Topic: People of the World...
vivian2981's photo
Fri 01/04/13 08:36 PM

thanks Viv.. good to know.. :thumbsup:

if it's not too personal.. why don't you get to go anywhere?
I know I couldn't for a very long time cuz I was a single mom and well.. let's just say it was all on me to take care of my kids.. and of course a few health hurdles as topping.. so I didn't get to start again for almost 20 years.. but I never lost the wanderlust *sighs*love


Oh it's not too personal...I run around the southwestern states some and I traveled a bunch when I last worked. I have the time now, just not the money. Where I want to go..like you, is Australia and New Zealand..it's far too expensive.

no photo
Sat 01/05/13 06:44 AM
maybe you can make friends with someone down-under and possibly stay with them?? all you'll need then is airfare and pocket money.. OR bring along a pup-tent (they don't really weight anything and will fit into a good sized suitcase :thumbsup:

like I said.. will=way :banana:

vivian2981's photo
Sat 01/05/13 07:09 AM
:smile: maybe..you never know.

Kahurangi's photo
Sat 01/05/13 07:33 AM


I wanna and am gunna do Europe in 2015. The Rugby World Cup is being held in England that year, so it's a good enough excuse for me to get my behind over there and check Europe out. Seriously...i'm fascinated with all that history they got going on over there.

And hey...i'll be happy to show you around down under if and when you decide to make the trip across. I think you might like the diversity of Melbourne...tis one big melting pot of different cultures. Truly...tis like venturing into mini countries as you pass through various suburbs.

But if a true blue outback experience is what tickles your fancy...then you can't go past the Northern Territory and its vastness. I particularly like the laid back tropical city of Darwin and its colourful people (hippies...although they call them 'alternative lifestylers' these days...*ahem*) which looks out over the East Timor Sea and the contrast of the outback as its back yard, where you can experience such wonderlands as Kakadu and its aboriginal rock art which has been dated back thousands of years...believe me when i say that it is truly a privilege Z, if not an experience, as you walk through that land where they walked thousands of years before. Then there is Litchfield National Park which has some of the most beautiful rockpools and waterfalls in the middle of nowhere that will simply take your breath away. Most of the rockpools are safe to swim in, although there are freshwater crocs swimming in these pools, but they're so timid that you never see them. The salt water crocs or 'salties' as they're referred to, are the buggars you just don't want to mess with. But apart from all that...i consider the Territory as my winter escape. I'll post a few pics...when i can find what i've done with them :-)




WOW surprised it ALL sounds amazing K.. drool how long do you think it would take to see it ALL?? not talkin racing thru things either.. I'm gettin old ya know laugh laugh

2015 Europe? where? as mentioned above I've been to some.. however I'd be up for the UK.. but yer on yer own for the sport thang noway


It would take at least a couple of months to see it ALL at a leisurely pace...there are 5 States to cover...which is Victoria (note, that the whole of New Zealand can fit into the state of Victoria alone), South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales plus the Northern Territory which also covers Central Australia and then there's the island of Tasmania, which is a 45 minute flight out of Melbourne and quite similar to New Zealand. So it really depends on how much time you want to spend checking it all out.

I can't miss out on watching my beloved All Blacks defend their world cup title, but i wouldn't make you suffer through the atmosphere of a stadium full of various cultures screaming for their team to win. I will cheer for Canada on your behalf though...as long as they're not playing the All Blacks ;-)

My grandmother was Irish, so Ireland is definately on the hit list whilst there. England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland are apparently a stones throw away from each other, so i kind of like the idea of driving around for a week or so checking out various historic castles and points of interest such as Stonehenge and Loch Ness whilst enjoying the local fare and bevies on offer at Pubs & Inns, before skipping across to France, Italy and wherever else i can fit 6 weeks into.

Kahurangi's photo
Sat 01/05/13 07:35 AM
Yep..where there's a will there's always a way.

Good philosophy to have. :-)

no photo
Sat 01/05/13 07:43 AM
I noticed you're in Texas.. here's another thought at cheaper.. typically you can find fairly cheap flights within the US.. how bout grabbing a cheaper one to LAX (Los Angeles) then catch a 2-3stop flight to Melbourne.. it runs about $1600 for a 1 stops.. and about $1500 for a non-stop to Sydney.. not an expensive alternative..

Kahurangi's photo
Sat 01/05/13 07:44 AM
Canada has always been interesting to me. Untouched wilderness plus cosmopolitan living...what a contrast that must be! And i would love to check out a sugar shack and try one of those frozen maple syrup on a stick things :-)

no photo
Sat 01/05/13 07:54 AM


It would take at least a couple of months to see it ALL at a leisurely pace...there are 5 States to cover...which is Victoria (note, that the whole of New Zealand can fit into the state of Victoria alone), South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales plus the Northern Territory which also covers Central Australia and then there's the island of Tasmania, which is a 45 minute flight out of Melbourne and quite similar to New Zealand. So it really depends on how much time you want to spend checking it all out.

I can't miss out on watching my beloved All Blacks defend their world cup title, but i wouldn't make you suffer through the atmosphere of a stadium full of various cultures screaming for their team to win. I will cheer for Canada on your behalf though...as long as they're not playing the All Blacks ;-)

My grandmother was Irish, so Ireland is definately on the hit list whilst there. England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland are apparently a stones throw away from each other, so i kind of like the idea of driving around for a week or so checking out various historic castles and points of interest such as Stonehenge and Loch Ness whilst enjoying the local fare and bevies on offer at Pubs & Inns, before skipping across to France, Italy and wherever else i can fit 6 weeks into.


months?? surprised maybe after retirement AND selling ma house!

what would you say is the MUST SEE places though.. even though everything probably would be..

yes.. I've gone emoticon crazy

ooooooooooooh YES.. those are ALL the I wanna go(oops.. forgot Wales on ma list though slaphead ) that sounds JUST marvelous.. although not sure I can do 6 weeks.. I could probably do 2 to 3.. maybe arrive in London then head back from Paris?? there's a thought huh

no photo
Sat 01/05/13 08:10 AM

Canada has always been interesting to me. Untouched wilderness plus cosmopolitan living...what a contrast that must be! And i would love to check out a sugar shack and try one of those frozen maple syrup on a stick things :-)


then you'll LOVE where I live!! I'm about 5 mins away to ONE sugar shack and only 20 mins to another.. they're EVERYWHERE here although typically the maple syrupy stick yer lookin for happens only in February

you'd be VERY welcome here too.. I have space if you wanted too crash OR tent.. I live in a kind of isolated place.. no neighbors bigsmile but only a short jaunt into one of Canada's biggest metropolises, MONTREAL.. you'd LOVE that place.. easy access by car, subway OR bus.. just let me know gurl..

motowndowntown's photo
Sat 01/05/13 06:48 PM


We have a very rich soft ice cream, some call it frozen custard, it has a lot more butter fat in it than regular ice cream.

Wisconsin was once the dairy state. Still have lots of farm land.

Most of the old time Milwaukee brewerys left long ago. Miller/Coors
is the only one left. There are a few micro brewerys sprouting up, and a few brew pubs. In some areas it seems there is one or two bars on every corner.

Wisconsin also has some very nice vacation spots with plenty of lakes for fishing and woods for hunting.


AWEsome!! thanks for sharing mowtown.. this is quality stuff to know.. you can always add more if you think of anything else :thumbsup:

was there any places you'd like to visit?


I have an old friend in Caracas I'd like to visit.
I'd also like to see the twenty-four hour race in LeMans,
the Normandy beaches, and of course the Louvre in Paris.

Kahurangi's photo
Sun 01/06/13 03:32 AM
Edited by Kahurangi on Sun 01/06/13 03:34 AM

months?? surprised maybe after retirement AND selling ma house!

what would you say is the MUST SEE places though.. even though everything probably would be..

yes.. I've gone emoticon crazy

ooooooooooooh YES.. those are ALL the I wanna go(oops.. forgot Wales on ma list though slaphead ) that sounds JUST marvelous.. although not sure I can do 6 weeks.. I could probably do 2 to 3.. maybe arrive in London then head back from Paris?? there's a thought huh



One of the swim-able rockpools in the Territory





Waterfall and small lake around the same area



This is Aggro, who is 6.4 metres of crocodillian bags and shoes. He lives on the Adelaide River in the Territory. Obviously this shot was taken from being aboard a very BIG boat that takes you on a cruise up the Adelaide River to feed the jumping crocs. I quickly developed a very healthy respect for crocodiles after experiencing that!



One of the many pieces of aboriginal rock art at Jabiru, which is located within Kakadu National Park. Kakadu is part of Arnhem Land, which belongs to the Aboriginal people, as does most of the Northern Territory, including Darwin.



The Northern Territory is a definate 'must see', but is better to go during the dry season, which is our winter and your summer. The average temp during the dry season is around 33c.



Kahurangi's photo
Sun 01/06/13 03:50 AM
Apologies for the size of the pics...

no photo
Sun 01/06/13 09:14 AM
surprised WOW... aMAZING!
pics are TOTALLY fine by the way K.. and simply gorgeous.. I could see myself sittin on one of the rocks, smokina doobie 'n soakin it allllll in.. VERY NICE! love the art and the cruise idea.. I love cruisin bigsmile

holy CROC-A-DOO batgirl.. that suckers HUGE noway you don't wanna be teasin those suckers huh.. whoa...

I'd probably want to spend at least 2 days(1 or possibly 2 nights) in each major city though..

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin & Perth.. is there any major cities in the Queensland area I missed? plus of course Tasmania and New Zealand.. which area are you closest to??

I see what you mean though, that I'd need a couple of months ta see it all.. phew

no photo
Sun 01/06/13 09:15 AM

I have an old friend in Caracas I'd like to visit.
I'd also like to see the twenty-four hour race in LeMans,
the Normandy beaches, and of course the Louvre in Paris.


nice.. any plans on when you might travel 'n where first?

motowndowntown's photo
Sun 01/06/13 09:44 AM


I have an old friend in Caracas I'd like to visit.
I'd also like to see the twenty-four hour race in LeMans,
the Normandy beaches, and of course the Louvre in Paris.


nice.. any plans on when you might travel 'n where first?


Just waiting for my ship to come in.

no photo
Sun 01/06/13 10:09 AM
aren't we all, huh :wink: laugh

no photo
Mon 01/07/13 07:55 AM
oooo... here come's one now

drinker bigsmile

FearandLoathing's photo
Mon 01/07/13 05:08 PM
I'd like to move to Canada in a couple of years when I finish school here...But I heard it is difficult to get permanent residency and become nationalized.

I just want to be Canadian.

motowndowntown's photo
Mon 01/07/13 05:35 PM

no photo
Mon 01/07/13 07:16 PM

I'd like to move to Canada in a couple of years when I finish school here...But I heard it is difficult to get permanent residency and become nationalized.

I just want to be Canadian.


are you serious? or you just pullin ma Canadian leg?? huh