Travel Thread, countires visited

[Camelopard]

Whilst trying to get to sleep last night and having problems (maybe not enough red wine :p : ), I started to go through all the countries that I have visited over the last 30 odd years. Some don't exist anymore, like Yugoslavia, former ussr, East Germany.
I only count countries where I have physically set foot on the ground, although some I may not have left the airport (this number is about 5).
So I'd like to ask others where they have been and why. Any takers?

[LotusElise]

Huskvarna, Sweden - school exchange trip.
Kiruna/Jukkasjarvi, Sweden - dogsledding holiday
Lloret de Mar/Barcelona, Spain - university football tournament
Rome, Italy - holiday
Brugge and Ieper, Belgium, plus various bits of the the Somme valley, France - school trip to learn about WWI

I think that's it. I've not been outside Europe yet.

[Mark]

England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Ireland
France
Spain
Denmark
United States

[Daniel]

I'll go in order :)

Australia born there and lived there for 23 years of my life :p
Zimbabwe - Just visited the airport
South Africa
Namibia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Finland
England
Wales
Switzerland
France

Of those Finland and Wales have to my favourites :)

[Flatcat]

NZ
Australia
Thailand - Airport only
England
Scotland
Wales
Republic of Ireland
France
Belguim
Holland
Italy
Switzerland
Spain
Greece
Egypt
Hong Kong
Fiji
Rarotonga
Easter Island
USA - Airport only
Germany
Monaco
Singapore - Airport only

[pino]

I've visited the whole Europe except for Russia, and most of est-countries ( Yugoslavia included).
USA
India
Nepal
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Morocco
Canary Islands

[DonJippo]

Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Russia
Estonia
Germany (west & east)
Poland
Czechoslovakia
Hungary
Austria
Switzerland
Italy
Monaco
France
Spain
Portugal (Madeira)
Luxembourg
Belgium
Netherlands
England
Scotland
Ireland
USA (Hawaii, Dallas)
Mexico
India
Australia
New Zealand
Thailand
Singapore
Hongkong
China
Brazil

[Caroline]

England
Scotland
Ireland
France
Belgium
Switzerland
Austria
Germany
Slovakia
Hungary
Czech Republic
Finland
Norway
Sweden
USA
Canada
NZ
Australia
Hong Kong
Japan
China
Thailand
Singapore
Vietnam

Flatcat, Easter Island is on my list of 'to go' places, along with Iceland/Faroe Islands.

[BeansBeansBeans]

England
ROI
Scotland
Wales
Spain
France
Canada

I'm not very well travelled really.

[Storm]

I have not been around the world as much as some other globe-trotters above :p :

Malaysia - holiday
UK - holiday
USA (NC - work , few days in CA and Atlanta, GA - vacation)
Holland and UAE (airports)

Of these I really enjoyed being in Malaysia and England.
My next trip will hopefully be to Mexico, Spain or Greece.

[Woodeye]

Sweden
Estonia
Norway
Denmark
Czech Rebublic
Hungary
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
England
Belgium
Netherlands
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Greece
Cyprus

Canary Islands... :erm:

[raybak]

Australia
New Zealand
US
Canada
Mexico
Fiji
Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea
Malaysia
Singapore

That's about all for me so far.

Ray

[slinkster]

:( I think I'm going to have the shortest list here; I'm not very well travelled at all I'm afraid.

England
Wales
Northern Ireland
France
Spain (Barcelona)
United States (New York)
Japan (Tokyo)

[Camelopard]

I guess I have to put my countries down. I first left Australia in 1976 and I really enjoy travelling, hopefully when I retire it will become 'what I do!'.

Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Panama, Netherland Antilles.
England, Wales, Scotland, France, Netherlands, Belguim, West Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg.
Norway, Spain, Portugal, Andorra,
Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic,
Greece, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Poland, USSR, Mongolia, P.R. China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong,
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal,Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,
Mauritius, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Uganda, Burundi, Zaire, Central African Republic, Cameroun, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Gibraltar,
15 states in the USA, 4 Canadian Provinces.
Vanuatu, Fiji.

A few iffy ones are: The Vatican, Aland Islands, Panama Canal Zone (as it was administered by the USA separately to Panama when I went through the canal), Hutt River Province (Prince Leonard seceded from Australia in 1970). Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Spanish North Africa (Ceuta).

Still lots more to see, all of Southern Africa, Renuion, and plenty in Europe to visit as well, the Baltic states, Iceland, both Irelands, the Shetlands and so on. So many places, so little time and money :)

[Camelopard]

I guess I have to put my countries down. I first left Australia in 1976 and I really enjoy travelling, hopefully when I retire it will become 'what I do!'.

Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Panama, Netherland Antilles.
England, Wales, Scotland, France, Netherlands, Belguim, West Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg.
Norway, Spain, Portugal, Andorra,
Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic,Greece, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Poland, USSR, Mongolia, P.R. China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong.
Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal,Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,
Mauritius, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Uganda, Burundi, Zaire, Central African Republic, Cameroun, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Gibraltar,
15 states in the USA, 4 Canadian Provinces.
Vanuatu, Fiji.

A few iffy ones are: The Vatican, Aland Islands, Panama Canal Zone (as it was administered by the USA separately to Panama when I went through the canal), Hutt River Province (Prince Leonard seceded from Australia in 1970). Sardinia, Sicily, Crete and Spanish North Africa (Ceuta).

Still lots more to see, all of Southern Africa, Renuion, and plenty in Europe to visit as well, the Baltic states, Iceland, both Irelands, the Shetlands and so on. So many places, so little time and money :)

[Daniel]

Please where you haven't been :p Will be easier to read :p

South(ern) Africa is lovely :) You won't get shot and it's nice unless you visit Zimbabwe.

[Camelopard]

South(ern) Africa is lovely :) You won't get shot and it's nice unless you visit Zimbabwe.

Yep, Namibia is high on my want to do list! Zimbabwe, what a shame, surely though once Bob is gone things will get better?

[Daniel]

Namibia is lovely. Luderitz and Swakopmund are both very very nice as is Windhoek (but not as nice) :)

[LotusElise]

Namibia and Iceland are on my wish list.

[luvracin]

- Australia(Born & Bred)
- USA(Live there/here for the past few years)
- Canada(Holiday)
- England(Holiday X2)
- Wales(Holiday)
- Germany(Many business trips and also my wifes from there so...)
- Italy(Business once, Holiday once)
- Netherlands(Amsterdam - Holiday)

Airport Transfers...
- India
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- France

[Erki]

A day in Latvia. :laugh:

Watch this space though. :)

[schmenke]

The stamps that I have in my passport(s):

U.S.A. (although no passport stamp required)
Finland
Sweden (briefly)
China
Hong Kong (separate stamp from PRC)
South Korea
France
U.K.
Thailand
Phillipines
Dominican Republic
Australia

Airport Transfers:
Singapore
Japan (Narita)

[tinchote]

Argentina (14 provinces)
Belgium
Brazil
Canada (7 provinces)
China (4 provinces)
Denmark
El Salvador
England
Finland
France
Germany
Irland
Italy
Monaco
Norway
Romania
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Uruguay
USA (15 states)
Vatican
Venezuela

Only airport:

Chile
Peru
Ecuador

[Drew]

Zimbabwe, what a shame, surely though once Bob is gone things will get better?

According to my friend that lives there it's not all too bad. They have to get their shopping in Zambia but it's not too bad if you stay out of the way of politics. I've no idea what she considers bad, but she did move from Stoke to live back there :p :

Currently for me:
England,
Wales,
R.O. Ireland,
France,
Espain,
Italy
Cyprus.

Not impressive, my family seem to like touristy areas. I've been to Ireland and Wales without them and to Germany next month with some friends :)

[Alexamateo]

The USA: (35 of the 50 States)
Great Britain
France
Belgium
The Netherlands
Germany
Austria
Lichtenstein
Switzerland
Italy
Spain
Canada
Mexico

[oily oaf]

I'm afraid I've never visited any "countires" at all :(
But hey that doesn't make me a bad person :s murf:

[Camelopard]

I'm afraid I've never visited any "countires" at all :(
But hey that doesn't make me a bad person :s murf:

Well spoted Oily, I doff ma hat to you, maybe I should add myself to the 'dumb and dumber' thread....................... just goes to show that one should read what they have typed before hitting ent

Isn't 'dumber' a silly word, no wonder people learning English have a hard time with it.

As you are the first to have picked up on my deliberately placed error, send me your bank account details and a recent passport photo of your goodself and for good measure some officially adressed mail and I'll see if I can manage to come up with a little present for you!!!!!!!

[oily oaf]

Well spoted Oily, I doff ma hat to you, maybe I should add myself to the 'dumb and dumber' thread....................... just goes to show that one should read what they have typed before hitting ent

Aw you've been so damn nice about it that I feel guilty now :(

(lights last cigarette and throws self violently forward onto Samurai sword)

PS "spoted" has got 2 "t"s in it (fume unhhhhhhhhh!)

[Camelopard]

Aw you've been so damn nice about it that I feel guilty now :(

(lights last cigarette and throws self violently forward onto Samurai sword)

PS "spoted" has got 2 "t"s in it (fume unhhhhhhhhh!)

I originally put 2 't's but it didn't look right, so I took one out, then I started to think (always a bad sign) that maybe I'd spelt 'dumber' wrong as well. 'tis a silly language...........
Spelling twas never my strong point........

[gm99]

Interesting thread.

Other than Austria, where I live, I have been to:
Portugal
France
Monaco
Italy
Belgium
The Netherlands
Ireland
United Kingdom (England and Ulster)
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Slovenia
Hungary
Germany
Sweden
Latvia
Canada (British Columbia, Ontario & Québec)
USA (California, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Illinois, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachussetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and DC)

I will be going to Finland and Estonia next week so I can add those to my list as well ;)

[Erki]

I will be going to Finland and Estonia next week so I can add those to my list as well ;)

Coming to Tartu too? :)

[Tomi]

Sweden
Denmark
Norway
Germany also the East Germany
Austria
Swizerland
Italy
Holland
Belgium
Spain
France
Luxemburg
Estonia
Russia
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Hungary
Jugoslavia
Greece
Egypt
Morocco
United Arab Emirates
Kenya
Dominican Republic
USA
Malaysia
Thailand
Cambodia

After 2 weeks hopefully been to Laos also.

[gm99]

Coming to Tartu too? :)

Unfortunately not this time - I did read about it being a nice town, though...

[GridGirl]

Ive not been to that many places compared to the lists of other people but I'm quite happy seeing whats in my own country. :)

England
Scotland
Wales
France
Belgium
Holland
Spain and Ibiza
Switzerland
Greece ane various Greek Islands
USA
Kenya
Mauritius and Reunion
Italy
Germany

[Storm]

cossie :up: :eek:
It would be nice of people who visit huge countries to tell where exactly they have been to...e.g where in India cossie16? :p :

[A.F.F.]

Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Germany
Switzerland
Italy
France
Estonia
Spain
USA ( Los Angeles, San Diego )
Mexico
England

Scotland :up:

[Camelopard]

cossie :up: :eek:
It would be nice of people who visit huge countries to tell where exactly they have been to...e.g where in India cossie16? :p :

In 1978 I basically followed the old hippie trail from Australia to Europe, although I had long hair I certainly wasn't a hippie!!!!
Flew into Calcutta, train up to Darjeeling, bus across to Kathmandu, did a trek to Annapurna Sanctuary (why oh why didn't I have a camera!!!!). Spent some time on the lake at Pokhara, flew to Patna, train across to Varanasi, Agra and New Delhi. Things were hotting up in Iran, border was closed and in the camp ground in New Delhi an English guy was taking his converted bus back to England which he had driven out about 18 months before. We went up to Amritsar, then across in to Pakistan, up the Kyhber Pass into Afghanistan, stayed in Chicken st. in Kabul waiting for the border into Iran to open, after a few days in Herat we were off to the Iran border.
Whoops, have to do some work, back shortly!

[Camelopard]

We crossed into Iran the day after the border opened, the Shah had fled but things were normal at the border post, very through checking of belongings and the bus. There was a museum at the customs post which had displays of items showing how people had tried to smuggle drugs into Iran, one would presume on their way to Europe. We were told to avoid Tehran and so drove pretty much straight through to Turkey. Didn't see too many problems, most towns had plinths from where statues had been removed, presumably of the Shah. Lots of posters of the Ayotolla, although at that stage he was still in France.
I've had several more trips to India in the early 1980's, without getting too long winded, I went back to New Dehli, Amristsar, Srinigar, Leh in Ladakh, then back to New Delhi, Bombay, Goa, Trivandrum, Cochin, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Madras. Also went to Rajastan, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Fatephur, Agra and Varanasi again.
I want to go to Sikkim and Bhutan at some stage and also up into hill towns north of New Delhi
If people are interested, I can give details of some of my other trips, although I realise it mightn't be everones cup of tea!.

[LeonBrooke]

How depressing. I've never travelled outside of New Zealand - never had the money. But when I get it, Norway is at the top of the list of places to visit - it looks like a beautiful country.

[tinchote]

How depressing. I've never travelled outside of New Zealand - never had the money. But when I get it, Norway is at the top of the list of places to visit - it looks like a beautiful country.

It's not that much money if you are really interested in doing it. Now, if you happen to travel half the World to get to Norway, I would suggest that before the trip you get a train pass, and visit a good chunk of good old Europe :)

[Schultz]

Why don't people share with us what they thought of the places they visited? Maybe tell us which place was their favourite? It's rather boring to just look at a list of countries :p

[Rollo]

Within the UK:
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Jersey
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Lovely
Duchy of Cornwall
Islamic Republic of Portsmouth
Disputed Kingdom of Hackney

Within Europe:
Belgium
Netherlands
Luxembourg
France
Monaco
Italy
Switzerland
Austria
Germany
Denmark
Poland
Ireland

Rest of World:
Jamaica
Barbados
Antigua
USA
Mexico
New Zealand
Australia
Hutt River Province
Japan
Hong Kong

I have also stopped over in Moscow, KL, Abu Dhai and Seoul en route to elsewhere.

[millencolin]

Australia
Fiji
Hawai'i (yeah i dont say USA, cause Hawaii to me is different)

and in a few weeks
JAPAN

[ettelbruck]

Norway
Sweden
Denmark
West Germany (+Büsingen)
East Germany
Germany reunited
Luxembourg
Belgium (+Baarle-Herzog / Baarle-Nassau)
Netherlands
France
Austria
Czechoslovakia
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Italy (+Campione d'Italia)
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Slovenia
Croatia
Hungary
Estonia
United Kingdom (England,Scotland,Wales,Ulster)
Spain (+Llivia)
Tenerife
Andorra
Monaco
Poland
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
USA (40 states)
Canada
Mexico
Turkey
Reunion
Mauritius
South Africa
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Dominica
Japan
Australia
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Thailand

Still missing e.g. Russia, Greece, Portugal (of those where so many Finns have been) and dreaming to visit e.g Iceland, New Zealand and Namibia


edit:
-yeah right, every extra penny we earn we travel...

[Camelopard]

That's a cool list, can I ask if it has been primarily work or pleasure, quite a few countries that I want to visit on that list.

[Storm]

...I want to go to Sikkim and Bhutan at some stage and also up into hill towns north of New Delhi

Some amazing stories you must have had on the way..I would highly recommend Sikkim, seeing as you have been very close (Darjeeling earlier..)
You have probably seen more of my country than I have but I am also planning a trip to Ladakh/Himalayan foothills in the future :)

[Camelopard]

Some amazing stories you must have had on the way..I would highly recommend Sikkim, seeing as you have been very close (Darjeeling earlier..)
You have probably seen more of my country than I have but I am also planning a trip to Ladakh/Himalayan foothills in the future :)

I wanted to go to Sikkim at the time I went to Darjeeling, however at the time it required getting a permit in Calcutta which from memory took about 6 weeks to acquire! The overnight train went as far as Siliguri and I was very envious of the people hoping onto the bus to Gangtok. The narrow gauge train up to Darjeeling was on strike so we all caught the bus. Darjeeling was cold! We had Christmas dinner at the old Darjeeling Tea Planters Club which was quite an experience.

[jso1985]

Bolivia, 6 of its 9 Departments
Chile, Arica and Iquique(holiday)
Peru, Cuzco and Titicaca lake area(holiday)
Sweden, lots of towns in Skane Län, Stockholm, Kiruna and many other towns(exchange student year)
Norway, the lovely Narvik(holiday)
Denmark, Copenhagen(holiday)
Czech Republic, Prague(class trip)

airport only
Brazil, Sao Paulo
Germany, Frankfurt and Berlin train station

[edv]

Americas
Canada (every province except PEI & Newfieland)
USA (every state except Rhode Island & Alaska)
Colombia - Lived there
Mexico
Jamaica
Europe
England
Holland
Belgium
Luxembourg
France
Germany
Italy
Malta
Greece
Others
Iran
Azerbizhan
Lebanon
Syria - Lived there
Jordan
Egypt
Libya - Lived there
Tunisia
Australia
New Zealand

[gadjo_dilo]

I'm impressed by those who traveled so much and still relieved seeing there are a few unlucky guys like me who hadn't the chance ( or will?!) to go abroad.
On my last holiday I was about to step into Bulgaria but one of my friends forgot his papers at home and we missed the trip.

[CarlMetro]

The UK
Ireland
Spain
France
Belgium
Germany
Poland
Holland
Austria
Switzerland
Morocco
Tunisia
Turkey
Malta
Italy
USA
Mexico
Maldives
St Lucia
Antigua
St Kitts
St Vincent
British Virgin Islands
Gibralta
Sri Lanka

Future visits will hopefully include Canada, Dubai and Japan.

[LeonBrooke]

It's not that much money if you are really interested in doing it. Now, if you happen to travel half the World to get to Norway, I would suggest that before the trip you get a train pass, and visit a good chunk of good old Europe :)

Definitely. I'm going to have to save some money though. Maybe a year or two of work...

[schmenke]

...Future visits will hopefully include Canada....

Don't forget my neck of the woods :)

Don't bother with Oshawa :rolleyes: :p :

[Drew]

Czech Republic, Prague(class trip)

What?! You live in the third world and you went on a school trip to Prague? All I ever got was visit to the sodding zoo and my school was the 3rd best in my county :\

[jso1985]

it was with my school in Sweden during my exchange year, still had to pay half of the trip anyway

[Donney]

Not as many as some of the people here:

Spain
Portugal
Andorra
France
England
Scotland
Belgium
Holland
Germany
Russia
Greece
USA
Australia

[A.F.F.]

Norway, the lovely Narvik(holiday)



Narvik is lovely indeed :up:

[Erki]

I have a question for you people who travel often by plane... How do you know which plane to go on? I mean... when I google something like "fly from place A to place B" I get loads of results... some are more expensive, some less so... This question applies even more when that place B is not so very near my current location...(transfer flights).

[Daniel]

I have a question for you people who travel often by plane... How do you know which plane to go on? I mean... when I google something like "fly from place A to place B" I get loads of results... some are more expensive, some less so... This question applies even more when that place B is not so very near my current location...(transfer flights).
if you use a travel search engine it helps :)

[Erki]

if you use a travel search engine it helps :)

Where can I get that engine?

[Daniel]

google for opodo or travelbag

[tinchote]

Where can I get that engine?


It depends a lot on where you are departing from, so there is no general answer to your question. Some sites might be great for a certain place and bad for another (for example the same site that gives my an awsome price Canada-Argentina-Canada has very bad prices Argentina-Canada-Argentina.

[Erki]

It depends a lot on where you are departing from, so there is no general answer to your question. Some sites might be great for a certain place and bad for another (for example the same site that gives my an awsome price Canada-Argentina-Canada has very bad prices Argentina-Canada-Argentina.

Why not do Argentina-Canada and Canada-Argentina separately? You're a mathematician, it should be easy for you to add them up. :D

[ettelbruck]

add to my previous list:

China
North Korea ( :eek: , trust me!)

[Camelopard]

add to my previous list:

China
North Korea ( :eek: , trust me!)

Cool, how did you manage to get there, North Korea that is? Wish I had known as I really want a number (license) plate from there!

Collecting number plates is another of my hobbies, trying to get at least one plate from every country in the world and both Koreas are very hard to obtain!

[ettelbruck]

Cool, how did you manage to get there, North Korea that is? Wish I had known as I really want a number (license) plate from there!

Collecting number plates is another of my hobbies, trying to get at least one plate from every country in the world and both Koreas are very hard to obtain!

Hmm, our guides (=guards) were so strict that stealing a license plate is simply impossible!

[J4MIE]

You can get tours to North Korea, if you have the money :)

[J4MIE]

Scotland :D
England
France
Belgium
Germany
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Italy
Monaco
Wales
Greece
Finland
Denmark
Isle of Man
Northern Ireland
Sweden
UAE (airport)
Australia
EDIT: Forgot Ireland!! :s
Estonia

Hopefully to increase over years to come :bounce:

[SOD]

Northern Ireland
England
USA x 3
Denmark x 2
Italy x 2
Switzerland
Belgium x 2
Sweden
Scotland
Holland x 2
Germany x 2

[ettelbruck]

You can get tours to North Korea, if you have the money :)

...and still you need less money than touring Scotland...

[Camelopard]

...and still you need less money than touring Scotland...

Is that right? I'll have to find out more information, sounds interesting.

[Drew]

Is that right? I'll have to find out more information, sounds interesting.

I'm not sure what it's like for Australians but if you're American you will instantly be refused a visa. Also you'll see alot of propaganda and the tours will be how the government wants you to see the country :)

[BrentJackson]

Namibia is lovely. Luderitz and Swakopmund are both very very nice as is Windhoek (but not as nice) :)

Agreed. Namibia and South Africa are Africa at its best. Zimbabwe supposedly used to be beautiful, but Mugabe has royally messed that poor country up.

My list

Canada (where I live)
United States
Great Britain (Haven't been to Wales, but have been to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Republic of Ireland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Germany
Monaco
Switzerland
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
Namibia
Botswana
Lesotho
Argentina
United Arab Emirates (airport)
Japan (airport)

Of these Australia is probably the nicest, though if you haven't seen a sunrise in Namibia or traveled through the Canadian rockies you really haven't seen it all. :)

[J4MIE]

I'm not sure what it's like for Australians but if you're American you will instantly be refused a visa. Also you'll see alot of propaganda and the tours will be how the government wants you to see the country :)

You can go on the tour if you are American :confused:

[Drew]

You can go on the tour if you are American :confused:

Well, I looked it up and it was changed in 2005, when my Aunty went she said it was not possible for Americans to get a visa :p :

[Bebee]

Would definately love to go back to South Africa, and maybe around New Zealand again...

Australia
New Zealand
Singapore
Malaysia
India
UAE
Saudi Arabia
England
Belgium
Netherlands
Italy
South Africa
Hong Kong
Thailand (airport only)

May be going to Germany soon... Hard to say since it depends on Uni stuff. :s

[jens]

Finland
Sweden
Norway
Russia (when I was 5-years old and we were part of USSR)
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
France
Switzerland
Great Britain

Never been outside Europe. :(

[BrentJackson]

To answer the request of my favorite place of those, that's a hard question. It really is.

Australia is something awesome even to a Canadian. It's vast. I mean a European must feel like he's on another planet, the distances between places are so huge. And I must admit, some of the stuff I saw was bizzare. Is there any place else in the world with a combination pet food/porno store? (I kid you not - that was in a small town in the Outback not far from Broken Hill in NSW.)

Sydney has a geography like few cities in the world - Seattle, San Francisco and Monaco is about as close as it gets. Aussies are so friendly that at first it was quite scary. But get into it, and it just feels like you haven't traveled far at all. I'll be going back sometime in my life.

Africa is not as uncivilized as people make it out to be. Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, and I can see why its residents in many cases wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Practically the entire Indian Ocean coast of SA from Cape Town to Durban is supposed to be gorgeous, but I didn't see anything beyond Port Elizabeth. Namibia is another vast open landscape with few people - but a huge amount of wildlife. Even in a Toyota Land Cruiser, you have to watch for animals - apparently they have had problems with even elephant/car interfaces. :eek: Botswana is a similar story, as is much of SA's Great Karroo. It's so empty its amazing. Unbelievably hot at times too - When I had to stop for gas in Beaufort West, the temperature according to the stations thermometer was 114 Fahrenheit. :eek: Johannesburg is something else, too - even far beyond than Cape Town, this is like two cities in one. Just miles from shocking-rich Sandton and Houghton is dirt-poor Alexandria, rough and ready Soweto and crime-ridden fallen city Hillbrow. You have to see it to believe it. But believe me, you don't act wealthy in Hillbrow or Soweto if you value your life.

Canada has much to offer. The range of mountains from Northern California to the Yukon is jaw-dropping virtually in its entirety. US Route 2 through Stevens Pass in Washington State is one of the most amazing drives I've ever done - a well-maintained winding two-land road through the Cascades. No trucks in sight, and only a few small towns along the way. If you wanna see this one, do it in July or August, when its not raining and the Pacific Northwest gets the "Kodachrome skies". My little Toyota MR2, US Route 2 on a Kodachrome-sky 25-degree July day is as close to driving heaven as I've ever come.

Britain is a place I liked, but never quite figured out. This is especially true of Scotland. Getting around by car (or even by train) is such a challenge that even this world traveller got lost often. The countrysides are quite idyllic, but I never really got into it. Northern Ireland has fantastic people, at least until I told them I have a Protestant father and Catholic mother. I decided to get out of that pub after that. :)

The Republic of Ireland has the most talkative people I have ever experienced. That, and it certainly was a neato experience tracing my family's roots in County Kerry. :)

In all honesty, Europe is a gorgeous place and great for history, but I liked Western North America, Africa and Australia more interesting and more awesome. A bit adventurous, too - in Europe, everything you see somebody has seen before and its all too easy to see and experience. Africa is quite another matter. And I must admit, driving like Colin McRae on a dirt road in Namibia is fun. :D

[Christina]

I'm going to Graz, Austria in eight days time! i'm so excited! i might even report on it while i'm there! I'm sure i'll have something to say about the place in two months!

*is excited*

Oh, also, i just got back from Canungra, which is in Queensland, Australia. It's kinda.. Gold Coast hinterlands and it's absolutely gorgeous! I think they are planning to host the WRC there in the next year or two.. Anyways, i loved the place so much that i'm moving there! that is.. if i dont end up staying in Austria..

[Erki]

Whatcha gonna do in Austria? :) *cough* Red Bull? *cough* :p

[Daniel]

To answer the request of my favorite place of those, that's a hard question. It really is.

Australia is something awesome even to a Canadian. It's vast. I mean a European must feel like he's on another planet, the distances between places are so huge. And I must admit, some of the stuff I saw was bizzare. Is there any place else in the world with a combination pet food/porno store? (I kid you not - that was in a small town in the Outback not far from Broken Hill in NSW.)

Sydney has a geography like few cities in the world - Seattle, San Francisco and Monaco is about as close as it gets. Aussies are so friendly that at first it was quite scary. But get into it, and it just feels like you haven't traveled far at all. I'll be going back sometime in my life.

Africa is not as uncivilized as people make it out to be. Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, and I can see why its residents in many cases wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Practically the entire Indian Ocean coast of SA from Cape Town to Durban is supposed to be gorgeous, but I didn't see anything beyond Port Elizabeth. Namibia is another vast open landscape with few people - but a huge amount of wildlife. Even in a Toyota Land Cruiser, you have to watch for animals - apparently they have had problems with even elephant/car interfaces. :eek: Botswana is a similar story, as is much of SA's Great Karroo. It's so empty its amazing. Unbelievably hot at times too - When I had to stop for gas in Beaufort West, the temperature according to the stations thermometer was 114 Fahrenheit. :eek: Johannesburg is something else, too - even far beyond than Cape Town, this is like two cities in one. Just miles from shocking-rich Sandton and Houghton is dirt-poor Alexandria, rough and ready Soweto and crime-ridden fallen city Hillbrow. You have to see it to believe it. But believe me, you don't act wealthy in Hillbrow or Soweto if you value your life.

Canada has much to offer. The range of mountains from Northern California to the Yukon is jaw-dropping virtually in its entirety. US Route 2 through Stevens Pass in Washington State is one of the most amazing drives I've ever done - a well-maintained winding two-land road through the Cascades. No trucks in sight, and only a few small towns along the way. If you wanna see this one, do it in July or August, when its not raining and the Pacific Northwest gets the "Kodachrome skies". My little Toyota MR2, US Route 2 on a Kodachrome-sky 25-degree July day is as close to driving heaven as I've ever come.

Britain is a place I liked, but never quite figured out. This is especially true of Scotland. Getting around by car (or even by train) is such a challenge that even this world traveller got lost often. The countrysides are quite idyllic, but I never really got into it. Northern Ireland has fantastic people, at least until I told them I have a Protestant father and Catholic mother. I decided to get out of that pub after that. :)

The Republic of Ireland has the most talkative people I have ever experienced. That, and it certainly was a neato experience tracing my family's roots in County Kerry. :)

In all honesty, Europe is a gorgeous place and great for history, but I liked Western North America, Africa and Australia more interesting and more awesome. A bit adventurous, too - in Europe, everything you see somebody has seen before and its all too easy to see and experience. Africa is quite another matter. And I must admit, driving like Colin McRae on a dirt road in Namibia is fun. :D
Very good summary of Southern Africa. Luckily when I stay in Jo'burg I stay in Sandton. The Indian Ocean coast is beautiful as you've said but I like the sparseness of the Atlantic coast too.

[Christina]

Whatcha gonna do in Austria? :) *cough* Red Bull? *cough* :p


Red bull? noo.. i get plenty of that here!! Red Bull Air Race next weekend my friend!!

In Austria.. i'm not sure what i will do.. Get cold and have a lot of fun i suspect..

[Camelopard]

I'm going to Graz, Austria in eight days time! i'm so excited! i might even report on it while i'm there! I'm sure i'll have something to say about the place in two months!

*is excited*

Oh, also, i just got back from Canungra, which is in Queensland, Australia. It's kinda.. Gold Coast hinterlands and it's absolutely gorgeous! I think they are planning to host the WRC there in the next year or two.. Anyways, i loved the place so much that i'm moving there! that is.. if i dont end up staying in Austria..

What are you going to be doing in Austria, apart from having a good time?

We just had a German guy who now lives in Austria stay with us for a few days, he desperately wants to move here to Australia and live. This is his 4th trip to Australia, pity he doesn't have a skill that is required here at the moment as this would make it easier for him to move here.
He said that his interest in Australia grew after the Iron Curtain came down when he was 12 (he was born in the old East Germany) and for the first time he saw a real non censored world map, picked the furtherest country from East Germany and decided he wanted to go there. By rights he should have picked New Zealand, but that's spliting hairs.

[Daniel]

Christina. There will be no Rally Australia next year and in my opinion there won't be another one for a long time.

[Christina]

Christina. There will be no Rally Australia next year and in my opinion there won't be another one for a long time.

I know this, but i hold out hope for '09. Because if they dont get their asses moving and get it organised already, i will personally go over there and kick their asses to make it happen!! *humph!*

[Christina]

What are you going to be doing in Austria, apart from having a good time?



Trying to improve my German i guess.. I might try to get a job while i am there because there is nothing like forcing yourself to understand a language!!

But mainly.. Whatever the Gent decides! I'm getting a Natives' guide to Austria. I guess the fact that we're both hang glider pilots (who met at a hang gliding competition) might give you some idea of the crazy stuff we will end up doing..

Apparently i'm not allowed to learn how to ski due to the probability that i will break my leg due to blonde-ness.

Tell your friend to learn a trade then move to Australia! Apparently now in Perth we have a severe shortage of Plumbers..

[Camelopard]

You are the second person to say he should be a plumber! Pity he does clerical work! No shortage of those in Australia.......

[Magnus]

X=more than ten
Europe:
Norway*X
Finland*1
denmark*X
Germany*X
East-Germany*1
Poland*3
Switzerland*4
Austria*2
France*X
Spain*X
Andorra*1
GB*6
Portugal*1
Italy*1
Czech.*1
Luxembourg*5
Holland*4
Belgium*4
Lichtenstein*1
Greece*1
Monaco*2

Africa
Morrocco*2
Egypt*1

Asia
Singapore*3
Japan*2
malaysia*1
Thailand*1
Indonesia (Bali)*1
China*1
Mongolia *1
Russia*1
Sri Lanka*1
Hong Kong*1 (which is now china)
Emirates*1

Australia and the pasific
Australia*2
NZ*3
Fiji*2
Tonga*1(two month in a litlle cottage by the sea :) )

America
USA*5
Canada*1
Mexico *1
Saint Lucia*3
Trinidad and Tobago*2
Gouadeloope*1
Dominica*1
Virgin islands (US)*1
St Marteen (Hol)*1
St Barth(Fr) *1 used to be swedish though...
Antigua and Barbuda*1
Martinique(Fr)*1
Saint Vincent and the grenadines*1 (Beautiful...)
Grenada*1
Barbados*2
(I have stayed in the west indies for three winters)

I have been traveling for various reasons all my life, so it adds up...

[Daniel]

I know this, but i hold out hope for '09. Because if they dont get their asses moving and get it organised already, i will personally go over there and kick their asses to make it happen!! *humph!*
Calendar goes down to 12 rounds for that year and rotation comes into force. It'll be a miracle if they get the rally in 2009 and even more miraculous if the company doing the work on the permanent facilities is still solvent in 3 or 4 years time :)

[Daniel]

Bloody hell Magnus! If you don't mind me saying you get around I'd like to say that you get around :p

[Magnus]

Just made a booking so that I on november 15 can add another country to the list: vising Ireland for the first time and taking the trip up to Sligo where the WRC penultimate round will be held!
Remains to find a hotel though :D

[leopard]

great it must be exciting, don't be bed guy!

[leopard]

I'm going to Graz, Austria in eight days time! i'm so excited! i might even report on it while i'm there! I'm sure i'll have something to say about the place in two months!

What parcel we may expect from the trip?