The 'Wow!' factor (or not).
Jan 1st, 2009, 01:54 PM
#61
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Great Thread!
WOWS:
The tea house 'hike' from Lake Louise in Canada.
China - Great Barrier Reef.
Peru - Macchu Picchu.
Watching the volcano erupt from the Big Island in Hawaii - the lava was flowing in front of us in the ocean.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The 'sea lion' island in La Paz, Mexico.
Looking foward to more WOWS!
WOWS:
The tea house 'hike' from Lake Louise in Canada.
China - Great Barrier Reef.
Peru - Macchu Picchu.
Watching the volcano erupt from the Big Island in Hawaii - the lava was flowing in front of us in the ocean.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The 'sea lion' island in La Paz, Mexico.
Looking foward to more WOWS!
Jan 1st, 2009, 04:22 PM
#64
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i'm so glad to be able to reread these on new years day when i am looking forward to another year of travel and many more after that, including to places i have never thought of or considered...
the sight of a name allows the flood of rememberances to cross my mind....so much fun and worthwhile...
the sight of a name allows the flood of rememberances to cross my mind....so much fun and worthwhile...
Jan 2nd, 2009, 11:56 AM
#65
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OK a big "Sorry!" to all those I may have offended by being a party-pooper, it was unseasonal, not to say churlish to question your happy lists - if I can explain...I've been interested, entertained & inspired by some of the stuff I've read on this site in the past few months; then to come across 60 or more "wow & non-wow" lists of names as a contrast to the words elsewhere on this very site painting pictures of wonderful & not so wonderful places, seemed, well...limited. And another thing, so person A says they were wowed by timbuktu but person B was not, with no rationale, how does that help me the innocent bystander? As I said before, I just gotta go there myself.
Before I start ranting again, there's something to be wowed by, in any place in this crazy old world, it's just harder to find in some places...like, Jo'burg (just kidding homies!), or Agra. See, I'm getting into the spirit of things!
However as you so rightly say Kathie, I should have just stayed out the kitchen on that one, so from an occasionally grumpy old man, my genuine apologies folks. Ignore me. (Actually I really liked the description, can't remember was it Guenmai, about the bay in New Zealand - now that was cool).
Dream on.
Before I start ranting again, there's something to be wowed by, in any place in this crazy old world, it's just harder to find in some places...like, Jo'burg (just kidding homies!), or Agra. See, I'm getting into the spirit of things!
However as you so rightly say Kathie, I should have just stayed out the kitchen on that one, so from an occasionally grumpy old man, my genuine apologies folks. Ignore me. (Actually I really liked the description, can't remember was it Guenmai, about the bay in New Zealand - now that was cool).
Dream on.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 12:16 PM
#66
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Leon, I can certainly understand that these lists and names don't mean much to you at this point. But many of us "know" lots of the other posters so we get more info from the lists. Also, as Guen says, if something someone says strikes her fancy, she can ask for more info.
I agree that everyplace has the potential for "wow" and I agree that much of "wow" is in the eye of the beholder.
Welcome to the board, Leon. I look forward to what you have to share with us after your India trip.
I agree that everyplace has the potential for "wow" and I agree that much of "wow" is in the eye of the beholder.
Welcome to the board, Leon. I look forward to what you have to share with us after your India trip.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 03:57 PM
#67
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Yes, exactly, many of us "know" each other personally from going to many GTGs together and some have even met here, on the forum, and travel together. We also meet up with each other, on overseas vacations, and have been on this forum together for years.
So, if we know a Fodorite who has similar interests as we do, and were "Wowed", by a place, then we might also be "Wowed" by it. Happy Travels!
So, if we know a Fodorite who has similar interests as we do, and were "Wowed", by a place, then we might also be "Wowed" by it. Happy Travels!
Jan 2nd, 2009, 04:11 PM
#68
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Ahh, Leon's cool. These kind of posts give me the squits too. Lol. I can see we're in the minority. We curmudgeonly old farts have to stick together, learn to zip our lips [already a hopeless task] and let the rest of you have fun.
C'mon leon, you and me, let's go out and get drunk, old fella....
C'mon leon, you and me, let's go out and get drunk, old fella....
Jan 2nd, 2009, 04:25 PM
#69
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Having returned last night from Vienna, where we attended the New Years Day Concert at The Musikvieren, I have to say that this has now become my all-time, soul-shaking, jaw-dropping, wow-inducing travel experience. Wow, Wow, Wow !!
Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:38 AM
#70
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Copy that Dogdude, (the Vivenda dos Palhacos guesthouse we're staying at in Goa is run by descendants of the Hayward brewing dynasty in India - they promise free beer to anyone who can outdrink the male & female record holders - both Australian); but then after that let's revert to lf's misspent south african & altogether mellower (this was '69 after all) pipe smoking youth & love our fellow posters in an all-inclusve arambol toke-in. Whaddya say folks, let's really get Wow'ed!
Jan 3rd, 2009, 07:33 PM
#71
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lol lol lol I'm with Leon.
'Le-e-e-et the sunshine in...'
I noted some secret plantations in Darjeeling. Tea fields and hooch forests seem to like the same growing conditions. Can't think why. Same in Assam. I have a picture of me standing in bushes up to my neck. 500 rupees should get you enough to build a small grass hut.
I think that qualifies as a 'Wow'.
'Le-e-e-et the sunshine in...'
I noted some secret plantations in Darjeeling. Tea fields and hooch forests seem to like the same growing conditions. Can't think why. Same in Assam. I have a picture of me standing in bushes up to my neck. 500 rupees should get you enough to build a small grass hut.
I think that qualifies as a 'Wow'.
Jan 4th, 2009, 12:57 PM
#72
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WOW list
* Angkor Wat at sunrise
* Golden Triangle Mekong River
* Mt. St. Michel in France
* Paris neighborhoods (architecture,cafes, museums)
* first trip to BKK...sights, smells, noise
* sunrise on Haleakala Crater - Maui
* Tunnels Beach on Kauai
* Golden Gate Bridge - Northern California Coast
* Glacier Bay - Inside Passage
* Venice
* Halong Bay (calm, misty, exotic)
To Be Wowed (future travels)
* Machu Picchu
* New Zealand
* Northern India
* Petra
* Angkor Wat at sunrise
* Golden Triangle Mekong River
* Mt. St. Michel in France
* Paris neighborhoods (architecture,cafes, museums)
* first trip to BKK...sights, smells, noise
* sunrise on Haleakala Crater - Maui
* Tunnels Beach on Kauai
* Golden Gate Bridge - Northern California Coast
* Glacier Bay - Inside Passage
* Venice
* Halong Bay (calm, misty, exotic)
To Be Wowed (future travels)
* Machu Picchu
* New Zealand
* Northern India
* Petra
Jan 6th, 2009, 08:30 AM
#73
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Oh yes, bloodshot dog, i can categorically assure you that does make the grade. One day (not now as people will be heartily sick of too many stoned tall tales) must recount some tales of travel in Swaziland, a very green land indeed.
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:01 PM
#77
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... well, 'Wow!' ...
Before meeting mrs. m Asia business trips:
... Singapore Airlines business class ... Singapore Girls - (Forever) ... a certain Tokyo Park Hyatt 'hostess' ... Singaporean 'masseuses' ... Hong Kong Island Shangri-La 'evening companions' ... now, Bangkok: Thonglor, Aviva, Poseidon, Annie's, Orange, Eden, 'other' 'masseuses' ... all waitresses / hostesses at the Four Seasons, Sukhothai, Shangri-La, Peninsula, Oriental ... and yes, my all-time favourite waitress at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit ... (the one, the only one, who will forever remind me of Zhang Ziyi) ... and finally, my all-time cherished Bangkok 'booker', Khun 'A', and her lovely ladies ...
After meeting mrs. m Asia business trips:
... a certain 'Singapore Girl' - Forever ... Singapore Airlines business class ... our mortgage payments in Singapore, Thailand and the 'greater Bay Area' ... (and forthcoming 'inheritance taxes' in Scotland) ... (and yes, the occasional late-night, in-room massage treatment) ...
... as always, joyous, uplifting times to all of you, and do kindly consider: SQ - thank you ...
macintosh (robert)
... The Greatest Show in the Sky ...
(Singapore Airlines)
Jan 7th, 2009, 09:48 PM
#78
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Hi BillT, we paid £600 pounds for the tickets....and that was for standing!! Nevertheless...for us.... it was worth every penny.
We too have watched this concert for many many years and have to say that I think you are mistaken about the Opera House. The New Years Day Concert in Vienna always takes place in the Golden Hall of The Musikverien. An absolutely stunning building and of course a very special occasion. One that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Will post a link to some photos in next couple of days.
We too have watched this concert for many many years and have to say that I think you are mistaken about the Opera House. The New Years Day Concert in Vienna always takes place in the Golden Hall of The Musikverien. An absolutely stunning building and of course a very special occasion. One that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Will post a link to some photos in next couple of days.
Jan 8th, 2009, 03:45 AM
#79
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Thanks- and yes I thought it was the Opera House but I was mistaken. I registered for the 2010 lottery that is held for getting such tickets. This event is so popular that they have to hold a lottery for the tickets and limit you to 2.
Is this a black tie affair? What is appropriate attire for the women? Is a suit for a man acceptable attire? Where is this location? Did you have to cab out and back?
Is this a black tie affair? What is appropriate attire for the women? Is a suit for a man acceptable attire? Where is this location? Did you have to cab out and back?
