Vacation Advisory!

[SonicMan46]

Well, Susan & I were on our usual annual spring trip to Florida - usual alternate between the east & west coasts - this time in the Tampa Bay area on the west coast, which is huge!  For those not familiar w/ the area, there are numerous places to stay (and to eat) and plenty of attractions.  The main cities include Tampa (largest), Clearwater, & St. Petersburg; and of course there are island beach areas, i.e. St. Pete's & Clearwater Beach.  Over the years, we've been there at least a half dozen times; the west coast offers beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

This time we stayed on Clearwater Beach (see map below - HW60 West from the Tampa Airport terminates on the island's large round about near Pier 60; look far left on the map) - we stayed at the Sandpearl Resort (second pic below) right on the Gulf of Mexico - lucked out and was updated to a full gulf view - beautiful sunsets!  Excellent restaurant & bar food - first night we ate at the resort and I had marlin for the first time (like tuna) - may have posted in the 'eating thread'?

Just a few highlights: 1) Day trip to Tarpon Springs settled by Greek immigrants and home of the sponge industry - a couple of images below of a sponge boat w/ their daily take drying out and Harpo enjoying herself - we had a fabulous Greek lunch which included sauteed squid & charred octopus; shared a salad w/ gyro meat which was the BEST that I've ever eaten!  And to top the meal off some wonderful Greek white wine that Susan even wanted a glass! 

Another day was devoted to the nature of the area; included a trip to the Clearwater Marine Museum which has become quite popular since the movie Dolphin Tale w/ Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, & Morgan Freeman; a true story about a real dolphin named 'Winter' who lost its tail - a prosthetic replacement was made that worked!  Wonderful family film and we did see 'Winter' sans phony tail - our package also included a nearly 2-hr boat trip w/ a marine biologist on Clearwater Bay (below a pic of the boat & a view from a 'spoils' island) -  after lunch, we visited the Suncoast Bird Sanctuary - just an inspiring story; for those interested, take a look at the link.

Bottom line - we will certainly return to this wonderful western coastal area of Florida; just so much variety - for those who have a chance to visit this state, then consider the Tampa area!   

 

 

 

[SonicMan46]

We recently returned from a trip to Chincoteague Island (upper eastern Atlantic shore of Virginia; map below) - our 'wildlife' adventure of the month; wild horses live on the adjacent island (Assateague) which is a National Nature Refuge - below are some pics of 'moms & their foals', some standing, others curious, and a few sleeping - the babies are all less that a week old and some just a few days. This is the place famous for the yearly July swim between the islands; the foals are auctioned for the benefit of the local fire department.

First two images from a boat banked on Assateague Island - one of the foals nearly came close enough to touch! The other two are from an informative bus tour of the northern part of Assateague - lucked out and capture a couple of families, mother & foal + baby goslings (Canadian geese); additional pics of the the Assateague lighthouse (2nd one on location dating from late 1860s - needs a paint job), and a nightly view of the sun setting from our hotel deck viewing the intracoastal waterway - fun trip, but watch out for the mosquitoes on the refuge!

Also famous for its great shellfish, i.e. oysters, clams, & blue crabs, pretty much our subsistence diet for 3 days! 

 

 

 

[ibanezmonster]

Holden - good luck on your trip!  Sounds like quite an adventure and looking forward to your commentary and potential pictures? 

"Sand... sand... more sand... some native people throwing bones at my car... here's a picture of a kangaroo flicking me off... sand..."

[mc ukrneal]

We recently returned from a trip to Chincoteague Island (upper eastern Atlantic shore of Virginia; map below)....

You really do go to some nifty places! A real mix of nature there.

[Harpo]

We recently returned from a trip to Chincoteague Island (upper eastern Atlantic shore of Virginia; map below) - our 'wildlife' adventure of the month; wild horses live on the adjacent island (Assateague) which is a National Nature Refuge - below are some pics of 'moms & their foals', some standing, others curious, and a few sleeping - the babies are all less that a week old and some just a few days. This is the place famous for the yearly July swim between the islands; the foals are auctioned for the benefit of the local fire department.

First two images from a boat banked on Assateague Island - one of the foals nearly came close enough to touch! The other two are from an informative bus tour of the northern part of Assateague - lucked out and capture a couple of families, mother & foal + baby goslings (Canadian geese); additional pics of the the Assateague lighthouse (2nd one on location dating from late 1860s - needs a paint job), and a nightly view of the sun setting from our hotel deck viewing the intracoastal waterway - fun trip, but watch out for the mosquitoes on the refuge!

Also famous for its great shellfish, i.e. oysters, clams, & blue crabs, pretty much our subsistence diet for 3 days! 

So where are you taking me next??

[ibanezmonster]

Another trip to Somerset, Kentucky. Just back after the 12 hour ride (13 hours going up there).

We stayed at rural Nancy again. Although the scenery is nice, it does get old pretty quickly.
One day, we went to Mount Vernon and Berea. In Mount Vernon, there is a place called Renfro Valley, which is set up to look like a village from long ago. It was interesting, but thinking about how settlers lived long ago was very depressing.

Another day, we went to Monticello and ate at my great-aunt's house. That was the second best part... the best part was visiting Lexington. This city would probably the best city to live in for me, considering you have the University of Kentucky there and my dad living just over an hour away.

In Lexington, we visited Guitar Center and the mall. I played a 7-string Ibanez, which someone had downtuned quite a bit; the low B string was tuned down to a low E, and the rest of the guitar was in standard tuning. Needless to say, quite fun playing that (though it got out of tune while I was playing it, despite not even having a floating bridge, which should be expected).   

Lexington also has a better mixture of different people/races. People are thinner there and the girls look great, especially in comparison to Somerset, where almost everyone is overweight. It was nice to be in the city for a day, where you see people with money, rather than endless, miserable, rural poverty.

[SonicMan46]

Another trip to Somerset, Kentucky. Just back after the 12 hour ride (13 hours going up there).

We stayed at rural Nancy again. Although the scenery is nice, it does get old pretty quickly.
One day, we went to Mount Vernon and Berea.......................

Hi Greg - we've been on a couple of trips ourselves in North Carolina, so not on the forum much the last week or so; but enjoyed your description of the Kentucky places - I need to make a visit to Lexington - actually I was offered a job there years ago (as an abdominal radiologist at the U. of K. Medical School - I was happy at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, so did not even take a look; however, several of my radiology colleagues ended up going to the school).

Berea is pretty famous for woodworking courses w/ a number of well know pros there - I'm an amateur woodworker and have thought of traveling there to take some courses - might be a great trip now in my retirement (BUT, would need to find a great place to stay & some good food for Susan to come along -  ).  Dave

[springrite]

Vanessa is currently in Anaheim, California and will be there for 3 weeks, leading a group of students on a summer camp. Since all students live with local American families, she really has nothing to do so it is a vacation in reality.

I will be going to Nigeria from July 16 to July 20. Not a vacation but a conference, but it will be my first trip to the continent. I am looking forward to it.

After I return, by which time Vanessa will be back, we will take Kimi to a trip to Rizhao and Qingdao (home of the famous Tsingtao beer), my grandfather's and my father's hometowns respectively. In both places we will live at a beach house, literally at the beach, with the sands just outside the door.

[springrite]

I will be in South Africa in September for a conference. I am considering staying a few more days afterwards to go to Botswana and/or Zimbabwe, or other surrounding areas. Do we have members in South Africa who can give me some advise on this? My knowledge of Botswana comes mainly from God Must be Crazy, and I love the soapstone sculptures from Zimbabwe. That's why I am considering those two places.

[springrite]

I have been back from Nigeria for four days. I will be leaving for our family vacation in the morning.

A few memorable things about my short stay in Nigeria:

1: Whenever I leave the hotel, including going to and from the airport, I had armed escort sporting AK-47's.

2: A couple of friends had flight out of Lagos for South Africa departing at 10:50pm. But they had to leave the hotel at 2pm to "beat the traffic". With one of the three bridges under repair, the legendary Lagos traffic is worse than ever. (For my 8am flight, I left the hotel at4 am and arrived at the airport 35 minutes later).

3: "Nigeria reminds me of China 35 years ago..." This is how I started my short little speech. For the next two days, I was always surrounded by people wanting to talk to me. I am sure I will be back there again soon. There is so much important and worthwhile things to do.

[SonicMan46]

Hi Paul - some interesting posts - over the years I've had a half dozen South African colleagues and was even invited there as a visiting radiology professor (that was probably in the 1980s) - was a consideration both for that experience & also my interest in wine; South Africa does make some excellent wines just not many entering North Carolina for me to sample - sad!

Your other post also reminded me of a trip to Colombia, SA back in the '80s w/ my colleague - we were invited to be the weekend speakers of the yearly Colombian Radiology Society which was held in the Andes Mtns (Manizales) - arrived in Bogota a few days before the conference and had some wonderful excursions but the driver picked us up @ the hotel front entrance & then locked the doors to the car!

We were driven in two cars from Bogota to Manizales over the Andes Mtns (boy, what a trip - like 7-8 hrs) - on our arrival @ the hotel there, we were met by the doorman w/ a shotgun on his shoulder (reminds me of a favorite film Romancing the Stone - HA!) - we spent two days giving lectures (w/ simultaneous English-Spanish translations) - on the last night in the bar, the radiologist who arranged the conference met us and gave us a PILE of dollars to cover our expenses & honorarium - NOW, we had to take this money back into the USA in a few days!  Well we did get out and flew to Cartagena and had a couple of great days there - finally landed in Miami and stood up and cheered when we touched the ground - MADE it back safely!  Dave

[springrite]

Hi Paul - some interesting posts - over the years I've had a half dozen South African colleagues and was even invited there as a visiting radiology professor (that was probably in the 1980s) - was a consideration both for that experience & also my interest in wine; South Africa does make some excellent wines just not many entering North Carolina for me to sample - sad!

Your other post also reminded me of a trip to Colombia, SA back in the '80s w/ my colleague - we were invited to be the weekend speakers of the yearly Colombian Radiology Society which was held in the Andes Mtns (Manizales) - arrived in Bogota a few days before the conference and had some wonderful excursions but the driver picked us up @ the hotel front entrance & then locked the doors to the car!

We were driven in two cars from Bogota to Manizales over the Andes Mtns (boy, what a trip - like 7-8 hrs) - on our arrival @ the hotel there, we were met by the doorman w/ a shotgun on his shoulder (reminds me of a favorite film Romancing the Stone - HA!) - we spent two days giving lectures (w/ simultaneous English-Spanish translations) - on the last night in the bar, the radiologist who arranged the conference met us and gave us a PILE of dollars to cover our expenses & honorarium - NOW, we had to take this money back into the USA in a few days!  Well we did get out and flew to Cartagena and had a couple of great days there - finally landed in Miami and stood up and cheered when we touched the ground - MADE it back safely!  Dave

Seems I got to experiencing all of the above except the PILES OF DOLLARS part!

[SonicMan46]

BOY - again w/o a response in nearly a month!  Someone must be on vacation? 

Well, Susan & I are taking mainly 'short' car trips to the mountains or the coast a couple times a month - nice to be retired & be able to go when wanting to w/o a schedule - nice! 

Just returned from a short 3-night trip to a southern Virginian mountain resort called Primland near Stuart, VA - a 12,000 acre beautiful piece of property just a 90 minute drive from our home!  Drive off VA Hway 58 (i.e. the JEB Stuart highway for American Civil War buffs), a road close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a MUST for those visiting the area.

Below, some pics of the lodge; room was amazing - beautiful wood/stone decoration w/ automated lights & even drapery that would rise/lower w/ a switch!  The view from 'Lover's Leap' is great.  The golf course is gorgeous (I no longer play but others, like Gurn would appreciate) as one of the pics shows - mountain trails (one of which we walked - moderate and a good workout!) - wonderful restaurant (which I'll post soon in the eating thread) - on checking out of the lodge, I decided to return via the Parkway, a visit to Mabry's Mill, a popular stop and a few pics below (really a mill that worked on water and included a gristmill, sawmill, & wood working area - amazing all running on water power!); also visited a VA winery, Ch. Morisette just off the parkway - had lunch there and a wine tasting - the wines have really improved and the tasting room is now first class - a wonderful BUT short visit (easy to repeat!) - Dave




 

 

[Florestan]

Below, some pics of the lodge

It looks like a Victorian factory turned into a lodge by a not very imaginative architect... 

OTOH the scenery alone is worth the price you must have paid.   

[SonicMan46]

It looks like a Victorian factory turned into a lodge by a not very imaginative architect... 

Hi Andrei - the property is owned by the family of the late French-Swiss billionaire Didier Primat (assume the origin of the name Primland) - the Lodge is quite new, opening in 2009 (golf course in 2006) - a couple of more pics below of the the outside from the green on the 18th hole and inside of the lobby & pool; most of the materials used are local to the area and the inside spaces are beautiful.  BTW, the silo looking portion to the right has the most expensive rooms, but the top is an observatory w/ telescope - for $75 per person, an astronomer presents a show w/ the telescope's images projected on a large monitor for audience viewing - we considered but was cloudy most nights of our visit!

In addition, there are a number of cabins (golf carts are supplied to get to and back from the Lodge) - AND an unusual room option - a TREE HOUSE (pic bottom right) - I'd love to stay there but not sure of the price?  Called the Golden Eagle Tree House which was designed by a French firm specializing in these tree homes - Dave


 

 

[springrite]

I am in South Africa for the first time attending a conference where I also gave the keynote speech yesterday. I must say that Cape Town is probably the most beautiful city I have ever visited. I know, I have not been to Scandivania yet, and I have heard so much about some of the cities there. But Cape Town is absolutely wonderful. I start everyday with yoga on the htel lawn, which overlooks the city about 30 minutes drive away. The sounds of birdcalls and the occasional birds, some of them very big, land on the lan to feed on the worms. I end the day with a walk outside under the moonlight and the billions of stars, most of them seem to be visible! It is wonderful. I came this time at my own expense, because it is a good cause and I love Africa. I am sure I will come back here again, next time adding some safari to my agenda.

[SonicMan46]

Paul - sounds like a great place and congrats on being invited to give the keynote talk!

I had a chance to do a teaching sabbatical years ago in South Africa (forget which of the major cities there), but it was for 2-3 months, and our son was young and Susan did not want to go, so turned the opportunity down - I know that the experience would have been wonderful and that I would have consumed a LOT of South Aftrican wine!   Dave

[springrite]

I was planning to go to Tabletop Mountain today. But something happened that changed my plans. First of all, it was raining and visibility was not good. Secondly, when I went outside, I saw that they were running a Marathon -- the Cape Town Marathon. So I decided to join the Marathon instead. Sure is a great way to see much of the city and its most scenic places! Obviously I did not start from the beginning, but I run most of the race and finished. A wonderful day!

Oh, BTW, I was the only runner without a number and the only one with a backpack!

Well, needless to say I am exhausted. I leave for the airport tomorrow at noon.

[SonicMan46]

  Susan & I just returned from a 4-night stay on Kiawah Island (5 hr drive from Winston-Salem) which is a barrier island about 40 mins or so south of Charleston, South Carolina (see map below). As in our last visit, we rented a 2-bedroom condo on a lagoon (next two pics show some of the views); rentals can also be made which are oceanfront, tennis or golf course (five 18-hole courses on the island, including the Ocean Course, site of this year's PGA tournament).  There is a luxury hotel called the Sanctuary (w/i walking distance from our condo), but our 4 nights was slighly more than one night there - but a great place to have a drink and lunch or dinner.

  There is plenty of nature and reserves - over 500 alligators live naturally on the island, and are in and around the lagoons - the sign below is a frequent reminder of their presence; if your small dog disappears, well may have been a quick meal for one of these gators!  On my first walk, I saw at least an 8 ft alligator in a lagoon near our condo. A bridge crossing a lagoon was near the condo and different types of water birds were seen constantly - pics below of a great white egret (3' tall & 5' wingspan for the adult) and an anhinga drying its wings after fishing.

Finally, we ate (and drank) quite well - there is a fabulous grocery store coming into the island called Newton Farms and we bought several of our dinners there, e.g. local shrimp steamed, spiced, etc., shushi, smoked fish, salad greens, and so much more!  In fact the last pic below is Susan wading in the ocean and looking at a shrimp boat on the left horizon, probably thinking that her dinner was being caught @ that moment!

  For those travelling on the Carolina coast, there are many fabulous towns, islands, and resorts, but we find Kiawah Island quite special and have visited at least a dozen times over the decades -



 

   

   

 

[DavidW]

Cool beans Dave, I should go there some time!