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I've gone into a lot of detail about the Annapurna Sanctuary trek because it's important to know all this information if you've never trekked before or want to trek in this area. There are almost too many tour operators to list plus almost every guide runs their own operation on the side. Before booking with your adorable, knowledgeable guide, ask yourself - what if he becomes ill or just disappears in the mountains with your money? It can happen. We've used Adventure Center (see side box) for over 15 trips including this one. They are the hand-off for many relatively inexpensive tour operators around the world (Exodus, Explore, Imaginative Traveller, Dragoman, Geckos, Peregrine). Trekking - bicycling - cultural - overland trips - volunteer. Singles, couples, gays...you'll all feel comfortable. And, without a doubt, these organizers visit every "safe" country in the world. Remember, I never recommend anyone I haven't used and am satisfied with! Request a catalog. Look at their offerings. Book a trip.
- Remember, a "B" grade trek is not the same around the world. A "B" in Nepal could be considered a "C" somwhere else.
- Bring "gently" used old clothes to leave behind. Not just here but everywhere. There is always someone who will think your cast-offs are wonderful.
- Talk to someone who has already done this trek for a better understanding. (We didn't...)
- Pack everything in plastic (trash) bags inside your duffels and/or suitcases.
- April is the most beautiful time of the year to trek in Nepal. The pink, red and white Rhododendrons are incredible against the greenery and snow-capped mountains.
Chomrong children on a tree branch
Continue reading "If You Want To Trek... Nepal or Anywhere" »
Dear Readers and Fellow Travelers:a
2008...Where has the time gone.... Another year older....world problems....higher gas prices....possible health issues....and, if you are parents, omnipresent worries over the children.
On the plus side? People are traveling in ever increasing numbers. They are taking cruises, sitting on beaches, ziplining, exploring remote destinations, and Las Vegas is still building...building...building.
Continue reading "Happy New Year" »
Christmas Greetings to everyone celebrating today. Hope Santa Claus was good to you and gave whatever was on your list - minus the lump of coal. If not, stronger hints are necessary!
Belated Happy Chanukah and Joyous "Every Other Holiday" in the World. ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I are celebrating today in Cambodia - hopefully, avoiding the remaining land mines, doing our bit to prop up Cambodia's economy with massive shopping, and exploring the country and people outside of Angkor Wat.
Continue reading "Christmas Greetings" »
Today is Wednesday and the Dell Inspiron 530 is two weeks old. (Happy Birthday to you....) A second non-working video card arrives. Is this Card #1 supposedly "cancelled"....Card #2 still in limbo...or Card #3 sent by Alex? Who cares... and I still haven't received the UPS return labels. I e-mail Adela and miracle of miracles, she responds. The "team" will be in touch within minutes. Two hours later...a long-distance phone call from Carlos in El Salvador. Dell is now willing to offer me $50 for all the trouble. Surely, I've misunderstood him. Fifty dollars for 13 telephone hours, 14 days of aggravation and a case of the Shingles? Dell can take the $50.00 and insert it where the sun doesn't shine. But, I'm nice to Carlos...he's just doing his job.
"Carlos...send me those labels or this computer will sit on my front lawn until the cows come home and/or Dell picks it up. Whichever comes first." In the meantime, I'm busy writing a letter of protest to Dell Financial because the bill has already arrived. They certainly are quick to do that! This letter will protect my legal rights and I have no intention of keeping or paying for this poor excuse of a computer.
Continue reading "Escape From Dell Computer Hell" »
Between Monday and Wednesday, I write letters to Michael Dell, Donald Carty and Paul Bell (top honchos at Dell) , attach copies of the nine (9) e-mail responses from Dell with Case Numbers, detail all the facts and mail off hoping to get a response. The main focus of the letter being:
- Dell sold me a system that wasn't powerful enough to meet my needs;
- Because of that, I have to pay for a new video card; and
- Why did my "non-technical" self even have to go through all this aggravation when I could have been sold the right pre-loaded system to begin with.
These letters were sent November 12 and no one from Dell has ever bothered to respond.
Continue reading "Is There Life Outside of Dell Computer Hell?" »
The next day...
It was time to deal with another problem, getting Outlook Express to work properly. Comcast Broadband and I spent an hour trying to solve this. Comcast then contacted Microsoft (since it was their software) and Microsoft "graciously" offered to trouble shoot for $50 OR since Outlook Express came bundled on the Dell, I could call Dell and trouble shoot with them. With a knot in the pit of my stomach, I called Dell. This Tech, Ziggy, was in the Philippines call center. I'm not trying to be insensitive but at least I could understand Ziggy and we spent ANOTHER two hours, finally uninstalling Norton Security (bundled in the Dell) that refused to let Outlook Express receive e-mails. The Outlook Express problem solved, I added a new case number and new e-mail from Ziggy to the stack. Ziggy had read my growing log and asked about the "Blue Screen" issue but video editing was the last thing on my mind right then. This day had already consisted of one hour with Comcast, and two hours with Dell. A life outside of this Dell computer would have been nice.
Continue reading "Dell Computer Hell Continued" »
It's the Holiday Season and many of you are considering buying a computer. Instead of travel articles, please take time to read about my experience and think carefully about the two weeks spent in Dell hell before purchasing your computer.
The day has come -- for most of us -- where it is impossible to survive without a computer. My old Dell Desktop had been making strange noises and didn't have either a DVD drive or a sufficient graphics card to make videos. The old Dell worked with a minumum of problems in the past so I didn't think twice. Picked up the phone, called Dell and spoke to a salesman. Techie sons had given me advice..."Mom, upgrade...get 2 gigs (whatever that is) and 500 hard drive." With that in mind, told the salesman my requirements, was explicit in detailing what I needed this new desktop to do and left nothing out. The primary requirement was a system powerful enough for advanced video editing. (I want to add video to Travels With Sheila.) The Dell salesman gave zilch guidance and said the Inspiron 530 system would do the job. Little did I know I had entered Dell purgatory.
Continue reading "Two Weeks in Dell Computer Hell" »
Today is my favorite holiday of the year - Thanksgiving. A time to be grateful for family, friends and Good Health. My time to stuff a scrumptious turkey, concoct fattening appetizers and serve even more fattening desserts to the family. At least that would be the usual routine but today... Thanksgiving, 2007 is a little more exotic. ex-Marine and I will be on the "Orlova" in Antarctica celebrating his 68th Birthday. (I hope we're celebrating, and not spending time in the stateroom toilet...sick from the extremely rough Drake crossing.)
Thanksgiving this year also happens to be Josh's (grandson) 16th Birthday. Have a great Birthday, Josh. Get that driver's license and be careful on the road...
Continue reading "Happy Thanksgiving" »
Too many places to see...it will cost too much money...no time to go...just not enough of anything...I'll wait until the kids are grown...Maybe when we retire.......The plane trip is way too long...Why bother...? Excuses, excuses...
If any of the above reflects some of your thinking - reconsider. Asia, Africa, South America and others are loaded with friendly, warm, winter destinations that WILL NOT...repeat...WILL NOT...cost an arm and leg. Look back at some of my prior published articles on cost-savings in different countries. I'm even going to break it down a little further starting with the least expensive countries to visit:
Ranked in order of "cheapest" is --
- #1 Laos - It is almost impossible to find an Asian destination with friendlier people, phenomenal sights and rock-bottom prices, including $3.00 massages and delicious food.
$1.50 worth of food in Laos
Continue reading "A Collection of Winter Destinations - Asia and Beyond" »
After a lifetime of travel and dispensing advise freely to those who have asked, Travels With Sheila is celebrating its 1st year on the Web. A very big thank you to all of my loyal everyday readers and those who have found Travels With Sheila through a search engine. Hopefully, you have found the articles informative, interesting and thought-provoking.
There are so many places to go...so little time ...and, for the majority, so little money to use for travel. If just once you have thought..."hmm, I 'd really like to go there and it's not as expensive as I thought it would be"...then I have accompllshed my goal.
I can't encourage you enough to please take the plunge. Whether you are single, traveling with a friend, a couple or schlepping the kids along, the world is up for grabs and not as daunting as you might imagine (unless you are planning an exploratory trip in uncharted territories surrounded by cannibals, snakes and killer animals - in that case, forget my travel advice).
Continue reading "A Year of Travel Destinations" »
I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday and fantastic New Year. I hope 2006 has been a good year for everyone and if 2006 didn't live up to your expectations, perhaps 2007 will.
Continue traveling around the world. Unlike Disney's... "it's a small world after all"...it is a very big world with much to see, inhabited by wonderful, hospitable people. Don't let accounts in the newspaper and television frighten you off from visiting. I'm not suggesting Iraq or Afghanistan but we visited Syria years ago and were taken (not hostage) and amazed by the ancient site of Palmyra, to name one, along with the extremely outgoing Syrian people.
Continue reading "Holiday Wishes" »
I'd like to take a moment to wish all my readers and fellow travelers a most healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year with yummy cooking (I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself...) and time to spend with dear family and friends. Forget about hiking, running, walking, lifting weights or doing an kind of exercise...just eat...that's what I plan to do.
Keep reading daily...for upcoming series on:
- Borneo;
- Chimps, tree-climbing lions, and gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda;
- The Golden Kingdoms of West Africa; and
- The Himachal Pradesh, India.
just to name a few places...
Have a most wonderful Thanksgiving,
Sheila
We flew through Heathrow just six short days ago on August 4, and with the new terrorist threats and huge snafu at Heathrow, I thought you might be interested in what traveling through there was like even without the new terrorist threats. Heathrow has a reputation as the WORST airport to go through with its 4 Terminals...well-earned, and I had already written this article to appear with my series on Austria, which will start running on August 18.
We flew Munich to London on Lufthansa, landing in Terminal 2, and then had two hours to connect to our United, London-Chicago flight out of Terminal 3. You'd think that's plenty of time, right?
This is the routine:
1. After getting off Lufthansa in Terminal 2, walking close to a mile as rapidly as possible, there is SECURITY in front of you. Hundreds of passengers who had just gotten off planes being directed into TWO lines for additional scanning. We had a 3:40pm flight and it was now 2:30pm. ONE HOUR later, finally through Security. Next?
Continue reading "Timely Comments on London-Heathrow Airport" »
Let's talk some Gelato -
Growing up in Chicago, there were exactly three ice cream flavors: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. An ice cream cone was a big treat, and an ever bigger treat was the Good Humor Truck coming down the block.
There was no such thing as ice cream in a frozen food section...the ice man brought a block of ice for the refrigerator. (My grandchildren call this the "Middle Ages," and they are right!) But time marched on and "39 Flavors", Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's appeared. How much better could it get? We're still talking ice cream here, not Gelato.
Continue reading "Luscious Gelato - How Did I Travel Without It!" »
Walking, biking, hiking can be very luxurious when you use the right people to plan your trip.
I haven't used the tour operators listed below, but they all are highly recommended by personal friends. For biking, walking, hiking and multi-sport trips, check out these:
- Butterfield & Robinson
- Country Walkers
- Backroads
Some of their trips are very easy. Think...strolling down paths through the Loire Chateau country, 5***** hotels...drinking wine...eating gourmet dinners....double yummy! Or a cooking class...or sitting at a cafe sketching pictures. And if you pick a walking/biking/multi-sport trip, there is usually a "sag wagon" if you poop out or don't want to do anything that day.
And, among the many other operators are:
- Tauck Travel
- Abercrombie & Kent
Any of these Tour Operators will be happy to arrange private trips if you'd rather not travel with a group (or form your own group).
I also read Conde Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure - even if you can't afford the trips these tour operators offer (and magazines suggest), it's still makes for a fun and interesting read....and gives me ideas.
Then I go to "Lonely Planet ", and research some lower budget operators, but this article is for you luxury people. (Must admit...we have taken some luxury trips in the past.) I'm sure you all have travel agents and have had experiences with these tour companies, but it never hurts to suggest different possibilities. I even get Private Jet mailings! How that happened, I'll never know...but if I could afford it...I'd do it.
Continue reading "Galapagos? India? More Unique Luxury Trips" »
Other friends of mine have commented that while my articles are interesting, they like more luxurious vacations. I understand...we all need some luxury in our lives. So, Diane and Jerry, here are some thoughts for you.
Go to following websites and look at some of the previous trips ex-Marine and I have taken. (I never recommend a tour operator that I haven't used!) Every now and then, we "bite the bullet" and spend lots of $$$ because these trips are so unique. Also, I definitely use an American organizer for "iffy" countries because they will move heaven and earth to make sure you enter, travel through, and leave those places - SAFELY.
Mountain Travel Sobek - Look at their "Golden Kingdoms of West Africa" through Ghana, Benin and Togo. View image Not only is it a stupendous trip, but MT-S's operators in West Africa, Roberto and Alberto are fun, organized and fantastic. They bring wine, show tremendous caring for their clients, and go out of their way to accommodate your interests.
Our trip was during the Christmas season. We were tooling along the road when our car passed a biker carrying a turkey (hanging by his feet) upside down from the handlebars. Our American group got all excited, "Turkey for Christmas." Roberto immediately stopped all three or four vehicles, jumped out and started negotiating for the turkey. Victory was ours, and the Turkey rode on top of our vehicle until dinner time! When our cook, bar-be-qued it.
Yes, that trip did involve a total of 5 nites camping out of the 15-day trip, but that is because there are no Ritz or Four Seasons equivalent hotels in that part of the world. MT-S also has many non-camping, great luxury (and non-luxury) trips to some unsual destinations. If that's not for you....
How about "Adventuring in South Africa" with Wilderness Travel? When you pull up the itinerary on Wilderness' website, there is our photo along with the other 5 people on this trip! It was a complete surprise to us, but there we are. This was a total luxury trip - NO CAMPING, DIANE! Filled with spectacular game viewing, South Africa's world famous wines and food, and unbelievable accommodations. The trip has changed somewhat since we did this (ours included the fabulous Phinda Forest Lodge View image), but MT-S also can put together a private journey for you.
Continue reading "Africa? Yemen? Unique Luxury Trips" »
I am an addicted traveler. Unlike people who complain on crowded planes, I'm never happier then getting on a jet and going somewhere...anywhere. For a short time, there are no phone calls, grocery shopping, work, and everyday problems. I am off to a new experience with it's own new set of problems. Problems you would never think you'd excounter. But, that's travel. My site will add a little different input than the travel books, and, yes, I read them all. Lonely Planet is one of my bibles of travel even though my husband (who will be known throughout as the "ex-marine") and I are in our 60's. I grew up in Chicago, in an apartment, never camped, exercised or traveled beyond Lake Geneva. The "ex-marine" I'm married to vowed he would never camp or exercise again once he left the Corps.
Continue reading "Welcome to Travels with Sheila" »
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