"QUO VADIS ?" johanl's Profile

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b%Having a great summer

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.

Upcoming trips

March,2011 USA
June, 2011 UK
July, 2011 Portugal
September, 2011 France and Spain
NOVEMBER 2011 India
December, 2011 maybe Cuba

% Back from a trip to California, oktober 2005. Enjoyed it a lot. Lots of things have changed since my last visit in 1981. The land and nature is still as beautiful as it was, so many years ago.

The food is still the same (where ever you go to a restaurant the food does not varies a lot. And yes there is the thai, the chinese, the mexican and many others) but the american kitchen still lacks that really defined food, that special dish that makes it different. But i guess it is part of the American society.

Traffic on the roads is not bad. It is a pleasure to drive in the USA compared to Europe. The courtesy of the drivers (especially the female drivers) even in the bigger cities (LA, SF) was astonishing. The maximum speed surely has a positive influence on the way people drive in the USA. Two lanes for carpooling around LA is awesome. What a great idea. A pitty the lanes are not used a lot. Everyone prefers to drive by him or herself.

I also noticed a lot of foreign brands of cars. It seems that the american automobile driver doesnt automatically choose for the big gustlers and the home brands. Or has it to do with the price of gas and the quality of the foreign cars. Do they last longer and probably better priced at the second hand market?

What about the environment? Everywhere, supported by the (local) government , one tries to underline the importance of the place we live in and how to conserve it (sustainable energy sources, no flush toilets in national parks, dont change your towels every day in the hotel, use the right amount of washing powder ens.) But i havent seen no campa(i)gning on KYOTO. Or didnt i look around ????

Lots of malls and shops. Huge compared to Europe. And all the things they sell. Enormous bags of chips (only dogfood is sold overhere in these big bags) and snacks. Probably eaten, while watching television or enjoying another bbq ( gas powered of course). And what to say about the medicins that are freely sold without prescription. Hundreds of painkillers for example. Good for the customers or for the industry that produces it??

Surprised by the many hobos and bumps in the streets. What a gap between the big houses, fancy shops and expensive cars in
Santa Monica and in that same beautiful city the poor people sitting on benches in 3th street, begging for food, shelter and clothes. A result of the modern society or the lack of a social security system that could prevent those situations.????

And that is what makes traveling so interesting. The differences and the other points of view.
Facts that make you wonder why some people stay at home.

I enjoyed the trip a lot.

Special thanks to vt members Jennifer in SF and to John ( araby on vt) in Ca whose hospitality was amazing. Thanks a lot guys.

I'll have to go back soon !!!!!!!

Thanks for visiting. As you will see, most of my pages are not built yet.
The ones with information and pictures are mostly about the AFRICAN continent.
To my opinion, AFRICA is THE place to be. It is risky from time to time, but the Southern Africa region is ok and without any problems.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and information.

CAPE POINT South Africa

flowers at Cape Point

The fauna and flora at Cape Point is beautiful with great colors. Do look for the national flower; THE PROTEA

KRUGER PARK

Kruger Park

A young innocent hyena getting very close to the camera.

AFRICA

knysna

Flora in Cape Town.

SOUTH AFRICA

spioenkop national park

Take a walk in Spioenkop national Park and enjoy the wildlife.

CAPE POINT

Near the climb to the lighthouse at Cape Point there are, mostly in the parkinglots, a few baboons. Do not feed them, cause sometimes they'll jump you.

Intro Updated May 7, 2011
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Comments (242)

Ann75 Jan 26, 2012 at 6:46 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday, Johan! I am a day late, but I wish you all the best none the less! Hope all is well with you. I have finally found a bit more time for VT. :)
Donna_in_India Jan 24, 2012 at 9:37 PM Report Abuse

Happy, happy birthday Johan! Have a wonderful day.
goutammitra Jan 21, 2012 at 8:32 AM Report Abuse

Many Many Happy Returns of the day Johan!! God bless you!
cheesecake17 Jan 19, 2012 at 10:38 PM Report Abuse

happy early b-day wishes..:-) have a good one!..U..
Waalewiener Oct 9, 2011 at 5:16 PM Report Abuse

Hallo Johan & Wies Thank you for the Birthday wishes
janetanne Sep 4, 2011 at 2:08 PM Report Abuse

Johan, Hi! I'm fine, just a bit busy getting back to work after the long summer holiday. Thanks for the BD wishes..I like the late ones because it makes the celebration last longer:):) Hugs to you and Weis. Janet
CdnJane Sep 4, 2011 at 1:43 PM Report Abuse

Hello Johan - thank you for your birthday wishes. However, I will have to wait another 10 months for it! Hope all is well with you and your family! Happy Aussie Father's Day!
LoriPori Jan 31, 2011 at 10:24 AM Report Abuse

Hey Johan: Thanks for the birthday wishes. Celebrated with many Sangrias. Hugs for you and Wies. xxx Lori
kokoryko Jan 25, 2011 at 2:19 PM Report Abuse

First time I wish you Happy Birthady, Johan! Wishing you lots of "first time" new travels for the coming year! :)
gkitzmil Nov 12, 2010 at 5:51 AM Report Abuse

Glad you had my phone. I will send you my email again. Let's meet in December! Great!