Travel Trivia! Where Are You Heading, where have you been?

[Rob]

I thought I would start a thread about holidays we have all had over the years and arrangements that just have not gone to plan, or a funny story or problem that occurred to make your holiday most memorable! So here we go I have a few tales to partake so sit back and listen....:)) In the mid seventies when I was a young good looking (he wishes :) student travelling around Europe on trains, sleeping wherever and reading lots of books...I ended up one night on a beach in Greece..it was late and there was no time to find a "pension" so I decided to fall asleep on the beach for the night as the weather was good and I was young of heart...As I slept I kept being disturbed by a pulling at my sleeping bag throughout the night...and towards dawn when I was more awake I looked up, kicked out and saw running away from me...a large black rat..I moved quickly and got the hell out of there!!..what always sticks in my mind was the book I was reading...The Rats by well known horror author James Herbert..it still makes me shiver!!

[Becky]

Our last holiday was in Niagara Falls. It was awesome. I have no idea how to post pics or i would.

[Linda]

My last Holiday was in Hawaii, it was so beautiful I want to go back.

[Joanne Farley]

We went to Thailand last year. We traveled with a group of friends and we had a great time.

[Jamie]

I'm excited to be heading to Vegas in a few weeks. My brother and his partner recently moved there and I can't wait to see his new place, the city, and check out the shows. I'm traveling with my mom so that should be interesting as well.

[peg]

I have always wanted to see the Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas.

[Lisa]

Last year went to London to see nieces and nephews for the first time and the rock band Queen. As well as the play, WE Will Rock You. What fun! And London/ Bath were great! Or Brilliant as they say there.

[Jamie]

I was hoping to see the Beatles Circque de Soleil show, but I'm going with my mom and she's seen that one. I can't remember which show we are going to see. I think my brother has most of our events/dinner planned for us- he has even offered to cook us dinner one night!

I've been spending the past 3 weeks working my behind off in the gym so I can look good in my new outfits.

[Autumn]

I went to Washington DC for 10 days over the Thanksgiving holidays and my birthday. My sister lives there and we had so much fun. Right now I am looking at taking another trip to DC and Panama City Beach in Florida.

[Joke]

I live in Belgium and have been on many vacations in France, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switserland, Austria, U.K., Tunesia and Mexico :-) This summer we will revisit the south of France...

I would like to do a tour in the U.S. when my kids are older...

[Autumn]

This weekend I am not really going on vacation, but I am going to a birthday party a couple of states away. For this maybe 8 hour road trip I have six books, my kindle, and a book of puzzles I do not understand in my tote bag. I think I am set. How many books do you take with you when you go out of town?

[Nancy H]

My family regularly howls when we travel by car/van and I take my "portable library" along - a very nice 'Thirty-One' brand bag that holds a ton of books, all packed very thoughtfully with multiple authors and genres so I can choose something good while I am traveling. I normally keep three or four books up front with me (while my husband drives, of course) so I can read parts of each or finish one and have a choice what to read next. We travel a lot between our home in Pennsylvania and my sister's home in Florida, my son's home in Savanna, Georgia, and my brother's place in New Hampshire. I am well acquainted with I-95, which is why I get so much reading done, then - lol!

One summer, my husband had to go for a week of training classes in Philadelphia, and I went along just so I could stay in the hotel room and read or sit by the pool and read. That time I took a whole suitcase full of books along - I think he counted them and I had 72! (I even put them in order on the top of the credenza in the room and have a picture to prove my insanity!) The people he was in class with simply could NOT believe that his wife was perfectly satisfied to spend all that time reading. (No, I didn't finish all 72, but did manage to get quite a few read.) It was like heaven on earth for me that week!

[Nancy H]

Jenni wrote: "Books are so heavy when you pack a lot. I can read on the train, but I get a headache reading in a car or a bus. Mind you I get car sickness too a bit.

Those caravan holidays sound like so much ..."

Yes, Jenni, that's true - no problems with book weight when driving. But the problem is that sometimes we drive one way and I stay with my sister and fly back later --- then it is quite a decision which books to keep with me, which ones to send on home, and which ones I can read while I am there and then leave behind for her to read! It's all great fun, though!

[Beth]

From 1986 through 2005 I lived in San Diego, California, which I think is vacationland. I've never been outside the U.S., except Canada and Mexico, which don't count because I was there for only a couple/few hours. But anyplace I went during that time never measured up to San Diego. I'd be back there if my parents weren't here (Michigan). Except my husband, a Californian, prefers Michigan now. Go figure.

[Katherine]

Going to Zurich in June to meet my new niece or nephew for 2 weeks. 4th time there but this time I plan on doing some of the real tourist things

[Beth]

I enjoy going to author events (lecture and book signing). But not many come near where I live. So I usually have to drive 2 or 3 hours to author events. Luckily I have a husband who will go with me. I consider those to be trips/travels.

I recently attended a lecture with Jane Goodall who came to Oakland University, where I went, coincidentally.

We also recently attended a lecture by Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, at the University of Michigan.

I next plan to attend an event with Richard Ford, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Canada, in Houghton Lake, Michigan.

[Beth]

Jenni wrote: "I lived near San Fracisco for 3 years from when I was 19. And also during the tech peak when Silicon Valley felt like the centre of the Universe. I have travelled in Europe, Asia, Canada, and the ..."

I guess you must consider it an advantage to be a contract engineer. You don't have just one employer, so you can come and go as you please.

[Beth]

Jenni wrote: "I lived near San Fracisco for 3 years from when I was 19. And also during the tech peak when Silicon Valley felt like the centre of the Universe. I have travelled in Europe, Asia, Canada, and the ..."

What did you do in San Francisco?

[Kathy]

Our daughter, Lexie, graduated from Drexel University in June and as a graduation present, she wanted to travel out West. We had the most wonderful trip to Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. I took my Ipad and Nook along on the trip but our days were so long and grueling, I hardly had time to read.

Our son, Chase, will be starting his last Fall at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He captains the Men's Soccer team and we will be travelling all fall to see his matches. Last year, we did not miss a game and our road trips took us as far north as Northeastern University in Boston and as far south as Georgia State in Atlanta. His school just switched conferences this year and will be playing in the A10 so we are looking forward to trips to Hartford, St. Bonaventure, St. Louis, Dayton, and of course, Fairfax, VA. I always have to take books along on our trips - can't leave home without a book, Ipad or Nook in my purse.

[Lisa]

Last year went to England for the first time, just before the summer Olympics. Saw my niece and her children in Bath. That was like stepping back in time! Beautiful countryside as well.
Toured the long time family business, which is a book restoration business. Fascinating to learn how it is all done by hand from the leather, to gold gilt edges, to cleaning up water damage etc Apparently one of the few left in the world. The job requires a 7 year training program.
After that off to London to see some music with the band QUEEN. Enjoyed seeing my favorite band for the first time, at the Hammersmith Apollo. And for Londoners this is a participation sport! Brilliant! As they say in LOndon. Seeing LOndon and HYde Park and all the preparations for the Olympics great as well.
Hope to go again soon!

[Malina]

My last big holiday was to Paris and Belgium, it was amazing, after that minor trips near home to Maine and New York.

I've travelled to Spain, Portugal,Switzerland,Israel,Caribbean ,central America, Canada ,Mexico (where I'm originally from) and of course all over the US, I really want to visit Japan and Thailand

[Taylor]

We're off to Europe next month. First Paris and then a couple of places in England. We went to England a few years ago and stopped in Oxford for a few hours on one of our day trips. I always felt so ripped off, so this time we're spending a few days there. Then to the south of England to visit my niece who moved there from Canada about ten years ago. I'm getting so excited. In preparation I went to the doctor to have my cholesterol levels checked. It's all good so I plan to overindulge in clotted cream! And John Smith's beer.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

My family and I are going to Puerto Rico in 2 weeks. We have been to Sicily 2 years ago but never really for to enjoy it so we are hoping after we visit my home, we will be able to just where my husband's family came from a little better this time.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

And of course my nook will be with me at all times. :)

[Heather]

Off to several Utah national parks in the near future. My last trip was a Meditteranean cruise for my honeymoon and before that a safari in Tanzania.

[Jennifer]

Heather wrote: "Off to several Utah national parks in the near future. My last trip was a Meditteranean cruise for my honeymoon and before that a safari in Tanzania."

Last year we went to Bryce and Zion, and used Escalante as a base (and did a bit of hiking around Escalante as well). September was a perfect month to go.

I'm heading to Denver next week for a conference and will be staying a few days after to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. I wonder how many books I can fit in my luggage?

[Jennifer]

No, we are snowshoe-ers. My husband is a cross country skier, but I've only been on skis once, for a lesson. It wasn't pretty!

[Jacky]

Going to Costa Dorada in a weeks time. Can't wait!

[Heather]

Jess wrote: "I have always wanted to go on a safari, drive around in a pickup... That must have been a fantastic trip."

The safari was magical!!! I'm hoping to make it back to Tanzania one day, but that may just be a dream! If you ever have a chance to go, I'd recommend Thomson Safaris as guides. They can be on the pricey side, but they're a very safe, reputable group and our experience with them was amazing!

[Heather]

Jess wrote: "I have always wanted to go on a safari, drive around in a pickup... That must have been a fantastic trip."

Also, you can see some of my pics here:

http://500px.com/Trixieplum/sets/tanz...

[Heather]

Jennifer wrote: "Heather wrote: "Off to several Utah national parks in the near future. My last trip was a Meditteranean cruise for my honeymoon and before that a safari in Tanzania."

Last year we went to Bryce a..."

I'm really looking forward to it! I love photography, and can't wait to get out in the parks with my camera. Also LOVE RMNP - When I was a kid, my grandparents had a cabin near Estes Park. Many wonderful memories of that area :)

[Evelyn]

I looked at your pictures. They are just wonderful. So many colors, nice framing, and the children are sweet.

[Heather]

Evelyn wrote: "I looked at your pictures. They are just wonderful. So many colors, nice framing, and the children are sweet."

Thanks so much :) The children were wonderful - They loved having their picture taken! I taught several of the kids how to use my camera, and let them take a turn at snapping shots of each other and their homes. It was an amazing experience!

[James]

Just back from Orlando. My wife and I have already been four times, but this time was special we took our 8 year old grand-daughter, her first time abroad, her first flight. We had talked lots about the holiday but I don't think she realised how much their was to see.
One wet evening we were in Disney Quest and together we designed our own roller coast. I put in some upside down parts and has we stood in the line waiting to trial our ride Faith said do we actual go upside down. i don't know if I will like it. As we stepped out of the capsule her words were lets go again I want to design something with more extremes. This time she designed it herself, seven upside down sections and a 5 star rating. Was a little extreme, but enjoyable. Later in the week we went back again, weather a bit wet. I let her go on with our friend who was on holiday with us. he did not know what to expect. An 5 star exteme ride. My wife and I watched the ride and their expressions,. The look on his face was classic. Hair flying all over the place. He brought the DVd and we are waiting for \a copy. Absolutely brilliant.
An highlight was our night visit to the Magic Kingdom. We went on the Astro Orbiter, a tame ride but the views over the park at night were suberb.

[Michael]

James wrote: "Just back from Orlando. My wife and I have already been four times, but this time was special we took our 8 year old grand-daughter, her first time abroad, her first flight. We had talked lots abou..."

glad you enjoyed Orlando. Sorry about the rain. It has been a fairly wet summer.

[Huda]

Just came back from a company trip to Vietnam. I went to Ha Long and stayed in this hotel. And that night, I heard someone knocking on my door, I opened it and no one was there. Was it ghost? Or was I imagining things? I'm not sure but it was definitely not a prank.

Then on our night at Hanoi, 4 of my colleagues made a plan to go karaoke, but they got robbed by a taxi driver instead. The taxi driver drove them to this abandon shop lot and held a gun to one of my colleague's head. They lost around USD400 worth of cash and belonging, luckily none of my colleagues brought their passport along. And luckily enough, I didn't tagged along. They did invited me but I just want to stay in my hotel room and read. So practically, books save my life.

But overall, I think Vietnam is a nice place. The traffic was heavy, and there are about 4millions motorbikes in Hanoi alone, and none of the bikers had this comprehension of using their tail lights. And they blared their horns almost all the time. But thankfully everyone drive like an old lady in Hanoi. Yet, my advice would be you might want to rent a taxi when you want to take a trip to Hanoi. I had multiple mini heart attacks trying to dodge bikers who suddenly came out from nowhere. Or just sign up for a tourist guide.

I like the architectural design of building in Vietnam. The houses are narrow and colourful, and almost every building are heavily influenced with French colonial style. And the compounds are very very near to the main road, and railroads. I wonder how this people live so near to the railroads. As near as, it took only a few steps from the main door to the roads! And first time in my life I saw a demolished tollgate. My government will never do that, they raise the toll instead.

The highlights of my trip would be the trip to Ha Long Bay. And cave exploring. The water puppet theatre was nice too, though I don't understand a thing about the show, but it was interesting enough. And the shopping. The Vietnamese are not fluent in English, but they still accept US Dollar. We communicate using calculator. My colleague's wife was so good in bargaining, I felt guilty as if we were trying to drive this little street hawkers into bankruptcy. But bargaining is very acceptable in every bazaar and night market in Vietnam. So don't be shy, shop till you drop. Or let your friends do it for you.

The food? Well, I am accustomed to spicy, hot foods. So Vietnamese food are pretty mild to my liking. I like the vegetables dishes though. I heard the Vietnam coffee is pretty special, but I'm a tea drinker. However I don't like the Vietnam jasmine tea at all.

For my next trip, my family, I mean my maternal uncles and aunts with their spouses and children are planning for a family gathering in Kota Kinabalu Sabah. But we had yet to find the appropriate time for everyone to get together.

[Christine]

I'm going on vacation to ocean city NJ twice this summer