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During this period my wife, Lorna and I, also took holidays overseas. On certain tours and holidays I took my camera to record some of the views also a note book to record some of my experiences. The following is only a very small 'snap shot' of some of the locations visited outside Europe, during this period. |
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Known as The Big Sky due to the flat lands that allow a vista of sky. It has a saying 'If you do not like the weather, wait for ten minutes' because the weather can change that quickly. In the state of Montana are two parks with spectacular views, these being Yellowstone and The Glacier National parks. These should be a must on any trip as you can get close up to the wild. So many views but the photo I choose gives an overall impression of the Peace and Tranquility offered in this state. The people and states visited all had their own unique identity. My impression of the Indians changed from the sights I saw. Once a proud community now I found they were either selling cheap trinkets to the visitors or operating some form of scrap metal operation. Has the white man caused this to occur? I am sure you can spend a lifetime in this country and still not see all the wonders it has to offer, and having meet a number of Americans on my tours I found in many cases I had seem more of their country than they had. |
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A country offering differing
identities - English, French and Americian. Each of these differing identities showing through. |
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Due to its chequered history and its previous connection with China under its old name of Formosa, there are many similarities still with China but they do not appear to be the best of friends. The Buddha religion plays a very important part in the life of Taiwanese people, the photo shows the entrance to one of the many temples I visited around the country, the only problem is their lack of maintenance. Transport appears a nightmare as there is so much traffic and the road system is not the best. There was a major over head road construction in Taipei when I was last there in 1995 which may have now improved things. If you think London traffic in the rush hour is congested you should see Taipei, where rush hour seems to last all day. You can also seem to get many branded products at knock down prices, one of my friends returned home with a Rolex he bought for £10, how is that for a bargin even if not the real thing! |
| Maybe not the sort of country for a holiday. I could only visit on business when invited by a Saudi organisation allowing me to obtain a visa in UK. Riyadh is a real twenty first centenary city, skyscrapers, wide roads and parks with constant watering to keep the grass green. I understand a litre of water costs more than a litre of fuel. Very little history in the form of buildings remain, due to the race to modernise, although out of the main towns there are still remains of an older lifestyle, which appears very basic. It’s very hot and sandy with no alcohol, so a camel ride can be a pleasure, although very uncomfortable. Its laws and punishments are very strict, compared with the west. On entry into the country, ALL your luggage is inspected and anything not compatible with the laws or life style of the country is confiscated and I do not think you get it back on leaving. One of the intresting places I visited on each of my trips are the gold Souks (shops), there you buy gold by its weight and you can barter down the price. |
| Egypt has one of the last
remaining, almost intact, seven wonders of the ancient world. A visit to the pyramids at Geza is a must. Attending the Light and Sound show after dark at the Geza pyramids is also a must as it is just a mind blowing history lesson. A trip on the Nile as a tour, or for one night on a boat, is also an experience. Egypt is a contrast of the old and new and there always seem to be a number of people holding their hands for money for any help they can offer, where ever you go. It makes you wonder how such an advanced nation three or four thousand years ago is still not at the cutting edge. But it appears to have slipped and now only offers and dwells on the delights and history of its past that the rest of the world still pays to experience. |
| A very modern place interlaced with its historical past. Its laws and strict sentances that would shock us in the western world but appears to be a very clean and safe place. Any visit should include at least one nights stay and one meal at famous Raffles Hotel one the most quality customer services hotel you can imagine, considering its age. |
This country is in two parts seperated by water and has possibly some of the highest real estate prices in the world, even so it appears to have the most congested layout of buildings.
Many buildings, old and new, use a
Feng Shui Master, Feng Shui meaning Wind and Water. As the buildings are designed and fitted out or reorganised. The Feng Shui Master advises on all important elements of the
building and fittings in the building. This is to ensure all sharp edges and objects are not pointing in what is considered a harmful direction for the harmony and well being of the building and its occupants.
Many buildings have display lighting installed on
the outside and from certain view points around, people gather after dark to witness a free light show that is as good as any light show I have seen in UK.
There is now a new airport built on a
reclaimed/man made island that is currently reported as being the most advanced airport in the world, but for how long?
Shopping is also a unique experience, you can be measured for a shirt or suit in the morning and collect it in the evening, normally a perfect fit and at a reasonable price.
Consumer goods are abound some not having reached the west yet.
.I saw some of the first dancing flowers in a pot that were all the craze some years ago, one of many business opportunities I missed!
China has become the manufacturing base of the western world
with many companies transferring their assembly operations there.
This has
allowed us in the west to purchase consumer items cheaper now than a few years
ago.
Shanghai is one of the worlds biggest building sites. With race to
develop into a modern high tech city to capture the world trade.
I am sure in
ten to twenty years China will be one of the world leaders as we are giving them
the technology to achieve this, in return for cheap goods NOW.
Most of the population outside the towns and cities appear to be locked in a time warp. Horse and cart and bicycles appear to be the main mode of transport.
How people find their way around is a mystery as most roads have no indication as to their status and very few signs at junctions.
I never visited without a driver/guide because without one I may still be there now - lost!
The roads are also something else, you start driving along a nice two lane carriage way out of town that turns into a single lane track no better than a mud track.
There are also internal boarders within the country which I have passed through and had to show my passport and visa again.
I got the impression these were there to keep their own people within an area.
The saying ‘Travel broadens the mind’ is very true to view so many wonders of the ancient and modern world.
Travel I found gives you.
Travel now has been made so easy it could be seen like a trip down to the supermarket but certain precautions still have to be taken. The following initial checks are recommended for any long haul trip.