Bushwick/Williamsburg/Brooklyn areas are on the up - most of the NYC "hipsters" live around there and you can usually get a decent deal on AirBnB or similar. Not a long subway trip on the J/Z line to get to lower Manhattan.
A day trip to Gettysburg from Philly is easily done...dunno about from NYC. It's a 2-hour drive from Philly. And you've got to spend at least 4 or 5 hours there. THere's just too much to see...if you understand the history.
Bushwick/Williamsburg/Brooklyn areas are on the up - most of the NYC "hipsters" live around there and you can usually get a decent deal on AirBnB or similar. Not a long subway trip on the J/Z line to get to lower Manhattan.
Aren't they trying to chop down on the B'n'B trade in NY?
Not sure if they have yet, but that's what my aunt said my cousins were finding out, they're sizing up a move over there...
Hey GRR. We had 6 weeks in Mex City / Guatemala / Yucatan / Cuba & felt rushed. So if you have 18 days, you will need to temper your ambition. If you are flying in & out of Cancun, you should probably do Yucatan thoroughly, or Yucatan & a quick dash to one other place.
I loved Mex City, but its probably a bit out of your way, so I think Cuba or Guatemala would suit depending on interests.
There is no bad choice. Guatemala has volcanoes, lakes, strong indigenous culture & Tikal. Cuba has great music, a unique character & the cult of Che / Fidel etc. Both have great Spanish Colonial architecture. On balance, for contrast (and because I prefer slower travel), if you are looking at a 4 day side-trip from Cancun, I'd probably just keep it to Havana.
We flew Tikal-Cancun & Cancun-Havana, but this was in 2000, so my info on flights & ticketing is way out of date.
Local buses are fine in all places & its easy to organise stuff on the ground. I would only do a tour if you want to cram in a huge amount of stuff in a short space of time.
Never been a fan of longer tours and we'll probably keep it limited but I am interested in Guatemala and it would be nice to be able to say I visited Cuba during Fidel's lifetime, that's if he can hold out until mid September.
On a separate note I am heading to KL with the fam for a week or so and thought we might hit an Island.
I don't want to go right up north o I am thinking Tioman.
Looks like paradise.
Anyone been?
A wonderful place. Check on the season though, to see if it will be open. Otherwise Prehension (sp???) is also great.
Do you mean the Perhentian Islands? I've been to Tioman, Redang & Perhentian Besar. All are stunningly beautiful but as Cpt warned you have to watch the seasons. There's about a 4-5 month window (June-Oct) when the weather does the place justice especially is like me you are going there to scuba dive. Thats the other thing that I would point out that a lot of people who do go there go there for the diving so I found there wasn't a great deal of other stuff other than water activities which may be an issue with family in tow. For a romantic getaway its postcard level perfect but I've just got that image of mum & dad relaxing on the white sand while the kids say "I'm bored". May not be your kids but something to consider depending on ages & interest. Also the islands are quite remote so you waste a half day at least getting there. Berjaya Air I think are the only airlines who fly there from Subang which is not the main airport. How long were you thinking? Most families take the more well worn track of Penang or Langkawi. Whatever you choose, make sure you give yourself a few days in KL as I think its a really good city & lots of places for kids.
OK, I know its not the coolest place in the world these days, but circumstances mean I will have to go to Bali in July. I have resisted going before.
Does anyone have recommendations for a great place to spend a week without encountering hordes of bogans?
Dunno about that, but for fark sake don't take a boogie board!
:lol:
Lombok &/or Gili islands. Bali is beautiful but you will encounter bogans. I'm gunna go out on a limb & assume you aren't the most tolerant of people so yes the heat humidity & wall to wall tats, thongs & mullets of Kuta will drive you insane, however you can do Bali at whatever pace & interaction with your fellow man you choose. You can hire the most magnificent villas in places like Ulawatu, Jimbaran bay or even further away from Kuta of you want & never have to see anyone else except your staff who can provide you with everything you need. You can hire a private driver to take you on private tours around the island or through the middle which is stunning especially after a bit of rain. Ubud was awesome 10 years ago but I find its pretty much Legian in the hills now. No your full noise Boges don't usually stay up there but they will day trip for some "farking kulture ya kents". Having said that the beautiful scenery around Ubud is something you shouldn't deny yourself. Bali can be whatever you want it to be.
Bushwick/Williamsburg/Brooklyn areas are on the up - most of the NYC "hipsters" live around there and you can usually get a decent deal on AirBnB or similar. Not a long subway trip on the J/Z line to get to lower Manhattan.
Aren't they trying to chop down on the B'n'B trade in NY?
Not sure if they have yet, but that's what my aunt said my cousins were finding out, they're sizing up a move over there...
Yeah apparently it contravenes the subletting laws in NYC. There are still heaps of listings though..
Why is it do freaking cold in Cali of all places?!
OK, I know its not the coolest place in the world these days, but circumstances mean I will have to go to Bali in July. I have resisted going before.
Does anyone have recommendations for a great place to spend a week without encountering hordes of bogans?
Dunno about that, but for fark sake don't take a boogie board!
:lol:
Lombok &/or Gili islands. Bali is beautiful but you will encounter bogans. I'm gunna go out on a limb & assume you aren't the most tolerant of people so yes the heat humidity & wall to wall tats, thongs & mullets of Kuta will drive you insane, however you can do Bali at whatever pace & interaction with your fellow man you choose. You can hire the most magnificent villas in places like Ulawatu, Jimbaran bay or even further away from Kuta of you want & never have to see anyone else except your staff who can provide you with everything you need. You can hire a private driver to take you on private tours around the island or through the middle which is stunning especially after a bit of rain. Ubud was awesome 10 years ago but I find its pretty much Legian in the hills now. No your full noise Boges don't usually stay up there but they will day trip for some "farking kulture ya kents". Having said that the beautiful scenery around Ubud is something you shouldn't deny yourself. Bali can be whatever you want it to be.
l had the chance to go to Bali in 1977 and passed it up. l thought it would be too commercial. l went to Lake Toba in Sumatra instead and have never regretted that decision for a moment. l did get to Bali in early 1993 and loved it, once l got out of Kuta. Based myself in Candi Dasa for about 10 days and found that l could pretty much get anywhere on Bali for $ 2 A, using local transport. Climbed Mt. Batur at night, got to see the sunrise over Rinjani mountain on Lombok, then later went to Lombok and saw the sunset over Mt. Agung (all 3 are volcanoes). For its size l reckon Bali has the richest cultural heritage of any place on Earth. Endlessly fascinating and l will go back some day.
Just booked my ticket back to Vietnam. l have no trainees this month and just a bit of light part time work, so l am out of here. Flying directly to Da Nang, and staying with a local family in Hoi An for the duration. Will check on work opportunities in Da Nang while l am there, as l find it a very under rated city.
Anyone been to Phoenix AZ? I’ll be going for work in June, so a bit if dining or limited sight seeing tips would be cool. Can’t say I’m expecting much, never heard of anyone going there for fun.
Anyone been to Phoenix AZ? I'll be going for work in June, so a bit if dining or limited sight seeing tips would be cool. Can't say I'm expecting much, never heard of anyone going there for fun.
There's a great big canyon not that far from there worth checking out! The areas around the outskirts of the city are like an old western movie set or you can go to somewhere like Sonoran or Organ pipe & look for mexican refugees & drug runners. Seriously though if you like that type of scenery with some reasonably decent mountains to look at, it can be quite beautiful. The only place I can even remember eating out at was a breakfast place called Matt's & I remember it more for the lines of people than the food. It was still a ■■■■■■ good breakfast but I reckon breakfast is probably the only meal the Yanks do really well. Going in June I reckon it will be pretty hot then. We were there in April & even then the desert type conditions were a little uncomfotable (drink plenty of water as you tend to dry out quickly going from dry hot outside to AC inside). Only spent about 48 hours there so can't help much but I'm sure there's lots more to discover.
Anyone been to Phoenix AZ? I'll be going for work in June, so a bit if dining or limited sight seeing tips would be cool. Can't say I'm expecting much, never heard of anyone going there for fun.
There's a great big canyon not that far from there worth checking out! The areas around the outskirts of the city are like an old western movie set or you can go to somewhere like Sonoran or Organ pipe & look for mexican refugees & drug runners. Seriously though if you like that type of scenery with some reasonably decent mountains to look at, it can be quite beautiful. The only place I can even remember eating out at was a breakfast place called Matt's & I remember it more for the lines of people than the food. It was still a ■■■■■■ good breakfast but I reckon breakfast is probably the only meal the Yanks do really well. Going in June I reckon it will be pretty hot then. We were there in April & even then the desert type conditions were a little uncomfotable (drink plenty of water as you tend to dry out quickly going from dry hot outside to AC inside). Only spent about 48 hours there so can't help much but I'm sure there's lots more to discover.
cool. yeah ive been to the GC, and ill be limited to a few hours round trp from Phoenix. The yanks certainly do good breakfast, but they do amazing BBQ, particularly down this southern region. i usually check out Man Vs Food before i go to see what the most heinous dish is served in the local establishments.
Anyone been to Phoenix AZ? I'll be going for work in June, so a bit if dining or limited sight seeing tips would be cool. Can't say I'm expecting much, never heard of anyone going there for fun.
There's a great big canyon not that far from there worth checking out! The areas around the outskirts of the city are like an old western movie set or you can go to somewhere like Sonoran or Organ pipe & look for mexican refugees & drug runners. Seriously though if you like that type of scenery with some reasonably decent mountains to look at, it can be quite beautiful. The only place I can even remember eating out at was a breakfast place called Matt's & I remember it more for the lines of people than the food. It was still a ■■■■■■ good breakfast but I reckon breakfast is probably the only meal the Yanks do really well. Going in June I reckon it will be pretty hot then. We were there in April & even then the desert type conditions were a little uncomfotable (drink plenty of water as you tend to dry out quickly going from dry hot outside to AC inside). Only spent about 48 hours there so can't help much but I'm sure there's lots more to discover.
cool. yeah ive been to the GC, and ill be limited to a few hours round trp from Phoenix. The yanks certainly do good breakfast, but they do amazing BBQ, particularly down this southern region. i usually check out Man Vs Food before i go to see what the most heinous dish is served in the local establishments.
Go the brisket! I had one at a place in Flagstaff that was about 1kg of meat - delish but over the top! I felt like I had meat poisoning. The best ribs I had were at the Aladin (now gone) in Vegas but If you like that BBQ hickory smoked flavour stuff then I reckon you'll find plenty in Pheonix.
Go the brisket! I had one at a place in Flagstaff that was about 1kg of meat - delish but over the top! I felt like I had meat poisoning. The best ribs I had were at the Aladin (now gone) in Vegas but If you like that BBQ hickory smoked flavour stuff then I reckon you'll find plenty in Pheonix.
cool. yeah ive been to the GC, and ill be limited to a few hours round trp from Phoenix. The yanks certainly do good breakfast, but they do amazing BBQ, particularly down this southern region. i usually check out Man Vs Food before i go to see what the most heinous dish is served in the local establishments.
There's a great big canyon not that far from there worth checking out! The areas around the outskirts of the city are like an old western movie set or you can go to somewhere like Sonoran or Organ pipe & look for mexican refugees & drug runners. Seriously though if you like that type of scenery with some reasonably decent mountains to look at, it can be quite beautiful. The only place I can even remember eating out at was a breakfast place called Matt's & I remember it more for the lines of people than the food. It was still a ■■■■■■ good breakfast but I reckon breakfast is probably the only meal the Yanks do really well. Going in June I reckon it will be pretty hot then. We were there in April & even then the desert type conditions were a little uncomfotable (drink plenty of water as you tend to dry out quickly going from dry hot outside to AC inside). Only spent about 48 hours there so can't help much but I'm sure there's lots more to discover.
Anyone been to Phoenix AZ? I'll be going for work in June, so a bit if dining or limited sight seeing tips would be cool. Can't say I'm expecting much, never heard of anyone going there for fun.
Ha, truth be known, I've been up since 4am tending the bbq/smoker for some pulled pork. It's been going for 10-11 hours, still not quite ready. Better be worth the wait.
If I have about 6 hours in Bangkok, and want to use that time to get some tailored shirts, is that achievable?
Anybody been to New York City during their winter?
If so, how long did you stay, was it long enough and did the cold impact negatively on your stay there?
If I have about 6 hours in Bangkok, and want to use that time to get some tailored shirts, is that achievable?
Yes it is doable, but first check with Lonely Planet thorn Tree,. They have a pretty good run down on which tailors are reputable and which to avoid.
Anybody been to New York City during their winter?
If so, how long did you stay, was it long enough and did the cold impact negatively on your stay there?
When I was 18 I went and stayed with my bro in NYC for 5 weeks in January. So regarding winter, yeah it was cold but you dress for it and there's lots of coat racks and it's warm everywhere inside. Basically wear long johns/thermal underwear under your jeans, singlet, shirt, jumper, heavy jacket and hat/beanie gloves. Ice can be very slippery or slushy so get some waterproof shoes or be careful where you walk. Some days nights will be windy/freezing and other times quite mild so you might not need all of the above all the time, but you will at some point.
Being a young kid from a country town I spent most of the time walking around the streets and just looking at the buildings, people, shops and landmarks, so I spent a fair bit of time outside and it didn't bother me. I think last winter was colder than usual so I guess it varies. It wasn't as if things were closed or anything.
I recently stayed in NYC for 10 days with Mrs wannabe, and we struggled to fit in everything we did. If we'd had longer we would have done it at a much more leisurely pace. We hardly got out of Manhattan (only to yankee stadium), and we didn't do the museums any justice, only went to one. Would have loved to spend a full day in central park (maybe not in winter...), visited the other burroughs (Brooklyn is meant to be really cool), and we didn't really check out any night-life other than some cheap college bars. Didn't really explore the history of the place either. And we were flat out getting up eary and doing everything we could each day. NYC is like Melbourne on drugs when it comes to festivals. Comedy/Fashion/Food/BLues/Italian etc there's always huge festivals happening, and sport/music etc.
So if you're not excited about NYC and can't really think of anything you want to do, still give yourself 5 days minimum. If you only go for a couple of days you will kick yourself. If you know there's heaps you want to do try and give yourself 2 weeks, there's so many experiences to be had.
P.S. One of the best experiences I had was reading a Bob Dylan biography in a laundromat for a couple of hours in Greenwhich Village, just people watching and seeing people go about their day.
On a separate note I am heading to KL with the fam for a week or so and thought we might hit an Island.
I don't want to go right up north o I am thinking Tioman.
Looks like paradise.
Anyone been?
A wonderful place. Check on the season though, to see if it will be open. Otherwise Prehension (sp???) is also great.
Do you mean the Perhentian Islands? I've been to Tioman, Redang & Perhentian Besar. All are stunningly beautiful but as Cpt warned you have to watch the seasons. There's about a 4-5 month window (June-Oct) when the weather does the place justice especially is like me you are going there to scuba dive. Thats the other thing that I would point out that a lot of people who do go there go there for the diving so I found there wasn't a great deal of other stuff other than water activities which may be an issue with family in tow. For a romantic getaway its postcard level perfect but I've just got that image of mum & dad relaxing on the white sand while the kids say "I'm bored". May not be your kids but something to consider depending on ages & interest. Also the islands are quite remote so you waste a half day at least getting there. Berjaya Air I think are the only airlines who fly there from Subang which is not the main airport. How long were you thinking? Most families take the more well worn track of Penang or Langkawi. Whatever you choose, make sure you give yourself a few days in KL as I think its a really good city & lots of places for kids.
Just got back yesterday and all i can say is wow!
KL was ho hum. But seeing ive taken the kids to Tokyo and Singapore i expected a let down.
It's simply not as fun or interesting as those places.
But the trip to Tioman was well worth it.
We stayed at Minang Cove south of the main jetty. Small resort with only about 10 people there.
It was the most beautiful place Ive ever been. And Ive been some places.
Kids had a blast on the beach or walking to waterfalls but mostly they just snorkeled for 12 hours a day and then fell in to bed exhausted.
The water was so clear and warm with so much life.
The other great activity was jumping off the pier.
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Id suggest flying to Singapore, jumping a cab and going to Mersing (don't stay there as we did) and get on the ferry. Well worth it.
I agree about Lombok/Gili and your comments about Bali are spot on. Ive been there every year for the last 5 years and never seen one bogan except for at the airport.