astro_kerryn's VirtualTourist Home Page

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A storm somewhere in the middle of America!

Travel

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Like most people on VT I adore travel!!!!............what I really need to do is find a career that allows me the time to do it more often and the money to take me where I want!! I travel alot within Australia, mostly because my family lives all over the continent! International travel is more of a challenge to achieve!

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Soho girls....and guy!

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New York

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I was in a very weird headspace when I arrived in New York, I was at a cross road in my life (I think Im there perpetually!!). Having had no sleep for over 40 hours, and not being able to sleep I went straight for the alcohol at a bar in the East Village. The bar sold mostly Sake infused Martini's, I made friends with the staff so it wasn't long before I was systematically drinking my way through the menu in an asian/american fusion bar that was playing Bjork! That pretty much summed up the rest of my dislexic, mayhemic adventure!

So, did I like New York?......before I left I loved the "idea" of New York, in reality..................................I can't wait to go back, there is so much more I will do the next time around!!

Here are some useful NYC links
My NYC VT pages
Virtual Walking Tours of Manhattan Streets
New York Weather and Tourist Guide
NY Music and Nightlife Guide
Harlem Guide and Maps

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Sacre Coeur from the E Tower

Paris

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"In Paris they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language" Mark Twain.

................and what a language!! My French is hopeless, like everyone, Im still TRYING to have French lessons.

Paris.....................I loved the fact that I could go into a supermarket and buy a lump of Roquefort cheese, a wedge of brie, some olives and a very large baguette for less than $5 and it would be my backpackers meal for two days!! Conversally I also met up with a Sydney friend at a cafe on the Champs Elysées and we had a Champagne Cocktail each, a very small wedge of cheese and four crackers and it cost $160!!

J'aime Paris

Some favourite Paris sites;

My VT Paris Pages
Maps of Paris and RATP(rail) maps - Paris has a great rail network!
Official tourist site of France
Free Survivalist's French Language Course!!

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Eeawww or Oh La La - French donkey's

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South of France

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I like Frenchmen very much, because even when they insult you they do it so nicely. - Josephine Baker

I really liked Paris, but I loved the South of France!! It was as much to do with my ever generous, hospitable and gracious host Nicolas as with the way I felt completely "at home" in this region. My base on my last trip was Cap D'adge, and yes it is the nudist capital of the world! Not that Im a naturist (most of the time!!), but more due to circumstance, my mum and fragipani's (long story)!!!!

My south France pages;
Le cap d'adge
Montpellier
Nimes
Aigues-Mortes
Avignon
Les Baux
Nice

Languedoc-Roussillon Wine region guide
TGV Site (country trains)
Easyjet - cheap flights from Paris to Nice, Toulouse, Marseille etc.

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Budapest

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Budapest has such an unusual vibe about it, its a modern bustling city with an undercurrent. It has everything you would expect of a modern city but it is enveloped in a musty air of communism. The architecture is stunning........need I say more and the people friendly and interesting. It seemed that most things happen behind closed doors and in basements! Everything on the streets seems subdued but go down some stairs and open a restaurant door and you are confronted with live music, packed tables, happily festive faces chatting away, swilling on beer or wine enjoying some great food. You can just as easily walk past all of the indoor going ons and be none the wiser. Budapest feels like an eclectic work in progress, a bridge between the old regime and new beginnings, stunning in its disrepair and beauty.

My Budapest pages
Hungarian snail

Marco Polo Hostel

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Istanbul

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I ADORED Turkey. It felt so natural, like a second home.

Islam is tangible here, and I loved the positively etheral vibe, the gentle reassurance you experience in the subtlety of most daily events. It is so hard to believe that Turkey's history is scarred with war and violence when at the moment I experienced it, it felt so peaceful and loving.

I soaked up the vibrant culture and enjoyed every second of my stay. I felt a very strong tie with the woman in Istanbul and was awe struck at the openess of the men and their almost beligerant willingness to help you and learn from you.

Turkey is a cultural paradise, a shopping paradise, a food paradise and even the Efes is surprisingly drinkable!

I can't wait to go back.

My Turkish delight

My Turkish pages
Islam in Turkey & The Five Pillars of Islam
ITurkey Travel Planner

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I got to pat this little fella (not the monk!!)

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Thailand

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I went to Thailand to pat a tiger and experienced so much more than I had anticipated.

I had low expectations of South East Asia in terms of comfort and luxury, but after all, that wasn't what I was going for. I was wrong in my assumptions, you will find just as much luxury as anywhere, if that's what you want. You can make it 5 star all the way.

Chosing adventure and to experience the true nature of Thailand, I found comfort in the simplicity of life, particularly in regional area's. The open hearts of the locals made up for almost any discomfort, and lets face it, camping out on mozzie infested rivers, in a monsoon, mixing it with the local wildlife of all species is an adventure as long as you have plenty of Singa!!!!!

I had concerns about animal treatment and exploitation before I went, seeing as animals were the focus of my visit. Is it right to keep elephants in captivity for humans to ride? Is training monkey's to do innane tricks to attract tourist dollars for their "owners" ok? I decided I had to see it all for myself, no matter how painful, and seek to understand. Im very glad I did. All of my experiences were positive and it has helped me appreciate more the truth of the situation.

Despite not being able to breath, within a couple of days I grew to really like Bangkok, but I loved the less touristy islands and the regional area's more! Next stop............Chang Rai and Chang Mai!

Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak
Kanchanaburi
Ko Phangan
Ko Samui
Tiger Temple Photo's
Elephant Trekking
Sai Yok National Park and Waterfall