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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24.01.2022 Well recommended for train travellers.

23.01.2022 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

20.01.2022 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

16.01.2022 Finest Romans Ruins outside of Rome. This is a belated review from my tour of Ephesus. I happened to come across my notes, descriptions and the detailed itinerary, whilst rummaging through last year’s itinerary on my tour around Turkey. We arrived around 10:00 am and to my surprise, the ruins appeared to be deserted. My first observation was that Ephesus had the appearance of a complex metropolis, well worn by its 200,000 inhabitants over a time of 200 years. We commenced our...Continue reading

16.01.2022 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.

16.01.2022 Mexico City Mexico has enchanted me ever since I read about the ancient history of the Maya and Aztecs civilisation in primary school. I succumbed to the magnetic pull this year, and the last five days have seen me stalking the streets of Mexico City, often getting lost on the Metro, using non-verbal communicative on the roads usually when trying to get to a museum or trying to board the modern commuter buses without the all-important bus pass etc. The city is a vast, hectic ...overpopulated metropolis with a population of 12 million people, who are well known for their hospitality and ingenuity. There are over 150 museums and countless monuments posted all over the city. I visited the famous Pyramid at Teotihuacan, and from a distance of 2 kilometres, it looked monstrous. Though it is approximately three hundred feet in height and about a third in height when measured against the ancient Pyramids of Giza, it is still an impressive sight. The name 'Teotihuacan reflects the 'place where men became Gods'. It is one of the fascinating pre-Columbian sites in Mexico. Since my hotel for the next few days was on the fringe of the Reforma Paseo, I strolled many times on this impressive boulevard, which is embellished with modern buildings, traffic roundabouts and tall trees that keep this area cool on those hot torrid days when the mercury hits forty Celsius. It has also adorned with plenty of fountains, and magnificent monuments constructed a century ago the Reforma Paseo branches off to the Bosque de Chapultepec, which is the biggest park in Mexico City. From early morning the park fills with people exercising and playing sports, families enjoying the outdoors, groups of students on special outings, and tourists flashing their smartphones in all directions. The metro in Mexico city is the best way to get around since it is quick and inexpensive. The Metrobus is another option with security cameras on all vehicles and is a better option than the Metro if you are looking for comfort, but a Metrocard needs to be validated before you board any of the buses. I did not encounter any violence, muggings or pickpocketing during my five days in this bustling city. I took all the precautions, and for a first-time visitor, I found it to be quite safe, in spite of all the adverse reporting that appears in the press. Most of the narco-related violence that makes the news is confined to the North and Pacific areas. Tips. A city tour is recommended for first-time visitors to get acquainted with the numerous sites, building and museums. A trip to Teotihucuan to view the giant Pyramid is a must. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g150800-d152#

16.01.2022 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

15.01.2022 Palenque: An ancient Maya treasure.-Reviewed in TripAdvisor 16 January 2019. I travelled all day by bus and was weary and tired when I arrived that night in Palenque. It did not diminish my excitement because I knew this would be one of the highlights of my Mexican discovery trip. I slept well and was ready to explore at the crack of dawn. Having been a part of a jungle tour before arriving at Palenque, it gave me a broader perspective of this vast site. As I entered this sit...Continue reading

14.01.2022 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

13.01.2022 This site is for my reviews, tips and recommendations, and any help or assistance that travellers require, in their pursuit of overseas travel.

10.01.2022 Just wonderful.

10.01.2022 Pending review Tikal: The best Maya site. I departed Cancun on an early morning no frills Volaris flight for Guatemala City. Having spent 3-day magical days in Antigua, it was time to depart for Tikal. I was a part of a small tour group and we commenced our trek at daybreak. Shrouded in thick rainforest and centuries of mystery, the ancient Maya city of Tikal is one of the least known great sites of antiquity in the West. But once one arrives at Tikal, you know this is no ord...Continue reading

09.01.2022 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

08.01.2022 It is almost seventy-four years since Soviet soldiers liberated the Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland on Jan. 30, 1945, according to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. In all, about 1.3 million Nazi prisoners were shipped to the Auschwitz complex of camps, most of whom later died or were executed. Many were murdered in the camp’s infamous gas chambers under the guise of being sent to take showers, according to the museum. I was fortunate to visit Auschwitz...Continue reading

08.01.2022 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

08.01.2022 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

07.01.2022 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

03.01.2022 Dendera - Well preserved and a must see! Review of Temple of Hathor at Dendera Reviewed 10 November 2017 in TripAdvisor. I arranged an early morning taxi ride from Luxor at about 8 am and arrived into Denderah at about 10 am.The taxi ride was at high speed at most times and not for the faint-hearted. The bustling city of Qena did not show any signs of disturbing revolutionary activity or protest, as we sped across on our way to Denderah. And as we approached the temple of De...nderah on this warm day, the place looked deserted, apart from a few tourist and local Egyptians. As I entered the temple and gazed at the ceiling, my heart skipped a beat. I was blown away as I looked at this magnificent looking temple. It is a beautifully preserved temple since it was covered by sand for over 2000 years, and this was an important factor in restoring the walls, pillars, and inscriptions that cover this structure. The ancient and priceless artwork was saved from destruction from the early Roman empire and then the Coptic Christians who were bent on destruction. The striking feature of this temple is the beautiful capitals on the huge columns, depicting images of Hathor in her human form, but with cow's ears. All superbly painted in stunning colours, and every part of this temple is decorated. The ceiling of the temple has been cleared of in a careful manner. It was covered in black soot, and the restoration work is impeccable. As a result of the cleaning, quite a lot of spectacular ceiling paintings have been exposed to the most vibrant and colourful images dating from antiquity is now visible. This is a unique temple and one of the few where the priest would hide in the basement, and conceal important artefacts. This rectangular shaped Hypostyle hall, which holds massive pillars, was built during the reign of Ptolemy ii and has astronomical paintings symbolizing the sky. The pillars are massive and most of them are about 30 meters in height. There is a small doorway that leads from the hall and is decorated with splendid reliefs of Hathor and Horus and not far is the zodiac sign, the first ever seen in Egypt. If you ever envisaged the appearance of an Egyptian temple during its heyday, then look no further than Dendeah. Most of the original structure is still in one piece, and the vibrant colours are visible. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, and the size of the pillars will always live in your mind. A few tips: Make sure you have a guide with you to make the most of what you will encounter inside the temple and the underground crypt. Make your way up to the roof to get a panoramic view of the outlying area, and the inscriptions and markings on the walls. Since this was my second visit in 30 years, I noticed the remarkable restoration that had taken place, and I would not hesitate in coming back again to view this temple. See more