"Some of my travels....." crazyman2's Profile

Profile
Activity
Travel Pages (84)
Photos (645)
Videos
Badges (2)
Stats

Crazyman 2 sailing round Cape Horn, 2007

Welcome!

Hi!

Welcome to my homepage. I hope that you'll enjoy my travel tips too!

My wife and I live in a small house an hour from London, UK. I've lived in the beautiful town of Tunbrudge Wells since 1978.

When I'm not teaching at school I tend to be involved in sport or music.

I first travelled abroad in 1974 ---to Paris. Then in 1978 it was Yugoslavia, as it was... Since the mid 1980s I've really enjoyed visiting many countries, meeting the people, finding out a little about their culture and learning about their history. I suppose its the Arts that I find the most fascinating: from every holiday I bring back many musical instruments, memories of dance, musical performances and...of course.... too many photos!

In 2006 we managed Syria, Lebanon, France and Spain. Well, the Middle East was fantastic. The people were so friendly, the culture so inspiring...

The follwing year we visited Argentina, Uruaguay, the Falklands and Chile. Wow! What an experience!

2008? Ah, it was Central America! Yes, we managed a full transit of the canal as well as enjoying Jamaica, Aruba, Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico and Guatemala before ending up in L.A.

As for 2009.... well, we were in Jordan in April and then cruised to Greece, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Italy Baltic in the Summer.
For Christmas we spent five nights on Burgh Island, South Devon. Fantastic place!

In 2010 we went to the Baltic: Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St.Petersburg, Tallin, Gdansk and then back to Copenhagen. We sailed on the Star Princess ---a bit of a come down for us because last year we were aboard the Royal Princess which was far more intimate. Never mind! We still had lots of fun! There's more of an intimate atmosphere about this ship than on the last time we were aboard her.

So, in 2011, we had a cruise to the Holy Land. The Pacific Princess, a rather tired ,smallish cruise ship took us from Athens to Patmos and then on to Turkey, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Croatia and then to Italy. We had a few days in Venice at the end of the cruise.
Israel was interesting and Dubrovnik was enchanting. Alexandria was disappointing because there was no opportunity to spend time with local people ---well I suppose that's what happens when you're on an American ship in a possibly-hostile environment...

Now, in 2012, we 're off to Morocco and then, later in the year, Dubai.
We're hoping to visit either Ireland or perhaps Hungary too. As always, it's all about money!

South America WOW!

Ushuaia, Tiero del Fuego

In March 2007 we went to South America. It was an amazing experience!
We flew in to Buenos Aires, spent a couple of days there and then went to Uruaguay, the Falkland Islands, Argentina and then on to Chile. After a few days in Santiago we flew back to the UK.

Fave place: Ushuaia, Tiero de Fuego. The cruise along the Beagle Channel, the really hospitable people, the harbour... I felt so sad to leave that enchanting place. Enjoy my photos.

Syria & Lebanon

In a whirl, Damascus

I went to Syria in 2006. It was a fine experience. A group of us were travelling, by coach, around the country to visit some of the many places of historical interest.

The people were friendly, the food...mmm...interesting, the sites remarkable and the accommodation mostly excellent.

A warning, though: Syrian Airways were awful. I mean really bad.

Do enjoy my Syrian photos and GO THERE!

So close to home...

My wife, Eileen, in the Victoria and Albert Mus.

Sometimes I forget the 'awe and wonder' bit of my own country. We live an hour, by train, from London. There is so much to see there! Do you know, I've never been on an open-top 'bus ride around the city! I've only been on the River Thames twice. Yet, when I'm aboad I can't wait to catch a water-tour of the area or get an overview of a place before I delve deeper.

London has so much to offer: the theatres, opera houses, the dance centres, cosmopolitan restaurants, museums and galleries....

So why do I only go up to London nine or ten times a year?

The Caribbean

Atlantic coast, Barbados

I've been to many of the islands and have never found 'seen one, seen them all' to be true.

Highlights over the years:
the sugar train ride on St.Kitts
the sub dive in the AVI
the helicopter fight in the AVI
the rafting in Jamaica

Lowlights:
the 4x4 ride in Barbados
the aloe vera factory in Aruba
the rum factory in Jamaica

A palm in Nicaragua, 2008

within the Blue Mosque, Istanbul 2009

A view from within Malbork Castle, Poland 2010

Intro Updated Feb 27, 2012
Report Abuse

Personal Pages (6)

1 - 4 of 6

Comments (18)

SOUTHAFRICANDELLA Feb 24, 2012 at 8:03 AM Report Abuse

I will google and learn. Once again I am amazed at people being able to afford so many travels in a year. For us with our exchange rate it's just a dream or the super rich. Enjoy the travels. I will on return definitely tell you about the catacoms. I have just notice your Syria and Lebanon pages and are going to make time to read it, looks very interesting. Hope to see you in our sun shine country soon.
Aussienet Dec 9, 2011 at 3:45 PM Report Abuse

Hi Stephen, just got back from 2 days in Sydney, I suppose I should say Newcastle is my favourite place, friends and family are here, but I have to admit, I have lots of favourites, I could happily live in Wales,Zurich,Innsbruck, Salzburg, as long as friends and family were near. You are so lucky to live so close to all my favourite places, (I do have many more!) We are so far away, although travel is getting shorter, and I am very grateful I am able to travel. 14 more sleeps before my next one.....yes I am counting! Cheers Annette
MalenaN Nov 30, 2011 at 11:28 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Stephen! Have a great day!
aaaarrgh Aug 28, 2011 at 9:59 AM Report Abuse

Okay, Regency? I stand corrected, I should have known better, of course :o)
Linse Apr 22, 2011 at 2:25 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for the birthsday greeting :-) I had a nice day and the weather was good.
sheherezad Jan 21, 2011 at 1:19 AM Report Abuse

Hi! Can you tell me where that pic was taken? Re: your avatar/profile pic? In that fabulous sculpture park in Oslo, right? ;-) You jogged my memory with it! :-) Cheers!
nada1712 Dec 22, 2010 at 1:55 AM Report Abuse

Thank you so much Stephen for your Birthday Greetings It was very thoughtful of you Nada!
om_212 Dec 2, 2010 at 4:13 AM Report Abuse

Happy belated birthday Stephan from a snowy Kyiv. hope it was a good one! Olya
Donna_in_India Dec 1, 2010 at 5:12 AM Report Abuse

Happy, happy birthday Stephen! Nice photo of Vigeland Park.
CatherineReichardt Nov 9, 2010 at 12:32 PM Report Abuse

Hi Stephen Love your home page photo - the Vigeland sculpture park in Oslo perchance? Regards for Johannesburg (where we've thankfully had our first decent rain of summer) Cathy