DISQUS

This does show a timeless quality of the countryside which I think captures Ireland so well.

I have used AMEX and Visa for years and twice mex have stopped my card while travelling overseas - very painful. No such experience with Visa. I similarly ring both to tell them I'm away. That being said, Amex have been excellent in removing fraudulent charges and have not required months of painful forms or anything liek that. Interesting article.

Stunning photos. These narrow canyons are something that only nature could manage.

Simply wonderful framed photo. The colours of the Utah National Parks are superb. I went to Zion and Bryce several years ago and couldn't believe the reds and oranges, especially around sunrise and sunset.

I spent two or three days in Dubai a couple fo years ago when flying with Emirates (seemed a good spot to take a short break before flying on). And I formed much the same view having viewed the typical "sights" walking and exploring the Creek, the souks, the older areas, a couple of fancy hotels and the desert. I avoided the skiing and water parks as they seem to Hollywood to me. As you say, it was really easy to visit there and that would bring me back as a flight breaker but the sights and experience won't make me hurry back or arrange a visit solely based on Dubai.

In 2009, this whole approach to Cuba does seem anachronistic to me. What does it really achieve today? Surely there are nastier and more reprehensible governments in the world today (the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe leaps to mind as one) than Cuba. I guess the whole situation makes it appealing to travel to for Americans.

<abbr>Mark H´s last blog post..Travel Website with a Difference - Travel Blog Exchange</abbr>

Different angle - enjoyed this article a lot.

<abbr>Mark H´s last blog post..Winter Hiking in the White Mountains (New Hampshire, USA)</abbr>

I can still remember the excitement and slight apprehension at entering a different country (UK) for the first time. I hope that I never remember that feeling as travel should always have that sense of anticipation, feel of the unknown and excitement at experiencing and seeing a new place.

<abbr>Mark H´s last blog post..Winter Hiking in the White Mountains (New Hampshire, USA)</abbr>

Similar with comments: just let the words flow referencing the main focus of the post...and the first (well, second) comment is produced.

The Brogan blog is excellent. Thank you.

BTW, the comment block shows "URl" which looks like a template error.

The Darien Gap must be one of the few places on the planet where you can't cross the land via a road. I suspect that even Africa and central Asia with their turbulence has all their neighbouring countries connected by navigatible roads. Are there any other places anyone is aware of??

<abbr>Mark H´s last blog post..Caverns, Crooks and Castles (Predjama, Slovenia)</abbr>

It greatly annoys me that others stand in judgement of how someone chooses to travel (especially many who don't travel at all). Thought-provoking post. For me, I have tried several forms of travel from long-term to short trips, backpacking to reasonably comfortable approaches and most forms of transport from hitching to flying to driving. It depends on lots of variables - life situation, money, time, attitude, safety of the place you are going. These days I take longer in each place and spend more time absorbing the location. In my 20s, I just tried to see as much as I could. I have always like to get out into the countryside and walk and relax and enjoy. Keep up your great blog.

<abbr>Mark H´s last blog post..Caverns, Crooks and Castles (Predjama, Slovenia)</abbr>

I think the idea that you spend what seems longer in a place by doing some research captures the essence of planning - not strict timetables but building a good apprecaition of the place(s) that you are visiting. A really fine post.

Mark Hs last blog post..Exploring the Incan Wonderland - Part One (Machu Picchu, Peru)

I've only ever heard great things about Angkor. Hope I get there one day.

Digging, stumbling, twittering, ... - what next in this mad world.

Mark Hs last blog post..Reindeer Paté, Cloudberry Pie and Sweat (Kuopio, Finland)

Enjoyable blog. I wrote a story about this area a couple of months ago. You can check out http://www.travel-wonders.com/2008/04/and-then-... to see a "before" and "after" shot of London Bridge and similar photos of the Twelve Apostles (of which there are now eight!). Or go to www.travel-wonders.com and find it via the "Australia" tag.

Skinny cats will never hit the endangered list. They seem to turn up in so many old European towns.

Mark Hs last blog post..Bacon Beer and Bishops (Bamberg, Germany)

I would love to explore more of Croatia. But one place that really struck me was Plitvice Lakes. It is a bit out of the way but makes for a wonderful day communing with nature (and quite a few tourists, probably including Americans...). But the lakes and forests and waterfalls make for a remarkable sight.

Mark Hs last blog post..Bacon Beer and Bishops (Bamberg, Germany)

Some great stories. This bad expereince will evolve into a great story in the years to come....

Mark Hs last blog post..Bacon Beer and Bishops (Bamberg, Germany)

Caves make some of the most captivating sights. The thought that this magical world was built drip by drip over millilns of years makes it even more mesmerising. Great photos.

The bit I saw of Croatia was fantastic. Christine will love it. I hope that she gets a chance to go to Plitvice - a real travel wonder of azure blue lakes and tumbling waterfalls.

Mark Hs last blog post..Photo of the Week - Remote Sign

I recently wrote a post with a little more detail on this extraordinary place, so well captured in the daily photo. Check out Travel Wonders of the World entry on the Pinnacles.

Call me boring but can't see anything very charming about graffiti plastered everywhere over a city. The really elegant creative graffiti is OK but it seems to be an overwhelming amount of pure vandalism if your photos are alything to go by. I await with interest as to the highlights of this historic city.

Mark Hs last blog post..From Dead Duck to Bird Heaven (Bharatpur, India)

Several years ago, I got stopped by an American tourist in Munich and asked if I could speak English (in poor German). After telling her where the post office was (the only place I knew as I'd just been there), she said that I spoke English very well and how long had I been learning it. When I told her "around 25 years" she said that I must be keen on languages. She happily trotted off to the post office none the wise that I was Australian and had been in Munich for less than 24-hours.

Mark Hs last blog post..Photo of the Week - Johnston Canyon, Canada

Superb. The Olympic mascots take you back.