Re "musical talent of a vacuum cleaner" Mel and Kim, fine, but Modern Talking??? Come ON! The discos of Europe would have been joyless affairs indeed without their brilliance.
Same experience I'm not surprised at all. I've been driving through Slovenia twice or three times per year for many years and I've been fined on more than 50% of my trips. I had the impression too that Slovenian cops don't like foreigners too much (especially Serbians). In the end I've got so fed up that I decided to drive through Hungary instead.
VIVA SAMMY! Marco, mate, you're one of the most bizarre bloggers I've ever came across. I don't think many would come out with something like this. Anyway, thanx for bringing back sweet memories to me. Moreover, it was hilariously written!
1. she lives with her long-time lover and showbiz agent.
2. she's a born again christian, and very devout.
3. she came third in a poll of the UK's most attractive older ladies, behind Davina McCall (2nd).
My bedroom's wall were completely covered in Europe's posters when I was about 8... I loved them... I wanted to be Mrs. Tempest...
I don't think you're strange, Marco, just have to find someone who shares your life style... she's out there, I'm sure... but hopefully she won't look like Samantha Fox... hahaha!!!
Have fun in Sri Lanka!!
Meryl Berkham I fancy myself an free spirit, but in truth I am not really adventurous. I'm of the 'better to plan for the worst and hope for the best' set. So when I came across West with the Night by Meryl Berkham, I thought this was the most incredibly adventurous pioneer woman and writer. The quote of living a lifetime and not knowing youself was so profound. All the distractions keep us from really knowing ... ourselves. That's why I love a good run, riding my horse, a bike ride on a fall day, or a trek up in the Colorado mountains with no distractions except... myself. Ride On! I enjoyed your blog.
Re: to Chel I guess that, had I invented the whole lot, I would not publish those comments suggesting that that might be the case...
Anyway, in no point of my story I did state that Gambia was not decent...
Marco
my experiance was different i have traveled Africa wide but i must say with honesty that i have found the Gambia one of the most decent tourist destinations. i may not refute this story, but i really can never tell that this is or could be close to the truth.
if i may ask, how long have u been in the Gambia and how many more interviews did you conduct to warrant you portraying the image of the country on the WWW in this manner?
Hmmmm. i doubt if this story was not manufactured in your own room....
cycling And as an avid cyclist (both road and MTB), i did lots of kilometres in Slovenia, Italy (mostly in Alps and around Trieste), Austria and Benelux countries. I really enjoyed reading your different posts as one time I was planning to do similar trip to Asia... and actually, i can agree with what you wrote in this post, especially under slavic infrastructure and german mentality...
But... cycling on highways? I'm not pro-authority, but this is really no go. And it is signed, that is forbidden to cycle or go slower than 50kmh. And I wouldn't do it just because of my own safety. Cycling paths in Slovenia are not good or non-existant (except in a few tourist places), and thats a real shame. But, that road that you are refering is not the only reasonable way to get from Hungary to Maribor, and actually, this highway is new. This highway has a side road (old main road), which is empty of heavy truck traffic (due to the highway you got on). Actually all highways on your way to Italy had a side-road. Probably a few km more than highway, but still... this used to be "old" main road...
There is no excuse for police, and how they were treating you, they should have just warned you, and basically show you a parallel road. I hope you complained and put your post to the tourist office. And i'm really sorry that it happened to you. But riding on highways is still a no-go. Wherever in Europe you are...
Canoe.... Thanks Marco, I was thinking about doing a canoe trip next year... But you scared me now... I'm very glad you are still around to write the story. My little world would miss your stories from another world.
Just got back from an amazing bicycle trip through Marocco! Did 1000 kilometres and crossed the high atlas.... I feel proud of myself, very much alive and happy!
Lot's of love from Belgium,
your friend,
Vanetsa
Great Blog! Very Nice blog Marco.
I am from the USA and have family that came to the US in the early 1900's from Raiano Italy. The family name is Arquilla. Spelled Aquilla in Italian I think! They even have a creek named after them here called Arquilla creek. I have never been to Italy before and I just loved the pictures you have posted. It makes me feel a little closer to family that is so far away. Keep blogging!! Jamie
Re: To Sniffandsnore Thanx Rich, it was my pleasure to meet you all. In the end I decided not to go to Pulau Weh, did some research and it seems that november-february is rainy season over there. Heading back to Thailand, instead. Take care and keep up with the training.
The chubby, long-haired little boy of the picture is me back in the '70s. Today I look a bit different, but deep down I kept the same level of suspicious curiosity. I Travel in no hurry and this blog is the instrument to tell my story. I'm not english mother tongue, so please be indulgent with any grammatical/structural awkwardness you might stumble upon.
ITALIANO
Ecco il link alla versione italiana del mio blog: Marcoelitaliano... full info
Jabe
John McCabe
Re "musical talent of a vacuum cleaner"
Mel and Kim, fine, but Modern Talking??? Come ON! The discos of Europe would have been joyless affairs indeed without their brilliance.