Tagged With "Royal Bank Plaza Building"
Comment
Re: England's Thames Path: Kew Palace
Fascinating stop! As I seem to recall, George was one of your ancestors? Do I remember this correctly?
Comment
Re: England's Thames Path: Kew Palace
"...George was one of your ancestors?" No, though no doubt related somehow. But he is a favorite, seems kinder & more interesting than most of them.
Comment
Re: England’s Thames Path: Kew Gardens
My wife Diane and I spent almost an entire day at Kew Gardens. So much natural beauty to see. We arrived from central London at the Kew Station in mid-morning and didn't leave until almost dusk. At one time our son had a possibility of being transferred to London and I recommended getting a place in the Kew Garden area for the beauty and quiet. One of my photos from Kew.
Comment
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...
Comment
Re: Notes and Noticings from the road
Actually, I think the banks have a fairly minimal (as small as I can make it) impact on my currency transactions, in part because I never deal with exchanges; I use bank ATMs. That way, the exchange takes place not on my account, but as an interbank transaction at the base rate banks use with each other. I used to use my ATM card from Citibank, but eventually they began charging a 3% foreign exchange fee even on withdrawals. At that point, I opened an account with Charles Schwab, a brokerage...
Comment
Re: Herculaneum, 79 A.D.
Thanks for the trip, PortMoresby, it looks like a fascinating place to visit. Those Romans certainly knew how to build a city..
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 21, 2013: Fujian Life
Bamboo is used in so many ways it's impossible to know. My favorite use for the material is to build scaffolding on multi-story construction projects. Quite amazing.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 8, 2013: Cologne, Germany
Thanks for the note, Pheymont. I saw the main BANK OF IRELAND building in Dublin a few days, which is windowless. All the window spaces were filled in with rock (in a tasteful manner). Seems the government decided to levy a window tax. The company responded in kind.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 22, 2013: Fantastic Skylight in Barcelona
That's gorgeous! By coincidence, I was in Cunard's New York booking hall from about the same period last week...it is now a bank. I will try to find a picture.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 22, 2013: Fantastic Skylight in Barcelona
Well, turns out to be a moment of mis-identification. The building I was in, 1 Broadway, had been the offices of United States Lines; Cunard was up the street at 25 Broadway. I haven't a picture yet for the booking hall-turned-bank, but here are two shots of Cunard's Great Hall, which is now a postal facility.
Comment
Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
The only alternatives I can see are to build a new cruise port outside the lagoon. Chioggia might be too far, but perhaps just north of the main way into the lagoon, across the inlet from the Lido. That would provide land-based alternatives for other day trips from the boats, and could also be served by vaporetto-sized boats heading into Venice itself. Of course, I haven't consulted the folks who live there and run campgrounds there...
Comment
Re: When Debit and Credit Cards aren't your best traveling choices
When you go to Sri Lanka, take cash along as well. The larger establishments will definitely take credit cards, but smaller business and restaurants won't. And ATM cards have been slow to find their way into the country, especially in remote locations. The currency there is more stable, but still you won't get the kind of spread we did in Argentina. Best to exchange it at a bank, or ask your hotel people how many US $$ things are.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo #297
Friday's clues...two more days to go! Two brothers built mirror image houses side by side until one brother’s house was demolished so his other neighbor could expand their home and build a carriage house. This house has Italian and French Renaissance influences with a gothic window. The other house has a blend of Italianate and Georgian Revival which is currently a B&B.
Comment
Re: 'Dude, Where's My Car?' for real!
I don't think he staged it, but I do think he wasn't searching too hard for the car after he met the lady. And that would make a nice story if they got married. If he wanted to find the car quick, he would of called his bank or credit card issuer to see the location of his first try to get his money and started his search from there.
Comment
Re: Nature in England: Snettisham Bird Reserve
Love seeing birds in large flocks, like you experienced here! Wonderful experience!
Comment
Re: May 3, 2018: Hamburg "River Art"
Very clever! Believe everyone on the far bank is waiting for this piece of art to get up and walk away. That would be quite memorable!
Comment
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
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? #62
No conversation? Well, it looks limited in the yacht/marina element. Low industrial buildings or shopping center across the water? No signs of big shipping, though larger ships/ferries on other side. Fog bank in the distance. And a somewhat elaborate window from the observer's viewpoint.
Comment
Re: New Orleans plans an "unplugged" airport
We're waiting to see them start to build this. Things move slow down here, but it could be the boost our city needs to bring in new business.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#45)
I would beat a bank of insurance company, but where? Zurich, perhaps?
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#45)
Well, it's Saturday night, and time for a review of progress so far, guys! Yes , a bank. Yes , a big time gap between the two sculptures. No , not in Rome, San Francisco, New York. Free Hint: It's not in North America.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#45)
By e-mail, PortMoresby suggested this answer: I haven't seen these details anywhere, but because of some other similarities and the date, I'm going to say the Bank of England, London. " 1925-1939 Sir Herbert Baker Between 1925 and 1939 he demolished what had become known as 'The Old Bank' or 'Soane's Bank' (then regarded as one of London's architectural gems) and built a new headquarters for the Bank on the same 3 ½ acre Theadneedle Street site." Unfortunately, not the right answer! ONE MORE...
Comment
Re: Old San Juan: Beautiful...and not all old
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.
Comment
Re: Visiting Patagonia. 1) El Calafate, Argentina
Wow Karl!! You have really upped the ante with this!! It has always been on my (our) list and your excellent report just wants me to empty the piggy bank!! I LOVE the clouds....
Comment
Re: Russia to Open Up Gulags as "Tourist Camps"?
Oh, those Russians, ever the tricksters. Troop build-up on the Ukraine border = maneuvers. Summer in the gulag = fun in the sun. Yekaterina, you clever girl, you.
Comment
Re: Norway's plea: Please pick up after our bears
Originally Posted by GarryRF: Did you know that if you felled all the trees in Canada and laid them end to end then .... the Bears would have nowhere to take a dump !! Garry -- the bears are smart and would use those millions of trees to build rafts they could float to England, where they could dump often and where ever they wanted!
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 25, 2015. St. Augustine, Florida
The dining hall at Flagler College(in your last photo) is really something to see. The Tiffany Windows are incredible.I also love the concrete used to build Flagler college , former Hotel Ponce de Leon , made from the local coquina stone.
Comment
Re: Monterey Bay Aquarium: Oceans Apart
Thank you Lestertheinvestor for sharing. I love aquariums and haven't been to the Monterey Bay one yet. Can't wait to see it. I know aquariums are expensive to build and maintain but I wish there was some way to keep the admission prices down .
Comment
Re: Sick of Your Credit Card Being Declined While Traveling? Visa Offers New Service
Interestingly enough, slow modems and no wireless were the reasons the EMV chip-and-PIN system was invented. The idea is that the terminal compares the hardware-encoded PIN with what you entered, and the transaction is okayed, even if the bank is not available to verify. Higher-value transactions are often deferred until a connection can happen, though.
Comment
Re: How a super-ship manages 12-hour turnaround
Sometimes when I'm in Vancouver I head to Canada Place to watch the cruise ships coming and going. You actually get to see the belly of the ship being loaded. The dozens of palates of food that go on is amazing. Would you have thought a cruise ship would consume 3 massive containers of potatoes in a week? 2 of onions? Might even have been more, that's all I saw. It is truly a model of efficiency.
Comment
Re: One 'Ghost Airport' in China Plans to Expand Again
Seems as if someone really believes "if you build it, they will come."
Comment
Re: Longer Wait at Security? New TSA Leader Says They Will Focus on Screening
Reading the NY Times it appears the TSA still haven't got their act together. The most productive target is intelligence gathering and immediate action on it. No matter how high you build a fence - someone will crawl under it.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#136)
Today's partially a visual clue, partially a historic one. A famous one armed explorer landed on the bank across from that large rock. A plaque commemorates his landing. Hope that helps.
Comment
Re: Touring Maryland's Scenic Eastern Shore
Good to see Robert Morris gets a mention in your blog. He financed the War of Independence with his fortune. Signed the Declaration of Independence. And formed the Bank of America. He did well for a Local - born a mile from my own Birthplace - here in Liverpool UK
Comment
Re: Touring Maryland's Scenic Eastern Shore
The bank that Morris was associated with was the Bank of North America. Bank of America originated in the early 20th c. in California. Poor old Morris spent several of his last years in debtors' prison and was buried in his brother-in-law's family plot without ceremony. Wikipedia: "Robert Morris holds the curious distinction as the only Founding Father whose house is a national memorial, but his life is not interpreted at the site."
Comment
Re: Traveling Essentials for Everyone
Don't forget to notify your credit card company where and when you will be traveling. Many companies today will suspend your card if you use it outside of your normal places leaving you in a financial bind in your new country. In London I had my bank debit card captured by the ATM for suspected fraud. Also, I suggest a camera with a big zoom lens since many great photo opportunities don't allow you to get close to the attraction.
Comment
Re: Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
While this report is interesting in one regard, I find myself disturbed by the discussion of Woodrow Wilson that leaves out so many negative aspects of Wilson's legacy. Negative enough that students at Princeton have been trying to get his name off buildings. Wilson was a racist. A member of the KKK, or at least a friend. He showed Birth of A Nation, a racist, pro-Klan movie in the White House. He segregated the civil service, which had been one of the ways that Black workers had been able...
Comment
Re: Midland Provincial Park, Alberta
My Grand Father worked in UK Coalmines around the 1900s . Stories he could tell were both amazing and scarey. Miners were exempt from War Service during WW1 as they supplied an "Essential Service". Women were employed at the Mines but never went below ground. Mules were used below ground - pulling bogeys - and never came back to the surface during their lives.
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
I believe the facts are somewhere in between, but the direction is not good. I can't, at the moment, find the piece I saw a few months ago about the transition, but my memory is that Travelex machines are to go in as lease/concession arrangements that exist expire. In some cases, the existing deals are quite long. At the moment, I can confirm that there are still bank-based machines in place at Berlin Tegel, and I'll have the opportunity in the next couple of weeks to check Prague and...
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
I know that the bank machines in the airport in Salvador Brazil had the worst rates in the city.
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
In my original comment, what I meant by "in between" was that the actual current situation lay between "Nothing's happening" and "Travelex has taken over all." Overall, I think the important message is "Hey, the advice printed almost everywhere in the past about using ATMs on arrival at the airport is now questionable...look for bank-owned machines as a preference, but be aware of rates, and if they are not good, take out only what you immediately need."
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
Bank ATMs in the UK are all, I believe "no fee", meaning no use fee charged by the owner bank for using their machines. Other machines and other places, I believe, tell us what the fee will be, if any, before we complete the transaction and allow us to abort if it's too much. And we know that the foreign transaction fee charged by our own cards' bank can vary, usually 1-3%, a given to convert currency using a card. Then there's the exchange rate which has always been the best available using...
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
I would love to see this series. BTW, AAA is now offering a no fee refillable ATM card to use overseas and avoid the 1-3% charges from yiur home bank.
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
I just opened a Capital One checking account, chip & pin debit card, 1% foreign currency conversion fee, rather than the 3% my local bank charges. The 1% is standard for MasterCard branded debit cards, seems no way to avoid it. But Capital One charges no additional. Will check out the AAA card. The series, 'Anatomy of a Trip', will start September 9th, if all goes as planned (does it ever?)
Comment
Re: Portland, Oregon - Part III - Escaping
Thanks again for a wonderful view of the Portland area. If you had continued East along the Columbia River you would have reached the Maryhill Museum . This fascinating collection of art started as the dream of Samuel Hill who was president of the Seattle Gas and Electric Company around the start of the 20th century. He hoped to build a Quaker farming community, but irrigation proved too difficult. Istead he was convinced to turn his mansion into an art museum. His collection was eclectic. I...
Comment
Re: Ultra budget, NewLeaf Travel, offering bargain Canadian airfares
I can remember this story so many times from the past 50 years - here in the UK. A new air service provider comes along with hopes of knocking the stuffing out of the "Big Boys". Then, always at the last minute - the most costly time - somebody throws a spanner in the works. Hoping to break the back - or bank - of the new kid on the block.. Dirty tricks again. And it wont be the last. And you never find out who started the fight. http://www.independent.co.uk/n...s-dirty-1478010.html
Comment
Re: Sometimes a Trip is just a Walk in the Park
I've often advised travelers with jam-packed itineraries to step back and leave themselves time to take a walk in a park or sit there a while, experiencing what the locals see and do. That is absolutely excellent advice. I hope that most people were wise enough to take your advice. Many of my best trip memories are made of such stuff. Thank you so much, PHeymont, for this walk in the park. It is just what my jangled nerves needed today.
Comment
Re: Sometimes a Trip is just a Walk in the Park
I suspect a walk in the park is a habit acquired over time and familiarity with a place. I have a feeling, too, that the urge to go at top speed is the initial and overriding one. Or is it years and not travel experience that slows us down enough for such places to finally come into focus? Looking back over the decades I think maybe it's the latter.