Post a landmark photo!

[~Shard~]

My dad lived in Budapest for a while for business. He said he loved it and they have indeed got some amazing shots of the place. It doesn't quite have the allure of Paris in terms of places to be a tourist, nor a couple at Christmas but there's no denying it should be on the list of places to visit.

Regarding the "tourist" comment, yeah, I completely agree, however I guess that's the thing - I am not a tourist, nor do I want to be considered one when I am traveling. I am a backpacker, and don't enjoy doing the "touristy" things that many people do when they go to places like that. To each their own of course, but I'm more of an adventurer, active traveler, backpacker, whatever you want to call it. For instance, I would loathe sitting on a tour bus all day getting shown the sites on some generic tour. I'll take a hostel over an all-inclusive resort, a safari over going to a zoo, etc. etc. any day of the week.

I haven't really gone near eastern Europe. I may aim to end up there when I do a world trip in a few years.

Eastern Europe is indeed amazing. Let me know when you plan on going and I'll give you all sorts of tips of where to go and what to see, and a lot of out of the way places or things to experience which are the real hidden gems. (Like Czesky Krumlov for instance, as I pictured above in this thread.)

 

[evilernie]

A natural landmark.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park - Calevaras County, CA

(that's me standing at the bottom, and I'm about 5' 11"!)

 

[~Shard~]

Kay, as promised, here are a few shots of Budapest, specifically the House of Parliament on the Danube.

 

[~Shard~]

Oh, and one more aerial shot as well...

 

[2nyRiggz]

Nice pics indeed...beautiful.


Bless

 

[Abstract]

Regarding the "tourist" comment, yeah, I completely agree, however I guess that's the thing - I am not a tourist, nor do I want to be considered one when I am traveling. I am a backpacker, and don't enjoy doing the "touristy" things that many people do when they go to places like that. To each their own of course, but I'm more of an adventurer, active traveler, backpacker, whatever you want to call it. For instance, I would loathe sitting on a tour bus all day getting shown the sites on some generic tour. I'll take a hostel over an all-inclusive resort, a safari over going to a zoo, etc. etc. any day of the week.

I don't think most people under the age of 30 would travel like that, or at least they would never travel like the way you described most of the time, so don't worry, you're definitely not alone in this respect.....

 

[~Shard~]

Nice pics indeed...beautiful.

Thanks man - what can I say, I love traveling. It makes you a better, more well-rounded person from my experience. I'm going to see as much of this great world as I can.

I don't think most people under the age of 30 would travel like that, or at least they would never travel like the way you described most of the time, so don't worry, you're definitely not alone in this respect.....

To each their own of course, but you just miss out on so much by not experiencing the real culture, history, country and people that you can through backpacking and taking the road less traveled. Staying in some cushy hotel in the middle of a commercialized area is not a way to truly experience and understand a far-away land. But perhaps that's just me.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Man, with all the wonderful images I am seeing from around the world (and at home), I am getting more excited for my upcoming travels (to Reykjavik and London at the end of this month).

Something magical to me in seeing these "older" cities laid out for viewing. Sort of the felling I get in travels in the desert SW of the US. Seeing petroglyphs left by those that first inhabited the US.

Here are some more from my trip to Chicago. This time from the top of the Hancock building during a rainy day.

 

[cdover]

A few Philippine landmarks

San Agustin Church, Manila.

Completed in 1606. It was the only building left standing after the Battle of Manila, it has also survived 7 major earthquakes and other wars. World Heritage Site.​

 

[cdover]

Continued...

2. Vigan City

Found in the north of the Philippines, it is the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial city. It is also a World Heritage Site.​

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Thanks man - what can I say, I love traveling. It makes you a better, more well-rounded person from my experience. I'm going to see as much of this great world as I can.

I know that feeling. Had a wonderful time visiting SF and Chicago last year. As I mentioned I am doing Reykjavik and London later this month, so I am looking forward to my first trip outside of the US since I was brought back from West Germany as a two yo. The travels last year gave me such a broader experience of the people and the cities I visited. I relish in meeting the SF Twins on my last night in SF. Being in Chicago when they won the game that got them to the World Series can't be beat IMO.

Working retail, I am used to "chatting it up with people". Friends and lovers that I have traveled with in the past hated me for this. But I guess it is the influence that Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie" left me back from my HS days.

I will add this; for those that for one reason or another find that their travels may end up being solo, and hesitate in doing them - don't! Last year I found out that traveling alone makes you more "approachable" by the locals. In a few weeks I will find out if this works overseas. Based on comments I have gotten from others - it should.

I was reminded by my boss that I also had requested St. Patrick's Day weekend off. So I am planning on some travel just two weeks after returning from Iceland and London!

Tempted to stay with the original idea of either NYC, Boston, or Chicago. But even more tempted to cross "The Big Pond" again and do Dublin (IR not OH ).Found some wonderful sites that allow for great last minute travel deals.

So maybe the above might just be tossed out the window, and a long weekend in Las Vegas might be in the cards (sorry for the bad pun ). Always lamented on my last three or so trip to Vegas that I never did the Dam Tour, or took the flight to the Grand Canyon, or the flight over Vegas itself.

To each their own of course, but you just miss out on so much by not experiencing the [b[]real[/b] culture, history, country and people that you can through backpacking and taking the road less traveled. Staying in some cushy hotel in the middle of a commercialized area is not a way to truly experience and understand a far-away land. But perhaps that's just me.

You are sounding bit like Rick Steves from PBS fame. In my upcoming trip, I am trying to find a balance between the two. There are things that I want to see as a "tourist" and there are things that I want to see as a "local".

Not sure that I am quite ready to do the backpacking thing, at my age (and current physical condition) I like even "basic" comforts. But in Steves' "Backdoor Europe" books, it possible to do both.

So often "tourists" want to do all the "favorite" restaurants. But that can get expensive. But good meals can be had in the morning at a B&B that you stay at. And at places the locals go to. Otherwise "picnic" lunches and dinners can add to the "flavor" of the country that you are visiting.

Add to that B&B's in the past here in the States have been a great way for me to discover off beat things. And living in the DC area, to realize that not everything is so cut and dry.

Reminds me of a story in one of Steves's books. He commented on how well the US did in medals compared to the Netherlands. His Dutch hostess remind him that was true, but when compared to each countries populations, the Netherlands did quite well.

Sorry for the ramble. But some may get the "wanderlust" feelings to visit some of the places pictured here. I just wanted to give the opinion that it is possible - without breaking the bank.

In my case, my intended travels are paid for by frugal shopping for my daily needs. I very seldom eat out now. I look for overtime at work. I question each dollar I spend for stuff at home. Sometimes it means some research.

Example: My flight to Reykjavik leaves from BWI. I live in Fairfax, VA. My first thoughts were that I could drive myself and pay for parking in a satellite lot. Or pay the price for a airport shuttle. For giggles and grins I decided to see if our Metro could get me to BWI. Guess what? For under $5 each way I can a MetroBus and MetroRail to BWI each way! Sure, I could do the trip in half the time. Yet, with gas and parking that cost would be $54 at least. The airport shuttle would be about $30 each way. I just gave myself about $50 extra to spend on my trip, while giving me some time to relax and read up on where I am headed!

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Sorry for the quick second post here.

But for those that are wanting to get the most out of their travel pictures, note that (at least for me) the images that had the most impact were those that has unusual view points (high or low).

 

[AlBDamned]

To each their own of course, but you just miss out on so much by not experiencing the real culture, history, country and people that you can through backpacking and taking the road less traveled. Staying in some cushy hotel in the middle of a commercialized area is not a way to truly experience and understand a far-away land. But perhaps that's just me.

I would agree - backpacking, from what I've heard, is fantastic. My girlfriend was doing it for 5 months before she came here - all through south America, chile, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil (not in that order ). I've yet to do it as I'm on a fairly solid career path for the time being, but I will do it.

However, we went to Paris over christmas for a city break for three days . We ate in some great and very, very french restaurants (quite embarrasing at one stage as my French can be well below par sometimes!) but also hit the sites as when I was last there i was on business for a couple of days and before that I was too young to appreciate things like the louvre or even the spectacular views for the Tower, the walks and everything else. Oh yeah, and it was about -3. Believe me I was more than happy to back go to our cushy hotel at the end of the days!

Also: Budapest looks stunning.

 

[Abstract]

To each their own of course, but you just miss out on so much by not experiencing the [b[]real[/b] culture, history, country and people that you can through backpacking and taking the road less traveled. Staying in some cushy hotel in the middle of a commercialized area is not a way to truly experience and understand a far-away land. But perhaps that's just me.

No no no, I meant that I don't think people under the age of 27-30 actually sleep in hotels, or at least they don't on most of their travels (unless they have to), and so I definitely don't think you're alone in the hostel and backpack respect.

I will add this; for those that for one reason or another find that their travels may end up being solo, and hesitate in doing them - don't! Last year I found out that traveling alone makes you more "approachable" by the locals. In a few weeks I will find out if this works overseas. Based on comments I have gotten from others - it should.

Yeah it makes you more approachable, or at least it's easier for you to make friends since you have more pressure to go out there and meet people rather than fall back on your already existing friends. I don't always travel alone, but I have been to around 15-20 countries alone and it has always worked out. I came to Oz alone, and it's not like I don't have friends here, so no worries.

Sometimes it gets a bit lonely though, but sometimes being alone is good too.

 

[Abstract]

Anyway, am I the only person who has all his travel photos on film? They're all processed, but not "digital."

I just realized how little I have in terms of photos, but here are 2 more.


I was on the beach/island with only aroune 10 other people, and they were on the other side of it. I had never felt that alone, not even on vacation. It was really nice. We even sailed there. The other photo is from Oxford, England. Oh, I also went to a town that was completely on stilts, standing in the water.

I think you can figure out which photo was taken where.

 

[~Shard~]

I will add this; for those that for one reason or another find that their travels may end up being solo, and hesitate in doing them - don't! Last year I found out that traveling alone makes you more "approachable" by the locals. In a few weeks I will find out if this works overseas. Based on comments I have gotten from others - it should.

You're absolutely correct. I think you'll find it an excellent experience.

So maybe the above might just be tossed out the window, and a long weekend in Las Vegas might be in the cards (sorry for the bad pun ). Always lamented on my last three or so trip to Vegas that I never did the Dam Tour, or took the flight to the Grand Canyon, or the flight over Vegas itself.

Funny you should say that - I was just in Vegas at the beginning of January for CES (and AVN ) on a "guys trip", and it was funny to see the different styles of travel. They all wanted to do the all-you-can-eat buffets, drink lots, gamble, blah blah blah. As for me, sure, I gambled (won a few hundred $$$ on the poker tables actually!), but I ended up essentially being the only one who wanted to walk the strip (shudder, gasp, exercise, being active!), take a tour of Hoover Dam, fly over the Grand Canyon, try out cool little restaurants (there's a great sushi place in The Aladdin), and that type of thing. As I said before, everyone's different, and has a different sense of what is fun to them, but I was very happy that I could do so much of what I enjoy in a place that is arguably one of the most "touristy" places one can go.

You are sounding bit like Rick Steves from PBS fame. In my upcoming trip, I am trying to find a balance between the two. There are things that I want to see as a "tourist" and there are things that I want to see as a "local".

<snip>

In my case, my intended travels are paid for by frugal shopping for my daily needs. I very seldom eat out now. I look for overtime at work. I question each dollar I spend for stuff at home. Sometimes it means some research.

Actually I'm not quite as extreme as you might think - I would say I strive for a balance as well, but am more frugal than anything. Similar to your example, it's even just little things - "street smarts", if you will. We were in the Mayan Riviera for a friends' wedding, and did the whole all-inclusive thing. Everyone wanted to go to Coba (Mayan ruin site), and found out the resort would have a tour bus come and get us, right at the resort, take us there, blah blah, for only $80 USD. Well, myself and my wife did some research, and found out entrance to the site was $30 CAD, and we could catch public transportation down there for about $2 CAD. GUess what we did, ad guess what the "tourists" did.

It's all about being smart with your money. In Australia we treated ourselves many times. Our last days in Sydney we stayed in a 4.5 star hotel in Daring Harbor - but we found a deal on it for only $90/night. We also took a 3-day 3-night sailing trip throughout the Whitsunday Islands on a 127-foot 100-year old tall ship, which was quite exclusive, but amazing.

It's all about being smart with your money. Stay at hostels when you can. Don't use EuroRail, it's a rip off. Eat where the locals eat, because you know those are good places - don't eat on the main drag, because those are the tourist traps and have higher prices and not good a quality of food. Things like that. Go to the local supermarket and pick up food there, you can have cheap breakfast and lunch for days for $20. I could go on and on.

 

[~Shard~]

I would agree - backpacking, from what I've heard, is fantastic. My girlfriend was doing it for 5 months before she came here - all through south America, chile, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil (not in that order ). I've yet to do it as I'm on a fairly solid career path for the time being, but I will do it.

I hope you do get to experience it at some point. It's quite a liberating feeling having all you need on your back for a few months and living off that. Makes you think about all the "stuff" you have back home and really puts things nicely into perspective.

Also: Budapest looks stunning.

It is one of the nicest cities I have ever traveled through - and that's saying a lot. Highly recommend it. I find the history of Eastern Europe far more fascinating than that of western Europe myself (Austro-Hungarian Empire, The Hapsburgs, The Holy Roman Empire, etc.) and I feel that many people don't recognize and appreciate just what rich history exists over there. Truly amazing!

 

[~Shard~]

No no no, I meant that I don't think people under the age of 27-30 actually sleep in hotels, or at least they don't on most of their travels (unless they have to), and so I definitely don't think you're alone in the hostel and backpack respect.

Oh I understood you the first time, I was just making a point in general - sorry for any confusion. Yes, I agree with you.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Funny you should say that - I was just in Vegas at the beginning of January for CES (and AVN ) on a "guys trip", and it was funny to see the different styles of travel. They all wanted to do the all-you-can-eat buffets, drink lots, gamble, blah blah blah. As for me, sure, I gambled (won a few hundred $$$ on the poker tables actually!), but I ended up essentially being the only one who wanted to walk the strip (shudder, gasp, exercise, being active!), take a tour of Hoover Dam, fly over the Grand Canyon, try out cool little restaurants (there's a great sushi place in The Aladdin), and that type of thing. As I said before, everyone's different, and has a different sense of what is fun to them, but I was very happy that I could do so much of what I enjoy in a place that is arguably one of the most "touristy" places one can go.

On my first trip to Vegas, I made plans from the get go to visit Redrock Canyon. We got there, and the Park Ranger said it was nice that we broke free from the casinos to visit the park. I told her that the park had been on my list from day one of my travel plans. She apologized, and said that most come to visit only after losing most of their money in the casinos, and have little other options as to how to pass time.

Actually I'm not quite as extreme as you might think - I would say I strive for a balance as well, but am more frugal than anything. Similar to your example, it's even just little things - "street smarts", if you will. We were in the Mayan Riviera for a friends' wedding, and did the whole all-inclusive thing. Everyone wanted to go to Coba (Mayan ruin site), and found out the resort would have a tour bus come and get us, right at the resort, take us there, blah blah, for only $80 USD. Well, myself and my wife did some research, and found out entrance to the site was $30 CAD, and we could catch public transportation down there for about $2 CAD. GUess what we did, ad guess what the "tourists" did.

Much like in Iceland. In making plans, I asked about the "tours" to Blue Lagoon from the B&B. Turns out renting a car is cheaper than taking one of these buses, and you then get to go where you want afterwards.

It's all about being smart with your money. In Australia we treated ourselves many times. Our last days in Sydney we stayed in a 4.5 star hotel in Daring Harbor - but we found a deal on it for only $90/night. We also took a 3-day 3-night sailing trip throughout the Whitsunday Islands on a 127-foot 100-year old tall ship, which was quite exclusive, but amazing.

It's all about being smart with your money. Stay at hostels when you can. Don't use EuroRail, it's a rip off. Eat where the locals eat, because you know those are good places - don't eat on the main drag, because those are the tourist traps and have higher prices and not good a quality of food. Things like that. Go to the local supermarket and pick up food there, you can have cheap breakfast and lunch for days for $20. I could go on and on.

Maybe you or I should start a smart travelers thread. Listing great ways of saving money around the world on our trips.

 

[~Shard~]

Maybe you or I should start a smart travelers thread. Listing great ways of saving money around the world on our trips.

I'd be up for it man - let me know if you want to put something together.

 

[Clix Pix]

I think a lot of people could benefit from this, even if they don't necessarily use ALL the tips....

Well, for me, when I went out to SF, I tried, I REALLY tried, to keep my luggage/stuff I was taking to a minimum, having followed Chip's advice and checked out the website he recommended..... OK, so I didn't quite make it this year, but maybe NEXT trip I take I'll get things down to that one 20" carry-on bag.... Problem is, though, that guy on the website isn't addressing photographers or computer junkies. I could not, simply would not, travel without my camera gear (and we're not talking P&S here) or my computer gear (PB)....so that took care of two bags right there: the carry-on (filled with camera equipment) and the "personal item" (laptop bag).... never mind the bag filled with clothes that I checked through....

 

[Lau]

One I took in Barcelona in the summer of La Sagrada Familia. I took a film camera, so it's a shocking scan, sorry.

 

[whocares]

10 UK culture points for non-UK resisdents who know this landmark.
It's a bit blurry, but for an hand-held 1/2 sec. shot, it's not too bad.

 

[~Shard~]

10 UK culture points for non-UK resisdents who know this landmark.
It's a bit blurry, but for an hand-held 1/2 sec. shot, it's not too bad.

I can't gauge the size of it, but my first thought was it looked a little like the Millennium Bridge in London, but that would be too easy....

 

[whocares]

I can't gauge the size of it, but my first thought was it looked a little like the Millennium Bridge in London, but that would be too easy....

The size is pretty deceptive in the pic, you realy need to see it with a train on it (<-- hint ).