Tell us about (66)
Abagail: They always say there is a silver lining... and it seems for you it's a sum of experiences. Those memories are worth more than any material possessions .
Hi Abigail, we did do a bit of conversing on this before. I will get to Ooldea one day. Daisy Bates' experiences and her places are worth looking at what happened all thos eyears ago.
serene56: Well said my friend
Have a ball in Thailand
Watch out for the con artists in Bangkok though, they're pros!
Have a ball in Thailand
Watch out for the con artists in Bangkok though, they're pros!
Thank you, Serene. I am going to try to get away for a weekend before then... I have a friend who wants me to go drinking in Queensland in February. I might try to do that before I go to Thailand. Any excuse for a night out .
Con artists... um, what exactly should I be on the look out for?
wash2u: Hi Abigail, we did do a bit of conversing on this before. I will get to Ooldea one day. Daisy Bates' experiences and her places are worth looking at what happened all thos eyears ago.
It seems so long ago, until you mentioned Daisy ... I had quite forgotten. Although there really is only a plaque there now. Everything has gone. I have a friend who worked for South Australian rail for awhile, who filled me in.
Ooldea doesn't hold as much interest for me as the Flinders Ranges. My parents took me back when I was about 7... I got out of the car and passed out from the heat. I am a true South Australian.
curly28: I bought a little ceremic elephant back from Puhket and he is on my floor in the hall his trunk facing the front door that will bring you lots of luck he's been there for years looking out for me and doing a grand job love elephants too gentle giants. enjoy your holiday I hope to be going to NZ on cruise in feb but due to sale of property maybe March if the seas aren't to wild by then on hold until I know when I am going to move to and when.
I re-established contact with an Aunt this year who I had lost contact with many years ago. I have invited her to my place a few times for lunch, and to my father's 70th. She is so tickled that I invite her to everything, she keeps buying me elephants. She says she sees a sadness in me, which is not like me at all... I think she just catches me being wistful at times. It's very sweet of her to inundate me with elephants though...I have elephant trinkets to wear, on my kitchen window sill, in my lounge room, and in this room too.
( I should be careful about turning my lights out... they might be breeding)
Abagail: Thank you, Serene. I am going to try to get away for a weekend before then... I have a friend who wants me to go drinking in Queensland in February. I might try to do that before I go to Thailand. Any excuse for a night out .
Con artists... um, what exactly should I be on the look out for?
Con artists... um, what exactly should I be on the look out for?
Probably would be a good idea to google it so you're better informed, but just to give you the heads up ..
A ride in a tuk tuk will usually take you in the opposite direction or at least the most roundabout route to where you really want to go. A stop at a 'brother's' jewellery store on the way will be pretty much mandatory.
Just a rip off to get more money out of you for the fare plus hopefully a purchase at the 'family' store.
Beware anyone who is overly friendly when you're out and about, treat all with suspicion (unfortunately) as they will ingratiate themselves on you and before you know it, another scam is under way.
They will suggest such things as finding you a cheap taxi, 'assisting' you to find your way to temples or even telling you that places such as the Grand Palace are flooded/closed so that they can direct you to somewhere more favourable and profitable for them.
It's a shame that Bangkok is notorious for this, but once you get your head around it you'll be fine and will experience one of the most vibrant and intoxicating cities in the world
serene56: Probably would be a good idea to google it so you're better informed, but just to give you the heads up ..
A ride in a tuk tuk will usually take you in the opposite direction or at least the most roundabout route to where you really want to go. A stop at a 'brother's' jewellery store on the way will be pretty much mandatory.
Just a rip off to get more money out of you for the fare plus hopefully a purchase at the 'family' store.
Beware anyone who is overly friendly when you're out and about, treat all with suspicion (unfortunately) as they will ingratiate themselves on you and before you know it, another scam is under way.
They will suggest such things as finding you a cheap taxi, 'assisting' you to find your way to temples or even telling you that places such as the Grand Palace are flooded/closed so that they can direct you to somewhere more favourable and profitable for them.
It's a shame that Bangkok is notorious for this, but once you get your head around it you'll be fine and will experience one of the most vibrant and intoxicating cities in the world
A ride in a tuk tuk will usually take you in the opposite direction or at least the most roundabout route to where you really want to go. A stop at a 'brother's' jewellery store on the way will be pretty much mandatory.
Just a rip off to get more money out of you for the fare plus hopefully a purchase at the 'family' store.
Beware anyone who is overly friendly when you're out and about, treat all with suspicion (unfortunately) as they will ingratiate themselves on you and before you know it, another scam is under way.
They will suggest such things as finding you a cheap taxi, 'assisting' you to find your way to temples or even telling you that places such as the Grand Palace are flooded/closed so that they can direct you to somewhere more favourable and profitable for them.
It's a shame that Bangkok is notorious for this, but once you get your head around it you'll be fine and will experience one of the most vibrant and intoxicating cities in the world
I promise to wear a houndstooth cap and carry a large magnifying glass to look for clues!
Fortunately my sister has been there before... but I already have plans to leave her at the motel the first day, so I can go and get measured for clothes. It will be my little adventure. Seriously??! What's the worst that can happen?? I might make the papers as that Australian tourist that went missing in Thailand. That's kinda exciting.
Abagail: I promise to wear a houndstooth cap and carry a large magnifying glass to look for clues!
Fortunately my sister has been there before... but I already have plans to leave her at the motel the first day, so I can go and get measured for clothes. It will be my little adventure. Seriously??! What's the worst that can happen?? I might make the papers as that Australian tourist that went missing in Thailand. That's kinda exciting.
Fortunately my sister has been there before... but I already have plans to leave her at the motel the first day, so I can go and get measured for clothes. It will be my little adventure. Seriously??! What's the worst that can happen?? I might make the papers as that Australian tourist that went missing in Thailand. That's kinda exciting.
It is but most unlikely
It would not make good press and would severely damage their money-making opportunities
Sorry, not trying to scare-monger, it just makes your trip a bit more pleasant if you're aware
serene56: It is but most unlikely
It would not make good press and would severely damage their money-making opportunities
Sorry, not trying to scare-monger, it just makes your trip a bit more pleasant if you're aware
It would not make good press and would severely damage their money-making opportunities
Sorry, not trying to scare-monger, it just makes your trip a bit more pleasant if you're aware
I agree, and I have been very negligent with googling anything about it. I am letting my drinking friend do all of the research. I have relied on him once or twice on trips before, and he was never led me astray... well not intentionally.
So... I won't make the papers? Phooey... What's a girl got to do to lead an interesting life??!!
Abagail: I agree, and I have been very negligent with googling anything about it. I am letting my drinking friend do all of the research. I have relied on him once or twice on trips before, and he was never led me astray... well not intentionally.
So... I won't make the papers? Phooey... What's a girl got to do to lead an interesting life??!!
So... I won't make the papers? Phooey... What's a girl got to do to lead an interesting life??!!
Throw caution to the winds and take that tuk tuk ride to nowhere
Merriweather: Sounds like a great holiday. You could share some highlights.. I would be interested.
Merri - Off the top of my head, it was about 25 yrs ago! Landing in LA airport was like stepping forward in time, my experience of travelling up to then was within Europe and all its centuries of history etc.
Everything seemed so bright, modern, futuristic almost.
People without exception were so warm, friendly, genuine. Especially in the hospitality areas they are so professional but at the same time made you feel so welcome and relaxed. Nothing was too much trouble.
The standard of hotels/motels brilliant.
Highlights:
The Grand Canyon, top of the list, breathtaking
Hollywood, Beverly Hills - just because you have seen it so much on TV and you are there
Disneyland, just as good for grown ups as kids
San Francisco, so good to look at, gorgeous bridge, Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz
Las Vegas - arrived by coach at sundown, lights of the city appearing like a mirage literally in the middle of nowhere. Surreal, great value in casinos if you don't gamble
Seeing Tom Jones at Ceasars Palace, swoooooooon (he was in his prime
)Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque I think, Cowboy Country, hubba bubba, hot, hot guys
Crossing the border into Mexico, shocking the locals by speaking Spanish
could have stayed there longer .... Just a small taste of USA, was made all the sweeter as I worked for a travel company and got the whole thing, flights, hotels, travel in states at 60% discount - woohoo
Was planning to go back to see more when I came to Australia, and the rest is history as they say .......
I'll get back someday - I know I will.
Merriweather: Sounds like a great holiday. You could share some highlights.. I would be interested.
Merri - Off the top of my head, it was about 25 yrs ago! Landing in LA airport was like stepping forward in time, my experience of travelling up to then was within Europe and all its centuries of history etc.
Everything seemed so bright, modern, futuristic almost.
People without exception were so warm, friendly, genuine. Especially in the hospitality areas they are so professional but at the same time made you feel so welcome and relaxed. Nothing was too much trouble.
The standard of hotels/motels brilliant.
Highlights:
The Grand Canyon, top of the list, breathtaking
Hollywood, Beverly Hills - just because you have seen it so much on TV and you are there
Disneyland, just as good for grown ups as kids
San Francisco, so good to look at, gorgeous bridge, Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz
Las Vegas - arrived by coach at sundown, lights of the city appearing like a mirage literally in the middle of nowhere. Surreal, great value in casinos if you don't gamble
Seeing Tom Jones at Ceasars Palace, swoooooooon (he was in his prime
)Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque I think, Cowboy Country, hubba bubba, hot, hot guys
Crossing the border into Mexico, shocking the locals by speaking Spanish
could have stayed there longer .... Just a small taste of USA, was made all the sweeter as I worked for a travel company and got the whole thing, flights, hotels, travel in states at 60% discount - woohoo
Was planning to go back to see more when I came to Australia, and the rest is history as they say .......
I'll get back someday - I know I will.
Newlife08: Merri - Off the top of my head, it was about 25 yrs ago! Landing in LA airport was like stepping forward in time, my experience of travelling up to then was within Europe and all its centuries of history etc.
Everything seemed so bright, modern, futuristic almost.
People without exception were so warm, friendly, genuine. Especially in the hospitality areas they are so professional but at the same time made you feel so welcome and relaxed. Nothing was too much trouble.
The standard of hotels/motels brilliant.
Highlights:
The Grand Canyon, top of the list, breathtaking
Hollywood, Beverly Hills - just because you have seen it so much on TV and you are there
Disneyland, just as good for grown ups as kids
San Francisco, so good to look at, gorgeous bridge, Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz
Las Vegas - arrived by coach at sundown, lights of the city appearing like a mirage literally in the middle of nowhere. Surreal, great value in casinos if you don't gamble
Seeing Tom Jones at Ceasars Palace, swoooooooon (he was in his prime
)
Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque I think, Cowboy Country, hubba bubba, hot, hot guys
Crossing the border into Mexico, shocking the locals by speaking Spanish could have stayed there longer ....
Just a small taste of USA, was made all the sweeter as I worked for a travel company and got the whole thing, flights, hotels, travel in states at 60% discount - woohoo
Was planning to go back to see more when I came to Australia, and the rest is history as they say .......
I'll get back someday - I know I will.
Everything seemed so bright, modern, futuristic almost.
People without exception were so warm, friendly, genuine. Especially in the hospitality areas they are so professional but at the same time made you feel so welcome and relaxed. Nothing was too much trouble.
The standard of hotels/motels brilliant.
Highlights:
The Grand Canyon, top of the list, breathtaking
Hollywood, Beverly Hills - just because you have seen it so much on TV and you are there
Disneyland, just as good for grown ups as kids
San Francisco, so good to look at, gorgeous bridge, Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz
Las Vegas - arrived by coach at sundown, lights of the city appearing like a mirage literally in the middle of nowhere. Surreal, great value in casinos if you don't gamble
Seeing Tom Jones at Ceasars Palace, swoooooooon (he was in his prime
)
Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque I think, Cowboy Country, hubba bubba, hot, hot guys
Crossing the border into Mexico, shocking the locals by speaking Spanish could have stayed there longer ....
Just a small taste of USA, was made all the sweeter as I worked for a travel company and got the whole thing, flights, hotels, travel in states at 60% discount - woohoo
Was planning to go back to see more when I came to Australia, and the rest is history as they say .......
I'll get back someday - I know I will.
Gosh Newlife... that is so wonderful , yes I think I would gamble if I went to Las Vegas.. mind it sounds wonderful... the experience.. I bet the Grand Canyon was amazing..
I have never been to USA... but have friends who went not so long ago, and they said it was fantastic... they toured for 6 months..
How come you speaka the spanish... ??
Thank you for sharing your story.. I love great travelling stories..
Merriweather: Gosh Newlife... that is so wonderful , yes I think I would gamble if I went to Las Vegas.. mind it sounds wonderful... the experience.. I bet the Grand Canyon was amazing..
I have never been to USA... but have friends who went not so long ago, and they said it was fantastic... they toured for 6 months..
How come you speaka the spanish... ??
Thank you for sharing your story.. I love great travelling stories..
I have never been to USA... but have friends who went not so long ago, and they said it was fantastic... they toured for 6 months..
How come you speaka the spanish... ??
Thank you for sharing your story.. I love great travelling stories..
I am laughing at the Tom Jones... He never has done much for me, but I hope you kept your undies on...
Merriweather: I am laughing at the Tom Jones... He never has done much for me, but I hope you kept your undies on...
Hello Daggy, if I die from an elephant death... I am sure there will be an interesting epitaph. And ... let's face it... I will only do it once.
I went to New Zealand a few months ago, and I only spent a week there... Rotorua and Waitomo ... it's spectacularly beautiful. Lots of bushwalking and no snakes... it's a win/win.
I went to New Zealand a few months ago, and I only spent a week there... Rotorua and Waitomo ... it's spectacularly beautiful. Lots of bushwalking and no snakes... it's a win/win.
Merriweather: Gosh Newlife... that is so wonderful , yes I think I would gamble if I went to Las Vegas.. mind it sounds wonderful... the experience.. I bet the Grand Canyon was amazing..
I have never been to USA... but have friends who went not so long ago, and they said it was fantastic... they toured for 6 months..
How come you speaka the spanish... ??Thank you for sharing your story.. I love great travelling stories..
I have never been to USA... but have friends who went not so long ago, and they said it was fantastic... they toured for 6 months..
How come you speaka the spanish... ??Thank you for sharing your story.. I love great travelling stories..
I worked for an English package holiday company for about 8 yrs, based in Spain for about 6, fantastic, best time of my life so I had done 2 yrs of Spanish at college and picked up the rest. Spent couple of years on Greek Islands, Corfu and Kos, too, leeetle bit greek.
Hasta Luego chica
(see you later gorgeous)
Merriweather: I am laughing at the Tom Jones... He never has done much for me, but I hope you kept your undies on...
You wouldn't believe it but we werein one of the casinos there and found - yes found - on the floor a roll of dollar bills about $150 US if I remember. We tossed up about doing the right thing and hand it in, but we figured the bouncers/security might pocket it?? So we bought tickets for Tom Jones at Ceasars Palace!
Felt guilty about it til I saw Jonesy wiggle his hips, ooh and that voice!
Don't think I wore any undies that night
it was a hot night in the desert in many ways 
daggyone: Didn't a tourist who had an affinity with animals and was studying veterinary science recently get killed by one of those elephants????
Yes, but I believe their guide took them off the 'beaten track' and they stumbled across the elephant after wandering into his 'patch'.
Most organised safaris are relatively safe if instructions are followed. The guides have a healthy respect for the strength and often unexpected appearance and reactions of these wild animals.
When on safari with my daughter in Kenya, the vehicle we were travelling in broke down and we were told to stay in the vehicle until help arrived.
As we sat taking in the surroundings, we heard the men suddenly talking in loud and alarmed Swahili and turned to see a massive male elephant peering through the trees, not 5 metres away from us,
He was gigantic, at least twice the height of a man, his ears flapping as he checked out the scene.
As he was more than capable of flipping the vehicle over and crushing it if he chose, the men hurried us to a nearby stone and cement checkpoint and appointed an armed guard to us, telling us not to move a muscle.
We waited in fearful excitement until eventually we were told the coast was clear, then we all stood and watched the big guy, by now a small speck, amble down the hillside and into the river for a cool off, his curiosity satisfied.
Brilliant story, Serene... THAT experience would have been magic.
More Threads
It's been a long time....
New here. Single Guy from Grand Rapids, MI.
Too many fake profiles here ...
What I Lack In Vocabulary
What Clothes Do You Feel Comfortable Wearing?
"Emotions at the Crossroads"
Name A Book In The Bible That Begins With The First Letter Of Your Name
A question
Reality Check
Heavy Bass In The PM
More Threads
Report threads that break rules, are offensive, or contain fighting. Staff may not be aware of the forum abuse, and cannot do anything about it unless you tell us about it. click to report forum abuse »
If one of the comments is offensive, please report the comment instead (there is a link in each comment to report it).
If one of the comments is offensive, please report the comment instead (there is a link in each comment to report it).
Related Forums
- It's been a long time....
- New here. Single Guy from Grand Rapids, MI.
- Too many fake profiles here ...
- What I Lack In Vocabulary
- What Clothes Do You Feel Comfortable Wearing?
- "Emotions at the Crossroads"
- Name A Book In The Bible That Begins With The First Letter Of Your Name
- A question
- Reality Check
- Heavy Bass In The PM
um... I think I might be a tad obsessed with them.. I have a few lying around my home. I was given another stuffed elephant at my Christmas party last weekend. I mentioned to my Uncle that a man would be insane to get involved with me, he would experience 'trunk envy' with the elephants I have in my bedroom.
I bought a little ceremic elephant back from Puhket and he is on my floor in the hall his trunk facing the front door that will bring you lots of luck he's been there for years looking out for me and doing a grand job