Tagged With "Norfolk Coast"
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Re: Sweden jumps into night-train market
I'd agree on the Amtrak experience: fine trip, but not sleep-friendly on the Sunset Limited or the Coast Starlight. But I also found the Catania-to-Naples night train not the smoothest either, but it did come with the excitement of the entire train being loaded onto the ferry for the crossing to the mainland!
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Re: South America, part 3 - Nesting Leatherback Sea Turtles
Fascinating! I was just visiting Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia today and discovered that leatherbacks like to spend their summers off the coast feasting on jellyfish. Amazing what long journeys they make to lay their eggs.
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Re: How Low Can You Go? Norwegian Air's Chief Bets on It
After seeing todays prices ,he's not joking around. He's putting the loss leaders right out there to set the tone. The West Coast prices are absolutely incredible. I sure hope it lasts
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Re: Hop a Cheap Flight to Turkey
Rob, I like your recurring posts when you see these great fares. I hope you continue doing it, including from airports other than the east coast. Good work. PM
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Re: Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Kennedy Space Center
Last launch I watched was from the East Coast of Florida - maybe near Cocoa Beach. The Sky was complete darkness, just a few stars and the moon. We were listening to the launch radio station from about T minus 15 minutes - as NASA described the last minute checks. A few seconds before launch time you could see the ground at Cape Canaveral illuminated like a bright white flare. The steam from the launch pad turned into a white cloud and on "Zero" the rocket was moving slowly into the air. For...
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
To say that Ireland is typically wet and cold is true of Winter. The Summers are often pleasant and warm but when you get to the West Coast then the wind blows in of a cold Atlantic Ocean. But the weather can change 4 times a day - so there's something there to please everyone. Ireland has wonderful fresh food. Fresh from the sea and farm. Try a locally produced Vintage Cheddar Cheese or an 18 year old Jamesons Whiskey. Soda bread is a local speciality. But stay away from the home made...
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala
I'm becoming more intrigued by the day. On the practical side of things, specifically how to get there, what's your usual route, DrF, or is there a best way. From the US west coast. I'm thinking about using miles and I haven't found a cheap way yet for an onward flight from, say, BKK or HKG to Colombo. India is the obvious closest but costs more miles to get to than BKK. Any ideas? AA miles if have any experience with that alliance.
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Re: Sri Lanka: A Land Like No Other. (Part 5) The Elephants of Pinnawala
Thanks, PortMoresby! And we've not even been to the sacred tooth relic in Kandy, the medieval ruins of Polonnaruwa, the beautiful hill country filled with tea plantations and "The World's End", a wildlife safari at Yala National Park, nor any of the nice beaches (but keep reading -- reports on these are coming). Sri Lanka is a great destination, especially now that the civil war is over. I was doubly lucky to not only be able to visit a dear friend there but to have time to leisurely explore...
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Hi Hank. If you enjoy hiking and the weathers fair then you can go up to the Snow line and above. Take the Train up, then continue on foot to the peak. Train from Llandudno Junction on the North Wales coast Plenty of info here: http://www.nationalparks.gov.u...arks/travelsnowdonia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utjPQZVpOiY for the Mountain Railway .
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #15
I believe WorkerBee, our master puzzle solver, has figured this one out. Go ahead and spell it out, WorkerBee. It's Friday evening now (somewhere, if not the west coast). Time for the reveal!
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Re: Greenland from six miles high!
I agree it's a spectacular sight not to be missed and that there's more to Greenland that just the ice sheet. 2014 will see me on my 7th month-long visit in the last 9 years. I will again hike alone from Sisimiut on the west coast to a location north east of Kangerlussuaq (something like 110 - 120 miles) and then join colleagues doing wild goose research. By all means aim to set foot on the ground there and enjoy camping in the remote arctic landscape - being alone out there is a unique...
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Re: Finally some good news! Whistler or Banff
I don't ski either (bad knees), but I've visited both of these destinations. There are pros and cons to each. Both is a little over an hour's drive from their closest major airport, Vancouver for Whistler and Calgary for Canmore. Whistler is close to the coast, but high up. So they usually have good snow, but depending on the year, it can get soggy by spring and sometimes ice crusted. Banff area is far more likely to have nice light powder during the spring break season. Some people swear by...
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
I think you'll find reward trips from the Western USA are harder to get for European travel than from the East coast. But if your schedule is flexible, you could be lucky.
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Re: Ryanair: Sell the Extras, Give Away the Tickets?
For those who were traveling to Europe about 30 years ago, you may or may not remember the short-lived airline, People's Express. I bought 2 tickets from the US West Coast to Brussels for $300 each which was, if I recall, an introductory price and very cheap even then. They didn't last long which I lamented as I liked the CEO's attitude and approach. On the other hand, I think O'Leary has something up his sleeve, he always does, making noise for the publicity. A most unpleasant man, from all...
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Re: Nature in England: Snettisham Bird Reserve
Love seeing birds in large flocks, like you experienced here! Wonderful experience!
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#252)
Here are Thursday's clues, and The Puzzler hopes they find you all in better weather than he is anticipating on the U.S. East Coast!
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Re: Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt seeing visitors again
The Canary Isles are an all year Spanish hot spot - located off the coast of Africa. Perfect for a Christmas Vacation too !
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#261)
They look like cypress tress, maybe from the California coast?
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Re: Visiting historic Skagway, Alaska
I enjoyed this piece, Tom, and find the little town of Skagway charming if there's no cruise ships around. Make sure if you visit that you also go to the town's little cemetery and see if you can find the grave marker of the villainous Soapy Smith. There was a different way to reach the Klondike in addition to those Tom writes about, which while safer was not very successful. That involved sailing all the way up the coast of Alaska, entering the mouth of the Yukon river and navigating...
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Re: Fares to Europe for as Low as $301 Round Trip Total!
For those of you on the West Coast,Norwegian still has some outstanding deals like this one from Oakland to Stockholm $376.00 rt total Oakland - San Francisco - Stockholm-Arlanda Friday 23. Jan 2015 10:00 PM - Terminal: 1 Flight DY7068 - LowFare 1 Adult $185.00 Return Stockholm-Arlanda - Oakland - San Francisco Friday 30. Jan 2015 6:30 PM - Terminal: 5 Flight DY7067 - LowFare 1 Adult $190.10 Total price incl. all taxes and surcharges $375.10
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Re: Canada: See it all while you're young (Summer Rail Passes)
A one way flight from Vancouver to the east coast of Canada might run you $700.00. Remember, you're talking about distance of almost 4000 mi/6000 km between Vancouver and Halifax. Travels north towards the Yukon and NWT are also expensive, so if you will actively travel for 2 months, this is a good value.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 27, 2014: Cromer, Norfolk
I love colorful beach huts PM, my second favorite subject next to boats!
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#39)
I know it says Union Pacific, so might this be a west coast picture?
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Re: Impression about Perth, Australia
I've actually visited Perth, attending a medical meeting there some years back. I really enjoyed the city. Mostly modern, but with historic colonial era buildings. Very friendly people, especially considering they're all descended from convicts (a point of pride and good humor with them, I found). Perth was a good springboard for a road-trip around southwestern Australia, including a drive up to Shark's Bay, through the wildflower way (am I remember that name correctly), down to the large...
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Re: England gets a coast-to-coast canoe route
Can we count on you to make a coast-to-coast transit your next project! Looks like fun, even for we of a certain age...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
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: Road Trip, Day 2: Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden
It is, DrF. This from Janet at the garden by email this morning: "Thank you for sharing your blog (and beautiful pictures!!!) We appreciate your help in getting word out to folks about our wonderful gardens." Best, Janet Ferraiolo Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
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Re: Road Trip, Day 2: Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden
I received another note this morning, in part: "Thank you so much for the lovely blog post about our Gardens. I have posted the link to our Facebook page and added it also to our website, under In the News ." Elizabeth (Liz) Petersen Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Click on Liz's 'In the News' link above and see Travel Gumbo at the top. Thank you, too, Liz!
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Re: Beating Jet Lag
Some people claim the newer generations of jet-liners, like the Boeing 787, will reduce jet lag because they allow higher humidity in the cabin and higher air pressure (more oxygen). In fact that was discussed right here on a TravelGumbo during an interview with Norwegian Air . A few more points. I try not to have more than one or two connections on any flight, especially on overseas trips (for people traveling from small cities, this can be challenging). I find the fatigue factor clouds my...
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Re: Channel ferries: more than a nostalgia trip
A timely post, PHeymont. Trying to simplify a proposed trip to the UK and Portugal, and also slip in a bit of Spain along the way, I'm seriously considering the ferries from the south coast of England to Bilbao & environs, then train down to Portugal. I'm sure it will save me money, as opposed to trains, using the ferries, most of which I wasn't aware of until I took a good look at the broken lines showing ferry routes on Google maps.
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Re: How cold is this winter? Niagara Falls has frozen over!
When the US east coast has a severe winter then the folks in northern Europe escape with a cool and dry season. Perhaps we can put all this talk of "Warming" safely to bed !
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Re: Max Gate - home of British author Thomas Hardy
It was right at the end of about a week walking on that killer path, the Southwest Coast Path, and isn't SO far from Dorchester. But you don't need to be impressed, Mac, I ran out of gas just as I was leaving Hardy's Cottage to start back and instead of returning on foot, called the hotel and had them send a taxi to fetch us. But walking does put me in the mood to visit historic places. Arriving by car, which I've done with friends and in rental cars, just isn't the same. There's nothing...
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Re: Possible second Viking site found in Newfoundland
I wouldn't be surprised if they made their way up the St. Lawrence River some, and down the coast past New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and to the Northeastern state regions of the USA. It seems their earlier explorations were at a time of warmer weather and that what might have limited their travels and caused them to pull back was the beginning of a spell of cold weathers, perhaps even a mini-ice age. Iceland used to be a forested country, but it didn't take but 200 years or so until the Vikings...
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Re: Visiting and Then Moving to Sunny Brisbane
Brisbane truly is an amazing city. I was there at Christmas time when the weather is really HOT. The beach is illuminated so the kids can have fun after sunset without burning their skin. The Drive Thru Bottle Shop. Santa Claus and his helpers all arrived on Harley Davidson motor bikes. Surfers Paradise and the Slots everywhere ! The Meter Maids in their Gold Bikinis rolling around on their skates adding quarters to Parking Meters about to run out. The Gold Coast is one of those places you...
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Re: Getting to know Canada's hidden gems
There are ruins of a Viking settlement in the northwest corner of Newfoundland. Admittedly a remote hard to get to place, but I'd like to see them someday. Indian tribes tended just to bunker down in the winter in a place they knew would be safe for them. Sheltered somewhat from the wind, wood and fresh water supply nearby, etc. Food was generally harvested in the summer and consumed during the cold winter months. Their tents were constructed of hides (as were their clothes) and are...
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Re: Campaigners ask: Can the QE2 be saved?
I read some years ago of extensive ship-breaking on the Bangladesh coast, where labor is cheap and regulations scanty...an immense amount of dangerous work, but because the labor is cheap, the scrap profits are high, or higher than they would be if the cost of recovery were high. Which leads me to wonder: what would be the economic value of that long tow to Brownsville as opposed to scrapping the ship on the West Coast? Ideas, anyone?
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Re: Hong Kong Airlines gets its first North America route
With a catchment area covering Auckland, Gold Coast, Shanghai, Sanya, Bangkok, Bali, Tokyo, Sapporo, Beijing and Okinawa. Hong Kong Airlines has a lot to offer travellers to the American continent.
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Re: A visit to Normandy: exploring the D-Day beaches
Thanks for your comment, Arion. It's hard not to be moved by D-Day. The vastness of the assault, the staggering loss of life (civilian and military). What most impressed me is that the local people remember. Not French people away from the coast, but those whose relatives went through the assault make a point of teaching their children and grandchildren the price paid to liberate them from the Nazi fascists. The Juno Beach Center, built by the Canadian Beach, really did a great job of...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #4.5, 12/6/13
The water seems pretty shallow pretty far from the beach and not a lot of surf. Is it along the coast of Florida somewhere? Those people look like snowbirds.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #4.5, 12/6/13
WorkerBee - Indeed, it does look like that. Similar to pic below, if you ignore those buildings. Does Newport Beach have a mountain ? There must be a lot of contractors going up and down the coast of California, building and re-building similar piers.
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #4.5: Newport Pier, Newport Beach, California
Hey, everybody: Check in tomorrow for a new Where in the World! It will be on display at 5 am EST. Hope that doesn't put the West Coast at a disadvantage...but I don't think anyone is going to get it right away!
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Re: Where Gumbo Was #4.0: Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor, California
Hey, everybody: Check in tomorrow for a new Where in the World! It will be on display at 5 am EST. Hope that doesn't put the West Coast at a disadvantage...but I don't think anyone is going to get it right away!
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Re: California road trip ideas
Mrs. Briggs - There are roads aplenty in California. Where you go depends on your family's interests. Pick a theme and the route will take care of itself. Would you say that your family more enjoys scenic routes or taking advantage of what cities have to offer ? Mountains or ocean ? Would you like to see gardens or maybe historical homes ? Maybe your crowd would go for a trip that strings together movie filming locations or old west towns ? What are your hobbies ? - shopping for antiques ?
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Re: Weekend getaways. Where's your favorite spot
Haven't gotten into West Coast stuff yet, but back east I had a few favorites I'd suggest to anyone. One is Lancaster County, PA. I know it's overflowing with fake Amish stuff and all, but behind that there's a real local history and culture (and some real Amish culture as well)...and the Strasburg Rail Road, a steam road that's an afternoon's fun...and the Pennsylvania State Railroad museum...and the National Toy Train Museum (which could take up a whole day if your companions share your...
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Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
We used to live in Casablanca, Morocco for around 4 years a while back. Yes, mid-Feb is still the back end of the cool period but is close to Spring depending on altitude - so think positive and enjoy this lovely country! 9 days is brief for all that can be seen. The "Royal Triangle" that is all within reasonably easy reach is Marrakech, Meknes and Fez and those 3 would happily fill your days (and nights) with fascinating insights into Morocco. An optional stop on the coast at El Jadida...
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Re: California road trip ideas
My kids want to do Hollywood and all that stuff, so I guess we have to start or end up there. Me and my husband aren't too interested in that stuff, but nature is appealing, like redwoods and the ocean and stuff. Is Hwy 101 the one that goes along the coast? I think we could plan on getting to San Fran, too, because I think if you go to California and you don't everyone will tell you you should have...and I hear it's got lots of interesting food, too. And kind of quirky museums if there are ...
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Re: California road trip ideas
That helps me figure out what to tell you, Mrs. Briggs OK, so I'd suggest you fly into LAX. You'll need a car rental to get around LA. Spend three or four days here, may go see Disneyland, maybe go see Universal Studios, maybe go to Knott's Berry Farm. Maybe see the making of a TV show. You could easily spend 10 days in LA, but you've got 10 days for the whole trip, I guess, so that's all you'll have time for. Then head out of the city. You'll want to head out on Hwy 101, which takes you...
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Re: $240 NY-London, LA $320: Norwegian Air
That is a super deal .In recent the wear coast sales to Europe are few and far between