Leslie's comments (member since Jun 15, 2008)

Leslie's comments from the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die group.

Rio de Janeiro...just returned from there! They are in the running for the 2016 summer games...right now they are doing many upgrades to their subway system...once done it will be even better and quicker to get around town! I definitely fell in love with Rio and Brazil in general! Do be aware of pickpockets though. I got hit up at the Christ statue! Also be sure to carry cash the international ATMs goes down frequently so getting cash out can be difficult at times if not impossible!

If you are handicapped there are many buses and sites to see that are already accessible, with the improvements there will be more! I was impressed!! Will definitely be putting on my list to return!

Right now I am in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am staying with a friend directly off of Ipanema Beach, Post 8. I am loving it. Been already to the Hippie Fair, Jesus the Redeemer and on many a pub crawl. I have the Juneith party this Friday-Sunday where you dress up as a redneck and act really goofy. Its supposed to be as good as Carnival. wondering a bit about that. I am thinking some place are over-rated and some under-rated about Rio!

IN LONDON:
If you like Winston Churchill and WWII stuff I recommend the Underground Bunker exhibit. Be prepared to stand a long time on concrete floors though. I went and it was well worth the visit. Also I recommend getting an OYSTER card for the transit system in London if you are staying for more than a day. Its good for the tube and buses alike. Its cheaper in the long run. If you have a balance it keeps for quite some time. I have been using the same refillable card now for 3 years! Love it!! Also if you take a double decker bus tour get one with a live guide MUCH BETTER!!!! Be sure to sit on top next to them they tell you a tons more that does not get on the overhead!

Also go to the Hard Rock Cafe...if you love rock memorabilia go to their store across the street if you "inquire" about their valut they typically will open it up and you can see cook stuff and even get to pick up and take your picture with Jimmi Hendrix's white guitar and sit on his sofa he was always photographed sitting on...etc. Its not advertised its just word of mouth tour PLUS BONUS its free!

Is there a "fablous must see" island? I know I am secretly awaiting for travel between the US & Cuba to resume ever in my lifetime. Anyone else? I am looking for ideas and thoughts for future trips!! Something fun, some cultural, educational and inexpensive short trips for about 4-7 days.

I don't have the US/Canadian version as of yet... is this as good as the original? With the raising cost of travelling I was considering maybe hitting some of the US & Canada places to keep the costs down. Any thoughts?

That's ton to do it seems in the Boston area. I have always wanted to go there. In deciding what to do do you read tons of books, surf the net, etc. to decide? What is your favorite source? I am trying to plan my next vacation...its a toss up between Boston or Chicago if I stay in the US (depends on costs), I am trying to save up for Rio, but with the cost of gas.... To me researching is half the fun of the vacation.

Gee now this list could get ugly & very long. But if you are ever in Oklahoma I would suggest going to DiscoveryLand just outside of Tulsa/Sand Springs in the NE part of "Green Country". Its where in the summer months an outdoor theater of either Rogers & Hammerstein's musicals of OKLAHOMA or SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS are performed nightly. People come from all over the world to see a performance. I tend to go every year or so for the past 30 years and still enjoy going!

http://www.discoverylandusa.com/

or even close to Bartlesville, OK (okay a bit from there actually) you have Woolaroc the home of the founder of Phillips Petroleum. There is a very large collection of indian & western art present.

http://www.woolaroc.org/


Both are excellent for families and people of all ages.

The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco...well at least the inside of yet. Keep in mind the entry is cool, but ince you get 3 feet in no bags, camera or cell phones allowed. You hand over EVERYTHING you have but a bit of cash. The surroundings inside are nice to look at, but all that the typical person can do is put a euro in a slot machine and that's it. Not much excitement at all. The outside is VERY GRAND and worth the see. The square is very nice, the cars all around are the absolute best. But it is nicer inside at the other casinos and at the Hotel de Paris across the street.

I wish I lived in a BIG city where there is a decent public transportation. Here in Oklahoma there isn't something really like that at all. Very few cabs in Tulsa where I live. I usually vacation where there are great public systems. I had never heard of zipcar, interesting concept though. I know of people who rent cars for driving trips to save the wear and tear of their cars or to get something with better gas mileage. I might have to think about that one if I drive too far from home. Both Dallas, TX and Kansas City, MO is about 6.5 hours from my house and those places have TONS to do.

With the high price of gasoline this summer is anyone considering a trip in a car this year? I saw a display at my local library on trips that could be done easily in a car with less than a tank full of gas. I was kind of inspired about this idea. What trip would you take on a tankfull of gasoline?

I have a friend, Taylor, in Rio with the US Navy. I am supposed to be going in the mid-to-end of January. Right now I am saving all my pennies to pay for it in cash. I prefer paying in cash...I get half of the fun doing all the research on the places I see.

My last visit was Warwick Castle in Warwick, England & Stratford-Upon-Avon...also in Stratfordshire. I flew in and out of Birmingham, UK. It was so much easier than through London and a bit cheaper as well. I took trains directly from the airport to Stratford in about 2 hours flat even with a 30 minute lay-over for a quick lunch. (you take a tram from the airport to the train station for free) There was also tons to do in the Birmingham area, its big on history of the industrial age and also famous with jewerly making in England. It was almost more fun than Stratford. I will definitely be going back to visit.
http://www.visitbirmingham.com/

I guess it would depend on how one would "count" a place. I had been counting it as one place if several things are listed, such as in Paris, London, New York, etc as only being 1. But if it was each individual places mentioned it would be well over 100. But to me I just do the town/city as one with all that is listed...so I would guess maybe 35-38 that way (depending on which version). But there are many that I would LOVE to go. I would love to go to the Czech Repbulic, Italy, Ireland and Germany...that is in no actual order. I love castles, food and drink. I am also a fan of history. IN the US I want to go to Boston, MA & Quebec, Canada