Travel Thread, countires visited

[Daniel]

To answer the request of my favorite place of those, that's a hard question. It really is.

Australia is something awesome even to a Canadian. It's vast. I mean a European must feel like he's on another planet, the distances between places are so huge. And I must admit, some of the stuff I saw was bizzare. Is there any place else in the world with a combination pet food/porno store? (I kid you not - that was in a small town in the Outback not far from Broken Hill in NSW.)

Sydney has a geography like few cities in the world - Seattle, San Francisco and Monaco is about as close as it gets. Aussies are so friendly that at first it was quite scary. But get into it, and it just feels like you haven't traveled far at all. I'll be going back sometime in my life.

Africa is not as uncivilized as people make it out to be. Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, and I can see why its residents in many cases wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Practically the entire Indian Ocean coast of SA from Cape Town to Durban is supposed to be gorgeous, but I didn't see anything beyond Port Elizabeth. Namibia is another vast open landscape with few people - but a huge amount of wildlife. Even in a Toyota Land Cruiser, you have to watch for animals - apparently they have had problems with even elephant/car interfaces. Botswana is a similar story, as is much of SA's Great Karroo. It's so empty its amazing. Unbelievably hot at times too - When I had to stop for gas in Beaufort West, the temperature according to the stations thermometer was 114 Fahrenheit. Johannesburg is something else, too - even far beyond than Cape Town, this is like two cities in one. Just miles from shocking-rich Sandton and Houghton is dirt-poor Alexandria, rough and ready Soweto and crime-ridden fallen city Hillbrow. You have to see it to believe it. But believe me, you don't act wealthy in Hillbrow or Soweto if you value your life.

Canada has much to offer. The range of mountains from Northern California to the Yukon is jaw-dropping virtually in its entirety. US Route 2 through Stevens Pass in Washington State is one of the most amazing drives I've ever done - a well-maintained winding two-land road through the Cascades. No trucks in sight, and only a few small towns along the way. If you wanna see this one, do it in July or August, when its not raining and the Pacific Northwest gets the "Kodachrome skies". My little Toyota MR2, US Route 2 on a Kodachrome-sky 25-degree July day is as close to driving heaven as I've ever come.

Britain is a place I liked, but never quite figured out. This is especially true of Scotland. Getting around by car (or even by train) is such a challenge that even this world traveller got lost often. The countrysides are quite idyllic, but I never really got into it. Northern Ireland has fantastic people, at least until I told them I have a Protestant father and Catholic mother. I decided to get out of that pub after that.

The Republic of Ireland has the most talkative people I have ever experienced. That, and it certainly was a neato experience tracing my family's roots in County Kerry.

In all honesty, Europe is a gorgeous place and great for history, but I liked Western North America, Africa and Australia more interesting and more awesome. A bit adventurous, too - in Europe, everything you see somebody has seen before and its all too easy to see and experience. Africa is quite another matter. And I must admit, driving like Colin McRae on a dirt road in Namibia is fun.

Very good summary of Southern Africa. Luckily when I stay in Jo'burg I stay in Sandton. The Indian Ocean coast is beautiful as you've said but I like the sparseness of the Atlantic coast too.

[Christina]

Whatcha gonna do in Austria? *cough* Red Bull? *cough*

Red bull? noo.. i get plenty of that here!! Red Bull Air Race next weekend my friend!!

In Austria.. i'm not sure what i will do.. Get cold and have a lot of fun i suspect..

[Camelopard]

I'm going to Graz, Austria in eight days time! i'm so excited! i might even report on it while i'm there! I'm sure i'll have something to say about the place in two months!

*is excited*

Oh, also, i just got back from Canungra, which is in Queensland, Australia. It's kinda.. Gold Coast hinterlands and it's absolutely gorgeous! I think they are planning to host the WRC there in the next year or two.. Anyways, i loved the place so much that i'm moving there! that is.. if i dont end up staying in Austria..

What are you going to be doing in Austria, apart from having a good time?

We just had a German guy who now lives in Austria stay with us for a few days, he desperately wants to move here to Australia and live. This is his 4th trip to Australia, pity he doesn't have a skill that is required here at the moment as this would make it easier for him to move here.
He said that his interest in Australia grew after the Iron Curtain came down when he was 12 (he was born in the old East Germany) and for the first time he saw a real non censored world map, picked the furtherest country from East Germany and decided he wanted to go there. By rights he should have picked New Zealand, but that's spliting hairs.

[Daniel]

Christina. There will be no Rally Australia next year and in my opinion there won't be another one for a long time.

[Christina]

Christina. There will be no Rally Australia next year and in my opinion there won't be another one for a long time.

I know this, but i hold out hope for '09. Because if they dont get their asses moving and get it organised already, i will personally go over there and kick their asses to make it happen!! *humph!*

[Christina]

What are you going to be doing in Austria, apart from having a good time?

Trying to improve my German i guess.. I might try to get a job while i am there because there is nothing like forcing yourself to understand a language!!

But mainly.. Whatever the Gent decides! I'm getting a Natives' guide to Austria. I guess the fact that we're both hang glider pilots (who met at a hang gliding competition) might give you some idea of the crazy stuff we will end up doing..

Apparently i'm not allowed to learn how to ski due to the probability that i will break my leg due to blonde-ness.

Tell your friend to learn a trade then move to Australia! Apparently now in Perth we have a severe shortage of Plumbers..

[Camelopard]

You are the second person to say he should be a plumber! Pity he does clerical work! No shortage of those in Australia.......

[Magnus]

X=more than ten
Europe:
Norway*X
Finland*1
denmark*X
Germany*X
East-Germany*1
Poland*3
Switzerland*4
Austria*2
France*X
Spain*X
Andorra*1
GB*6
Portugal*1
Italy*1
Czech.*1
Luxembourg*5
Holland*4
Belgium*4
Lichtenstein*1
Greece*1
Monaco*2

Africa
Morrocco*2
Egypt*1

Asia
Singapore*3
Japan*2
malaysia*1
Thailand*1
Indonesia (Bali)*1
China*1
Mongolia *1
Russia*1
Sri Lanka*1
Hong Kong*1 (which is now china)
Emirates*1

Australia and the pasific
Australia*2
NZ*3
Fiji*2
Tonga*1(two month in a litlle cottage by the sea )

America
USA*5
Canada*1
Mexico *1
Saint Lucia*3
Trinidad and Tobago*2
Gouadeloope*1
Dominica*1
Virgin islands (US)*1
St Marteen (Hol)*1
St Barth(Fr) *1 used to be swedish though...
Antigua and Barbuda*1
Martinique(Fr)*1
Saint Vincent and the grenadines*1 (Beautiful...)
Grenada*1
Barbados*2
(I have stayed in the west indies for three winters)

I have been traveling for various reasons all my life, so it adds up...

[Daniel]

I know this, but i hold out hope for '09. Because if they dont get their asses moving and get it organised already, i will personally go over there and kick their asses to make it happen!! *humph!*

Calendar goes down to 12 rounds for that year and rotation comes into force. It'll be a miracle if they get the rally in 2009 and even more miraculous if the company doing the work on the permanent facilities is still solvent in 3 or 4 years time

[Daniel]

Bloody hell Magnus! If you don't mind me saying you get around I'd like to say that you get around