Tagged With "Pope John Paul II"
Comment
Re: Liverpool: Three Thoughtful Museums
Excellent history lesson Paul. Interesting and good photos too.
Reply
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...
Reply
Re: Edinburgh, Scotland for 2.5 days....help!
Hi Chickpea, Your hotel is very central as you say. There is a regular bus service to certain attractions. We visited in January and had no problem with entry to attractions, the Castle, National Gallery etc. I would only suggest that you check out the individual attractions websites to obtain tickets in advance if you wish. Hope this helps, Paul.
Comment
Re: London's Fabled Soho...with Food
Very interesting blog Paul. Well presented and colourful.
Comment
Re: Surprising Speke Hall, Liverpool
Great piece! I can't say enough good things about John Lennon Airport that's next door. Not only is does it have a wide array of budget flights for Europe, the passport control is actually friendly there.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? # 9
Well, nothing "Thais" us together like a good puzzle! But alas, this one did not last to the weekend. WorkerBee, our puzzle champion started homing in by e-mail on Wednesday, with an inspired but wrong guess: Once again Gumbo is taking time to visit a church. This church is made of wood on a base of stone. The location is near Barsana (Birsana) in Maramures county, Romania. By Thursday, he had continued his research, and last night he was back with another e-mail, and he had nailed it. On...
Comment
Re: A visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
I visited Monticello as a kid and enjoyed the views. I need to go back now and look at the architecture here and especially at the U of V in more detail. My favorite John Kennedy quote (to his staff at a dinner in the White HOuse) I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone. Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quo...#G4wQ5S4SazWSs0dq.99
Reply
Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Originally Posted by JohnT: Maybe it's the old capitalist coming out in me, but I think "should" is a strong word. Free access to wi-fi certainly helps me determine where I'll stay, just like free breakfast is...but if a hotel has enough other amenities so that people are willing to pay for it's wi-fi then so be it...although it is easy enough to get free somewhere, I don't value it enough to pay for it. I agree with you John, that market forces will drive this. But the demand for "free"...
Comment
Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #5.5
It might very well be St.-Paul-de-Vence. I've never been there so can't say. However, it doesn't seem tidy enough for France. At least where I've been in France. I think the French are more particular about details in their medieval towns than this picture seems to indicate. I suppose it could be in a very out-of-the-way corner but, still, it just doesn't seem French to me for that reason.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 23, 2013: Iceland's Black Sand Beach
Beautiful Photos indeed Paul. I often think travellers who choose the best weather for a vacation miss out on moments like these. I blame the TV weather forecasters who always call a Rainy Day "Bad Weather". If you don't get rain then you wont get Rainbows !
Reply
Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Hi Hank, In my opinion Manchester is really worthwhile to see and I loved it.Two libraries are really cool there,John Rylands and Chetham Library, in the School of Music.Also the Manchester Art Gallery and the Museum of Science and Industry are well done and free. Manchester has an area of town,the Northern Quarter,that has independant stores and cafes with no chains allowed that's also worth a walk around Liverpool has some excellent sights as well ,but I'll let the expert GarryRF tell you...
Comment
Re: Frommer's New EasyGuides: A Future for Print
That's a great review Paul, and I'm delighted to see Frommers guides back in the hands of the Frommers. I like their simple "Day By Day" series and this reboot of their guidebooks sounds very helpful and useful. I still like to travel with a guidebook in hand (though I research the trip beforehand). Thanks for the thoughtful review.
Comment
Re: Frommer's New EasyGuides: A Future for Print
A review for London ? Haven't been there for 40 years Paul. Really don't like big Cities and the "too busy to care attitude of people who live there" It's just my personal opinion. On the Tube Train into London people don't make eye-contact or talk to strangers. Here in Liverpool you'll be in conversation with 3 or 4 strangers and share a few laughs on the journey ! Someone falls on the street here ( and most of Northern England ) and folks rush to help. London they step over you. Rant over...
Comment
Re: Frommer's New EasyGuides: A Future for Print
I know Paul - I'm just being a bad traveller ! It's like folks go to France and complain that Parisians don't smile! But they do when they know you! I just find big cities much the same. Like Havana is the same as any other overgrown City in the Caribbean! Crumbling Spanish Architecture. Dominican Republic is another good example. I must be getting Claustrophobic Paul ! Give me the wide open spaces of Delaware State Park and I'm in heaven. Some days I have the whole Park to myself. Solitude...
Reply
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...
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 22, 2013: Moab before the storm
Wow, that's beautiful! Reminds me of the old John Wayne movie settings.
Comment
Re: The Worst Train in the World
It isn't cool to travel on a train where you get thrown around in the carriage because the tracks are warped with age John ! Many journeys take 24 hours of hanging on like a Roller Coaster ! That's just in Asia. You'll be fine in Europe.
Comment
Re: The Tulou of Fujian Province
HistoryDigger, I'll explain. At the end of the first day of tulou visits, the large tour bus rendezvoused with a small van and it was indicated that I should bring my things and come with a young man. Since no one could explain, I had to simply trust and go along, an interesting sensation. I later realized that I was the only one who had opted for the second day. The young man drove me to a very basic village of mostly new buildings built, I suspect but of course don't know, for...
Comment
Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool
Here's a good quote Paul PORTRAIT OF AN UNHEALTHY CITY - NEW YORK INTHE 1800'S by David Rosner Columbia University When a horse died, its carcass would be left to rot until it had disintegrated enough for someone to pick up the pieces. Children would play with dead horses lying on the streets. In addition to lacking street cleaning, the city also had no sewage system and no flush toilets. Garbage--which included both human and animal waste--was basically thrown out windows and onto city...
Comment
Re: controversial architecture? - Parasol Sevilla
Makes an attractive public space. Thanks for the great pics of your Spanish excursion, John T. Now we all want to go for the churros and chocolate.
Comment
Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Yes. I get the picture Paul. To be blunt about the experience - I don't care who's fault it is ! Perhaps dining out in the UK is a less frequent event. But when I go out for Dinner I want a pleasant experience. I don't want to hear about other peoples problems. I never get a reduction in the price because the service was bad. And I'm certainly not going to reward it either ! Minimum wage of a waitress in the UK is about = $400 US for 40 hrs. But we still tip for good service !
Comment
Re: 25 Yr Old Wins $ 1M Picasso for only $ 135 US
Originally Posted by JohnT: I saw this in the paper this morning as well. Apparently there are only 10,000 tickets left... Gotta admit it's tempting...only way I'd ever own a Picasso...just wouldn't go with the rest of my decor though...clashes with "Dogs playing poker." No John, don't think it would clash with the Dog picture. Welcome back. Hope you've recovered from your jet lag and have settled into "life as usual" (ie. starting to plan your next trip).
Comment
Re: Chris Elliott's New Book is a Smart Guide to Travel Smarts
Thanks Paul, Chris does seem to solve a lot of problems and shares how he does it and who to talk to. I've found his contact he lists at companies very helpful when people get the runaround. The book sounds like another useful resource
Comment
Re: Walking through New Orleans...nibbling
What's gonnin' on Paul? No breakfast at Angelina? No muffaletta at Napoleon House? No pastry at Sucre? Appreciate you got to Cochon, but did you go next door to the butcher? And the best shrimp and grits in town is at Atchafalaya.
Comment
Re: Feb. 13, 2018: Unusual exhibition in York
As a fan of the history of space travel, this is an exhibit I would have loved to have seen in person. Many thanks for sharing it, Paul!
Comment
Re: Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Jersey C.I.
Paul Hunter's orchid sequence is incredibly beautiful--I went through 3 times, maybe 4! Thank you, Paul--and Eric Young Foundation, and Dr. Anders . Neil McAleer
Comment
Re: Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Jersey C.I.
Thanks Neil - I'm so glad that you enjoyed them. Paul.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#128)
I admit it's a wild reach, but something about the not-parallel alignment tickled a neuron or two. Will be very embarrassed if it turns out to be John Portman.
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#128)
Had no idea who John Portman was and now discover that I stayed in his first atrium hotel, the Atlanta Hyatt Regency, within a year of it's opening '67 or '68. Then at the one at Chicago O'Hare, which I assume was his too, in 1971. I sat in front of a window in our room in one of the silos, which looked out over the runways, amusing myself counting the planes back to infinity as they lined up to land, while I cared for my infant son. Thanks for the memories, John.
Comment
Re: It's a loooong way to the tip of the wing!
The A380 is just SO nice to fly in!! Welcome home Paul
Comment
Re: Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire, England
Your photos are magnificent!! What an amazing place! I need to head to northern England someday and visit all these great ruins. Thanks for sharing this, Paul!
Comment
Re: More Art under Your Feet
Thanks to you Paul, I'm now taking a lot of photos of manhole covers and birds on statues. Really some interesting things I never paid much mind to before. Here's a couple more manhole covers. I'll add the my statue birds on your next story. In Oslo Fire Hydrant in Tokyo
Comment
Re: Scenes of Cesky Krumlov
Interesting tour and history lesson . Went down well with my first coffee of the day. Well presented Paul. Really enjoyed it !
Comment
Re: A corner bakery in Montmartre
A beautiful display Paul ! Thank you. I feel I'm being drawn by a magnet to share in your newfound delights. There's enough there to tempt the palette of the finest connoisseur. And less than 1 calorie a look too. A fine display of living Art !
Comment
Re: Food Tours of Sicily: Catania
Great trip report, Paul. The food was certainly interesting and diverse. We were in Sicily in 2014, but we did not visit either of your cities mentioned in the article. Your article made me realize the fun and learning you can experience on one of these tours. maybe next year. keep up the good work.
Comment
Re: The Sanity Clause (apologies to Groucho Marx)
That's very true Paul. I remember traditions from my childhood that have vanished years ago. I visit Sydney, Australia and find the same traditions are alive and well.
Comment
Re: Feb. 27, 2018: Steam and diesel locomotives, North Yorkshire
What wonderful trains! Great photoessay, Paul, thanks!
Comment
Re: Where in the World is Gumbo (#38)
Trying to find an exact match is proving difficult Paul. Could this photo be 10 years old or more ?
Comment
Re: Kettering, Northamptonshire: Where Gumbo Was (#38)
Thanks Paul. An interesting piece of history on my own doorstep and all new to me. Been fun doing this one !
Comment
Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#71)
Paul we've had a lot of great WITW is TravelGumbo's already and this is my favorite to date for a lot of reasons. Amazed at peoples clues! Although I think I know the answer ,I could easily be surprised. Although I agree with the above clues and think it's in France the graffiti sure looks like California doesn't it?
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 25, 2014: Statue of Elvis Presley, Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
I'm old enough to remember the Vegas Years, although was too young at the time to go see Elvis in Vegas. Fans always commented that Elvis was at his best in Vegas -- relaxed, chatty (talking to the crowd a lot), and despite it's large size, it was a fairly intimate performance venue with lots of direct audience contact. (Watch the video all the way to the end to see the audience) The statue was unveiled by Barron Hilton just outside the showroom where Elvis performed, and it stood there for...
Comment
Re: Magnolia Plantation: Beautiful but Complicated
Interesting and colourful journey into the past. Looks like it should be hot and steamy with all that vegetation. Educational and informative. Enjoyable blog - thanks Paul.
Comment
Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 28, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - the lamp shop
Hi Paul - Good to see you're keeping on your toes. Recycling is a noun . "The recycling of paper" - again and again. Recycle is an adjective . "He made goods of recycled waste" Two different words ! Never too old to learn !! Google "Recycled Art" - it's fascinating stuff. Example of "Recycled Art" in New York. Surprised you've never heard the expression !
Comment
Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 28, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - the lamp shop
So all those making "Recycled Art" are wrong ? Even in the picture above - in New York ? OK Paul - I'll tell 'em !
Comment
Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 28, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - the lamp shop
That's OK Paul. Most Brits don't take offence. Even though 2 were Irish and one half American ! I never do. Which is just as well when we're in a conversation with an Aussie ! They do love verbally teasing the Poms.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Feb 11, 2015: Fruit of the Vine
Hi Paul. Just curious. Would an outdoor wine tasting be permissible in the US? I always find events like this to be so civilised. Folks just mixing and tasting locally produced food and wine. No one over indulging and a beautiful way to enjoy a summers day making new friends.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug. 24, 2014: Chicken Hawaiian Style
Paul, you're beginning to sound like Ben Franklin who wanted the turkey to be the USA's national bird, not the bald eagle. If he'd seen these photos, I'm sure old Ben would have been advocating for the chickens.