Enjoying two weeks off, big road trip up to Prince George last week, ventured over to Sidney yesterday.
Beautiful province! The weather is even cooperating.
Annual trips down to Las Vegas too...
(Have also enjoyed six cruises over the past 20 years too)
Do you vacation much? Last destination?
Quote from: "Superchecker"
Beautiful province! The weather is even cooperating.
Annual trips down to Las Vegas too...
(Have also enjoyed six cruises over the past 20 years too)
Do you vacation much? Last destination?
We do a spring trip every year after I am finished working up North. Last few years have been the Caribbean and Central America.
Quote from: "Superchecker"
Beautiful province! The weather is even cooperating.
Annual trips down to Las Vegas too...
(Have also enjoyed six cruises over the past 20 years too)
Do you vacation much? Last destination?
Near Invermere British Columbia..
I have been to North Dakota with my husband..
We were planning to go to Taiwan this year, but that is not looking promising.
Just visited Scotland.
We've now started planning to return in 2020.
I have traveled in the past. Now I don't travel. I am too busy with work, and have no time to leave for a significant amount of time.
Usually I fly back to HK just to visit my family, though I haven't went on a real vacation for years.
Doing a Tasmanian driving tour near the end of the month. Never been there before and it's a low hanging fruit on our bucket list. One week in total. 10 hours either way on the ferry.
We travelled the most when we lived in Kazakhstan because I didn't work that year..
My favourite places were Moscow and St Petersburg..
I also liked my many trips to Japan which we combined with a trip back to Taiwan.
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Where would you like to vacation?
Quote from: "Chuck Bronson"
Where would you like to vacation/explore?
Quote from: "Bricktop"
We've now started planning to return in 2020.
Our British isles cruise stopped in Scotland, had a great time in both ports.
I've travelled Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America extensively. Usually two trips a year. In five and a half years, we will be making Panama our new country.
Quote from: "Superchecker"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Where would you like to vacation?
Tbh I haven't thought much about it, but if I get to choose I'd like to travel to Africa, Tokyo/Kyoto Japan again, Taiwan, Thailand and maybe even Antarctica.
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "Superchecker"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Where would you like to vacation?
Tbh I haven't thought much about it, but if I get to choose I'd like to travel to Africa, Tokyo/Kyoto Japan again, Taiwan, Thailand and maybe even Antarctica.
Which countries in Africa would like to see Zetsu?
Quote from: "Zetsu"
There is nothing there. Nothing. Nothing but cold... People don't belong there, except for research purposes!
Quote from: "Superchecker"
Quote from: "Chuck Bronson"
Where would you like to vacation/explore?
Where would you like to go that you have never been? I'd like to see the Southern countries of South America. Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile.
St. Helena. Provided planes still cannot land there. THAT trip would take a fair amount of determination getting there the 'old fashioned' way...
Quote from: "Chuck Bronson"
That's an exotic location.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
One of the most remote locations in the World. They built an airstrip, but it was put out of service due to wind shear and poor design. I don't know if it's running again.
If not, St. Helena is truly one difficult place to visit!
Quote from: "Chuck Bronson"
Quote from: "Fashionista"
One of the most remote locations in the World. They built an airstrip, but it was put out of service due to wind shear and poor design. I don't know if it's running again.
If not, St. Helena is truly one difficult place to visit!
You should get your travel feet wet first. A week in Cuba or the Dominican Republic for example.
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
I've traveled in the past... Mexican cruise, been to Germany once. Couple trips to Vegas.
Need to find a significant other to give me motivation to see more places.
Quote from: "Chuck Bronson"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
I've traveled in the past... Mexican cruise, been to Germany once. Couple trips to Vegas.
Need to find a significant other to give me motivation to see more places.
IHJ is right, they are good places for single male travellers. I have a girlfriend, but when I was single it didn't stop me from doing what I wanted to do.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "Superchecker"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Where would you like to vacation?
Tbh I haven't thought much about it, but if I get to choose I'd like to travel to Africa, Tokyo/Kyoto Japan again, Taiwan, Thailand and maybe even Antarctica.
Which countries in Africa would like to see Zetsu?
Hmm probably the rural side with lots of wildlife, maybe Nigeria or visit Somalia, where one of my friends lives at, lol.
Quote from: "Chuck Bronson"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
There is nothing there. Nothing. Nothing but cold... People don't belong there, except for research purposes!
But there's these super fat penguins, and there's like thousands of them. ac_cool
Nigeria or Somalia? Really?
Hmmm...countries I've visited...
France
Belgium
Holland
Switzerland
Italy
UK
US
Yemen
Egypt
India
Vanuatu
Indonesia
Thailand
Singapore
Cambodia
Malaysia
I love France, Italy, Singapore and of course my homeland, the UK.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
France
Belgium
Holland
Switzerland
Italy
UK
US
Yemen
Egypt
India
Vanuatu
Indonesia
Thailand
Singapore
Cambodia
Malaysia
I love France, Italy, Singapore and of course my homeland, the UK.
That's an impressive list. Only continents left out are South America and Antarctica.
The chances of going to those are slim to none.
Next holiday is back to Scotland...by then I'm touching 70.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Next holiday is back to Scotland...by then I'm touching 70.
Scotland has some beuatifully rugged coastlines, but I don't know if that would be the place I'd want to see more than once.
ac_umm
We're going to Shetland next. The furthermost northern point of the UK.
There is much to see and do in Scotland...and the UK, to be honest.
However, the drawcard for us, as the years close in, is that we are in our homeland and feel comfortable there. Naturally we have family as well.
I've loved visiting other nations, but in the modern world, international travel is becoming more and more an activity for the young. Airports are onerous and stressful. Every aircraft is full. Tourists are seen either as wallets on legs or terrorists.
It's nice to just get off the plane, and be in familiar yet exciting surroundings.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
There is much to see and do in Scotland...and the UK, to be honest.
However, the drawcard for us, as the years close in, is that we are in our homeland and feel comfortable there. Naturally we have family as well.
I've loved visiting other nations, but in the modern world, international travel is becoming more and more an activity for the young. Airports are onerous and stressful. Every aircraft is full. Tourists are seen either as wallets on legs or terrorists.
It's nice to just get off the plane, and be in familiar yet exciting surroundings.
I can understand that.
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Probably Nigeria, lots of wild life there, but for Somalia I might need to reconsider a bit lol, but if my friend wouldn't mind being my tour guide, then why not? ac_biggrin
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Probably Nigeria, lots of wild life there, but for Somalia I might need to reconsider a bit lol, but if my friend wouldn't mind being my tour guide, then why not? ac_biggrin
Neither country has developed infrastructure, so few tourists. Both have their dangers too. But, not everyone travels for the same reasons.
Quote from: "seoulbro"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Probably Nigeria, lots of wild life there, but for Somalia I might need to reconsider a bit lol, but if my friend wouldn't mind being my tour guide, then why not? ac_biggrin
Neither country has developed infrastructure, so few tourists. Both have their dangers too. But, not everyone travels for the same reasons.
If I ever travel to Nigeria going in a tour would solve most of the inconvinience issue and for Solmalia might be better to ask my friend for advice since he grew up there before coming to Canada. But truth to be told the whole beauty of these countries is that it's undeveloped, hence the culture and nature is well preserve, I guess another reason is mainly b/c I grew up watching a lot of Japanese animations and I've always been fascinated with these kind of dystopia environments, lol.
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "seoulbro"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Probably Nigeria, lots of wild life there, but for Somalia I might need to reconsider a bit lol, but if my friend wouldn't mind being my tour guide, then why not? ac_biggrin
Neither country has developed infrastructure, so few tourists. Both have their dangers too. But, not everyone travels for the same reasons.
If I ever travel to Nigeria going in a tour would solve most of the inconvinience issue and for Solmalia might be better to ask my friend for advice since he grew up there before coming to Canada. But truth to be told the whole beauty of these countries is that it's undeveloped, hence the culture and nature is well preserve, I guess another reason is mainly b/c I grew up watching a lot of Japanese animations and I've always been fascinated with these kind of dystopia environments, lol.
There is something to be said for visiting unspoiled places..
But, if more people travel to such places they won't be unspoiled and underdeveloped for long.
When I visited Cambodia, I was of a mind that I would be visiting an unspoiled third world nation unencumbered by western consumerism and frenzied lifestyle.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. Cambodians knew the value of tourism, and had cultivated a massive industry around their ancient treasures. I approached one of the temples, which all have attendants near the entrance to ensure you have a temple pass. I showed my pass and walked on, but immediately heard a loud cry from behind.
"Hey Mister"
I turned and the attendant was looking at me. Assuming something was amiss with my pass, I stopped and asked what the problem was.
"Apple Watch. You got Apple Watch. Show me. How much you want???"
Cambodians have a great sense of humour.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Nothing could have been further from the truth. Cambodians knew the value of tourism, and had cultivated a massive industry around their ancient treasures. I approached one of the temples, which all have attendants near the entrance to ensure you have a temple pass. I showed my pass and walked on, but immediately heard a loud cry from behind.
"Hey Mister"
I turned and the attendant was looking at me. Assuming something was amiss with my pass, I stopped and asked what the problem was.
"Apple Watch. You got Apple Watch. Show me. How much you want???"
Cambodians have a great sense of humour.
If the tourists come, so will those selling souvenirs.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "seoulbro"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
Quote from: "iron horse jockey"
Probably Nigeria, lots of wild life there, but for Somalia I might need to reconsider a bit lol, but if my friend wouldn't mind being my tour guide, then why not? ac_biggrin
Neither country has developed infrastructure, so few tourists. Both have their dangers too. But, not everyone travels for the same reasons.
If I ever travel to Nigeria going in a tour would solve most of the inconvinience issue and for Solmalia might be better to ask my friend for advice since he grew up there before coming to Canada. But truth to be told the whole beauty of these countries is that it's undeveloped, hence the culture and nature is well preserve, I guess another reason is mainly b/c I grew up watching a lot of Japanese animations and I've always been fascinated with these kind of dystopia environments, lol.
There is something to be said for visiting unspoiled places..
But, if more people travel to such places they won't be unspoiled and underdeveloped for long.
It couldn't be anymore true, in fact places like Hong Kong was once just a little fishing village until it became a British colony and the first harbour port of mainland China, just one type of business of exporting and importing goods put the whole city's economy on steriods for almost a century. ac_cool
By the thousands!!!
I wanted to buy a some T shirts. As usual, near the temples the souvenir hawkers have set up their shops...with 20 vendors selling the exact same stuff.
So I go into one store, buy three T shirts, and when I come out, there's a horde of women surrounding me holding up T Shirts. The fact that I have just purchased some seems not to have registered. They were supposed to surround me BEFORE I go into a shop.
Same thing happens in most SE Asian tourist centres. In Bali, they are quite intimidating.
If I was the leader of those country I'd criminalize hard selling, it's really nothing but a nuisance to the tourists and a disgrace to their own ppl... I just cringe every time I see street market merchants in HK trying to put a watch or any of their products on a foreign customer despite how many times they politely refused. ac_unsure
Quote from: "Zetsu"
The most aggressive hawkers in tourist areas of HK are South Asians, not Chinese.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
The most aggressive hawkers in tourist areas of HK are South Asians, not Chinese.
I've never been to the south Asians community in HK nor ever wanted to go there, but it doesn't sound surprising to me, can't blame them for having those gypsy genes. :001_tongue:
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
The most aggressive hawkers in tourist areas of HK are South Asians, not Chinese.
I don't think they sell many watches, handbags and suits for men to tourists.
Quote from: "Zetsu"
I believe the Indonesian authorities have cleaned up Bali a bit. Many Australians stay away from the place because of the swarms of hawkers everywhere you go.
It's sad...because if they don't sell, they don't eat...
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
I believe the Indonesian authorities have cleaned up Bali a bit. Many Australians stay away from the place because of the swarms of hawkers everywhere you go.
It's sad...because if they don't sell, they don't eat...
I heard that about Bali.
All true, sadly.
Worse than mosquitos. And they're more likely to be Javanese than Balinese.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Quote from: "Zetsu"
I believe the Indonesian authorities have cleaned up Bali a bit. Many Australians stay away from the place because of the swarms of hawkers everywhere you go.
It's sad...because if they don't sell, they don't eat...
Bali is rather unique in the area because of location and demographics.
Its a lovely place...ruined to some extent by tourist hordes.
Still, it supports the local economy, and Westerners can buy property there too.
The fundy attack in Kuta must have had a great effect ... so many butchered and mostly tourists ... many Aussies killed if I recall correctly
It slowed things down a bit...but things have rebounded nicely, and Australians still flock there.
Americans not so much.
It helped that the Indonesian government executed the mongrel dogs.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Still, it supports the local economy, and Westerners can buy property there too.
Do a lot of foreigners own property and businesses there?
Yes, especially in the mountain areas...multi million dollar homes in compounds owned by the rich and famous...Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both had homes there, as did David Bowie.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Hmmm, I could understand if Balinese objected to that.
Brought in money. The Balinese could never afford what these guys paid for their land.
//https://www.vilondo.com/bali-travel-guide/7-extraordinary-fully-staffed-bali-villas/
Quote from: "Bricktop"
//https://www.vilondo.com/bali-travel-guide/7-extraordinary-fully-staffed-bali-villas/
But, most people who buy property are not buying anything that extravagant.
No. But the Indonesian government welcomes foreigners who buy up property.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
I lived in Indonesia. Hell, I met the old lady there(she aint Indonesian). My understanding is that a foreigner must have an appropriate resident permit first before legally owning property.
I think you're correct.
But like all things in Indonesia...residency permit, drivers licence, building approval...all you have to do is grease the right wheel.
That place is as corrupt as most other SE nations.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
But like all things in Indonesia...residency permit, drivers licence, building approval...all you have to do is grease the right wheel.
That place is as corrupt as most other SE nations.
Indonesia is one country in South East Asia I have no desire to ever visit.
Unfortunately, Bali is in Indonesia.
Nonetheless, I would not recommend other Indonesian places to visit. They are becoming more and more radical. And that's 250 MILLION potentially mad muslims on our doorstep.
Like all SE Asian countries, however, the average person is hospitable, friendly, helpful and funny.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Nonetheless, I would not recommend other Indonesian places to visit. They are becoming more and more radical. And that's 250 MILLION potentially mad muslims on our doorstep.
Like all SE Asian countries, however, the average person is hospitable, friendly, helpful and funny.
Have you been to other places in Indonesia besides Bali?
No.
Just Bali.
Quote from: "Bricktop"
Just Bali.
If I wanted to see jungle forest nature reserves or great beaches and islands I would prefer to go to neighbouring Malaysia..
They have much better infrastructure than Indonesia.