patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 8, 2007 23:17:15 GMT -5
Maybe try the EuroStar from Paris to London... it *MAY* be cheaper?? I forget... but it should open up more time for London theater vs. waiting in airport security \ customs lines etc... The EuroStar has security and customs, but nothing to really whine about... I'm also THRILLED that you're taking the Isle Of Skye tour with Haggis... I took it in March 06... ABSOLUTELY amazing... SO SO SO much fun... (sorry about all the caps... I'm excited)
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 8, 2007 23:28:05 GMT -5
I wouldn't say Killarney is a must-see... but the nearby "Ring of Kerry" is... Most hostels in Killarney offer a signup for a guided bus tour through the Ring of Kerry... it'll cost about 10-15 Euro... definitely worth it.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 8, 2007 23:10:06 GMT -5
I've never worked with one of the fancy newfangled cameras with the lenses and such... I bought a small camera (about the size of a pack of cigarettes).. 7.1 megapix... and I got some amazing shots.
I'm not a photographer, so my main interest in my camera was to document my trip... If I wanted to snap a quick picture of some birds in a park, I did. If I had to unpack my lenses and such, they'd have flown away by the time I was done.
So I guess you should ask yourself why you want the pictures...
As far as locking it up?? It was always in my pocket.... and in my pillowcase under my head at night.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 1, 2006 1:57:15 GMT -5
Eagle... this is the camera I bought online... reccomended by my brother who's a pseudo-professional photographer for Southwest Airlines... he even commented that this particular camera is cheaper and has better functions than his own...
I paid less than $400 for it... which is still a little steep... considering that I'll still have to buy memory card etc... but it's a good price for the invaluable memories it will preserve.
Once I get it, and am able to play with it a bit, I'll post a review...
Thanks for the help... it's greatly appreciated!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 27, 2006 19:57:15 GMT -5
Eagle.. thanks for the recommendation... but were I to buy the camera... I wouldn't have a lot of trip left from which to take the pictures... it's a little out of my budget... I'm a little un-educated when it comes to digi cameras... I've owned one... and it was great, but has since been bumped around enough to where it's out of focus... and it's only 2.1mp... and I'd really like to capture the best images I can... and 2.1 isn't going to do that for me... Conversely, the 8mp of the S-80 is a bit too much... Sorry for being the picky picture guy I'm looking into getting the one from the link posted by stabone76... what do ya think?? Thanks for your expertise in all of this..
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 25, 2006 23:39:12 GMT -5
Like Cat, I too, am in the search for a camera... I mean, I'd like to be able to re-visit the places I see once my memory fails... That being said, let's talk batteries... let's pretend that I spend a long day in Rome... as I have the tendency to be trigger happy, I'd hate for my battery to die before the end of my day... If it's a camera that uses AAs... I can replace 'em... but it's costly... If I'm using an internal battery, and it dies... well, I'm SOL.... AND, I have to charge it while I'm in the hostel, which points to less security (read: possible theft).... BUT, the internal battery accrues no additional charge... Do you guys lean towards either side?? Now, cameras in general... I'm a big people person... I think I'd much rather enjoy reviewing my trip based on the people with whom I'm interacted... ie: portrait shots, etc... cause then, I'll remember the entire day... I plan on taking a lion's share of sweeping nature shots, and pics of the incredible architecture.... I dunno, I guess I need a (relatively) inexpensive camera... but one that's versatile as well... I know, I know... I want it all... just call me Veruca Salt. Thanks a ton!! PatrickT
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 23, 2006 20:02:48 GMT -5
While I'm struggling with how to keep and upload the photos from my upcoming trip.. looking at those pictures has excited and inspired me even more... remind me to take a good camera for this adventure... PatrickT
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 12, 2007 1:30:41 GMT -5
Depending on when you go, you may opt to book ahead of time. I traveled during off-season, so rooms were not difficult to find. In fact, I would book the bed in my next city just before I left my current location... all done online via Hostelworld.com As stated above, if you're traveling during peak tourism season, you'd be better off booking ahead... but you can still use Hostelworld.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 16, 2007 0:29:11 GMT -5
In Berlin, I stayed in the "A&O Hostel City West" (that's how it's listed on Hostelworld)...
It's LITERALLY across the street from the train station, which (for me) was always nice, so I didn't spend half my day or a huge chunk of change on tubes or taxis... I liked it. I remember it being clean with a friendly staff. It's also within a short walking distance to cheap eats and local transport.
That's pretty much the only hostel I stayed in in the cities you listed which I could truhfully recommend.
Have fun!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 13, 2006 15:31:01 GMT -5
KJO... Though this hostel doesn't have room service...and I wouldn't really consier it to be very 'posh'.... I stayed at the A&O Zoo hostel in Berlin....
Now... don't give up too soon.... It's a great place... has 24/7 reception, bike rental, and 2 bars.... one of which overlooks the train tracks.....
...the train tracks to the station LITERALLY 30 seconds walk away.... It's a great location, as you can zoom anywhere from your hostel within minutes...
Plus... the rooms are about 10 Euro....
My suggestion would be to splurge in Prague... where your money could get you a 5 star hotel for the price of a 10-bed dorm in a hostel....
Best of luck!!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 13, 2006 15:39:08 GMT -5
If you're looking for EASIER.... use Gatwick... You can get there quite simply from any tube station in London... Yes... it MAY take longer... but with few trains to catch, it's less likely to be lost or be put on the wrong train... (side note: Check with at least 2 uniformed train conductors that the train you're boarding is, in fact, the correct train.... I've been told TWICE now that I was on the right train, when I wasn't... this wastes time and lots of $$.. .) Other than that... enjoy your trip.... Visit Gordon's Wine Bar. 47 Viller St. Take the Circle Line to Embankment.... it's like sipping wine in the days of Charles Dickens....
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Mar 24, 2006 15:05:39 GMT -5
I stayed in 2 different Hostels while in London..
St. Christopher's Village - right across the River Thames from the Tower of London... (cool place with bar attatched... and near the London Bridge tube station)..
Piccadilly Backpackers - located in Piccadilly Circus / West End area... great place... near the Piccadilly Circus tube station...
I wouldn't be too concerned with location, as it's AMAZINGLY easy to get wherever you want via the underground... a day pass (in zones 1-2) will run £4.90.
Hope that helps...
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 10, 2006 1:56:17 GMT -5
Ok... let's talk about smoking... And I'm not talking weed... just... cigarettes... I know how prices of cigs have skyrocketed around the US (like in NYC, and LA)... thankfully, prices aren't too horrible in Orlando... My question is... how are things in Europe... Any heads up on prices and overall smoking etiquitte would be GREATLY appreciated... Thanks a ton!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 27, 2006 13:24:54 GMT -5
Hey Jeff.. I'm planning a trip as well... but you can click above on "Hostel Booking"... and you can select which country\city... the very first hostel listed in Amsterdam declares it to be a non-smoking hostel... I assume that means both cigarettes and weed. Make sure to check all of them, as some will be closer to the sites than others... If the hostel IS non-smoking, they will say so in the list of ammenities on the right hand side of the screen..
Good luck!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 27, 2006 18:47:05 GMT -5
My goodness! An endless source of info, you are...
Though it sounds intimidating... and well, foreign to me... I think this may be something I'll look into. It could be an excellent place to stay towards the end of my trip... to reflect on everything I've learned. Thanks for bringing it up!!
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