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johanl   
" When is the last time, you did something for the first time "


Real Name: JOHAN
Lives In: Belgium
Birth Date: January 25
Member Since: Apr 14, 2002
Last Login: Nov 07, 2009   21:29 UTC
Member's Time: Nov 08, 2009   08:54 CET
VT Rank: 898
Deals Rank: 372
External Page:www.eurapart.com/home.html
Travel Interests: Food and Dining, Historical Travel, Arts and Culture, Safari, National/State Park

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Page Views: 16,496            

QUO VADIS ?

by johanl - last update: Sep 27, 2009

b%Having a great summer

Relaxing, Königswinter, Germany
Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.

Upcoming trips

Spain, september 09
Luxmbourg, oktober 09
Spain, november 09
USA, november 09
USA, december 09

% 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.
flowers at Cape Point

CAPE POINT South Africa

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

KRUGER PARK

A young innocent hyena getting very close to the camera.
Kruger Park
knysna

AFRICA

Flora in Cape Town.

SOUTH AFRICA

Take a walk in Spioenkop national Park and enjoy the wildlife.
spioenkop national park
CAPE POINT

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.

Comments for johanl
Waalewiener Thu Oct 8, 2009 20:14 UTC
 Hallo Johan & Wies Hoe is alles met jullie Nu moet ik wat rust hebben hoor 3 weken in Oz en twee wekn naar Arizona en terug SDat is genoeg voor ee tijdje hoor denk ik Thanks for the B day wishes Lori says HI
Mikebb Tue Sep 15, 2009 22:53 UTC
 Hi Johan, I just noticed you visited my Brisbane page some months ago, apologise for late reply. A nice part of Australia with abundance of attractions within a few hours drive.
LoriPori Fri Sep 11, 2009 20:56 UTC
 Hans has been in Australia for two weeks now and still has one week to go. He's in Airlie Beach this weekend for the VT meet there. And yes, summer is coming to an end. Trees are starting to change colour already.
janetanne Mon Aug 10, 2009 18:58 UTC
 Hey there my friend. Nice new photo. What are you thinking about? Janet
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