Fargo Travel in Cheltenham, Victoria | Travel Agent

Fargo Travel

Locality: Cheltenham, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 9532 3551

Address: 359a Bay Rd 3192 Cheltenham, VIC, Australia

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25.01.2022 My tour around Rome. Unlike most travel guides that expect a tourist to walk in any direction and cover the city in two or three days, I have concentrated on a leisurely walk at one's own pace. I have focused on twenty important sites, each attraction representing one century of the past two millennia. As a matter of interest, the Colosseum will celebrate two thousand years in 2080! Most of the sites that I have commented about may have been resurrected or may have been ren...Continue reading

25.01.2022 Chichen Itza, We departed Merida at 8:00 am, and after a 2-hour drive, we arrived at Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the new world. As one enters the main plaza, the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo sits in all its glory. This is the most recognisable structure in the main plaza, and it demonstrates the importance and accuracy of the Maya astronomy. The grand structure has 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and four sides have 91 steps, and the t...op platform adds up to 365. Our guide Victor made it clear that the Maya had incredible astronomical skills as well as scientific brilliance. Devising the 365-day calendar was just one of their astronomical skills, and twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a huge shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent. We did not wait for the sunset, but we told that the shadowy snake descends the steps to eventually join a stone serpent head at the base of the pyramid. My interest in the huge ball court that sits not far from the El Castillo, gave me a clear understanding of the game and the skills that were implemented by each competing team. They used a ball, similar to a football that weighed about 12 pounds, and the players could not use their hands or legs, just the upper torso of their body and thighs to skillfully move the ball through a loop on which appeared on either side on the court. There is evidence to prove that the losing team, were sacrificed, and at certain games, officials and spectators met a gruesome end as well. The competition would have been rough and fierce, because the players would have known the fate that would await them, once the game was decided, with the loser being sacrificed to please the Gods. Unlike the other cultures that inhabited South America, the Maya did not develop a centralised culture, according to the tour guides who came into contact with me on my visits to the various sites. Instead, they had independent city-states. The guide mentioned that the Maya were once known to be a peaceful, heartwarming race, but this is far from the truth. My travels around Mexico and South America paints them as being warlike, and lust for killings and sacrifices. On the other hand, they were immensely talented. This is illustrated in all the paintings, inscriptions and evidence that was left behind for us to decipher. We know they had a great understanding of astronomy, and developed sophisticated systems of writing, calculations, and recorded the passing of time. Tips: Arrive as early as possible to avoid the shipload of tourists from Cancun and other cruise ships. It is mighty hot in the open, headcover is essential. Try and avoid the tourist who congregates near the El Castillo, playing football, and I often wonder if they ever took the trouble to learn about the ball court, where they could have lost their heads!! Also, a few from the cruise ships still believe this site is for sun baking. The clothing attire project their intentions! See more

22.01.2022 Carthage-One of the finest cities prior to the Roman invasion. Review of: Half-day guided bike tour of Carthage archeological site The Bicycle tour is the way to go if you are young!! And healthy. I had an excellent guide in Zied, who was well informed on all topics about Carthage, spoke excellent English and I felt that I was never rushed, and was in safe hands on the roads. Being a young dude going on 71, I had not ridden a bicycle for months, but I felt at ease and at home... with the bike from Lemon Tours. They were professional and easy-going. I would recommend them hands down, good people to handle all bicycle tours. From downtown Tunis hop on the Metro and hop off at Hannibal Salambo. The station before Salambo is La Goulette. A good landmark to remember. Unlike me who stalked the streets, take a taxi to Lemon Tours in Rue Mathos. Commence your tour on Rue Hannibal, and ride north along the Bougainvillea lined suburban streets until you reach the circular military harbor of ancient Carthage. It might have been a sight to behold when there were hundreds of ships lined in the port showing off its naval might. Turn right onto the main drag, i.e. Habib Bourguiba, and you will enter Musee Paleochretienne on the left. There are significant Carthaginian ruins. Use it as a toilet stop at your own risk. Roman soldiers were the last to use this, use a mask, protective gear, don't breathe for a few minutes, don't touch the toilet seat, taps, no toilet paper! Keep on the same thoroughfare, turn left onto La Republique, and you will approach the stunning seaside promenade, with the Mediterranean shoreline in the background. This is the Magon Quarter. None of the tour buses visits any of these sites, as per the guards on duty. Back onto the La Republique, turn right, and you are at the Antonine baths. A top-rated site, lots of tour buses. Large baths, the old Roman houses, impressive mosaics, and a Punic burial site. The President of Tunisia villa overlooks the site. If I remember (looked up my notes and no mention of this site, but we did visit, and pics attached) the next stop was the Villas Romains or Roman Villas. We were on Thermes d'Antonin past avenue Habib, then under the bridge. Magnificent view from the hill and well-preserved Mosaics. Well recommended. Our final stop was, Byrsa Hill, the icing on the cake. Simply breathtaking. I cannot forget this site, on top of a hill with Cathedral St Louis as the backdrop. Easy to locate with the cathedral as a good landmark. A magnificent view of Tunis from this hill, and simply stunning. I was with Ezeid the guide, so life was easy in case I got lost. He was an excellent guide, easy-going, and well informed. We covered about 20 miles in 3 hours with about ten stops. The best way in my view to see Carthage. Just remember not much stands of the old Carthage since it eradicated to the ground. Happy to answer any questions See more

21.01.2022 Just wonderful.

18.01.2022 Beirut: My review appeared in Fodor's and Trapadv back in 2017. Unfortunately, there have been a few battles and bombings since this report appeared. The lack of national solidarity, the devotion to sectarianism, the ceaseless squabbling for power, the abuse and corruption have prevented the country from moving on. Bribery, corruption, crime is driving the country backwards. The Corniche in Beirut is unique. It was a 15km walk from my 'mansion' to the Corniche, and my stroll ...Continue reading

18.01.2022 I arrived in Los Mochis last night, and the activity was tense. A curfew has been enforced.. Los Mochis is the capital of Sinaloa state, and the Narcos are battling the Police and the other cartels in Mexico to gain control of their battleground. The Police captured the son of Guzman (who is in prison in the US), and the cartel demanded his release immediately, or two hundred families lives were on the line. The Police retreated, and the son was released after a running gun b...Continue reading

14.01.2022 Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city, and it is famous for Tequila and Mariachi music. I could not get enough of this beautiful music, checking each restaurant as I strode past, trying to gather where the Mariachi sounds are being played. On my first day in Guadalajara, I purchased an inexpensive bus pass and got to know the city layout. Once I started making a few trips around town, I got to know the exciting places to visit and started traveling just as the locals do.... This is one of the most popular cities in Mexico, and foreign tourist rarely visits it. It may be because of the Narco crime or other personal reasons. Guadalajara is one of the oldest colonial cities in Mexico, and the history and architecture of this great city are unsurpassed. I discovered from the tour commentary that the cathedral of Mexico is the largest dating back to the 16th century with its neogothic style. I also learned that the most prominent murals by Jose Clemente Orozco which can be viewed in almost any museum, and he was also the most sought-after muralist of the 20th century, and as famous as Frida Diego. The city is spotlessly clean and is well catered for tourism. The hop on hop off bus pass is the most economical way to traverse this enlightening city. See more

14.01.2022 Budapest- This is a repost from Fodor's Travel and Tripadvisor 2010 My original plan was to visit Budapest during the summer of 2000. Here I am ten years later ( 2010) visiting Budapest that exudes in architectural wonders, gastronomy that would suit the most demanding palate, and the locals are the epitome of hospitality. The city is divided into two towns, namely Buda and Pest. The classier and more residential side of the city, Buda is known for being a bit quieter and the...Continue reading

13.01.2022 Dougga, Roman ruins in Tunisia. I was impressed with Ezied when he guided me around Carthage and decided to engage him once again on the tour of Dougga. We departed at 9:00 am and the road was in excellent condition, and the Tunisian countryside, with the vineyards, lush greenery, and the spectacular mountainside was a bonus for this trip. We walked up a hill from the parking lot and the vistas overlooking the valley was breathtaking. Once we reached the top, we came face ...Continue reading

08.01.2022 I am a 71-year young dude, and I have been traveling around the planet earth for 50 years. I enjoy all the posts on Lonely Planet, and here is a short review and a few pics, during a recent trip to the Sahara desert. I feel as though it is so far away from civilization as one can get, in this part of the world called Assekrem. The name Assekrem means the end of the world, which is entirely appropriate for the landscape that it projects. We are in the Hoggar mountains, not far... from where the French priest built his hermitage. This is the meeting point for all visitors to Algeria, hoping to visit Assekrem, which is now a world heritage site. During the day this part of the world is a waterless, inhospitable environment, a surreal, otherworldly landscape of volcanic looking rock formations that rise hundreds of metres vertically into the sky. The driver cook and guide all belong to the Toureg nomadic tribe and very compatible likable guys. They are genuinely friendly and good-natured people. They are also excellent cooks. This has been on the menu so far. Breakfast: - Bread, butter, jam, honey, tea, and coffee. Lunch: -Salad, bread, fish, a cooked dish and fruit. Dinner: -Barb-b-cue meat, bread, dates, tea or coffee. The stunning scenery, being in the desert and sleeping under the stars at night, is hard to describe. I am mesmerized at times, as I feel it is a trip to another world, where it is sweltering during the day, and then cold at night, maybe be barren, but always full of life. We all sleep under the stars at night, and I feel as though they are so close, it is possible to pluck them at any time. I sleep in my day clothes and long for a hot shower and a warm bed. The headscarf that I wear, known as a Cheche, was a bit awkward at times, eventually becomes so soothing, protecting from the wind, sand, and sun. We visited Asekrem and planned on driving to Arak. Having driven many miles without any incidents, the 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser does struggle in this arduous and grueling terrain. Today, the solitude leaves the Sahara largely uninhabited, save the nomadic Tuareg, reliant entirely on their herds and their ability to endure hardships that would destroy most people in a couple of days. I feel the outdoors does not get much greater. At times it may resemble the Martian planet, but this is the Sahara desert. It is wonderful to be alive on this planet! PS: My camera battery was out of power. A few pics from members of the French and Greek groups that I met on my travels.

02.01.2022 This site is for my reviews, tips and recommendations, and any help or assistance that travellers require, in their pursuit of overseas travel.