| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4] > | Which idyllic country/island in the world does have fast Internet access? Thread poster: suirpwb (X)
|
|---|
Ben Gaia 
New Zealand
Local time: 14:35
French to English
+ ...
| slow internet | May 22, 2010 |
William [Bill] Gray wrote: New Zealand has a lot going for it... 
It does if you are good at diy and like rain. And our internet is the speed of Russia's, British people fall about laughing, we still get you tube in jerky motion!
| | | | Tim Drayton
Cyprus
Local time: 05:35
Turkish to English
+ ...
| The eye of the beholder revisited | May 22, 2010 |
ut if the question containing the word "paradise" refers to a tax paradise/heaven and not to a natural paradise (it was not specified in the question), then I would say Cyprus.
[...]
[/quote]
As I said above, everything is in the eye of the beholder. To me, Cyprus is the closest thing to paradise on earth!
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:35
Flemish to English
+ ...
| A pirate's life for me... | May 22, 2010 |
Madeleine MacRae Klintebo wrote:
Have those of you looking for low/no tax destinations (yes, Williamson, you're included in my reference) considered which "free" services you're happy to dispense with?
"Free" education for your children, "free" healthcare, "free" collection of rubbish, "free" police to protect you, "free" firemen to turn up when your house/business premises are on fire, etc.
There was an interesting paid-for supplement to The Guardian today called something like "best businesses in Europe". The map on the centre spread was very informative; companies operating in countries with high taxation and a generous attitude to labour relations appeared to have the happiest employees. Out of 50 "good" employers in Europe, the UK scored 7% whereas Denmark, currently top of the list of highest total tax level, scored 14%. Considering that the UK has a population of 60+ million and Denmark just under 5.5, it made for very interesting reading.
But back to the question, my money is on Belize. It's got good weather and if it's good enough for Lord Ashcroft - "he liked the country so much he bought it" - it's good enough for me.
Means that I will stay the eternal bachelor.
Children are a burden and marriage a restriction to freedom to do what you want and live where you want.
Did you ever wonder why the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg is such a generous fiscal environment, why social security is top-quality, why an average employee (except for those working for international institutions) has the highest salary in Europe. Because, taxes are not imposed on the working-man, but on the 425 or so banks in the Grand-Duchy.
"The Palm" is an artifical island. The money to make it came from oil. No need to levy taxes on the people living in the UAE.
Yes, it is a playground for millionaires, like a certain ex-number one on the women's list, living in Cannes, another playground instead of Belgium, a fiscal nightmare except for companies who invest.
I don't like voracious states, which are governed by a lot of interest groups filling their pockets (wasn't that the case with Greece) taking 50% of your income out of your pockets. These are the champions of the tax misery index.
Gold Medal: France, Silver: China and Bronze (eternal third place): Belgium.
I'll leave it up to you to find out why.
Spain: Sometimes, I feel like Don Quijote for having obtained a master with Spanish as a major. To get it, you had to be able to translate in both directions, whilst the entire market nowadays howls: native only and do not work with the help of other natives.
I love the country, especially Andalucia, its food, its wine, its siesta, its sun, but unfortunately, Spain chose the way of high taxes and chose to be a social craddle.
"Freelance" also means that you can live and earn where you want.
I'd rather shop in the least expensive and sunny fiscal supermarket and if possible live on that supermarket (island).
With paradise, I mean both: Always sunny, good fiscal (0% or peanuts taxes) climate and the topic of this posting high internet, but in the Emirates, the Cayman Islands and Cyprus, this should not a big problem.
"Free". I am not a social person, but an "homo economicus".
My favorite movie: "Wall Street" (1987) and the famous dictum of Gordon Gekko.
It is all about the money and with money you do whatever you like, including health and wellness trips on a cruise ship. The more you have, the less you need the social craddle of the state. Money, money, always be sunny,....
Although, I still have to meet the first millionaire translator or is it translator-millionaire (I don't mean agency manager).
[Edited at 2010-05-22 16:20 GMT]
| | | | Brian Young
United States
Local time: 19:35
Danish to English
| toilet paper | May 22, 2010 |
Right! With enough money who needs toilet paper. And as the worlds has an obvious surplus of assholes, it needs all the money it can get.
| | |
|
|
|
DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| an island of Utopos | May 22, 2010 |
I think this would nicely do: evergreen picturesque virgin landscape surrounded by the warm and always calm green-blue ocean; age-long trees in the forest, meadows full of blooming flowers, ancient mountains, pure springs and lakes and no predatory animals. Population is about 5 thousand natives maintaining a healthy life-style; agrarian, 100% employment...
Modern conveniences: running drinkable cold and clean nonchlorinated hot water, luxurious restaurant and glamor shopping chains at yo... See more I think this would nicely do: evergreen picturesque virgin landscape surrounded by the warm and always calm green-blue ocean; age-long trees in the forest, meadows full of blooming flowers, ancient mountains, pure springs and lakes and no predatory animals. Population is about 5 thousand natives maintaining a healthy life-style; agrarian, 100% employment...
Modern conveniences: running drinkable cold and clean nonchlorinated hot water, luxurious restaurant and glamor shopping chains at your choice, a satellite unlimited dedicated 24Mbit line and video free of charge...
Shortly, it's a Paradise on the Earth.
According to Mr. More everyone wants to be a citizen of Utopia.
Really. ▲ Collapse
| | | | imatahan
Brazil
Local time: 23:35
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| I agree with Paul, except | May 22, 2010 |
Paul Dixon wrote: Brazil has excellent weather and on the whole is still quite safe (except in big cities). One drawback, however, is that the taxes are the highest in the world. On the plus side, however, the Internet connections are quite good. You mention you want somewhere far away from civilisation, and one place that springs to mind is Paquetá Island in Rio de Janeiro. It is part of the city of Rio and thus enjoys the telecommunications benefits of the city, yet is a 1-hour ferry boat ride away, in the middle of Guanabara Bay. Cars are prohibited, except for service vehicles, and the island is small enough to explore on foot. I am not sure how easy it is to live there, however, as it is a preserved area. While living in a peaceful location, the Marvellous City is only an hour away by ferry-boat. So you could easily pop over to Rio and its wonderful beaches for the day. You may find out more at the following sites: (in Portuguese): http://www.ilhadepaqueta.com.br/paqueta.htm (video, pictures only): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s74GAMJ2QE
| | | |
DZiW wrote:
Modern conveniences: running drinkable cold and clean nonchlorinated hot water, luxurious restaurant and glamor shopping chains at your choice, a satellite unlimited dedicated 24Mbit line and video free of charge...
Shortly, it's a Paradise on the Earth.
Glamor shopping chains? I'd want to be as far away from them as possible.
No one has mentioned Bali yet - still one of the most beautiful places in the world if you know where to look.
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| Clarification | May 23, 2010 |
philgoddard, you haven't got it right: there's about 10% of the territory for a modern urban seaside part (mostly for shopaholics tourists), about 30% is rural and the rest is a virgin nature.
There's no place like this. Ever.
| | |
|
|
|
Katia Siddi
Italy
Local time: 04:35
French to Italian
+ ...
Sardinia is paradise on earth !
| | | | Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 23:35
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| Response to imatahan | May 25, 2010 |
In reply to my previous posting, imatahan replied that:
"you'll have good chances of living in paradises for all over the (Brazilian) Northeast coast. Summer during the whole year, warm sea water, no earthquakes, no tornados and peace along with good options for internet connections."
Sure, the Northeast of Brazil is paradise for many people, especially Canoa Quebrada and Jericoacoara (if you wish to be far from civilisation). The only reason I chose Paquetá is that t... See more In reply to my previous posting, imatahan replied that:
"you'll have good chances of living in paradises for all over the (Brazilian) Northeast coast. Summer during the whole year, warm sea water, no earthquakes, no tornados and peace along with good options for internet connections."
Sure, the Northeast of Brazil is paradise for many people, especially Canoa Quebrada and Jericoacoara (if you wish to be far from civilisation). The only reason I chose Paquetá is that the original posting specifically said "island". However, I have been to the Northeast (Fortaleza) myself and can say from my own experience that Iracema Beach is wonderful!
Brazil has a lot to offer, from lush Amazon forests to sun-soaked beaches and even a few cities where it snows (can any European imagine people FLOCKING to see snow when it is forecast?). In fact, in my blog which is www.paul-translator.blogspot.com I am running a series with 12 different things for tourists to do in Brazil (and I have NOT included a visit to Paquetá). ▲ Collapse
| | | | inkweaver
Germany
Local time: 04:35
French to German
+ ...
| Where is that wonderful country... | May 25, 2010 |
Madeleine MacRae Klintebo wrote:
Have those of you looking for low/no tax destinations (yes, Williamson, you're included in my reference) considered which "free" services you're happy to dispense with?
"Free" education for your children, "free" healthcare, "free" collection of rubbish, "free" police to protect you, "free" firemen to turn up when your house/business premises are on fire, etc.
that offers free health care and free collection of rubbish to tax-payers? I might think about emigrating then - might save a few hundred euros each month.
| | | | | The quotation marks give a clue | May 25, 2010 |
inkweaver wrote: Madeleine MacRae Klintebo wrote:
Have those of you looking for low/no tax destinations (yes, Williamson, you're included in my reference) considered which "free" services you're happy to dispense with?
"Free" education for your children, "free" healthcare, "free" collection of rubbish, "free" police to protect you, "free" firemen to turn up when your house/business premises are on fire, etc.
that offers free health care and free collection of rubbish to tax-payers? I might think about emigrating then - might save a few hundred euros each month.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. All the above has to be paid for by someone. In Western Europe we generally pay indirectly through taxes; in countries with a smaller welfare state/less taxation, they generally pay directly through separate fees for each service. In both cases, you pay.
I don't know about Germany, but in the UK I pay for health care via income tax and National Insurance payments; I pay for rubbish collection via council tax.
| | |
|
|
|
Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:35
Flemish to English
+ ...
Paul Dixon wrote: Brazil has a lot to offer, from lush Amazon forests to sun-soaked beaches and even a few cities where it snows (can any European imagine people FLOCKING to see snow when it is forecast?). In fact, in my blog which is www.paul-translator.blogspot.com I am running a series with 12 different things for tourists to do in Brazil (and I have NOT included a visit to Paquetá).
What about taxes? No, there is no such thing as a free lunch, but what right has a government to knock at your door and claim a % of the money you have worked for.
I remember a tax-man in triumphant voice: You have earned so much and you owe me so much (owe him?). There is still a difference between a 0% tax-rate such as the Emirates and paying for services and your own health-care insurance and education (which is not cheap in the UK either) and a governement imposing a 50% income tax (France, Belgium, Germany) as well as a lot of other annoying taxes, just because you are a freelancer.
Suddenly my pc "pollutes" more, because I am freelancer and therefore I had to pay environmental tax. The pc still consumes the same amount of electricity, on which there are taxes to be paid too.
[Edited at 2010-05-25 12:32 GMT]
| | | | Brian Young
United States
Local time: 19:35
Danish to English
When "you" get paid, you are deluding yourself if you actually believe that "you" made all of the money that is in your paycheck. "You" were paid a certain amount, and that was made possible only because "you" live in a society that has educated "you", provided "you" with an infrastructure that makes "your" life possible, as well as health and security services that keep "you" alive. So, simply put, it is NOT all your money, and the society that allows you to enjoys the fruits of civilisation ha... See more When "you" get paid, you are deluding yourself if you actually believe that "you" made all of the money that is in your paycheck. "You" were paid a certain amount, and that was made possible only because "you" live in a society that has educated "you", provided "you" with an infrastructure that makes "your" life possible, as well as health and security services that keep "you" alive. So, simply put, it is NOT all your money, and the society that allows you to enjoys the fruits of civilisation has all the right in the world to ask that you "return" a fair share of it.
Another point: the idea of taxing banks is fine, but remember, banks do not make money, they scrape it off the surface of the river of money that flows in a society. Banks are essentially parasites, and it is actually "your" money that they might be asked to pay in taxes.
Money is not made in the great casino called "Wall Street", or any other trading center. Money is made between the hands (and ears) of working people. There is a difference between who makes money, and who gets money.
It is a very strange psychological abberation of the mind that allows someone to be "proud" of having to been able to afford a fancy new sports car, or a wide screen HD TV, but at the same time whine about having to pay part of "their" income to live in a society. If someone wants to live for free, they should move back home to mom & dad.
[Edited at 2010-05-25 15:25 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-05-25 15:26 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 19:35
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
DZiW wrote:
I think this would nicely do: evergreen picturesque virgin landscape surrounded by the warm and always calm green-blue ocean; age-long trees in the forest, meadows full of blooming flowers, ancient mountains, pure springs and lakes and no predatory animals. Population is about 5 thousand natives maintaining a healthy life-style; agrarian, 100% employment...
Modern conveniences: running drinkable cold and clean nonchlorinated hot water, luxurious restaurant and glamor shopping chains at your choice, a satellite unlimited dedicated 24Mbit line and video free of charge...
Shortly, it's a Paradise on the Earth.
According to Mr. More everyone wants to be a citizen of Utopia.
Really.
Some modifications: The ocean is less boring and can be pretty rough, but add a ton of active volcanoes, wild horses, hot springs and waterfalls, palm trees and bamboo in front of the office window, racoons who stick their heads through the cat door and hummingbirds. Internet access? You are on high-speed cable.
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Which idyllic country/island in the world does have fast Internet access? | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
