bali is were i want to live im a 59 yr old aussie bloke and proud to be an aussie,ive lived and worked hard all my life in west aust ive got 4 kids and 6 grand kids that i love with all my heart.trouble is im not happy living in aust anymore because ive seen it all here and am at the age the only thing that keeps me going is my kids and grankids,australia cannot offer older people like me any happiness anymore the people that run this country are all fukwitts were the people in bali only want to smile and enjoy life balineese people love australians because we spend our money there and by doing so they make a living ,most balinese people feel so bad about the bomings that happened and the indonesian police will do every thing in there power that it wont reacure.i want to live the rest of my life in bali.
Hi Notleonardo Thanks for the message. It was great to hear it wasnt just me who had problems with the taxis there. I guess since you payed them you got a great experience but unfortunately I have little patience for people trying to rip me off so I just went it alone and perhaps didn't have as fulfilling experience as I could have. Although the taxi driver I did end up was nice and seemed keen to show me everything. Glad you enjoyed my blog. Sorry no more planned anytime soon.
very nice country I my name is santiago i luck the best coutry
yo soy un ispano desde las fotos que veo es un paiz lleno de paisajes verdes,con la gente mas cordial para los turistas
no importa la dimencion de la tierra ,con lo que tiene a los abitante es los mas que cuenta para que en el futuro ,sea una de las ciudades con el cual podria el pueblo contar para la futuras generaciones,que lo gosen la paz y el empenio por seguir adelante el pueblo logra llegar acia la meta
Albania Your blog provided a wonderful contrast with our time in communist times -1987. then all travel was group travel. there were virtually no cars as there was no private transport. Tirana was still noisy because the camber on the roads was so poor. There were no private restaurants no restaurants and only three hotels and a few grimy cafes.
Girokaster was Hoxha's home town and the only one where the shops had glass in the window. Well done.
When WWII ended in May, 1945, we were south of Munich at the alpine mountain city of Obersalzberg
where Hitler and many of his subordinates had summer mansions. We moved into the one owned by
Hermann Goring. Earlier, we had liberated the concentration camp at Dachau and part of my unit stayed
there to help care for it. We only stayed in Goring's mansion a few days after which we returned to
Dachau where we lived in the village of Unterweikertshofen north of Dachau. There we lived in a large
4 story home that was said to have been first built by a Count. I think it is now a quest house.
Palestinian Taxis Hi,
First of all, brilliant blog! It's great to finally read one that is well written, informed, balanced, and lined with historical notes as well as incidental travel details. I discovered yours whilst reminiscing about my own European/Middle East adventure (April - June 2008). Yours is an incredibly enjoyable read.
Reading your encounter with the Palestinian taxi drivers brought a smile to my face. I too decided to venture into the Palestinian territory alone, and was confronted with the massive bank of taxis you mention. I initially had the 'owner' of a raft of them negotiate the price with me (in much the same way you mention - seems the haggling needs to involve a brochure and then some kind of heated argument), before he shipped me off to 'his cousin'. This cousin then brought out the brochure again and tried to get more money. I told him I'd give him extra regardless - I knew his boss/cousin would get most of his fare anyway, so long as he just took me where I wanted to go and was nice, he'd get his money. Suddenly his whole attitude changed, he was deeply grateful, and then offered to take me home for lunch to meet his wife. I politely declined, but then we got talking about the troubles he and his family face living in Palestine (particularly in regards to their treatment by the Israeli government).
He asked me my opinion of the issue - I told him I can't pretend to know the full story, although I know that what the Western media tells me is less than the whole truth. He smiles, and then tells me about 'what they do' to the Palestinians. After taking me to the Church of the Nativity (and waiting for an hour and a half), he then offers to take me to a UN refugee camp just outside Bethlehem.
I ended up having lunch with a Professor of International Conflict, the head of the Refugee Camp (a student who studied in the US but returned home to help his people)and a member of the UN. They confirmed for me the sanctions and terrible conditions imposed upon the Palestinians - again, things you never hear about. What they told me about the children is something that still makes me shudder.
It was an incredible day.
As I tried to return to the Israeli side, I was held up at the border crossing due to a 'malfunction' on the Israeli side. It seems there are many malfunctions, leading to many delays in allowing Palestinians trying to conduct cross-border business (and the unlucky stray tourist) from getting through. In 40 degree heat, in a small little cage for 22 hours, I came to understand the frustration many of them feel every day.
I understand completely what you mean about the rudeness of the taxi drivers - the boss/cousin was a downright bastard, and if I hadn't offered more money (which made my journey inordinately expensive) my only experience would be a resoundingly negative one. But many of these people have no other means of income other than tourism (whilst every Israeli told me not to go to Palestine as it is 'full of terrorists')... and the economic sanctions (including drip-feeding the people water, so they are unable to grow crops) are slowly suffocating them. I guess I was able to understand why the taxi drivers have come to be so demanding in financial terms - when your family are at risk, you will try anything. Sadly, their heavy-handedness only makes the tourists more inclined to stick with the Israeli tourist buses: a catch 22 indeed.
I don't mean to impugn your already-balanced and accurate depictions of Palestinian travel; what you write is completely true of my own experiences also! I am still neither pro-Palestinian nor pro-Israel - I can definitely still see both sides of this sad coin. But hopefully the above might add another small layer to the tapestry of your tale. What is happening there is incredibly sad, no matter which side of the fence you sit. Hopefully, in a land soaked an a bloody history, a little forgetfulness and peace might somehow find a way.
Sorry for the long, rambling post - but congratulations again on a wonderful blog. It's a pleasure to read, and I'm looking forward to reading more. Thanks!
Cheers,
Notleonardo.
A response... Hi Yvonne
Sorry for the ridiculously late reply but I don't check my travelblog much these days. I hope any info I give isn't too late. Unfortunately I didn't stumble across any decent places to eat while in Belarus. They were mainly old soviet style serveries which weren't very good. However in Minsk I went to a nice cafe/restaurant on the main street. I can't remember what it was called but it seemed in that main area there were plenty of places to try. As far as telling people why I was there, I just told them the truth, I was curious to see it and I am the type of traveller who will go anywhere. I didn't say anything about being part of the old soviet bloc as I didn't know how people felt about it. I think if you're going there out of curiosity, that's your best excuse. If there's anything I can't stress enough, it's to familiarise yourself with some Russian. Honestly, the language barrier was the most strenuous part of trip. Anyway I hope this helps if it's not too late and I hope you have a great trip
A question... So where can you eat, where there will be good traditional Belorussian/Russian food?
I also wish to know what exactly you said to everyone who asked you why you came to their country. I am going soon and don't want to offend anyone.
Thanks for your time and your report.
kool I love bali more than any other place, here you can get druck and almost naked, have sex in your hired car on road side, I wish I can live there and have a living, bali is life, its sexy, intoxicating, pure, fresh, naked, lovely, wet, drunk, dancing, rocking, relaxing, ......
Wrong facts Hi Alex. Thanks for your feedback.. I wouldn't like to think I was givng the wrong information as I usually try and get it pretty right but in the midst of the hustle and bustle of travel there's always chances of getting things wrong.. Can you tell me what I got wrong so we can all know??
Isn't it a strange report....hmmmm I have just checked a couple of facts related to Minsk in the net. I was really surprised, that many facts the author gave in the report appeared to be totally wrong. Isn't it a strange report....hmmmm
Estonia Had the great fortune of getting to go to Estonia for a military training event. Fell head over heels in love with the place and it's people. Very affordable. Being there was like stepping back in time. Would recommend anyone spend some time in Tallinn, Narva, and Paldiski...while in Paldiski ensure you take mosquito repellant, we almost got eaten alive.
Definitely a country I'd love to go visit again.
Explanation for Die Belgrader First of all, why are you calling me an American? I'm NOT American, I'm Australian, so I have no idea what its like to carry an American Passport or anything about the righteous/mesianic/judgemental genetics that Americans apparently have and I don't have Tivo! Secondly I never asked anyone to "explain" themselves to me. When I travel I like to educate myself on things and I wanted to find out more about the Siege of Sarajevo. The Bosnians were happy to tell me all about it but I didn't want to just have stories and opinions from one side. I was interested to hear a few things from Serbians also. I do this to avoid having "biased, pretentious and unchecked ideas of the right or wrong that has to be pre-applied on that place/people". I think that opinions and experiences from locals are far more interesting than anything that could be read in a history book. That is the connection. If you had bothered to read my previous blog from Bosnia, then you would've seen that. I wasn't out to insult anyone or push for anymore detail than anyone was willing to give and I didn't intrusively harass people for anything. I always tread lightly with these types of matters as I understand they are sensitive issues. I admit that the way I wrote about it being a problem to not get information may not have been the best way to put it but I wasn't hassling people like a journalist or anything. I don't have any relation to the event I just have an interest in history. I think the main reason people were sending me so much hate mail is because of the less than flattering view I gave the city. Perhaps I was comparing too much or maybe it was because I wasn't in the best mood when I wrote the blog. I again admit is probably was a little harsh and I can fully understand why locals would be upset. However I'm still not going to change my opinion and say I liked the place. So sorry all Serbians find me offensive but this is travelblog, a place where a traveler can write their opinions and their experiences of travel. If you don't like it, don't read it. Just out of curiosity Die Belgrader, you say you're both a native Belgrader and a shitty American citizen, where is it you live? So that's it, I don't feel I need to explain myself any further.
Think , Mr. Nomad ... think! Well, in the best intention and hope, Dear Mr. Nomad that this comment from a native of Belgrade, who also happen to be a fellow, shitty american citizen (you know how it is - carrying the US passport around the world in this century) , will not be deleted, I will take a freedom to remin you on something. When you come in to the completely foreign country, which you do not have any social, cultural or blood ties with, and all that with a thoroughly peculiar (or, it may come from the righteous/mesianic/judgemental genetics most americans are born with) biased, pretentious and unchecked ideas of the right or wrong that has to be pre-applied on that place/people, putting them all in the default position to "explain" themselve to you ... well, then you could hardly avoid being call the unfortunate names!
Since you already went in that direction, can you please explain to the respected readers of this post what is the relation between Serbian and Bosnian Muslim history in Sarajevo with your Belgrade travel post? Do you have some personal agenda to take care of? Are you married (or girlfriended by) to a Bosnian Muslim? Are you somebody involved professionaly (NGO?) with a politics in the Balkans? Is the 90 % muslim albanian quasi-state of Kosovo next cross you will try to crussify the christan Serbs on? Please explain yourself, we are eagerly waiting for your answer.
PS: Please don't go to Greece and try to "explore" the "other side" of Greek - Macedonian issue. It just wouldn't be healthy. You are an American ... stick to your TIVO!!!
Its All True, Have Been There Too However, luckly my husband is Belorussian, so it was not has bad as Camo's visit, I am orginally from New Zealand but have lived in Oz for last twenty years. I have now been to Belarus probably 5 or 6 times now... and still its an interesting place to visit...my advice to any one considering a visit is to definitely learn a little russian especially how to pronounce the alphabet to string the letters together ...communication if only basic will at least get better assistance from the locals...I really enjoyed reading this blog...Happy Travels
The guy who talked about phone company card is very wrong. I'm Estonian and they are very cheap here. He is wrong about the public phones also. True, most of Estonian are using cellphones now, but still.. You can get a public phone card with 1-2 Euros, so i don't see how is that a ripoff.
Hope you liked Estonia!
Peace!
Thanks Hello Usama. Thank you for your kind words about my photos. I am afraid I never got to your beautiful beaches because I wasn't there for a long time. Good to hear about the women in your country, the taxi driver must have been exaggerating. I really enjoyed Oman and hope to return one day.
interesting Salam Alikom Cam
my name is Usama from Oman, I was searching the web looking for some photos of Bahla fort, I found your photos in Google and guess what these photos are the best photos of Oman's forts! thank you for all the nice words about Oman and its people, it would be great if you added something about Oman beaches as we are blessed with the cleanest and most beautiful beaches on the planet. by the way, in Oman women are also "free' (what we pay for them is a gift that is used for buying gold clothes ) half of the working force in Oman are women, they own businesses and drive cars and they are head of minisrties, ambassadors, CEOs in big companies :)
Bird in the hand We have several amazing pictures of birds in Moscow last summer who crawled up my husband's legs and begged for food. Your cute picture reminded us of that day which was so much fun!
Catching up. Hey mate, just catching up on your blog! Looks like you had a fab time! You still back in England, or have you headed off again. Don't forget us poor folk back in Olney! Keep in contact my friend.
After spending two years in Europe, I've shifted my attention to South America.
I'm currently living in Rio de Janeiro and will be here indefinitely teaching English.
Hopefully I'll be able to get around to see some of the continent.... full info
des
non-member comment
bali is were i want to live
im a 59 yr old aussie bloke and proud to be an aussie,ive lived and worked hard all my life in west aust ive got 4 kids and 6 grand kids that i love with all my heart.trouble is im not happy living in aust anymore because ive seen it all here and am at the age the only thing that keeps me going is my kids and grankids,australia cannot offer older people like me any happiness anymore the people that run this country are all fukwitts were the people in bali only want to smile and enjoy life balineese people love australians because we spend our money there and by doing so they make a living ,most balinese people feel so bad about the bomings that happened and the indonesian police will do every thing in there power that it wont reacure.i want to live the rest of my life in bali.