Date: Thursday 16 August 2001
Time: 9.40pm – 11.05pm
Attendance : HP, JS
Absent : DT, PK
As mentioned in the preceding e-mail, we couldn’t carry out much discussion. We picked out a few more train fares n spent the rest of the time waiting 4 missing members to appear. Items raised while waiting:
I have borrowed 4 guidebooks from my boss:
· Eyewitness Travel Guide – France
Chockfull of nice, coloured pictures. Has saved us from a couple of boring looking towns, refer to Changes to Itinerary below. D, note the spelling of ‘itinerary’
· Eyewitness Travel Guides – Florence n Tuscany
· Rick Steve’s Best of Europe
An excellent travel guide, in the sense that it covers things off the beaten path. I’m thinking of purchasing a copy bcos my LP is almost a duplicate of D’s n PK’s n so this would certainly add some texture 2 the trip. Downside of it is that it costs RM 106, n that it only covers a few cities / towns. (of cos I can’t bring my boss’ copy) D, my boss told me that he couldn’t find it in KL n had 2 buy it in S’pore. If that’s so, could u buy it 4 me n post it?
· Frommer’s – Spain
Haven’t had the time 2 go thru properly, but odesn’t look terribly useful.
The bad thing about all these books is that they cater for ppl with heavier wallets.
If I can find the time b4 the end of the month (when I have 2 return the books b4 I leave the office), I will borrow J’s digital camera n take shots of relevant pages n send them off 2 the relevant ppl 4 Stage 3.
Changes to Itinerary
Based on above books, these changes r proposed:
· Removed:
1. Toulouse
2. Bordeaux
· Added:
1. Mont-Saint-Michel
2. Siena
We also forgot:
1. Lucerne (may be omitted based on Rick Steve’s which has more than enough stuff on Interlarken n its surrounds but no Lucerne ie. we won’t know what 2 do in Lucerne)
2. Pompeii (swarming with tourists but don’t u feel like seeing it?)
One thing all the people I’ve asked about Europe tell me – after a while, the buildings all look the same’. As even old, experienced architects have told me so, I’m taking it seriously. Anyway none of us r really mad abt Architecture. I’m trying 2 work all sorts of experiences into our trip. I’m sorry it’s come 2 me making these decisions alone – does anyone have anything 2 contribute?
…..near Interlarken is a village called Gimmelwald where we’ll be sleeping in a barn…..
I have 2 revise the results of Stage 1, n this should be ready on Sunday (hopefully) In the meantime, we will start on Stage 2 as Stages 2 & 3 r pretty hefty. Please go 2 the ‘Distribution of Tasks’ page.
· Travel in France is expensive, so it will be minimized.
· J registered his displeasure (‘hate’) over the ‘exam papers’ of Planning Stages.
· HP n J r both bringing woefully out-of-tech ‘tourist’ cameras. HP, after convincing father NOT 2 buy a digital camera 4 her now has 2 bring the OFFICE camera.
· Derek, pls call Chooi Yee at 9682 1611 (H/P) or 469 2340. Most important 2 ask her abt travel by trains – extra fees, booking, night trains etc. Also ask abt calling ahead 2 reconfirm hostels etc.
OK ppl -
I’m working on this everyday and am now in danger of being totally sick of this trip b4 even taking it. I don’t mind doing the legwork, n despite what Derek says I am not a (total) control freak. It’s just that everyone else seems too busy, n someone has 2 do it.
However I’m going 2 need more support (not emotional 4 Heaven’s sake. Sorry 4 being naggy but come on ppl, show more initiative! This is OUR trip, so stake some claim 2 it. Get involved n I guarantee u the experience will be the richer! Stage 2 is your chance – please, please don’t just rely on your guidebook. I’m fast tiring of picking up the slack!
