While our team fly all over the world Antarctica is the only continent most of us have not been to. Perhaps one day I will arrange a trip for the team to visit Antarctica
I’m curious about the penguins. A friend of mine went to Antarctica for a trip a few years ago. They were told NOT to interfere or stop the penguins traveling or stand in their way because it gets them confused and it takes them forever to find their home. They said penguins are not afraid of you because you don’t look like a seal, their enemy and won’t run from you. I guess there were children on this trip and this has happened before.
That's true, they have very strict rules about interfering with penguins. I saw several penguins approaching people and they were told to back away slowly. But it's difficult to get too close because they smell really bad.
National parks in Tanzania. It was heartbreaking to see 20-30 vehicles at a time surrounding and chasing wildlife. There is no supervision by rangers and many guides will do anything to increase their tips. The worst example was a guide whose passenger was ready to leave a cheetah family. Instead of being respectful, he drove within feet of the mom and cubs so she could lean out and get an ipad photo through the grass. We also saw a guide letting his tourons out of a van very close to hippos. Our own guide was trying to get ahead of a pride of lions and I will never forget the fear in the eyes of a young lion as he turned his head back to look at us closing in on him. In future I will go only to private reserves.
Of the places I traveled last year, my least favorite was Houston TX. Public transportation was very hard to navigate and traffic was awful. People were not very friendly. Food was okay, way too many chain restaurants.
Tunisia. I went years ago as a young single mom with a 6-year old. I was stationed in the UK with the US Air Force and had heard from a friend’s husband how much he enjoyed his 12-month assignment there. My fault for not understanding the culture and that it would not be friendly to a woman traveling alone, even at an all-inclusive European style resort. One positive was that it was sunny and warm which are 2 things England is NOT! Glad I went—I learned a lot; never have to go back!
Did you disclose your recent injury to Hurtigruten on the required medical forms? Wouldn't that disqualify you from leaving the ship as they would not have wanted the liability?
Worst travel destination in a lifetime of happy travelling (including Tunisia) was Singapore. The reason was the miserable weather. The humidity was so high that it rained off and on all day, every day. But the heat was so high that it was almost impossible to wear even the lightest of raincoats.
And just like in NYC or Paris, at the first raindrop, every taxi disappeared.
I won’t travel in or near an active war zone or where the government has no control over the population, or military. For leisure I have no need for known risks or chaos.
Worst destination of 2022 was Prince Rupert Island B.C. We were scheduled for Victoria but changed. We had heard wonderful comments about Victoria. Not much near the PRI port. It did have a Walmart though.
I laughed at your Walmart comment because I just got off a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands and while my family and I were waiting for our private tour, a couple were getting an Uber to go to Walmart on Maui. In fairness to my fellow cruisers, the small convenience store onboard was not well stocked and we’d had some high seas without any motion sickness meds available in the shop.
If one wants to get inexpensive souvenirs, Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam's have much less costly items. Kona coffee, orchid leis, t-shirts, kukui nut leis, and macadamia nuts are much less expensive than the tourist areas.
While our team fly all over the world Antarctica is the only continent most of us have not been to. Perhaps one day I will arrange a trip for the team to visit Antarctica
It's totally worth it!
Glad to hear.
I’m curious about the penguins. A friend of mine went to Antarctica for a trip a few years ago. They were told NOT to interfere or stop the penguins traveling or stand in their way because it gets them confused and it takes them forever to find their home. They said penguins are not afraid of you because you don’t look like a seal, their enemy and won’t run from you. I guess there were children on this trip and this has happened before.
That's true, they have very strict rules about interfering with penguins. I saw several penguins approaching people and they were told to back away slowly. But it's difficult to get too close because they smell really bad.
Zoom lens....
National parks in Tanzania. It was heartbreaking to see 20-30 vehicles at a time surrounding and chasing wildlife. There is no supervision by rangers and many guides will do anything to increase their tips. The worst example was a guide whose passenger was ready to leave a cheetah family. Instead of being respectful, he drove within feet of the mom and cubs so she could lean out and get an ipad photo through the grass. We also saw a guide letting his tourons out of a van very close to hippos. Our own guide was trying to get ahead of a pride of lions and I will never forget the fear in the eyes of a young lion as he turned his head back to look at us closing in on him. In future I will go only to private reserves.
I've been on several safaris, too, and have seen the same thing. Heartbreaking.
Of the places I traveled last year, my least favorite was Houston TX. Public transportation was very hard to navigate and traffic was awful. People were not very friendly. Food was okay, way too many chain restaurants.
Tunisia. I went years ago as a young single mom with a 6-year old. I was stationed in the UK with the US Air Force and had heard from a friend’s husband how much he enjoyed his 12-month assignment there. My fault for not understanding the culture and that it would not be friendly to a woman traveling alone, even at an all-inclusive European style resort. One positive was that it was sunny and warm which are 2 things England is NOT! Glad I went—I learned a lot; never have to go back!
Interesting, considering the recent incidents.
When you take these trips do you identify yourself? Or do you go incognito similar to a restaurant reviewer. Thanks!
Did you disclose your recent injury to Hurtigruten on the required medical forms? Wouldn't that disqualify you from leaving the ship as they would not have wanted the liability?
I did, and they said as long as I could walk, I would be fine.
Worst travel destination in a lifetime of happy travelling (including Tunisia) was Singapore. The reason was the miserable weather. The humidity was so high that it rained off and on all day, every day. But the heat was so high that it was almost impossible to wear even the lightest of raincoats.
And just like in NYC or Paris, at the first raindrop, every taxi disappeared.
I won’t travel in or near an active war zone or where the government has no control over the population, or military. For leisure I have no need for known risks or chaos.
She never mentioned the smell! AHAHAHAHA. Now I have a more complete story of the penguins.
Worst destination of 2022 was Prince Rupert Island B.C. We were scheduled for Victoria but changed. We had heard wonderful comments about Victoria. Not much near the PRI port. It did have a Walmart though.
Well, at least it had a Walmart! ;-)
I laughed at your Walmart comment because I just got off a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands and while my family and I were waiting for our private tour, a couple were getting an Uber to go to Walmart on Maui. In fairness to my fellow cruisers, the small convenience store onboard was not well stocked and we’d had some high seas without any motion sickness meds available in the shop.
If one wants to get inexpensive souvenirs, Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam's have much less costly items. Kona coffee, orchid leis, t-shirts, kukui nut leis, and macadamia nuts are much less expensive than the tourist areas.
I agree. The Walmarts in Alaska have a nice souvenir section including salmon.
I've bought souvenirs at a Walmart in Alaska for friends and family. It's much cheaper than the little gift shops and the selection is better.