The 'Wow!' factor (or not).

Old Jan 8th, 2009, 08:48 PM
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Driving suddenly from rainforest onto the grey ash plain on Tanna Island in Vanuatu , parking , noone around and climbing to the rim of the most accessible active volcano in the world ( forgotten the name ) to watch the lava " gently erupt ".
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Old Jan 8th, 2009, 09:37 PM
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Yassur, JohnFitz - Yassur.

And yes, it's right up there with the best of the 'wows', ain't it...
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Old Jan 10th, 2009, 10:27 PM
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Hi Bill, the location is right in central Vienna, just a couple of hundred yards from Karlsplatz station.
We took a cab to get there and returned by underground. There is no particular dress code...just smart.

Kathie, yes it was a really fantastic experience, one that I will always remember. Link below to some photos we took.

http://tiny.cc/CaynC
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Old Jan 11th, 2009, 10:44 AM
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Thanks for sharing your photos, Leigh.
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Old Jan 24th, 2009, 03:33 PM
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So Leon and Dog -
The thing I got out of this was that Bali was amazing about 20 years ago. What's the deal now? This is where the wow/non-wow thread really pays off for me.
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Old Jan 26th, 2009, 11:55 AM
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Hell cps I just don't know,haven't been, but I bet the dawg does. I guess looking at the first post in this thread, much of Bali could be described as polluted & crowded in comparison with 20 years ago, but surely there's going to be some part of those islands that are lovely.

I just find these long promiscuous lists...unhelpful. If you're going to say 'Egypt' or 'Greece' wowed or underwhelmed you...are you serious!!? Some did, some didn't...where, exactly? Why?
Don't lure me into more ranting, if cosy bland lists do it for folks, that's fine.
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Old Jan 26th, 2009, 12:05 PM
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We don't take it so seriously and read it for "fun". Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 26th, 2009, 12:34 PM
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You can find Bali. It's still there. Don't worry about the guys who say it's trashed. Bits are - so don't go to those bits. You can find Bali, any time.

Avoid young Australians. We are mostly the ones who did the trashing. You'll recognise them by their thick red necks and braided hair.

I was there twenty years ago - but I don't remember. There were palm trees, I think - and a beach. The only thing that remains is the sound of the twinkling gamelon and the determined resolve never to eat magic mushrooms again.
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Old Jan 29th, 2009, 11:59 AM
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Different kind of trip report. You had to be there.
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Old Jan 30th, 2009, 04:34 AM
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Wow :

Iguazu Falls (imagined i'd be bored within a couple of hours but the place is just overwhelmingly magnificent).

Listening to real flamenco in the bars of Seville (as far removed from the touristy rubbish as it's possible to get - awe inspiring.)

Cappadocia (beautifully remote, wonderful landscapes, amazing cave hotel)

Syros (stunning neoclassical town dominating such an unspoilt Greek island)

Bergamo (best food ever in gorgeous medieval streets)

Estancias in Argentina (horses, steak, scenery and silence)

Ilha Grande near Rio (genuine island paradise with no cars)

Istanbul (atmosphere, food, something for everyone)

Marrakesh (crowded, dirty, exciting)

Costa de la Luz (whitewashed towns, unspoilt, inspired scenery, very Spanish)

Trinidad and Baracoa in Cuba (chilled out, pretty towns perfect for wandering aimlessly soaking up the atmosphere)

Not wow :

Las Vegas (got bored quickly)

Rome (sights great but disappointed by atmosphere at night)

Santorini (stayed in Oia, far far far too many tourists, totally spoilt.)

Dublin (like any old provincial Northern English city.)

Bruges (too many lace and chocolate shops. felt artificial)

Barcelona (ok, just not at all sure why everyone raves about it)

Havana and Santiago de Cuba (Havana is beautiful but the incessant hassle gets boring)

USA (been many times and there are many wonderful exceptions but generally too many chain shops, shopping malls, strips and faceless hotels)
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Old Jan 30th, 2009, 08:14 AM
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Ah libero, I was with you all the way with your wows & reasons why, but then the negatives, always with the negatives! Rome, Barcelaona, Dublin, come on fella you just have to try harder!
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Old Jan 30th, 2009, 11:32 AM
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Very good leon.....really you like these lists....it seems.
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Old Jan 31st, 2009, 12:10 PM
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Hell leigh you've spotted my secret weakness. It's a dreadful habit, I'm repelled, yet keep coming back. Talking of which, we're going to India soon, that should cure me for a while.
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