"Never stop dreaming about your next ADVENTURE" swissfondue's Profile

Profile
Activity
Travel Pages (39)
Photos (107)
Videos
Badges (2)
Stats

The latest from Heidi (Marie Antoinette in 2012)

Sadly its true. Holiday stories ARE only interesting to like-minded travellers so I take this opportunity, perched somewhat vicariously on my soap box, to acknowledge Virtual Tourist for filling a void in my sometimes dysfunctional life.

You know the void I'm talking about. Its the one where you recount enthusiastically, detailed and amusing anecdotes about your latest travel experience and then realise that the polite nods and vague expressions you are seeing are an example of boredom and jealousy. Hopefully more jealousy...

So, thank you VT for allowing me to PRATTLE ON HERE.... hopefully to a more appreciative audience. VT'ers more than anyone understand the frustration at just missing that train by a few seconds, the excitement of collecting another stamp in your passport (or is that just me) and the satisfaction when the destination you have dreamed about lives up to its promises. Of course there is the occasional exception. Sorry Copenhagen, I just dont understand what all the fuss is about!

I don't enhance my tips with hundreds of photos. I know a picture tells a thousand words... but you will quite often just get the thousand words. Certainly, if I have a readily available and appropriate photo I will add it, but its more than likely the same vista is already on VT taken by thousands who have stood in the same place as me with much more expensive cameras and more than half an ounce of photographic skill.

It's no secret that I LIVE TO TRAVEL - I believe there is a travel gene and I was born with it. From an early age I spent all my spare money on travelling, venturing a little further away from home each time. Back then it was by neccessity a budget experience, but there is no doubt that budget travel makes you resiliant and it definitely make you appreciate when you can finally afford a bit more luxury!

My itineraries are varied but always well researched... in theory. Sometimes I'm happy to do touristy things, mostly not so much. I did enjoy one tour bus experience many many years ago, then evolved by choice into an independent traveller, simply because of my love for independence.

Much more appealing to me is the idea of thinking you know exactly how to get somewhere (thanks to those hours of exhaustive research) and then finding you have no clue and are a little lost. Its at this point that I must admit I have a phobia of reading maps on street corners and not surprisingly that is how I become completely lost. But the upside is that just around the next corner and the next are potentially the most memorable experiences!!

In the last couple of years I have been privileged to revisit Amsterdam, Paris and London (twice) and ticked Prague, Brugge, Brussels, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Toronto, New York, Mexico and Bali off my very long list of must see destinations. On the agenda are seeing more of the UK and returning again to Germany and Singapore.

Do I have a favourite destination? Well, I have an enormous amount of affection for Hong Kong. This city and I are in the middle of a love affair.

Some may ask why go back to the same place more than once but for me the city and its people are addictive. Of course the shopping and food are good but thats not the appeal for me. It's the polite chaos of family orientated life and how it is achieved in such a cosmopolitan, but somewhat westernised city which lures me back again and again.

Hong Kong is certainly at the pinnacle of my list of favorite places in the world and recently home after another rewarding stay, I look forward to returning again soon to my "home away from home."

Intro Updated Apr 28, 2012
Report Abuse

Personal Pages (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (38)

CatherineReichardt May 24, 2012 at 4:27 AM Report Abuse

Hi Heidi
Thanks for the early birthday wishes.
Raining? In Melbourne??? You jest!!! ;)
Safe travels!
Cathy
craic May 17, 2012 at 8:22 AM Report Abuse

yes what lovely weather - i kept being lured out of my study for a walk
ViajesdelMundo Apr 28, 2012 at 8:12 AM Report Abuse

thanks Heidi!! of course, have just lived here 18 yrs; am ex-pat from USA. I had a Honeymoon in Melbourne in a former life! (1971)
IanMacPhail Apr 26, 2012 at 12:02 PM Report Abuse

Hi Heidi, thanks for your birthday wishes! I`m working on the weather for you. :-) Ian
al2401 Apr 15, 2012 at 12:48 AM Report Abuse

Hi Heidi, That was a great little camera - got stolen in Buenos Aires! I love your new 'persona' Alison
viewtheworld Mar 30, 2012 at 7:12 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Are you a fan of Antoinette? I am touched by her story.. kind (incident with Mozart!!) Austrian princess deserted by her brother in her hour of need.. and how she met her end with poise & dignity..
sheksoooz Mar 21, 2012 at 12:22 AM Report Abuse

Hi there
I'm Sherif Samy
a communication Engineer graduated from the German university in Cairo and I read a reply for you and found that you likes Egypt so I invite you to visit my country to enjoy your best trip ever.
for any help just contact me on sherif.msamy@gmail.com
Thank's and Best Regards
leics Mar 20, 2012 at 12:13 AM Report Abuse

Thank you, Heidi! Sorry you had such irritations at San Miniato; when I visited there was only me and a couple of others sitting on the steps to the shrine, which added massively to the experience. But it's all the luck of the draw, I suppose. Hey ho....:-)
wise23girl Mar 16, 2012 at 4:11 PM Report Abuse

I may have ticked my befriend box to you by mistake for the MOB...just defriend it.We can catch up via the MOB...lists can get too long. Sorry.
Marg
The_Downunder_Mob Mar 16, 2012 at 4:08 PM Report Abuse

Sorry we have been a bit late to add you as a friend...with all the upgrades I have not been on these pages
Marg on behalf of the mob