different time has different travl content.
Portland Island, British Columbia, part of Canada's Gulf Islands National Par Reserve, reachable only by private boat or rental kayak from Vancouver Island. Best time to go: April and May.
Deer Isle, Maine. A schooner runs lupine cruises and the annual lupine festival is June 19-21.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. There are paths through marshes and fields, or drive the 16-mile tour loop. Best time to go: April-May.
Homer, Alaska. Visit the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center overlooking Kachemak Bay. Wildflowers like fireweed can be seen in various parts of the state through the summer.
Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada. Visit the Green Gardens Trail and the Lomond River Trail. Best time to go: June-August.
Yellow Island in Washington's San Juan Islands. You can glimpse it from a boat, book a charter or kayak tour to the island from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, or rent a boat at Deer Harbor Marina on Orcas. Best time to go: Late April-Early May.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Take the Bay View Hiking & Ski Trail to Lookout Point. Best time to go: Saturdays in June, when rangers offer free guided hikes
Friday, April 3, 2009
the expecting journey,Chicago
It was a tiring journey and it had just commenced.
We're visiting the great city of Chicago,at the Great Lakes naval training center.n as much as we are already in the area, I decided that we would spend the entire weekend to sightseeing tour of Chicago and other tourist spots that are popular with visitors.
Our place of origin is San Jose, California, and we were driven at San Jcose international airport by my wife's sister. We were early at the airport, and we took advantage of the curbside check-in and had our baggage checked in. We were taking American Airlines on a direct flight to O'hare airport in Chicago. It was an enjoyable four-hour flight. We left at around 1:40 p.m. and we arrived at Chicago's O'Hare airport at around 7:35 p.m. Chicago time. I was seated in the middle of three seats in the back part of the plane, and I kept on ogling at the window right when the we were nearing to land at the airport.
The airport I believe is still very far from the main city. At any rate, I kept my excitement under control. I was thinking, we have all the time in the world right on Friday to see the great city.
the Chicago adventure for the four of us has began. We drove out the huge airport and en route to the hotel that we chose to stay all through the weekend. Driving on the roads and freeways of Chicago was a breeze. The freeways I-294 and I-94 have areas under repair, thus some of the lanes are a bit narrow to my estimation.the clear guide that helped was the maps that I made out from Google several weeks back while I was making preparations for the trip.
It took some trial and error of navigating the roads and highways of Chicago until I was able to adapt to its many nuances and finally, we were able to locate the hotel that we were to stay for the visit.
We're visiting the great city of Chicago,at the Great Lakes naval training center.n as much as we are already in the area, I decided that we would spend the entire weekend to sightseeing tour of Chicago and other tourist spots that are popular with visitors.
Our place of origin is San Jose, California, and we were driven at San Jcose international airport by my wife's sister. We were early at the airport, and we took advantage of the curbside check-in and had our baggage checked in. We were taking American Airlines on a direct flight to O'hare airport in Chicago. It was an enjoyable four-hour flight. We left at around 1:40 p.m. and we arrived at Chicago's O'Hare airport at around 7:35 p.m. Chicago time. I was seated in the middle of three seats in the back part of the plane, and I kept on ogling at the window right when the we were nearing to land at the airport.
The airport I believe is still very far from the main city. At any rate, I kept my excitement under control. I was thinking, we have all the time in the world right on Friday to see the great city.
the Chicago adventure for the four of us has began. We drove out the huge airport and en route to the hotel that we chose to stay all through the weekend. Driving on the roads and freeways of Chicago was a breeze. The freeways I-294 and I-94 have areas under repair, thus some of the lanes are a bit narrow to my estimation.the clear guide that helped was the maps that I made out from Google several weeks back while I was making preparations for the trip.
It took some trial and error of navigating the roads and highways of Chicago until I was able to adapt to its many nuances and finally, we were able to locate the hotel that we were to stay for the visit.
Trekity trek trek
It's full of life now as its the Poi Sang Long festival, where young boys are ordained as Monks. They are dressed in bright robes and flowers and are paraded through the streets on peoples shoulders. There has been music and singing since 5:30 this morning! So there seems plenty to do here so plan to stay for a week maybe, haven't decided what to do after, there are so many places I want to see and I don't think I'll manage in 3 weeks so may extend my stay here.
Well here I am in Pai, a town in the mountains about 4 hours from Chaing Mai. I only really spent 1 day in Chaing Mai, checking out the markets and went on a river cruise to a fruit farm. On Monday I went on a 3 day jungle trek. Me, trekking I hear you say!? Yep me! It was really hard and had I realised just how hard it would be I may not have done it but am so glad I did. The first day we went on an Elephant trek, feeding them as we went through the jungle. I really loved it being so close to the Elephants. After lunch by a waterfall we set off up the mountain, about 2 hours up hill in 30 something degree heat!
It dam near killed me! We spent about 4 hours walking the first day arriving at a Karen village where the hill tribe people live. The local children sang for us and we stayed the night there. There was a group of about 10 of us. The next day we split into 2 groups, 4 of us doing the 3 day trek , the others doing 2. The second day wasn't so hard but still we walked about 4 hours stopping in a rice field for lunch. In the afternoon we arrived at the jungle camp, had a dip in the river and chilled out in the hammocks. It was so nice, dinner was cooked by our guide, probably the best food I've had so far in Thailand. The next day we walked again about 3 hours and then went bamboo rafting down the river which was brilliant, a nice way to finish 3 days walking. Of course I'm still aching now! So yesterday I left Chaing Mai and took a bus to Pai. I was recommended here as it has a really lively live music scene.
Well here I am in Pai, a town in the mountains about 4 hours from Chaing Mai. I only really spent 1 day in Chaing Mai, checking out the markets and went on a river cruise to a fruit farm. On Monday I went on a 3 day jungle trek. Me, trekking I hear you say!? Yep me! It was really hard and had I realised just how hard it would be I may not have done it but am so glad I did. The first day we went on an Elephant trek, feeding them as we went through the jungle. I really loved it being so close to the Elephants. After lunch by a waterfall we set off up the mountain, about 2 hours up hill in 30 something degree heat!
It dam near killed me! We spent about 4 hours walking the first day arriving at a Karen village where the hill tribe people live. The local children sang for us and we stayed the night there. There was a group of about 10 of us. The next day we split into 2 groups, 4 of us doing the 3 day trek , the others doing 2. The second day wasn't so hard but still we walked about 4 hours stopping in a rice field for lunch. In the afternoon we arrived at the jungle camp, had a dip in the river and chilled out in the hammocks. It was so nice, dinner was cooked by our guide, probably the best food I've had so far in Thailand. The next day we walked again about 3 hours and then went bamboo rafting down the river which was brilliant, a nice way to finish 3 days walking. Of course I'm still aching now! So yesterday I left Chaing Mai and took a bus to Pai. I was recommended here as it has a really lively live music scene.
Ruins of Ephesus: goddess Nike to St. Paul
EPHESUS, Turkey,its islands in the Aegean Sea, the ruins in Ephesus, but left in ruins by pestilence and earthquake.
Carved into the stone walkway are the likeness of a woman's head, a left foot and a bird; it is said to be an ad for the local brothel. A tunnel from the remains of the venerable, two-storied Library of Celsius was connected to the same house of pleasure.
intricate mosaic-tiled floors remain in what were once were homes. In Domitian Square, a ground-level relief portrays a flight of the victory goddess Nike, her draped garment swooshing into the shape used in the modern sportswear brand.
The public lavatories provide an eye-opening glimpse into the social life of the era. Lines of marble-seated toilets form a right angle at the sides of what was once a pool; it was here that the ancients gathered and swapped gossip while they also attended to their personal business.
Along the side, Remains of an aqueduct and the Temple of Artemis (one of the ancient wonders) mark the way to this early center of Christianity, where archaeological restoration continues. But it takes little imagination while walking amid the ruins to envision yourself among its toga-donned denizens of nearly 2,000 years ago. While the remains of colonnaded temples, the ornate fountains of Trajan, and a library that once held 12,000 scrolls draw your focus, it is wise to look to the ground as you move on.
Carved into the stone walkway are the likeness of a woman's head, a left foot and a bird; it is said to be an ad for the local brothel. A tunnel from the remains of the venerable, two-storied Library of Celsius was connected to the same house of pleasure.
intricate mosaic-tiled floors remain in what were once were homes. In Domitian Square, a ground-level relief portrays a flight of the victory goddess Nike, her draped garment swooshing into the shape used in the modern sportswear brand.
The public lavatories provide an eye-opening glimpse into the social life of the era. Lines of marble-seated toilets form a right angle at the sides of what was once a pool; it was here that the ancients gathered and swapped gossip while they also attended to their personal business.
Along the side, Remains of an aqueduct and the Temple of Artemis (one of the ancient wonders) mark the way to this early center of Christianity, where archaeological restoration continues. But it takes little imagination while walking amid the ruins to envision yourself among its toga-donned denizens of nearly 2,000 years ago. While the remains of colonnaded temples, the ornate fountains of Trajan, and a library that once held 12,000 scrolls draw your focus, it is wise to look to the ground as you move on.
Monday, March 30, 2009
a really successful travelling
This was the day for us to leave Kaifeng. Leaving the hotel we had lived for two nights, we got to the last destination in this pretty city. We went to the government office of Kaifeng of Sung. That was not real and built by the RPC government. But I think it was a really successful travelling spot amount the others in Kaifeng. There was a show about Bao Zheng killing the law of son of the king outside the building. It had only shown a little part of the show and the rest was left in the inner city. We got in and had the show seen. The funny part of it was that the theme song the spot used was from Taiwan, which was a popular song amount the Chinese. I wonder that they should have created their own song. After the drama, Jackie and I wanted to buy Bao�fs hat, it was black and it could show the others that you are the government officer when you wear it in Sung dynasty.
There was another popular show that the tourist can join. The staff there would ask questions to us and choose three people to join their exam, just as the past. The first one would be given a prize and then kidnapped by another actor, which was forcing him to get marry with his daughter. There were two of us chosen to take the exam and Michael was the winner. He was then taken away and we found him was going to get marry with a pretty girl. The MC there was a funny man and able to keep us excited by giving out poem which was immediately thought. Having seen all the shows, we had a brief free time to walk thought the place and I finally brought a local product of Kaifeng, embroidery, from the souvenir shop before we left.
After travelling two spot and having communicated with the local people, we finally came to our staying place. That was not a hotel, but an activity centre for the elders. I thought the service there was pass, except we had no hot water to bath so I took my first cold water bath for since last 2 years. That night we had a group presentation to the teacher and Ms.
There was another popular show that the tourist can join. The staff there would ask questions to us and choose three people to join their exam, just as the past. The first one would be given a prize and then kidnapped by another actor, which was forcing him to get marry with his daughter. There were two of us chosen to take the exam and Michael was the winner. He was then taken away and we found him was going to get marry with a pretty girl. The MC there was a funny man and able to keep us excited by giving out poem which was immediately thought. Having seen all the shows, we had a brief free time to walk thought the place and I finally brought a local product of Kaifeng, embroidery, from the souvenir shop before we left.
After travelling two spot and having communicated with the local people, we finally came to our staying place. That was not a hotel, but an activity centre for the elders. I thought the service there was pass, except we had no hot water to bath so I took my first cold water bath for since last 2 years. That night we had a group presentation to the teacher and Ms.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
do you expect a special travel？
Hier meld ich mich also mal wieder. Seit meinem letzten Eintrag waren wir alle aifs'ler zu zehnt in Auckland abends ein Bier trinken und wollten eine gratis tour durch die stadt machen. hat aber nicht geklappt also sind wir auf eigene faust mit der faehre auf die gegenueberliegende
do you expect a special travel？
Anschliessend war ich mit Lisa ein Konto eroeffnen. Gar nicht so einfach und die nette Japanierin haelt uns jetzt wohl fuer nicht soo schlau!
Spaeter haben wir dann eine Tour in die Northlands gebucht, Nordkap und sand-duenen rodeln ist morgen dran!
Nachdem ich mir ne coole Pornobrille gekauft habe haben wir zu abend gegessen und am naechsten morgen sind Lisa und ich von unserem voluminoesen Tour guide abgeholt, die den spitznamen Hoobs hat und der ich kreativerweise den spitznamen Boobs verpasst habe. Haha.
Auf der Fahrt nach Paihia hielten wir an einem echt alten Baum (Zitat "Hug a tree, its a free activity" was wir natuerlich auch gleih taten) in einer irre coolen Bucht mit Strand an einem Wasserfall und dem Klo eines beruemten Designers. Ueber letzteres habe ich mich mehr gefreut als man es vielleicht denken mag.
do you expect a special travel？
Anschliessend war ich mit Lisa ein Konto eroeffnen. Gar nicht so einfach und die nette Japanierin haelt uns jetzt wohl fuer nicht soo schlau!
Spaeter haben wir dann eine Tour in die Northlands gebucht, Nordkap und sand-duenen rodeln ist morgen dran!
Nachdem ich mir ne coole Pornobrille gekauft habe haben wir zu abend gegessen und am naechsten morgen sind Lisa und ich von unserem voluminoesen Tour guide abgeholt, die den spitznamen Hoobs hat und der ich kreativerweise den spitznamen Boobs verpasst habe. Haha.
Auf der Fahrt nach Paihia hielten wir an einem echt alten Baum (Zitat "Hug a tree, its a free activity" was wir natuerlich auch gleih taten) in einer irre coolen Bucht mit Strand an einem Wasserfall und dem Klo eines beruemten Designers. Ueber letzteres habe ich mich mehr gefreut als man es vielleicht denken mag.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
my tour diary
last time,I missed the tour opportunity because my an financial exam.
I said in the last entry, after a disappointing few days in Montevideo we were only too happy to make our way back to Buenos Aires so we could continuejin on around Argentina.
Had a pretty normal last couple of days if that's at all possible. A lot of class! Its actually getting in the way of a lot of things they have asked us to do with our host familys. The only time I have to socialize with people other than peace corps is at night when you cant go outside alone and a few hours on weekends. I was looking through the schedule and it looks like I don't have any chance to go to the market or probobly ride on a bus or taxi. Which are probobly two of the most important things I need to know so I don't get ripped off buying food and getting transportation. It was nice to talk to my family and know that they are just as upset as I am if not more. I am getting better at understanding the patois...a little, but I am not very good at speaking. I said some words to brooks on the phone and she said I sounded australian. A guy here whos host dad and him just sit around playing cards and listening to his one cd of bob marley on repeat is picking it up pretty well. I think that might be b/c the only thing he hears at home is patwa. Yesterday we went to the ministry of health and port royal. Port Royal is where all the pirates including black beard and captain morgan are from. During an earthquake back when there were still pirates half of the city fell into the city. The jamaicans were talking about some guy who was swallowed up by the earth and then spit out unharmed. We also saw morgans resturant or something where Dr. No was filmed. After that we meet with some people at the ministry of health.
at last,we enjoy ourselves as the exciting boating tour.
I said in the last entry, after a disappointing few days in Montevideo we were only too happy to make our way back to Buenos Aires so we could continuejin on around Argentina.
Had a pretty normal last couple of days if that's at all possible. A lot of class! Its actually getting in the way of a lot of things they have asked us to do with our host familys. The only time I have to socialize with people other than peace corps is at night when you cant go outside alone and a few hours on weekends. I was looking through the schedule and it looks like I don't have any chance to go to the market or probobly ride on a bus or taxi. Which are probobly two of the most important things I need to know so I don't get ripped off buying food and getting transportation. It was nice to talk to my family and know that they are just as upset as I am if not more. I am getting better at understanding the patois...a little, but I am not very good at speaking. I said some words to brooks on the phone and she said I sounded australian. A guy here whos host dad and him just sit around playing cards and listening to his one cd of bob marley on repeat is picking it up pretty well. I think that might be b/c the only thing he hears at home is patwa. Yesterday we went to the ministry of health and port royal. Port Royal is where all the pirates including black beard and captain morgan are from. During an earthquake back when there were still pirates half of the city fell into the city. The jamaicans were talking about some guy who was swallowed up by the earth and then spit out unharmed. We also saw morgans resturant or something where Dr. No was filmed. After that we meet with some people at the ministry of health.
at last,we enjoy ourselves as the exciting boating tour.
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