra time to solve it!. This clue is of a train along the line
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Re: Top Tips and Advice for Travel to Malta & Gozo

GarryRF ·
Professorabe : Should that final line read "I am more fond of rabbit than my wife is"
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Re: Slim airline seats unpopular

Paul Heymont ·
That's an interesting article...especially the part about United finding that passengers like the new seats better as time goes on. I have very limited experience with this (one flight on TAP with them installed) and frankly, they didn't feel more or less cushiony than any others. I just don't think thickness has anything to do with comfort; it's the density of the material used. And frankly, two extra inches for legs...that's a win. At least until the airlines start moving the slim-line...
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Re: Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump (That's really its name)

DrFumblefinger ·
I believe it is an issue of the mountains' origins. A range has a common origin from a common fault line. The Rockies are a fairly new range, and the Porcupines have been around longer and are much more eroded. But I'm not a geologist, PM. I just look at them and think it's all beautiful!
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Re: Where We Went: London, Paris, Toronto

PortMoresby ·
What's also interesting about the information is that it's from hotels.com which says in the first line it's helping us find "the best cities around the world". I'm not sure I buy the premise that popular is best. Another index I also find VERY interesting, in the quest to locate interesting places for longer stays on a budget, is the cost of living index for places around the world. While visitor costs and resident costs are not the same, still, it's an interesting tool and also gives us...
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Re: "Spotted On the Road": Everglades City, Florida

Paul Heymont ·
I think '79 or '80 was the end of the line for MGB, so you're probably in the right time-frame. Sad thing about the B...it could never look to me like an MG. Tell me MG, and this is what I see...
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1

Paul Heymont ·
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: The Worst Train in the World

PortMoresby ·
If I live it won't be my last. Just prior to that one, same trip, I'd gone from Guilin to Nanning, then after lunch got on another, overnight to Hanoi. Later overnight again, Hanoi to Hoi An. Now that I think about it I realize they got progressively worse as I went along, culminating in The Worst. I hadn't thought about it until just this minute, hindsight is a wonderful thing that way. A great disappointment to me several years ago was the apparently permanent cancellation of the Hanoi to...
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Re: Airport traffic up worldwide!

Former Member ·
I've noticed more shops and selection in airports in recent years. Overall, there has been a trend toward "normalcy"; airport offerings and prices have become more in line with the world off airport.
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Re: "Spotted on the Road". Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Dave B. ·
The black car is a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. You can tell it's a '70 by the line across the middle of the grille and the shape of the front-fender running lights. R/Ts only came with two engine choices - the 375 HP 440 cubic inch or the 425 HP 426 Hemi. The second car is a 1969 Camaro. It appears to be an SS, but that's pretty easy to clone. Can't wait to see what you came up with in Cuba!
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?

DrFumblefinger ·
Remember these recommendations were in essence from the hotel owners. They are trying to have the consumer subsidize the poor salaries many of them pay. I'm a reasonably generous person, and I realize that most hotel employees are not wealthy, but I don't tip at those levels. I usually leave a few bucks for the maid if a good job is done, and for an excellent bit of advice or help will as well. But if I ask the concierge where the nearest bus stop is, that's his job and not worth the five...
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Re: Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart

GarryRF ·
I know the implications of using a scantily clad "Bimbo" to sell cars ! But its also a reminder of the "Fairer Sex" who'll be waiting when I get home to share my moment of madness in signing on the Dotted Line. A Car is a Car. I can dream. Don't spoil it with trivia !
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP

Paul Heymont ·
John's point about the ratio between the two tiers is interesting (we looked at that a little in a forum post this week on value of miles). My guess--and it's just that--is that the same kind of yield-management used to set prices has taken a look at this and is carefully balancing loyalty vs. burn... I can't really compare East vs West availability personally; my school schedules have defined when I can travel well enough that I'm able to start hunting tickets 330 days out, when the...
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Re: Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa

DrFumblefinger ·
It was part of a package that included safaris in Botswana and travel to Victoria Falls, so I'm not aware of the line item expense but the package was expensive. But it was a remarkable experience, Andredeya. I usually stay in "average" places but once in a while it's nice to pamper yourself. The Cape Grace will definitely pamper you More info on Cape Town HERE . A Daytrip from Cape Town HERE .
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Re: Google Relaunches Zagat, minus content and search

Paul Heymont ·
I know what I think: I think that the ads should be so distinct (and funny, or pithy, or whatever tone) that no one could ever mistake them for user content. I'd hate to have to explain over and over that no, Gumbo is NOT recommending luggage sellers or tour companies, or--for that matter--kitchen remodeling in Britain. The creep over the line is so evident in the newspaper sales pitches for "rare" coins and various remedies dolled up to look like news articles.
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Re: Dutch mill village calls 'Enough!"

GarryRF ·
Don't bite the hand that feeds you. You don't know where your next "Wiener Schnitzel " will come from. For 4.3 Million they can take photos as they walk through my living room. "They doth protest too much, methinks" is a line from the c. 1600 play Hamlet by William Shakespeare
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo #297

George G. ·
Here's the last set of clues! Send your answer to TGSuggestions@gmail.com This first house was built for a wealthy commission merchant, that was modified many times. A neoclassical revival front porch with ionic columns and a circular pavilion was added to the main Italianate structure. Also, a carriage house was added made from bricks of the demolished house next door (mentioned in Friday’s clue). It is now listed as a Victorian Mansion on a list of historic registered places and landmarks.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#122)

DrFumblefinger ·
It's time for a few more clues. One of the rooms in one of the buildings...... And today there's a line waiting to get in.... That should be of some help! Remember to EMAIL us your solution. Throw ideas around here, but email the answer. One more clue tomorrow, then the "reveal" on Monday.
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Re: The Lure of Stonehenge

George G. ·
Likewise I was enthralled to be standing there. There was no line on the chilly day of my entrance. Didn't want to leave, but just stare. I was on a road trip from London up north, but I just had to make this detour and it was totally worth it.
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Re: Paris from the River

Paul Heymont ·
Your question reminded me of another squeeze. I worked for many years at Automotive High School in New York, where freshmen were occasionally shown a line of cars outside the shops, parked one behind the other with barely an inch between them, and no space before or after the line. Only the quickest realized they had been moved into place on small dollies, called 'skates.'
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Re: Hacienda Esperanza, Manatí, PR: A history of sugar and slavery

GarryRF ·
Excellent piece of History, Jonathan. It was interesting to learn that PR followed the line of many other Caribbean Islands. Nice presentation too. Really enjoyed reading it. Thanks.
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Re: With no Emirates order, A380 production may end

Paul Heymont ·
UPDATE: Emirates saves the day for Airbus , January 18 Emirates Airlines has saved the day for Airbus, with an order for 20 more A380s, and an option for 16 more, extending the production life of the huge plane. Airbus says that it will now be able to keep the line going for 10 years, and hopes that in that time the plane will generate more orders. List price for the plane approaches $500,000,000, but since large orders usually get sizable discounts and since Airbus really, really needed...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#71)

DrFumblefinger ·
The building looks built too low on the tracks for this to be a significant active line. Also the tracks have lots of weeds on them. So I favor an abandoned line somewhere.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#71)

Paul Heymont ·
Jonathan L's e-mail to suggestions@travelgumbo.com yesterday correctly identified the scene as being along the Petite Ceinture, a former commuter and freight rail line circling Paris. Last chance for added glory: Can anyone identify the specific station?
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#72)

Jonathan L ·
The yellow rail might mean that it is a subway line somewhere.
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member

PortMoresby ·
And let us not forget the dreaded "resort fees". Defined as meaning anything the hotel wants it to mean. And charged whether we use the facilities it's said to cover, or not. Look in the dictionary for the definition of "chicken shit" and you'll find "resort fees". If everyone must pay it, it should rightly be included in the room rate. Even my favorite, AirBnB, makes options available for hosts - cleaning fee, security deposit, a charge for more than 1 person and even possibilities for...
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Re: High Tech Goes Low Tech

DrFumblefinger ·
Interesting piece. Printed color is expensive. Color photos on line are not. And I doubt any printed piece could compete with the W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L photos we have on TravelGumbo, right?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Apr. 27, 2014: Painted Ladies in San Francisco

PortMoresby ·
Many Victorian buildings that survived the 1906 earthquake were destroyed in the fires that followed. Those, like these, that escaped both were largely located west of Van Ness Ave, the line at which fire fighters dynamited buildings, creating a fire line to save at least part of the city. I'm glad these were saved, PHeymont, or the City would be a very different place, wouldn't it. Thanks.
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Re: Where in the World Is Gumbo? #35

Paul Heymont ·
A long line of visitors waiting patiently to get to where I took the picture...
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Re: Where in the World Is Gumbo? #35

DrFumblefinger ·
Line up for a Michael Jackson concert?
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Re: Graffitimundo: Art from the streets of Buenos Aires

Paul Heymont ·
Graffiti is always a good way to start a hot conversation, because the line between art and vandalism is so hotly contested, as is some people's comfort level with work that is clearly art, but which confronts their vision both of art and society. That confrontation can be sharp, because street art often comes from people who don't have the resources to take part in the "conventional, comfortable" art world. Ironically, people are now paying huge sums for work by the late Keith Haring, who...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!

GarryRF ·
Many Americans travel to the Capital - Havana. Its a big - overgrown and mostly poor city. Not really a flavour of the real Cuba and its people. Wherever you go on the Island they do 2-3 day trips to Havana. The stores are mostly empty and food is strictly rationed to the locals. So you'll be better going to one of the hundreds of All Inclusive Hotels that line the coast. Inclusive vacations fly from Toronto to Resorts all around the Island. Very much like Dominican Republic - without the...
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Re: Airbnb's plans for business travelers

PortMoresby ·
My point, more succinctly, is that while I have no problem with Airbnb expanding it's customer base, a surprising number of my guests are first-time users and I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to extract them from dead-ends they've gotten themselves into on the site. Until the booking process is a straight line, easily negotiated by new users, I believe their efforts would be better spent serving the customers they already have, before heading in new directions.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba

Paul Heymont ·
I know this is open to double meaning in this context...but yes, I remember sharing a party line. Leavenworth, KS, 1951. Our number was 779-J and we were #10 of the 12 families on the line. There was a distinct ring for each family...can't remember ours (I was 7 at the time).
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba

DrFumblefinger ·
Garry, it seems like you were a naughty boy. I suspect you actually took part in some of these party line calls, rendering some good advice, I'm sure -- whether wanted or not.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba

PortMoresby ·
Ours was 2 shorts and a long (or was it 2 longs and a short?), also early '50s, Danville, California. It was an idyllic new subdivision in the rolling golden hills, golf course next door and a community pool under the oaks, a short walk from home. It would never have occurred to us that a party line made life any less wonderful.
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Re: Euro airlines: Delays continue in compensation for delays

Paul Heymont ·
I'm going to take the contrary view. First, remember that the short clip above doesn't reflect the detailed regulations or the deliberations of the court. But remember the circumstance quoted “which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken,” Reasonable measures guarantee that crews are scheduled so that even if illness befalls the scheduled crew, it does not take over 3 hours to bring a replacement crew on line. Reasonable measures to avert mechanical...
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Re: Would you believe: Beach tours to N. Korea!

Travel Rob ·
I would like to see how life is in North Korea although it looks the minders have a tight grip on what you can see.From the documentaries, it seems similar to cold war era Romania. One of the most interesting documentaries I've seen is "Crossing the Line" about a American defector to North Korea. After the Korean War ,six American soldiers defected . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joseph_Dresnok https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/s...la&hsimp=yhs-001
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Re: Ferry Service to Cuba Approved by US

GarryRF ·
$300 for a ferry trip sounds extortionate Rob. As Cuba slowly becomes an acceptable destination, it appears that too many groups want to line their pockets with the proceeds of repatriation of broken families.
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Re: Venice gets OK to tax day-trippers

Paul Heymont ·
It seems in line with the per-night local taxes that many, maybe most, cities impose on hotel rooms. And since it was approved by the parliament, perhaps that's an indicator that something may happen soon on plans to keep the huge ships away from the city itself. One hopes.
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Re: Peripatetic Bhutan

DrFumblefinger ·
An interesting post, Lester. Thanks for sharing all this information. I've always been puzzled by the concept of Gross National Happiness. How could this be measured? Happiness and enjoyment of life are very important, but it sounds like a government propaganda line to make poor people feel good about their life's circumstances.
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Re: Italy gets first no-smoking beach

GarryRF ·
5 Million might love it - but a production line like that is my idea of Hell !
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Re: Aarhus: Is it strictly for the birds?

GarryRF ·
Seagulls are just rats with wings. They ruin lake fishing when you scatter ground bait. Scare the fish. Take 12 inches of fishing line. Tie a hook at each end. Make a ball of bread at each hook. Shoot into the sky with your bait catapult. Catch a seagull at each end. The noise they make scares the rest of the flock. Instantly fly away !
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Re: TSA strands 450 overnight: could it get worse?

DrFumblefinger ·
What a mess. The very agency that is to protect citizens from terrorist activity is creating an environment wherein "tent communities" are springing up at America's airports. How embarrassing is that. Talk about a target rich environment for the bad guys. The TSA's funding, even with "cuts", is about US$ 7.3 billion for 2016. In contrast, Canada, which has 1/10th the population of the USA, has an airport screening budget of about CDN $0.56 billion, and Transport Canada acknowledges it has...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 6, 2015: Winchester Cathedral

DrFumblefinger ·
Wow, a GREAT cathedral. And the quirky video at the end was a nice touch. I always was curiously fascinating by that song, especially the 'bringing me down' line you referred to. Some day I'd like to hear the story of your journey across the Atlantic on the QM2
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Re: Most of China's Wall in danger: Can it be saved?

PortMoresby ·
This is old news. Very old. Villages in proximity to the wall have been built from it's bricks for eons and the parts that people love to visit and pretend are historical are nothing of the kind, but completely newly built and Disney-fied versions for the tourists, foreign & domestic. The Chinese government, in its (lack of) wisdom has no more interest in cultural preservation than it does in playing fair in any area of endeavor. History and its artifacts are tools having no value beyond...
 
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