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Wednesday, March 6, 2024

March Week 1 Fast Five! A Real Surprise in This One!


 













1.    Chopstick Hill, Hua Hin, Thailand.  It's known as a few things like Monkey Mountain as well.  Hua Hin Province is south of Bangkok, along the shore and the hill is along the coast of the city by that name.  There are multiple buildings there, including Wat Khao Takiab, the temple and most visited part of the hill.  There is also a 20 meter high Buddha there.  Another feature of this attraction are the Macaque Monkeys.  They live on the hill and there are a lot of them.  You are allowed to interact with them and feed them.  Feeding guidelines are posted and there is food you can buy there to feed them with.  Just one more great thing to do while in Thailand.























2.  The Great Train Cemetery, Uyuni, Bolivia.  You just never know what I might find.  This is a side trip while visiting a world record holder.  The Uyuni Salt Flats are the largest salt flats in the world.  It falls on a lot of bucket lists for travel.  Most tours take place leaving from and returning to the town of Uyuni.  You can look into that and it is a great reason to visit Bolivia.  The Train Cemetery is an open air museum in Uyuni and can be visited pretty much anytime.  If you were to book a tour of the Salt Flats, odds are they'd stop by on the way, but make sure you bring it up, because it's a great addition to an already fabulous tour.


https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/great-train-graveyard


https://www.salardeuyuni.com/train-graveyard/


https://www.viator.com/Uyuni-attractions/Train-Cemetery-Cementerio-de-Trenes/d22256-a25461


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g317033-d316550-Reviews-Salar_de_Uyuni-Uyuni_Potosi_Department.html


https://www.peruforless.com/blog/uyuni-salt-flats/
























3.   Bolivia's Las Cholitas, La Paz, Bolivia.   Now, I know you weren't expecting me to mention lady wrestlers, especially in Bolivia.  Neither was I.  However, while you're in the country to visit the salt flats, you will spend some time in La Paz.  While in the city, this is the hottest ticket in town these days and shouldn't be missed.  These lovely indigenous ladies put on quite the show, skirts and all.  They most often hold matches/shows on Thursdays and Sundays with tickets as low as the equivalent to $13.

































4.   Post Office Bay and the World's Most Unusual Post Office, Floreana Island, Galapagos.   Created by whalers back in the day, this is a post office box with no formal services, no stamps, no locks, and no delivery people.  The way it works is unique, and strangely effective.  You write a letter, leave it in the barrel, and someone who visits from its final destination could take it and deliver it for you.  While there, everyone is encouraged to take a look and see if there's any packages going to addresses close to them, so they can deliver it.  Believe it or not, it's been working since the 1800's and is a great little stop on any Galapagos tour.




























5.    What on Earth is a Repositioning Cruise?   This is one of my favorite discoveries this year.  I'd never heard of this before, but it makes perfect sense.  I'm not much for cruising, but I have friends who are.  Over the years, I've heard them mention that they'd traveled on a ship previously.  I also noted that when they had traveled on said ship previously, it was an entirely different cruise.  So, as I'm learning, cruise ships get moved once in a while.  This is when a Repositioning Cruise happens.  Say a ship needs to change routes from a Baltic route to a Caribbean route.  The ship has to sail between Rotterdam and Miami.  If you want, you can take that trip.  It's a cruise for really cheap in most cases.  There tend to be long routes, many trans Atlantic or Pacific.  It's a budget friendly way to take a fabulous trip!  I really want to do this!













There you have it.  This week's fast five and some of the more unusual things I've seen recently.  I do intend to take advantage of some of this group so there will be some great assessments of them in the future not too far.  If you like the unusual, like seeing Bolivian women wrestle, stay tuned for more great unusual ideas for travel in the future.  I continue to look for the side trips and great budget ideas which appeal to folks like me who don't have a lot of money, but want to experience life.  For now, make the most of the time you have.  See the world, experience life, and enjoy!

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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Let's Hit a Few Continents With This Week's Fast Five!






 


1.    Salamis, North Cyprus.  Cyprus is one of the places that I'm fascinated with.  The conflict that leads to the Turks and Greeks building a wall all the way across the country.  The fact that with all the conflict in the world, no one in America is ever talking about it.  It's a fascinating place off the coast of Greece and Turkey; an island with a partially desert climate and beautiful shoreline all the way around.  Another thing it is, is the home of Salamis.  No, it doesn't go on a sandwich.  It's a well preserved Roman Ruins site that housed an enormous sports complex.  It not only had a theater, but also a gymnasium and many other sports related features to go in its town.  It's located on the east side of North Cyprus just north of Famagusta.  It's open 9 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.  You can take a tour there or just drive out for a look.  It's well worth the trip if you happen to be in North Cyprus.


https://www.cyprusparadise.com/articles/salamis-ruins/


https://www.visitncy.com/discover/salamis-ruins/


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190375-d313643-Reviews-Salamis-Famagusta_Famagusta_District.html


https://www.getyourguide.com/salamis-ancient-city-l143877/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=6654173973&cq_con=76427540862&cq_term=&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=6654173973&adgroup_id=76427540862&target_id=aud-1393039795340:dsa-84666501466&loc_physical_ms=9003419&match_type=&ad_id=678191199117&keyword=&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNSxwuK-O7rf5G9ksJEqZG-WEAsEAq3-_zRn38GE38zzL6H_RrQ7SZRoC9E4QAvD_BwE


https://www.cypruspremier.com/articles/salamis-ruins/









1.    Go on a safari in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.  We've all thought about it.  I've often wondered what an African safari would be like.  The Masai Mara is the Serengeti in action.  It's the Lion King, baby!  There are several companies who provide safaris, so choose the one that best fits your bucket list and your budget.  There are several lands to safari on throughout Africa, but this is the home of the great migration, massive numbers of animals and one of the oldest safari lands in Africa.


https://www.masaimara.com/index.php


https://www.expedia.com/Maasai-Mara-Hotels-All-Inclusive-Hotel.0-0-d2412-tAllinclusiveHotel.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels?semcid=US.UB.GOOGLE.DL-DSA-c-EN.HOTEL&semdtl=a111320466322.b1108955464217.g1aud-2068928983903:dsa-978192826038.e1c.m1CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNd-xe2EM2rbbB_wQO1gj5WzklKH7oUkZKjmW1qpqgtlZopWKbn9AgBoCwOwQAvD_BwE.r1.c1.j19003419.k1.d1658413978168.h1.i135761373963.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNd-xe2EM2rbbB_wQO1gj5WzklKH7oUkZKjmW1qpqgtlZopWKbn9AgBoCwOwQAvD_BwE


https://www.maasaimara.com/


https://www.masaimara.travel/


https://www.maasaimarakenyapark.com/









3.    Epidaurus, Greece.   Most people go to Athens, some islands, Thessaloniki, and even Meteora; but on the peninsula to the west of Athens sits remnants of  an ancient city.  The theater is the centerpiece of these ruins.  It's in great shape after millennia, and the acoustics are absolutely fabulous.  When a person stands in the center of the arena and speaks lowly, you can hear it in the nosebleed seats.  It's an important archaeological site in Greece; complete with stadium, foundations and many other things at the site.  There's a museum there to visit as well.  But, the best is if you come during the warm months, if you time it right; you can still see live performances of Greek tragedies at the theater.


https://www.greeka.com/peloponnese/epidaurus/


https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/491/


https://www.introducingathens.com/epidaurus


https://www.viator.com/tours/Corinth/Epidaurus-Skip-The-Line-Ticket-to-Temple-of-Asclepius-and-Theatre/d4613-370480P17?m=28353&supag=153710049013&supca=20578700387&supsc=aud-435409373039:dsa-1456167871416&supai=674830740207&supdv=c&supnt=g&suplp=9003419&supli=&supti=aud-435409373039:dsa-1456167871416&tsem=true&supci=aud-435409373039:dsa-1456167871416&supap1=&supap2=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNeDj3RJSkHxj98hVgGM_mBL8lG3R7wiCq8Biz5v8cVBrCBlpYsOxvhoCj-YQAvD_BwE


https://www.discovergreece.com/peloponnese/ancient-epidaurus











4.    Go into the desert from Marrakech, Morocco.  In Marrakech, Morocco, it's not hard to take a side trip right out into the Sahara Desert.  Bottom line, I like to do things on my own, but I can't do this.  There's a host of companies that provide all kinds of experiences, so all you have to do is choose one.  You can go for a day trip on ATVs or for a multi night adventure that will make you feel like a Bedouin.  Bottom line,  don't be that close to the Sahara and not bother to go out and experience it in full.


https://www.getyourguide.com/marrakech-l208/desert-safaris-tc37/


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293734-d10501245-Reviews-Marrakech_Desert_Trips-Marrakech_Marrakech_Safi.html


https://www.marrakech-desert-trips.com/


https://www.topdesert.com/


https://www.getyourguide.com/marrakech-l208/











5.    What to call it?  The Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (Khao Wang), Petchaburi, Thailand.  That's a mouthful, but bear with me.  Around 1859 King Rama IV decided to build a summer palace.  I won't get into the details; you have to visit this place!  It's a mix of Thai, Chinese and European style and is a multi building royal palace to visit.  You can hike up one side or take a cable car up the other to reach it.  And...there's monkeys!  There are great views from this hill and it's all only a couple of hours south of Bangkok.


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297932-d4206703-Reviews-Khao_Wang_Phra_Nakhon_Khiri_Historical_Park-Phetchaburi_Phetchaburi_Province.html


http://virtualhistoricalpark.finearts.go.th/phranakhonkhiri/index.php/th/


https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/upper-southern-gulf/phetchaburi-phetburi/attractions/phra-nakhon-khiri-historical-park/a/poi-sig/1243027/357803


https://www.huahin-travel.com/tour/petchaburi-historical-temples-palace-day-tour-with-private-guide


https://www.thaitrainguide.com/excursion-trains/kiha-183/phra-nakhon-khiri-fair-in-phetchaburi/




There you have it.  If you happen to be in any of these neighborhoods, there's some ideas for that little something that's less touristy and a little different.  I always say to get out of the city, and these ideas are no exception.  There's a lot to see and do in major cities like Athens, Bangkok, and Marrakech, but every tour and every person who ever saw a traditional travel show will flood into the cities and their well known attractions like ants to a picnic.  Hopefully, these will give you some ideas for how to do something different and less like everyone else.  These days, the Greek islands and Athens are the top spots in Greece.  Cyprus is rarely even talked about these days, and who's ever heard of Epidaurus?  Safaris are far more advertised in South Africa and Botswana, but they've been guarding the animals in Kenya forever.  Bangkok is one of the most popular cities to visit in South Asia, but the whole country is amazing.  Don't think you have to see all the most popular tourist spots.  Travelers tend to see the most fascinating things in the world, because they're looking for a unique experience.  Be a traveler.  Look beyond the tourist realms and enjoy!

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