Tuesday Morning – Overrated!!! Stonehenge is just a pile of rocks … literally!

 2007, 7 - Overrated, England 2007, England 2007, Exeter  No Responses »
May 172012
 

Getting to Stonehenge isn’t a problem, it’s only once you’re there that you have the problem. Don’t be fooled by all those wonderful pictures you see of Stonehenge in books, travel brochures and magazines. You know those pictures that make the place look like something out of Lord of the Rings, yeah those pictures that manage to catch the stones bathed in a splash of sunshine and framed by puffy white clouds. England is rainy and cloudy … that’s what it looks like in real life.

The brutal part is that while Stonehenge can be seen from two roads, unless it’s late in the day and the traffic is terrible. To me, unless your some type of energy healer or something, then Stonehenge is just a pile of very old stones. And while the experience would be worth it if you could at least get close to the stones, touch them and stand right beneath their bulk, you’ll have to make do with looking at them from afar if you visit during normal hours and be prepared for this view.

In the past thetourists used to chip off bits of the rock to take home as souvenirs, the authorities don’t really want to take any chances. If you happen to be in Exeter or close  by Southern England, then you should take the chance to see it, but definitely do not plan a trip to Stonehenge that’s out of your way. The only mystery for me was how 800,000 people a year paid the C$12 cost of admission to look at this pile of crap from a distance.

BTW It is also not an attraction to view during bad weather, as there is currently very little shelter on the premises nor is there any kind of museum explaining possible Stonehenge theories for your $12

Quiet daytripping in St. Kitts …

 2012, 7 - Overrated, St. Kitts  1 Response »
Mar 202012
 

It had been some years since I had been to St.Kitts but I remember it being a quiet island in comparison to other islands I had been to.

So in one full day in St. Kitts, you’re limited to the following below (a driver and tour should cost about 25$ per person … since there is precious little to do around). I would definitely ignore all the tourist brochure crap on St. Kitts unless you’re looking for a quiet time and good golfing … there really isn’t anything more than a day’s worth of stuff to do – you could go over to Nevis for a day trip and spending time on other islands.

  • Brimstone Hill Fortress
  • Oualie (Walee) beach
  • Frigate Bay Marriott and beach
  • Romney Manor with Caribelle Batik
  • You can also hike the volcano here but that is only if you’re staying here for more than a day.

So as you get into Port Zante, you will be met with the usual gaggle of taxi drivers doing the hustle for a tour or two. Pay no mind to them, although at night the usual place is down by Frigate Bay. There are a dozen beach bars, including Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack, so it’s about the liveliest place on St. Kitts. You might also want to head out for a lime by the bottle tree – ask anyone where it is.

bottle tree in st kitts

As for heading up to Romney Manor, I think the most interesting thing was the oldest tree on the island. At the heart of the gardens’ diverse plant life is a 350-year-old samaan tree, also known as a rain tree. Having seen all stages of St. Kitts’ diverse history, this giant tree – it covers nearly half an acre – has long been one of Romney Manor’s most popular sites.

oldest tree in st kitts

oldest tree in st kitts

From Romney Manor and the Samaan tree, it’s off to the Fortress.  Brimstone Hill Fortress National  Park was designed by British engineers and built and maintained by slaves, and got it’s name because of the strong smell of sulphur that came from underwater vents nearby. Brimstone Hill is actually an extension of cooled lava left as a result of volcanic eruptions in the past. This hard rock foundation made it possible to erect such a massive structure as the fortress.

Beginning in 1690 , construction of the fortress continued for over a hundred years. Supplying defense for Fort Charles and Sandy Point , it was also a refuge fortress, supplying a needed safe house for influential citizens during times of war. In 1782, the British soldiers numbering less than a thousand were surrounded by the French army of over ,8000 troops and were forced to surrender after a month long siege. However a year later , due to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the fort was again in possession of the British.

More walking steps … then into the views from the fort, which are awesome.

Before you go :

  • The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is open everyday (except Christmas and Good Friday) from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Don’t bother getting the audio tour … save your $5 and google the thing after.
  • The fort is about 20 minutes by car from Basseterre

Once you’re done with the fort … then it’s some more driving down and pretty much you’ll want to head out to the beach and then it’s back to the ship.

Tuesday Morning – Overrated!!! Sunrise at Borobudur

 2011, 7 - Overrated, Indonesia, Yogyakarta  1 Response »
Jul 222011
 

In typical fashion online, when one person has a great opinion of something, it tends to spread viral, especially if those people have a smaller frame of context. In the true tradition of overpriced and overrated, watching the sunrise from Borobudur would fall into this category.

On a sunny, clear morning, you’ll get the “mystic” sunrise from Borobudur – but this is just a sunrise from a high place with a jungle background. You get fantastic descriptions like this  …

A white mist shrouds the plain and the first birdcalls across the valleys announce the imminent arrival of another dawn. Slowly the mist dissipates in the rising sun to reveal the spires and Buddhas that meditate in bliss and gradually the forms coalesce to unveil a temple that many who have seen it, consider to be the finest example of Buddhist architecture ever raised to the sky by man – the magnificent temple of Borobudur.

It’s alright but you would pay double for the privilege to either a tour group or do the Borobudur Sunrise Tour available with a stay at the Manohara Hotel. Both the hotel and the organized tours cost north of 60 USD for two people, just to get in with a sarong and a complimentary flashlight. Part of the expense seems to be that the entry fee for non-Indonesians is 15 USD. It also costs more to be doing it alone, as the hotel price includes entry fees for 2 people (according to Wikitravel).

For that fee, to enter the temple on a cloudy day, you’re going to get something like this

There of course, is an alternate way behind Borobudur only known to the locals and now me too … along with other intrepid tourists who find a morning guide at Borobudur :)

Save your money trying to see the sunrise at Borobudur and instead wait for a couple hours or go on the Nirvana trail …

Tuesday Morning – Overrated!!! Sistine Chapel

 7 - Overrated  No Responses »
Feb 222011
 
Tuesday Morning - Overrated!!! Sistine Chapel

As the travel log evolves, I get asked many questions: What is the best travel experience Where is the best place What is the best food you’ve had Where is … where is … what is ???? A new focus of the travel log will be the Tuesday Morning Overrated!! section. Every Tuesday, I’ll have [... Click here to keep on reading this article]

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Copy Protected by Tech Tips's CopyProtect Wordpress Blogs.