Travel Tips for You

Now that my wings are clipped while I'm saving for the next trip, it is a good time to share a few travel tips that may make your next trip even easier. I highly recommend a computer product called GoToMyPC. In every country that I travelled, I was able to use a local computer to update my blog and check my messages. The beauty of GoToMyPC is that it brings up the exact computer screen that you have at home when you go online and it allows you to perform all of the functions that you would if you were at home, including accessing your phone book and files, replying easily to emails, printing, etc. It made all the difference for me. If you're interested, log on to gotomypc.com. Customer service is outstanding, the entire process and company is very savvy about international travel, and it costs only $20 a month. Also, you are not locked into a contract. I've stopped the service and will start again whenever I travel........Second recommendation - a product called Everglades Outdoor Protective Clothing Treatment Insect Repellent. You use it to make any clothes that you have bugproof. This is especially important to avoid malaria carrying mosquitos. I almost bought BuzzOff clothing that has a built in repellent but they are outrageously expensive. Everglades treated clothes have the exact same protection that BuzzOff advertises. Also Everglades works and it stays on your clothes through five washings!!! I was the only tourist that I saw in Peru who wasn't covered in bug bites. I found mine over the internet.........Third, don't hug! Being a southerner I want to hug everyone. In Africa I was sadly saying goodby to my guides and hugged one of them. He responded by grabbing my butt. Hugs, just don't translate as well......Finally, this last idea is from my Virginia friend Bill - instead of bringing candy to give away to kids, bring children's flavored vitamins to hand out. There is so much malnutrition in some countries that even this small effort helps.....That's all for now - and happy trails from Ramblin Me

Egypt on Hold for Now

Sadly the trip to Egypt is on hold until the Muslim political situation calms down. Even though I received word from the Egyptian consulate that everything is fine there, the news is telling me the opposite. All the furor over the cartoon of Mohamed in a Danish newspaper seems to be escalating. I think Sue's advice to wait 6 months is sound. Thanks to all who helped me research this!!
In the meantime, I'll be hiding out on Valentine's Day to stay away from all of the reminders that I don't have a valentine. It's a tough holiday for single folks. For those of you who are coupled - enjoy! Eat lots of chocolate. It's wonderful that scientists are finally acknowledging that chocolate is good for you.
See you next trip. Marion aka RamblinMe

Some of the Gorgeous Carved Statues in Abu Simbel

 

Back to Egypt

The entire time that I travelled through Egypt, people were telling me that it's too bad that I won't be there for the Feb festival at Abu Simbel. Twice a year the sunrise is in perfect alignment with the massive statues cut into the rock - Feb 22 and a day in Oct. Feb is the best because of the cooler temperatures. The alignment is coupled with a huge fair and festival at the site. With the frequent flyer miles I earned from my trip around the world I have purchased tickets to fly back to Egypt, leaving Feb 14. It's a valentines gift to moi! How did you know? It's just what I wanted!
Abu Simbel is in the southernmost part of Egypt - almost at the border with the Sudan. It is far away from any of the other typical tourist sites, so it actually requires a separate trip, at least for me. I currently have tickets for JAX to Cairo and back and also hotel reservations in Abu Simbel. Now I just need to find some way to get from Cairo to Abu Simbel and back. This part seems impossible from the US and may have to wait until I'm actually in Egypt
You are invited to come along for the adventure. Marion

A Final Farewell to India with a Last look at the Taj Mahal in the Mists....

....and an end to my journey around the world. Thank you for travelling with me. Until my next trip. Happy Trails, Marion (aka RamblinMe) 

Mr. Singh, Guide, Driver, Gentleman, Kind Person, and a Wonderful Ambassadore of India and his company, Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd.

 

The Adventure of Driving in India

 

View of the Taj Mahal from the Agra Fort

 

Architectural Details of the Palace in the Agra Fort

Bottom left hand corner shows indentations carved in the walls which cover an entire room. The room served as a "jewel box" for the Shaw's daughter. Each daughter had an entire room to store their jewelry. And I was worried about what to do with all my jewelry........ 

Other Views of the Agra Fort, India

 

The Agra Fort - a Wonderful Surprise Down the River from the Taj Mahal

 

View of the Taj Mahal from my hotel window - Agra, India

 

The Taj Mahal at Sunrise - Agra, India

 

How to Carry Stuff/ People in India

 

Humeyun's Tomb, Delhi, India

This tomb was mentioned in an earlier blog entry. It served as the model for the Taj Mahal. 

Johann, my Guide in Delhi, India, in front of the President's Home

Johann is an exceptional person and guide. He is working as a tour guide to pay for his work towards his PhD. The work involves studying an ancient tribe in a remote area in Northeast India. Johann speaks 5-6 languages (his English and German are better than mine!)
Johann mentioned that the President of India is single - so perhaps there is hope for me. One can always hope! 

Delhi, India from my Hotel Window

 

A Final Pat and it's "Da Svidaniya" (goodby) to Russia and "Namaste" (hello) to India

 

Harley-Davidson, Moscow

A couple of months before I left for this trip, an article appeared in my local paper about Moscow opening its first Harley-Davidson store. No address was given, so finding it turned into quite an adventure. I showed the article to these folks in the store and bought a sweatshirt with "Harley-Davidson Moscow" on it - now my most treasured posession! Bikers Rule! Da! 

One of Stalin's Seven Sisters

"The foundations for the Seven Sisters were laid in 1947 to mark Moscow's 800th anniversary. Stalin had decided that Moscow suffered from 'skyscraper gap' compared to the USA and ordered the construction of these seven behemoths to enhance the city's skyline." from p.159 "Lonely Planet's Russia and Belarius." 

Tethered Eagle at Exit to Red Square- Symbolism? - hmmm!

 

GUM - Moscow's Version of Harrod's - Bring Lots of Money!!!

 

A Wider View of the Kremlin and Lenin's Tomb

 

The State Historical Museum - Red Square - Moscow, Russia

 

Lenin's Tomb - Red Square - Moscow, Russia

Lenin's body has been perfectly preserved in this tomb for 60 years with thousands of tourists filing in to view his body lying on a platform and curtained in black. Lenin has recently been called "Russia's most controversial corpse: a symbolic representation of the old Soviet Union " as well as "a sacrilege," "old communist," as well as "the most revered icon." Currently there is a battle going on between those who want to keep his body on display and those who feel it is time to bury him.
Behind the tomb is the Kremlin Wall. 

A Closer Look at St Basil's Cathedral

 

The One Russian Site Everyone Recognizes!

The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God (St. Basil's Cathedral) in Red Square. The statue in front is named the Memorial to Minin and Pozharsky, 1818. The Cathedral is beautiful, especially when photographed covered in snow (next time!) 

Red Square is Huge! (4-6 football fields?)

In background is the Spasskaya Tower.