Americans help me welcome Europeans to the US by listing great US destinations
#81
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travelgourment,
I have to disagree about the following,
Egypt is a pain in the b**t to enter. The lines that don't move. The multiple people in the booth that all review your documents. The "visa" that you have to buy upon entry. The whole anarchic feel. As for Thailand, the lines are ridiculous. The longest line I have ever been in was at BKK. Much longer than Heathrow or anywhere in the US. And, sure, they don't fingerprint you, but they sure as heck take your photo. Hong Kong also takes a snapshot, along with a keen once-over. They give lollipops, which is nice. And the lines move as slowly as they do in Egypt. Japan's entry requirements are as stringent as the US, including fingerprinting.
Been to all of the above mentioned places numerous times and never experienced what you apparently did.
Egypt and Thailand and Hong Kong - one of quickest out of plane - landside experiences.
Japan - little slower but nothing to complain about.
That said, I would not get into a debate over the stupidity posted by some of the regular provincial idiots. I do actually believe that the 2 or 3 of the lot never left their country, or even their own neighborhood.
My suggestion is to ignore the lot and pretend their posts don't exist. Hopefully they will get bored and go away.
I realize it's a hard thing to do and occasionally I just can't take the stupidity anymore and engage, but I have been trying very hard lately to let it go.... and not reply.
The Fodorites that do travel know and can smell BS when reading one of the idiot's posts.
I have to disagree about the following,
Egypt is a pain in the b**t to enter. The lines that don't move. The multiple people in the booth that all review your documents. The "visa" that you have to buy upon entry. The whole anarchic feel. As for Thailand, the lines are ridiculous. The longest line I have ever been in was at BKK. Much longer than Heathrow or anywhere in the US. And, sure, they don't fingerprint you, but they sure as heck take your photo. Hong Kong also takes a snapshot, along with a keen once-over. They give lollipops, which is nice. And the lines move as slowly as they do in Egypt. Japan's entry requirements are as stringent as the US, including fingerprinting.
Been to all of the above mentioned places numerous times and never experienced what you apparently did.
Egypt and Thailand and Hong Kong - one of quickest out of plane - landside experiences.
Japan - little slower but nothing to complain about.
That said, I would not get into a debate over the stupidity posted by some of the regular provincial idiots. I do actually believe that the 2 or 3 of the lot never left their country, or even their own neighborhood.
My suggestion is to ignore the lot and pretend their posts don't exist. Hopefully they will get bored and go away.
I realize it's a hard thing to do and occasionally I just can't take the stupidity anymore and engage, but I have been trying very hard lately to let it go.... and not reply.
The Fodorites that do travel know and can smell BS when reading one of the idiot's posts.
#82
Join Date: Feb 2005
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LJ, thanks! I'll definitively try Maine and stay at one/some of the places you mentioned. I'm thinking about buying a tent over there, to be able to stay in some more remote areas.
Anyway, as always it'll be without much planning. . I love the ultra cheap gas you have!
Anyway, as always it'll be without much planning. . I love the ultra cheap gas you have!
#83
Join Date: Aug 2007
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AAFF: All I can say is that I have been to each of those places within the past year and each took at least an hour to make it through immigration and customs. Perhaps I hit them at a bad time.
But, I wasn't trying to make them seem particularly onerous, but rather trying to point out that they are similarly onerous to the US or the UK. None of the experiences have been so bad that I would really give it a second thought. Indeed, I'm heading to Thailand (and Singapore) next week.
But, I wasn't trying to make them seem particularly onerous, but rather trying to point out that they are similarly onerous to the US or the UK. None of the experiences have been so bad that I would really give it a second thought. Indeed, I'm heading to Thailand (and Singapore) next week.
#84
Join Date: Sep 2007
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travel_buzzing: Thanks for mentioning Alabama...was wondering if anyone would remember us way down here on the Gulf Coast. I live in Mobile and the Oakley District is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Large oak trees lining the streets of southern homes. Parks all around with fountains and benches to sit around on being lazy.
Just north of here you can go to the Indian Mounds and sometimes they will have the Indians in actual period clothing showing their dances and telling stories...quite fun!
We also were the first ones to have Mardi Gras here in the states. It's a lot less "drunken" than New Orleans and a lot more family oriented. There is a great Mardi Gras museum in downtown that I always suggest people go to when visiting...and they always love it!
There is also the wonderful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
I also have to second who ever mentioned St. Augustine as one of their favorites...I went this past February and it was amazing! I could have spent a week just in old town looking around! Just make sure you go to the St. Augustine light house...very beautiful views!
I also would like to suggest Gig Harbor, Washington...I used to live just outside of it and always loved visiting this small fishing town. It's right on the Puget Sound and is absolutely adorable!
Just north of here you can go to the Indian Mounds and sometimes they will have the Indians in actual period clothing showing their dances and telling stories...quite fun!
We also were the first ones to have Mardi Gras here in the states. It's a lot less "drunken" than New Orleans and a lot more family oriented. There is a great Mardi Gras museum in downtown that I always suggest people go to when visiting...and they always love it!
There is also the wonderful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
I also have to second who ever mentioned St. Augustine as one of their favorites...I went this past February and it was amazing! I could have spent a week just in old town looking around! Just make sure you go to the St. Augustine light house...very beautiful views!
I also would like to suggest Gig Harbor, Washington...I used to live just outside of it and always loved visiting this small fishing town. It's right on the Puget Sound and is absolutely adorable!
#85
Join Date: Jan 2005
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We found the Petrified Forest really fascinating.
I hadn't realised that the logs would be so colourful.
Another real "wow" was Shell Canyon.
As you drive at the bottom of the canyon, in a way, it's more impressive than the Grand Canyon.
Sequoia National Park is another great place to visit.
As other people have said that it's not the security that is unwelcoming, but the unpleasant attitude of those administering it.
I hadn't realised that the logs would be so colourful.
Another real "wow" was Shell Canyon.
As you drive at the bottom of the canyon, in a way, it's more impressive than the Grand Canyon.
Sequoia National Park is another great place to visit.
As other people have said that it's not the security that is unwelcoming, but the unpleasant attitude of those administering it.
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Nov 26th, 2006 01:54 PM