Travel Talk > Likes and Comments

This thread is for all things travel related. Where have you been? Where are you going? Favorite Airline? Know a good hotel or AIRBNB/VRBO? Whats the worse part about travel? The Best?

Thank you, Jennifer. Anyone know of a good medium priced hotel in Oslo, Norway, or in Helsinki, Finland?

I stayed at the Thon Hotel near the Spectrum. It's within walking distance of the one square. Its easy to take the bus.

Thanks, Jennifer. I googled Thon Hotels. They have a lot in Oslo. I had never heard of them before

Stan wrote: "Thanks, Jennifer. I googled Thon Hotels. They have a lot in Oslo. I had never heard of them before"

It was a funky place. Nice though. Rooms are small, the purple striped zebra print carpet in the hallway was odd... Room was two twin beds. Very comfy. Bathroom was tight. Clean. All clean. It was undergoing renovation of its dining area, so breakfast was at the bar next door. Breakfast was freaking amazing.

We went to the National Museum and looked at the Scream. We also saw the Viking Ship and Fram Ship museums. My son liked those the best. They have the actual Fram Ship that you can walk in.

We made our annual trip to visit my sister in Malta for Christmas. I came home with a cold as usual.

We're going to Porto for a long weekend for a wine fair at the end of February, then my sister is coming here for a canal boat trip in Wales right after Easter.

Jennifer, I think it you name this to something without channel in the title it might get more visitors - some people might think it's about an actual channel they don't have (at least, that's what I thought at first).

Gertie wrote: "Jennifer, I think it you name this to something without channel in the title it might get more visitors - some people might think it's about an actual channel they don't have (at least, that's what..."

Any suggestions? I just named it Travel Talk...

Heading to Calgary next month to visit my sister. We have no plans per say...but I am sure we will do a little something. During my last visit we finally made it out to Vulcan. It was a fun day.

Jennifer wrote: "Any suggestions? I just named it Travel Talk..."

I loves me some alliteration.

I'm kind of hoping to go NOWHERE this year. I just want to save money, work on the house, and avoid stress as much as possible. Though I wouldn't say no to another girls' weekend with Jennifer and Nancy. :-P Trips that involve my driving somewhere and not hiring a petsitter are the best kind for this point in my life.

That said, in the last year I've realized I actually do want to do some international travel in upcoming years when I am able. (It all comes down to money and pet care, but ideally I'd have people to travel with too.)

Just curious what you all think are the BEST most AMAZING places to visit?

There's one advantage of dogs. While cats, in general, require less intensive care when you go away, I would never have found a sitter the way I did if my pet had been a cat.

I came home for a month, with my dog in kennels, and when I picked her up, a 23kg dog had easily lost 5kg. A man I hardly knew except that we walked around the park together twice a day, said "she's not going back there, again. Next time you go away she can stay with me." Now he's my best friend, and his dog is my dog's best friend :-)

Gertie wrote: "Just curious what you all think are the BEST most AMAZING places to visit?"

The next one? Honestly, I just love to travel, and every place is great. I don't think there's a country I've been to where I'd say "I'm not going back there", but there are so many places I still want to see.

That's a nice way to find a petsitter! Luckily my local best friend has filled in a little when she can - she took care of him on Thanksgiving day when my petsitter could only do the day before and after.

Cats are fine for a couple of days, unless they need 3 bajillion medicines two times a day, on schedule. He's worth it, it's just... tricky.

Gertie wrote: "Just curious what you all think are the BEST most AMAZING places to visit?"

Domestically, San Francisco is a must visit. Soo much to do.
Alcatraz. Cable cars. They have two seater go carts that are programmed to see some of the views. Easy access to Sausalito and Oakland.

In the US the two places I really want to see (that I haven't yet been to) are San Francisco and New Orleans. New York was also amazing.

Derek wrote: "In the US the two places I really want to see (that I haven't yet been to) are San Francisco and New Orleans. New York was also amazing."

Been to all
1 SF
2 NY
100 NO

in my humble opinion

Really? I had such high hopes for NO

Gertie wrote: "Just curious what you all think are the BEST most AMAZING places to visit?"

There is a good reason people visit the capitals of Europe. London, Paris, and Rome are just amazing. Other wonderful places include Prague, Lisbon, and Madrid, but other than capitals the most amazing place I've visited is Florence, Italy. To stand in the basilica of Santa Croce that contains the tombs of Galileo, Dante, and Michelangelo is very moving.

Derek wrote: "In the US the two places I really want to see (that I haven't yet been to) are San Francisco and New Orleans. New York was also amazing."

Here is an itinerary. Take BART to Market and Powell. On the
west side there is a kiosk where you can purchase a day pass on all the public transportation. Next, take the above ground trolley east to Embarcadero Station. Get off and look north. You should see the cable car station on California Street. Take the cable car up the hill and get off at Stockton. You'll be in Chinatown, a good place to eat lunch. After the visit, walk up to Powell and catch the Hyde Street cable car (Mason Street is the other one.) It will take you to Beach Street Park. If you walk west you will arrive at Ghirardelli Square where you can buy the world's best chocolate sundae. After that, head to the shore along Jefferson Street (just north of where the cable car stopped) and walk to Fisherman's Wharf. Try some sour dough bread and a shrimp cocktail. At Jefferson and Taylor you can catch a motor coach to Coit Tower where you will get a beautiful view of the harbor and Alcatraz Island. Take the coach back to Fisherman's Wharf and catch the trolley to the Embarcadero. You will get back to Market Street where you can catch BART. This will take all day.

Thanks for that Stan. I will actually be in San Francisco in July. Its a quick trip. My son, my mom and myself are all going to see Green Day, they are touring with Wheezer and Fall Out Boy. Its the Hella Mega Tour.

Gertie, I would just love to get together again. I am thinking of ways . This concert came up and my son purchased our tickets. We are using miles to fly down and still have to figure out our way back.

Jennifer wrote: "My son, my mom and myself are all going to see Green Day"

I thought "your mom's up for Green Day—awesome!" Then realized that given you have a 20ish son, your mom's probably about my age...

Stan wrote: "Here is an itinerary. "

That sounds great. Now where am I going to store that for when I really need it?

I want to see Venice next year (we're vaguely planning a wine trip to that approximate part of Italy), and another European capital I loved is Vienna. "The" European capitals, Strassbourg and Brussels, are also special.

Derek wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "My son, my mom and myself are all going to see Green Day"

I thought "your mom's up for Green Day—awesome!" Then realized that given you have a 20ish son, your mom's probably about..."
Hy Derek, Brussels is cool. You have to look at Manneken Pis and his clothes and also walk into the Atomium. I've seen both when I was about 7 or 8 and never forget the view.

Jennifer wrote: "Gertie, I would just love to get together again..."

Me too!

Derek wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "My son, my mom and myself are all going to see Green Day"

I thought "your mom's up for Green Day—awesome!" Then realized that given you have a 20ish son, your mom's probably about..."

Don't worry Derek, he is just turning 19...although my mom had me when she was 17... and yes, my mom is cool. She took me to my first concert, Black Sabbath w/ Quiet Riot opening. Although she is more interested in Fall Out Boy....I have no idea why...I of course am all in for Green Day.

Not sure we’re to put this but it sounds like a perfect job for a retired couple or young people with no responsibilities except themselves (no kids):

https://wgntv.com/2020/01/15/irish-is...

One can also be a campground host for the National Parks service :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/vip/hostl...

https://www.google.com/search?q=blm+c...

Each state has their own info.

Jennifer wrote: "One can also be a campground host for the National Parks service :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/vip/hostl...

https://www.google.com/search?q=blm+c......"

That doesn’t give you free room and board though.

What is a campground host?

Nancy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "One can also be a campground host for the National Parks service :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/vip/hostl...

https://www.google.com/search?q=blm+c......"

You take care of a campsite and can stay there for free. I had looked some years ago and thought you received a stipend.

Nancy wrote: "Not sure we’re to put this but it sounds like a perfect job for a retired couple or young people with no responsibilities except themselves (no kids):https://wgntv.com/2020/01/15/irish-is..."

"Sorry, this content is not available in your region."

Shortsighted! It just forces people to look elsewhere.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/great-bl...

Fox & WGN region block (I can't even see the home page of wgntv.com!), CBS doesn't. It's particularly silly, since, before the Internet, I watched WGN from practically every province in Canada!

I wonder how far it is to the nearest library...

Probably Dingle, 18km to Coumeenoole, closest village to Great Blasket Island. No worse than my trip from my Nova Scotia home to the library, except for the boat trip!

Since I work with the Marching Band, I was able to be in NYC for the Pinstripe Bowl, so I just extended my stay. Third time being there for me, but first for the SO. We had a good time, I obviously made sure to visit the mecca, The Strand Bookstore, and bought two books. LOL! We will be traveling to CO this summer for my son's bday, since he will be there with his dad this summer. So we are trying to find cool things to do there, that we didn't get to do a couple years ago when we were there. Thoughts? I want to visit the Wolf Sanctuary, but SO thinks we would be eaten. LOL

There is no evidence of anybody ever being eaten by wolves in North America. Of course, the wolves are careful to destroy the evidence...

Derek wrote: "There is no evidence of anybody ever being eaten by wolves in North America. Of course, the wolves are careful to destroy the evidence..."
They are sneaky animals, leaving no evidence behind...

Derek wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Not sure we’re to put this but it sounds like a perfect job for a retired couple or young people with no responsibilities except themselves (no kids):https://wgntv.com/2020/01/15/iris..."

That’s odd they would do block it by region.

Jennifer wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "One can also be a campground host for the National Parks service :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/vip/hostl...

https://www.google.com/search?q=blm+c......"

I haven’t gone camping in years. Most of the campground hosts say it’s for volunteers. They probably don’t pay a stipend anymore.

If I lived near a national park, it would be fun to volunteer but not if it involved camping.

Nancy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "One can also be a campground host for the National Parks service :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/vip/hostl...

https://www.google.com/search?q=bl..."

When I say camping, I mean with a camper/trailer. I can't do a tent any longer...

Jennifer wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "One can also be a campground host for the National Parks service :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/vip/hostl...

https://www.google.c..."

It better be a nice camper. I can’t do tent camping anymore either.

Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in color.

Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in color."

Ouch

Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in color."

Wow

Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in color."

Lame. And I am shocked at the cost of the visas.

Jennifer wrote: "Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in c..."

I had to fly to China some years ago, for my work. Had the luck my company did all for me. Was my first time to fly in a A380.

Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in color."

Wow!! Getting visas here was much easier and cheaper.

Esther wrote: "Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in c..."

I am sure it had to do with trade issues. As do obtaining International Health Certificates for pets. Its all about trade.

Esther wrote: "Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passport must be in c..."

Apparently it depends on which consulate you have to deal with. Ours is the Los Angeles office.

Stan wrote: "Esther wrote: "Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license and the passpo..."

Stan, in light of recent events are you still planning your China trip?

Jennifer wrote: "Stan wrote: "Esther wrote: "Stan wrote: "Still working on getting our China visas. Total cost for two people-$630. We had all the paperwork, but it turns out that the copy of the driver's license a..."

So far, but obviously that might change. I just learned that Mongolia is canceling some flights and putting restrictions on visitors, so that's another negative. We don't arrive in China until April 19, so we still have some time. I've have free cancellation for the hotels in China, so that is not a problem. And if we can enter Mongolia but not China.... Kazakhstan anyone?