luxury train travel Knowledge Base

Does anyone know any good luxury train for traveling in the US? I know in Europe they have nice trains to travel with rooms and beds that are luxurious and was wondering if there was any company in the US?

where can I find info on train travel through africa? I want to travel from Cape Town to Cairo and need info regarding visas, train fair, and anything that could assist me with the planning of such a trip. I'm trying to avoid the beaten track, but other than the luxury trains, very little seems to be available. ps Anyone want to join me?

Do luxury trains still travel to the Orient?

Luxury buses have resulted in a decline in travel by train (Indian context)? please comment!

How long does it take to travel by train from Goa to Mumbai in india? Is it common to do that? Luxury or pretty rough?

how much money and time do i need to travel around vietnam? i am considering travelling solo around vietnam next year. i was wonderign roughly how much i will need to save, not including airfairs. for accom, transport, sightseeing etc. i won't be buying many souveneirs, and i am happy to travel without much luxury. i will be 17/18 female when i go, will it be easy for me to get around? are the trains easy to travel on and buy tickets for? any other tips? thank you!

Europe vacation: Train & Cruise? Hi guys. My GF & I would like to travel from London to Maybe france, Italy, Germany by train. Any suggestions? Also who has cruised on a luxury liner to the mediterranean from England? Are they worth it? What type of visas do you need? We are both 26 yrs old

Trip to China cheated by Ming Ming Travel Service?

Any Luxury buses to Ooty from Coimbatore ? I am flying to Coimbatore to visit my fiance. We want to go to Ooty since it will be very hot in Coimbatore near end of May. I will have a big bag and a laptop carry bag with me while my fiance will also have a big bag since we will be going for 10 days to Ooty. I am not able to find any detail about any private travel bus from Coimbatore to Ooty. I do not want to go by public bus with so much luggage since in summer time it will be all packed. Also train is not a good idea because of same reason. Any info regarding any private bus carrier would be appreciated. Thanks, Gaurav

Why do so many people waste time and money on cars ? There are great travel opportunities on Public transport and luxury with trains, cruise ships, even a passenger ferry is much more luxurious than a car like a bentley. Wy waste cash on cars ? I do not understand !

Planning a 2 week escorted tour of Europe with my husband. Can anyone plz suggest a good tour company? Tour budget approx.$2300 per person. Will start tour from London, May 25, 2008. preferred destinations: France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Netherland, Switzerland (any 4 or 5). Travel by bus/train. Decent hotels, not 1st class or luxury ones. We are both 28 and more into museums, scenic locations than shopping or partying.

Traveling from Pakistan to Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore? Hi there Guys I desperately need your help! I and a friend of mine are planning to travel to THREE Asian countries that are Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, we will be flying from Pakistan. Getting the air tickets and hotel reservations from Pakistan isn't a problem but the real thing is in travel in all three countries while having low budget but at the same time having awesome site seeing and experiencing the best cultural exposure. I heard that I can also travel from Malaysia to Singapore and Thailand by train, by boat and by road, is it true? if it is then how much is the expense for that? What about the stay? my travel agent is giving me the prices for 3 star hotels that seems a bit too much, how I can lower my hotel expense while having stay at reasonable places that are good and secure. It isnt a backpack type of trip but at the same time not a luxury trip either. Help me please. We are thinking to leave in Mid of April.

I have to make a speech tomorrow but Im worried about how the class will respond to my subject? I wrote about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. 9000 people died and they were all Germans and this was during WWII. I’m not sure how they will respond; they’ll either mourn the loss of life or think that I’m some kind of Nazi sympathizer, which I’m not. If you have the time could you just glance over it and tell me your feelings towards it. Thanks. January 1945. The Reich is crumbling. Soviets press into East Prussia, tales of brutality, torture, and death precede them striking fear and panic in the countless refugees fleeing to the West. Explosions and screams fill the roads to Danzig. Russian planes fly overhead, like raptors they strike at their prey dropping bombs onto the icy terrain, blasting holes into the canvas of despondent German citizens. In Danzig, waits their only hope, the Wilhelm Gustloff, the flagship of the Kdf’s (kraft durch freude) strength through joy program. At one time it was a luxury ship that provided affordable travel for German soldiers. During WWII it was transformed into a hospital ship then later into a navy barracks. Now a bleak gray paint covers its once gleaming, ivory walls. It is no longer a symbol of strength or joy but one of despair and loss. Throngs of people cram the docks. SS Storm troopers scour the crowds looking for any able-bodied men, as young as 15, to fight on the front and defend their crippled country; its mostly women, children, and wounded soldiers now who try to gain passage. As the ship readies to sail frantic mothers hand off their children to strangers lucky enough to board. Frenzied people try to gain access at any cost. The Wilhelm Gustloff is ill ready to make passage. It’s engines haven’t been used in four years, many of its original lifeboats are missing and it only has a maximum capacity of 1,880 passengers and crew, when it left the docks on January 30 it held over 10,000 people. Below deck each passenger is crammed into every space available. They can’t stay on the decks, it is about 0 degrees Fahrenheit the cold, harsh winds of the Baltic make it impossible. They are required to wear life jackets at all times which many ignore. The ship cannot handle so many people and the plumbing clogs making a bad situation even worse. Food is offered to those who can stomach it. But most just wait and prey hoping to make it to mainland Germany alive. On the bridge four captains plan and argue about possible routes to take. Originally the Wilhelm Gustloff was to have three escorts two torpedo ships and the Hansa, another cruise ship carrying thousands. But one torpedo boat and the Hansa experience problems and can’t continue leaving the Gustloff almost defenseless. Later in the evening the captains are informed that a German minesweeper is heading in their direction. The senior captain, Friedrich Petersen, decides to turn on the ships lights in order to avoid a collision making the Wilhelm Gustloff easy to see in the dark. The Russian submarine S-13 makes its way into the Baltic and easily spots the shining cruise ship. It was now after 8 pm and Hitler’s voice booms from the radio. His celebratory speech of the 12th anniversary of the Nazi rise to power echoes through the corridors. Some feel comforted and hopeful while others cynical and revolted. Shortly after three torpedoes strike the side of the Wilhelm Gustloff. In a hurry the captains seal the watertight doors sealing in many off- duty officers, officers who were trained in emergency procedures. Thousands of people storm the decks of the ship. They frantically claw at the frozen davits holding the lifeboats; they manage to free some. A few officers try to keep order but fail. Children are pushed out of the way and into the freezing Baltic. Some lifeboats are lowered but people crowd them and fight most smash into the sea sending passengers into the icy waters and crushing some. The once powerful and glorious cruise ship sinks in less than 45 minutes. Thousands of people are left in the bitter waters of the Baltic. They try to stay above water grasping onto anything or anyone. Many of the children are spared an almost certain death of hypothermia. The life vests they are wearing are meant for adult bodies they are turned upside down and drown. Ships receive an SOS and move to save the thousands who are now stranded in the unforgiving sea. The remaining survivors are hopeful they see the lights of other ships moving towards them. They’re saved. Then in a moment their hope turns into hopelessness the ships leave and return to safer waters. They fear attack and retreat. But there are several who stay to rescue those they can. Out of over 10,000 passengers only 1000 are saved. Over 9000 people died as a result of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. It is the single greatest maritime disaster in history not just because of the tremendous loss of life but also because it is an unknown disaster largely ignored by the pages of history. But this doesn’t make it less real. These were real people who lived, suffered and died because of a war they did not start and events they had no control over. They were not rich, or privileged, or powerful by any means, they had nothing except a desire to live. I want you to remember them and their story. They may have been citizens of an enemy state but that doesn’t make them less human, less like us. All of us are alike we have the same desires and dreams, we all hope and love. And all of us are affected by tragedy no matter how great or smal

i want to go traveling to get away for about 6 months. I have $2,000 a month to live on. Any fab ideas? getting over a messy break-up and Ican take 6 months out to go traveling. My budget is $2,000 a month tops so I can't stay in luxury accommodation. I am British and live in San Francisco so I can travel pretty much anywhere Not sure if I want to 'rough' it to, too much I am 41, single, male and need to hop on a plane or a train soon or I'll go crazy.

i want to go traveling to get away for about 6 months. I have $2,000 a month to live on. Any fab ideas? getting over a messy break-up and Ican take 6 months out to go traveling. My budget is $2,000 a month tops so I can't stay in luxury accommodation. I am British and live in San Francisco so I can travel pretty much anywhere Not sure if I want to 'rough' it to, too much I am 41, single, male and need to hop on a plane or a train soon or I'll go crazy. SeafrontAnne: I'd love to email you but your email function on your profile is disabled! Email me and I'll send you my pvt email addy. Thanks!

i want to go traveling to get away for about 6 months. I have $2,000 a month to live on. Any fab ideas? getting over a messy break-up and Ican take 6 months out to go traveling. My budget is $2,000 a month tops so I can't stay in luxury accommodation. I am British and live in San Francisco so I can travel pretty much anywhere Not sure if I want to 'rough' it to, too much I am 41, single, male and need to hop on a plane or a train soon or I'll go crazy.

I have to make a speech tomorrow but Im worried about how the class will respond to my subject? I wrote about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. 9000 people died and they were all Germans and this was during WWII. I’m not sure how they will respond; they’ll either mourn the loss of life or think that I’m some kind of Nazi sympathizer, which I’m not. If you have the time could you just glance over it and tell me your feelings towards it. Thanks. January 1945. The Reich is crumbling. Soviets press into East Prussia, tales of brutality, torture, and death precede them striking fear and panic in the countless refugees fleeing to the West. Explosions and screams fill the roads to Danzig. Russian planes fly overhead, like raptors they strike at their prey dropping bombs onto the icy terrain, blasting holes into the canvas of despondent German citizens. In Danzig, waits their only hope, the Wilhelm Gustloff, the flagship of the Kdf’s (kraft durch freude) strength through joy program. At one time it was a luxury ship that provided affordable travel for German soldiers. During WWII it was transformed into a hospital ship then later into a navy barracks. Now a bleak gray paint covers its once gleaming, ivory walls. It is no longer a symbol of strength or joy but one of despair and loss. Throngs of people cram the docks. SS Storm troopers scour the crowds looking for any able-bodied men, as young as 15, to fight on the front and defend their crippled country; its mostly women, children, and wounded soldiers now who try to gain passage. As the ship readies to sail frantic mothers hand off their children to strangers lucky enough to board. Frenzied people try to gain access at any cost. The Wilhelm Gustloff is ill ready to make passage. It’s engines haven’t been used in four years, many of its original lifeboats are missing and it only has a maximum capacity of 1,880 passengers and crew, when it left the docks on January 30 it held over 10,000 people. Below deck each passenger is crammed into every space available. They can’t stay on the decks, it is about 0 degrees Fahrenheit the cold, harsh winds of the Baltic make it impossible. They are required to wear life jackets at all times which many ignore. The ship cannot handle so many people and the plumbing clogs making a bad situation even worse. Food is offered to those who can stomach it. But most just wait and prey hoping to make it to mainland Germany alive. On the bridge four captains plan and argue about possible routes to take. Originally the Wilhelm Gustloff was to have three escorts two torpedo ships and the Hansa, another cruise ship carrying thousands. But one torpedo boat and the Hansa experience problems and can’t continue leaving the Gustloff almost defenseless. Later in the evening the captains are informed that a German minesweeper is heading in their direction. The senior captain, Friedrich Petersen, decides to turn on the ships lights in order to avoid a collision making the Wilhelm Gustloff easy to see in the dark. The Russian submarine S-13 makes its way into the Baltic and easily spots the shining cruise ship. It was now after 8 pm and Hitler’s voice booms from the radio. His celebratory speech of the 12th anniversary of the Nazi rise to power echoes through the corridors. Some feel comforted and hopeful while others cynical and revolted. Shortly after three torpedoes strike the side of the Wilhelm Gustloff. In a hurry the captains seal the watertight doors sealing in many off- duty officers, officers who were trained in emergency procedures. Thousands of people storm the decks of the ship. They frantically claw at the frozen davits holding the lifeboats; they manage to free some. A few officers try to keep order but fail. Children are pushed out of the way and into the freezing Baltic. Some lifeboats are lowered but people crowd them and fight most smash into the sea sending passengers into the icy waters and crushing some. The once powerful and glorious cruise ship sinks in less than 45 minutes. Thousands of people are left in the bitter waters of the Baltic. They try to stay above water grasping onto anything or anyone. Many of the children are spared an almost certain death of hypothermia. The life vests they are wearing are meant for adult bodies they are turned upside down and drown. Ships receive an SOS and move to save the thousands who are now stranded in the unforgiving sea. The remaining survivors are hopeful they see the lights of other ships moving towards them. They’re saved. Then in a moment their hope turns into hopelessness the ships leave and return to safer waters. They fear attack and retreat. But there are several who stay to rescue those they can. Out of over 10,000 passengers only 1000 are saved. Over 9000 people died as a result of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. It is the single greatest maritime disaster in history not just because of the tremendous loss of life but also because it is an unknown disaster largely ignored by the pages of history. But this doesn’t make it less real. These were real people who lived, suffered and died because of a war they did not start and events they had no control over. They were not rich, or privileged, or powerful by any means, they had nothing except a desire to live. I want you to remember them and their story. They may have been citizens of an enemy state but that doesn’t make them less human, less like us. All of us are alike we have the same desires and dreams, we all hope and love. And all of us are affected by tragedy no matter how great or small.

pls answer my query ,its really very urgent!!!? hi! i wanna a travel from delhi to nainital by bus or train ,but i am not able to get confirmed ticket neither in ranikhet or sampark kranti express to nainital. though my option was to go by ranikhet train, would it be safe for me and my family to travel overnight to nainital by bus? is there any luxury deluxe bus that i could get from I..S.B.Tand what could be the possible fare for it? and is that kind of bus departing from I.S.B.T during day time. pls answer me as earliest as possible . thanks jhuma chatterjee

I have been in East Africa Tourism for 10 yrs, how can i market my Tours & safaris company, online? Lexxus Tours and Safaris stands out as one of the most experienced and reliable tour operators in Kenya. With offices in Nairobi and in the entire world Lexxus Tours and Safaris expertly handles safaris to all tourist destinations in Kenya and Tanzania and in East Africa. Over the years LTS has built an experienced and dependable world force and an elaborate ground transport network. The pillar that supports our philosophy in Lexxus Safaris is our staff. The tour consultants have many years of experience and are specialised in Kenya and Tanzania. The staff speaks English, German, French and Dutch, as to fully understand our customer needs. An important business property that we value is diversity and Integrity ; hence customers can find all their travel needs under one roof and under one family , such as Hotel reservations, Short excursions, Camping and lodge safaris, Mountaineering, Beach holidays, Transfers, Shuttle services, Car hire, Air ticketing to domestic, regional and international destinations, Meet and greet service at all major airports within East-Africa. In addition to the above, we arrange; conferences, weddings and special interest tours. However if one of our standard packages doesn’t fit, a personalized tour package can be assembled with our consultants. Since Kenya is gifted with an incredible amount and multiplicity of wildlife species and splendid locations for leisure,LTS present many different holidays. Nevertheless we try to innovate our offer. Every LTS safari mini-bus,Land Cruisers are comfortable and designed with a large pop-up roof for the best view and photography of wild game. All LTS Safari guides have a full pack of experience in game tracking and are knowledgeable about the people, flora and fauna of the country. The success of our safari will largely depend on the quality of our accommodation, Services and the Spirit one has for Adventure. LTS offers luxury (Lodge) Safaris where you are accommodated in carefully selected lodges and hotels which will make you feel very out of Africa yet very close to nature. And what else? Lexxus Safaris has everything for everybody ranging from children mums dads and the entire family. For the budget travellers, LTS owns fully equipped campsites in most of Kenya game reserves with well trained personnel. Just come to us with the spirit of adventure and we will make your dream come true and realistic, most who have been with us always come back to us have great experience, just taste us and feel the Nature in your finger tips, providing and giving more than what you have paid for. LTS is unique in all aspects and always there for you. DARE TO TAKE THE MOST BREATH TAKING LIFE EXPERIENCE AND PACK YOUR LIFE WITH FOND MEMORIES, and you will never forget the real Africa Adventure with LEXXUS TOURS and SAFARIS. KARIBU-WELCOME

For the Mom's..............? Dear Santa, I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned, and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold 62 cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground, and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's Girl Scout sash with staples and a glue gun. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years. Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone. On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. And please don't forget the Playdoh Travel Pack, the stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the In-laws' house seem just like mine. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in his pajamas at midnight. Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet. Yours Always, Mom I am sorry about knowledge of the author, a lady I know gave it to me last week. I am talking about the Santa letter!

Venice to Istanbul trains ? I'd like to go to Istanbul from Venice but am finding it difficult to obtain info on this route other than a luxury 6 day Orient Express trip costing £3k+pp and going via Vienna. I've read that due to internal strife in the past more normal rail travel in this route may not be possible. Does anybody have any ideas how I can do this without too many changes? Thanks very much! :-)

we r planning to travel by train from BGK to KL. We r 3males of 37y, 13y and 2y and 2 females of 30y and 10y? Is it possible to travel from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur by train? What are the visa formalities? is train traveling allowed to every tourist what would be the cost of 1 male of 37years, 1male of 13years, 1male of 2years, 1 female of 30years & 1 female of 10years what would be the most cost effective and most pleasurable means to travel from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur? how much is the traveling time? what luxuries/meals etc will be provided by the train staff during traveling?

Is it better to take a luxury bus or train from Chennai to Bangalore? We would like to travel from Chennai to Bangalore as quickly and hassle free as possible.

first time traveller...? I will be travelling to three different countries in Asia. im from the philippines and this is my first time to travel outside the country. i will be travelling alone just for adventure. my travel will not be a luxury travel, that means i have to find my way using maps and asking people and it will be by train and bus to get to my desired destination. the countries i plan to visit are India, Myanmar and Cambodia. for Filipinos who have done this kind of travel, do i need to get visa for each country? my intended stay for each country is only three days each.

Would any one like to Join Couchsurfing? By Katherine Tom, Senior Editor, Yahoo! Travel June 6, 2007 Ever dream about quitting your job and taking off to parts unknown? It's easier than you think. With a bit of careful planning and research, taking an extended vacation can be surprisingly affordable. The secret is to target areas where daily living expenses are lower than those here in America. Even with the weak U.S. dollar, that still leaves a huge portion of the globe to explore. Let’s assume that a typical San Franciscan spends $1,000 per month on rent, $150 on gas, and $150 on utilities. Even without factoring in food and entertainment expenses, that gives them over $43 per day to play with — more than enough to live on in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. But what about airfare? Since plane tickets are one of the most expensive parts of traveling, it's actually cheaper to stay longer in each destination. Around-the-world tickets may seem like a bargain at first glance, but many require you to lock down your itinerary in advance, and the joys of long-term traveling are often about seeing where the road takes you. We think it's better to book only your major flights (getting in and out of the U.S.) and rely on local transportation (bus, low-cost air carriers, camel) during your journey. Top Five Secrets of Long-Term Travelers 1. The hardest part is deciding to go Guess what? It's far easier to make excuses for staying home than it is to actually jump on a plane and head halfway around the world. Once you've made up your mind that this is something you want to do, the rest is just details. Most people cite money as the main obstacle to taking an extended vacation, but the next few secrets show that traveling the world can actually be cheaper than staying home. 2. Those little luxuries add up Think you can't afford to take off for a year? You'd be surprised. Instead of blowing your cash on small indulgences like that morning latte and cable TV, start saving towards the big luxury of an entire year off. Set up an automated deposit into your savings account (most banks provide this service for free). You're far less likely to spend money that you never see. Consider this training for your future downscaled life on the road. 3. You don't really need all that stuff One quick way to get cash is to sell your things. Sell enough stuff, and you can also cut down significantly on the cost of storing your belongings while you're out of the country. Hold a garage sale, or take advantage of online marketplaces like eBay. 4. Staying longer can save you money As we mentioned earlier, staying longer in each destination can actually end up costing you less, and you'll get a true taste of what life is like for the locals. Hotels are out of the question — you'll burn through your cash in a few weeks. Consider subletting an apartment, staying at a hostel, or even CouchSurfing. As always, exercise good judgment — it's not worth saving a few bucks to stay somewhere that feels unsafe. 5. Know what you're getting into Taking a year off may sound like a dream come true, but it's important to recognize that there's a tradeoff. You won't see most of your friends and family for a while, you'll temporarily step off your career fast-track, and you'll most likely be roughing it in hostels. But when all is said and done, you'll have a year of priceless memories to look back on.

WHICH IS THE BEST TRAVELS TO BOOK TICKETS ONLINE? As a group Philosophy, SeaBird believes that it is the people who make the difference between success and failure. SeaBird has a team of delivery and quality managers dedicated towards client satisfaction. While SEABIRD is well known for its regularity and on-time performance, its group companies also provide value added services to its customers. SEABIRD CARGO CARRIERS offers value-priced overnight parcel delivery to all its destinations. SEABIRD delivers sooner than any other carrier in its sector. The group has established itself as a front runner in the Travel Industry. SEABIRD TOURISTS covers more than 40+ routes connecting 30 odd destinations with over 19 luxury Buses/Coaches. It is the Market Leader in Karnataka in Private Tourist Operator Segment in his routes. Be it the management, the fleet, the ground staff or the bus crew focus on performance and customer satisfaction. Every Seabird employee is groomed to be smart, friendly, proficient and well-informed ensuring that their interaction will make the passengers feel welcomed and looked after. The drivers are well trained to make the journey a safe and comfortable one. Salient Feature * 19 Buses (2+1, 2+2, Seater, Sleeper and Volvo with AC/Non-AC) * 40+ plus Routes covering more than 20 destinations everyday * Market leader in Karnataka in private tourist operator segment * Area of operation : Karnataka and Goa with 15+ Branches and wide spread network of 500 plus agents

Query about Trivandrum Rajdhani First Class AC ? Hi, My wife and I need to travel to Delhi from Trivandrum. Instead of going for a low cost airline, I was thinking of giving the Rajdhani express from TVPM - Delhi a try. I have heard rave reviews about the luxury offered by this train and I am very tempted. I read somewhere that the First Class cabins can be two berths or four berths. I am willing to pay the extra cash and opt for Firs Class if it is two berth cabin. It will make the long train journey very special and romantic if it could be just the two of us, it will be our honeymoon trip. I would really appreciate if you guys can tell me whether the First Class cabins in TVPM - Delhi Rajdhani express are two berth or four berth ones.And any idea about how many berths are there in 1st AC in this train. Thanks in advance

Do you think horses are athletes? By: Julie Taylor and Luise Thomsen 23-8-2008 A horse is not an athlete. It is an animal, that we use as a requisite in sport. And it makes a demand on much different ethical claims than an equal partner for hunting the medals. "The horse is an athlete, and must be treated like one", somebody says. And the ones who know about equestrian sport are nodding in agreement. An elite-horse has the same need for physiotherapy, correct food and perfectly timed plan for training, as an Olympic swimmer, marathon-runner or a gymnast. The horse is in a constant danger of being hurt and mentally exhausted. It travels the world for international championships, and obtains either immortality or will be forgotten, depending on how it acts on the crucial day. But this doesn't make the horse an athlete. An athlete has chosen it's way, and understands and accepts the "costs" which are included when practicing sport on a high level. He or she pays the price, because the dream of getting honour, glory and money comes before anything else. This choice is a luxury that the horse doesn't have. It can never be called an athlete. Course anyway that it lives with the same resigns and risks that the two-legged sport performer, it never enjoys the victory. The motives, which drives the human athletes to brilliant presentations, isn't a horse-thing. If it was, we wouldn't see "disobedience", when medals can be won. No dressage-horse would raise on the hind-legs during a final - it would be the same as a handball-player throwing the ball besides of the goal on purpose. If a horse was an athlete, it wouldn't be hard to teach it to stand still during delivery of the prize. Instead it would stand pretty, receive the cheering from the audience, and proud as a peacock, make the experience last as long as possible. If the horse was an athlete, it wouldn't be necessary to force it with a tight nose-band to keep the mouth shot during competitions. Instead it would freely close it's mouth and keep the tongue inside, hoping to impress the judges. If horses were athletes, you didn't have to dope them to win medals. Under the Danish coverage of the Olympic Games in Equine Jumping, the commentator said she had a "funny story" about the fact that it takes two men to make Jos Lansinks horse stand still during mounting (getting on the horse). What an athlete, that needs to be hold back in order not to attack it's partner. You could almost get the idea that it's completely careless about winning a medal. And that's exactly what it is! The horses are animals, that we use as living sport accessories. It doesn't sound romantic. But why shouldn't we call a spade a spade? It's not necessarily wrong to use an animals as a sport accessory. Just like it's not wrong using an animal for everything else, as long as you do it in a fair way. Why are horse-owners such hypocrites? Why embellish the relationship with the horse by acting like it has an interest in flying to South China to win a price? Could it be, that the equestrian sport paints the horses actual rule, because what we allows ourselves to offer an athlete is something much different from what we allow ourselves to offer an animal as a living sport accessory? Sometimes it's seen by everyone that the horse isn't a willing athlete - also during the Olympic Games this year. Would a trainer tighten the nose-brand of the athlete, accept that the athlete was afraid during prize delivery, use pain to control the athlete and would a tv-commentator think it was funny if the athlete had to be forced by two men before going joining the competition. The explanations were "The horse is not ride-able". "The horse doesn't stay collected". "Stallions want to rule by nature". "The horse is running away". When it's that clear that the horse isn't a willing athlete, there are no boundaries how much people try to cover the truth. What if the commentator said "The horse is confused". "The horse is being ridden too hard". "The horse thinks it's extremely uncomfortable". "The horse is afraid and tries to escape". But no - they try to cover the fact that the ethics doesn't exist. Kan a living sport accessory be happy and satisfied. Yes, absolutely. If it's basic needs, that motivates it's way of being, are fulfilled. Scientists in animal-welfare talks about five freedoms. Freedom for hunger and thirst. That kind of freedom exists to most horses. Freedom for discomfort - which means access to a shelter and a dry and soft place to lay down on. Most horses in Denmark have this as well. But the third kind of freedom is different. It's the freedom for pain, injuries and illness. We don't know precisely how much it hurts to be pulled in the mouth by an iron-bit or pricked by the spurs until the skin is really thin. But we know, that some of the vets that treats the horses in competitions are starting to "screaming" about the way horses get trained and used. Freedom number four deals with the fact that the h

I used to enjoy alone time, but now I don't. Why? I join an escort tour to Sydney for 5 days. I go by myself. I was so happy that I can take a vacation. I was very excited the first three days. I ask for free time without being with the group for 2 days. And the first day I was so happy walking around Sydney. But then at that night I met a guy from match.com. We had a drink. He proposed to drive me to hotel, I said no because he is a stranger to me. He proposed to show me around the beach side and other parts of Sydney, not just city center. I said I have other plan since I only have one day left and I want to explore and get to know the city. But the next day I took the train to the city center. I look at a girl who sits on the tourist bus Sydney Explorer ALONE. and i feel sorry for her. it seems she looks lonely - maybe just my personal opinion. Then I can't decide should I take Sydney Explorer or Bondi Explorer. Finally I did not take any. Then I walk around city as I previously planned. But I couldn't decide which lunch to get. And then I sit in the museum cafe looking at Sydney opera house and all of a sudden I bursted out crying. I thought I would be very happy. This is what I wanted. Have afernoon tea. Look at beautiful opera house sitting next to harbour. This is what I wanted. Why am I crying? I missed this person and I wanted to call him. But I don't have cell phone and I don't feel like using pay phone. Also I thought he probably made other plan. I put myself together, continue to another 35 floor luxury hotel cafe lounge and have a cocktail and look at the opera house from another perspective. I wasn't crying again but I wasn't that happy as I thought I would. If I haven't met this person, maybe I wouldn't miss him and wouldn't cry. But he is a stranger to me. I don't even trust him to take me to hotel. Maybe I have been single for so many years and then all of a sudden feel lonely after first date? I then had a plan to spend a summer vacation in Los Angeles. But I was afraid I would be missing him so much that I won't be happy in Los Angeles. So I decide just to stay home. But now I am even afraid I wouldn't be happy even I go to Southern France for a short vacation which I have been wanted to go. so now it has been several months i left Sydney and I haven't moved on to other vacation spots. It is perfectly ok that I don't see this person again. It is not like I am obsessed with him. I later find that he wrote me an email the next morning and asked me to call him if I changed my mind and decided to go out with him. But that was after I left Sydney. But when I called him after I returned home, he seems not interested in continue the relationship, although he is polite on phone. Maybe he is not interested in talking to someone who is not in Sydney. Maybe he is dating dozens of other women he met in match.com, so I don't want to think too much about this or think of any possibility with him. But I don't understand, I alwasy enjoy alone time, traveling alone, and feel luch that I have financial resources to travel. I am still trying to save money and it is not like I am a millionnaire. Travel expenses are a lot of money for me. I am supposed to be happy when I travel. Why now I started to think being alone in travel is an issue? alone was not an issue and i used to enjoy myself before. why it is different now? could it be just it is time i should have someone?

why i was happy to have fun even by myself before but feel lonely now? I join an escort tour to Sydney for 5 days. I go by myself. I was so happy that I can take a vacation. I was very excited the first three days. I ask for free time without being with the group for 2 days. And the first day I was so happy walking around Sydney. But then at that night I met a guy from match.com. We had a drink. He proposed to drive me to hotel, I said no because he is a stranger to me. He proposed to show me around the beach side and other parts of Sydney, not just city center the next day. I said I have other plan since I only have one day left and I want to explore and get to know the city. But the next day I took the train to the city center. I look at a girl who sits on the tourist bus Sydney Explorer ALONE. and i feel sorry for her. it seems she looks lonely - maybe just my personal opinion. Then I can't decide should I take Sydney Explorer or Bondi Explorer. Finally I did not take any. Then I walk around city as I previously planned. But I couldn't decide which lunch to get. And then I sit in the museum cafe looking at Sydney opera house and all of a sudden I bursted out crying. I thought I would be very happy. This is what I wanted. Have afernoon tea. Look at beautiful opera house sitting next to harbour. This is what I wanted. Why am I crying? I missed this person and I wanted to call him. But I don't have cell phone and I don't feel like using pay phone. Also I thought he probably made other plan. I put myself together, continue to another 35 floor luxury hotel cafe lounge and have a cocktail and look at the opera house from another perspective. I wasn't crying again but I wasn't that happy as I thought I would. If I haven't met this person, maybe I wouldn't miss him and wouldn't cry. But he is a stranger to me. I don't even trust him to take me to hotel. Maybe I have been single for so many years and then all of a sudden feel lonely after first date? I then had a plan to spend a summer vacation in Los Angeles. But I was afraid I would be missing him so much that I won't be happy in Los Angeles. So I decide just to stay home. But now I am evey afraid I wouldn't be happy even I go to Southern France which I have been wanted to go. It is perfectly ok that I don't see this person again. It is not like I am obsessed with him. I later find that he wrote me an email the next morning and ask me to call him if I changed my mind and decided to go out with him. But that was after I left Sydney. But when I call him, he seems not interested in continue the relationship. Maybe he is not interested in talking to someone who is not in Sydney. Maybe he is dating dozens of other women he met in match.com, so I don't want to think too much about this or think of any possibility with him. But I don't understand, I alwasy enjoy alone time, traveling alone, and feel luch that I have financial resources to travel. I am still trying to save money and it is not like I am a millionnaire. Travel expenses are a lot of money for me. I am supposed to be happy when I travel. Why now I started to think being alone is an issue? alone was not an issue and i used to enjoy myself before. why it is different now? could it be just it is time i should have someone?

A month in Thailand... is my travel agent charging me fairly? I have found a travel agent who deals in putting together 'modules' for independant travellers in Thailand. What it means is that you choose lots of differeny modules and they put them all together, and organise the accomodation, nearly all transfers and some meals... an intinerary of sorts, without being in a big tour group. We are travelling to Thailand for a month in late Novemeber. We will be doing the following whilst there: 3 nights in Bangkok 2 nights in Kanchanaburi 3 nights on Ko Tao To 3 nights on Ko Samui 5 night driving trip from Ko Samui to Phuket 2 nights in Phuket 3 nights on Ko Raya 3 nights on Ko Yao Yai 2 nights on Ko Phi Phi The travel agent is charging just under £1150 per person (£2300 in total. This includes *all accomodation, ranging from luxury resorts to floating cabins *5 days car hire *breakfast every morning *all buses, trains and ferry transfers *some meals Do you think this is a good price to pay for a month of travel, or do you think it's a little steep... We really just want a relaxing holiday, without having to wonder where we are going to be sleeping the following night! Also, will £1000 spending money be enough for two people for literally just some meals, drinks and shopping? all accomodation is paid for... Thanks! The driving trip is 5 days and 4 nights I think... Its a slow leisurely pace, stopping in different locations to see a bit more of Thailand. Not a good idea? Also, is it really worth staying longer on one island rather that a few nights on lots of different islands? The ferry rides between each are only a couple of hours max... thanks

Do you agree Melbourne & Australia is pretty average? I am 24 years old and have lived in Melbourne Australia all my life. I have backpacked Europe several months and the USA for several months as well. Having seen alot of the world, I often wonder why Australians continuously say "This is the best country in the world!" or "Mate, we live in the lucky country eh!" or most often "It's good to travel overseas but it makes you realise how lucky we are to live here!" Whilst I think Australia and Melbourne is comfortable to live in, I don't think it's necessarily "the best place in the world!" when compared to other countries. Why? See below a) Australia has only 3 "big" cities - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane. Once you've seen and explored them several times there is not much else busy going on. b) Melbourne lacks beaches. The port is dirty. Beaches in places like Cairns and Far North Queensland are shut in Summer because of deadly box jellyfish that move in. c) Housing is extremely unaffordable. 6.5 time the average household income per year (compared to 3x in the USA). If you want to live "inner city" in Melbourne which is about 20-30 mins away from the city in decent subarbs without hoons, crime and gangs you pay literally millions for a house and hundreds of thousands for units of apartments with no land. d) Prices - Prices are insanely high and inflation is growing. Also caused by the drought. I mean, $3.50 for a 600ml bottle of coke? that is ridiculous. Any dinner at a restaurant that's decent costs $25-$50 these days and meat prices have shot up. Also everything imported costs so much more than the US/Europe because of Australia's tiny population and distance away from the rest of the developed world. e) Transport - Transport, even in big cities like Melbourne and Sydney is totally sub-par. There is no underground railway, and trains are slow, over-clogged and do not run efficiently. Often to go from East to West by train you have to go North then change trains and come back down. Trams are slow, clogged, inefficient, almost always late and yet the Gov't continuously promotes them over cars, even to the extent that major roads in the city have lost all but 1 lane, to trams that don't event run continuously! f) Tax - Australians are some of the most heavily taxed people in the world. GST (Sales tax) is at 10%, Income Taxes are high, Stamp duty on property is 5%!!!, Capital Gains Tax is high, Luxury Car tax is at 140% of the car's value!!!, car "registration" is approximately $600 and road toll's are increasingly common, Superannuation (retirement savings) are taxed at 15%, Businesses are taxed at 30%, Alcohol is taxed at 40% - where the hell does all this tax money go? g) Proximity - Australia is far away from Europe and the USA. Even Asia. Any time you want to see anything other than the "lucky country" it's going to cost you about $2,000+ to fly out of here. h) Crime - Crime is on the rise, largely due to poor immigration choices of unskilled, unintelligent migrants from Africa and the Middle East. The city of Melbourne and Sydney is dangerous at night with all of the gangs around.

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