930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: HoyaSaxa03 on May 22, 2008, 03:59:00 pm
-
in honor of memorial day...
i'm looking to take a 4+ week trip in august/september/october, the world is my oyster, where would you go?
we're thinking about southern south america, aus/nz, se asia, india (i'm guessing the latter two would be better in sept/oct as opposed to august) ... but really open to anything ... we were also thinking about breaking this up into mini-trips, with people in my group hopping on and off at different points
sub-question, has anyone ever gone on a GAP Adventures (http://www.gapadventures.com/) trip?
-
Iceland, but not sure if it's good in Aug/Sep/Oct. I just want to go there!
-
Originally posted by wanderlust j. marshmallow:
Iceland, but not sure if it's good in Aug/Sep/Oct. I just want to go there!
I too really want to go to Iceland. The Mr. P and I have been discussing that for months.
-
I was in Iceland in late October, it was a high of 35 degrees, but no snow yet, but the spray from any of their waterfalls was creating amazing ice formations on the far side of whatever cliff they were falling from.
Oh, and the sun get's about 15 degrees above the horizon and starts setting again. Be prepared for 15 dollar beers.
-
Big plans for a guy with no income.
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
in honor of memorial day...
i'm looking to take a 4+ week trip in august/september/october, the world is my oyster, where would you go?
we're thinking about southern south america, aus/nz, se asia, india (i'm guessing the latter two would be better in sept/oct as opposed to august) ... but really open to anything ... we were also thinking about breaking this up into mini-trips, with people in my group hopping on and off at different points
sub-question, has anyone ever gone on a GAP Adventures (http://www.gapadventures.com/) trip?
-
http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp (http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp)
this tool is awesome for anyone planning a vacation
-
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Big plans for a guy with no income.
google "post-bar trip", asshole
-
Assuming Hoyas sold his soul to some law firm I doubt he's too worried about putting a little mileage on his credit card
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Big plans for a guy with no income.
google "post-bar trip", asshole [/b]
-
Massive credit card debt. Isn't that what America is all about? Wooohooo!
Originally posted by brennser:
Assuming Hoyas sold his soul to some law firm I doubt he's too worried about putting a little mileage on his credit card
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Big plans for a guy with no income.
google "post-bar trip", asshole [/b]
[/b]
-
What's a coupole thousand dollars when you have a 6-figure mortgage in your head?
-
Chile of course, San Pedro de Atacama if you want to see the desert, Petrohue in the south if you want to see beautiful beautiful places.
Peru is pretty good also, specially Cuzco-Machu Picchu...very convenient and a great nightlife as well
-
Originally posted by lagas:
Chile of course, San Pedro de Atacama if you want to see the desert, Petrohue in the south if you want to see beautiful beautiful places.
Peru is pretty good also, specially Cuzco-Machu Picchu...very convenient and a great nightlife as well
yeah i was looking at some peru/chile trips, unfortunately i've gotten some push-back from others on altitude issues in peru
was thinking about something like
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SXLR (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SXLR)
or
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SMS (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SMS)
-
The trip he described sounded more like a 5-figure venture than a couple thousand. But whatevuh.
Originally posted by vansmack:
What's a coupole thousand dollars when you have a 6-figure mortgage in your head?
-
with 4+ weeks??? i'd do either australia and new zealand, or. . .some combo of india and thailand. . .
on the other hand. . .having 4 weeks to drive around the u.s. would be very tempting. . .i've always wanted to see the largest ball of twine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biggest_ball_of_twine).
-
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
on the other hand. . .having 4 weeks to drive around the u.s. would be very tempting. . .i've always wanted to see the largest ball of twine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biggest_ball_of_twine).
OK, Clark W. Griswold, Jr.
-
The second link looks pretty good, specially the whole Peruvian experience. About the altitude, you can chew coca leafs to fight the "puna"...if you choose that one, tell me so I can recommend you some good places in Santiago to go out (pretty much because Im concerned about the "trendy Bellavista" part of the tour...)
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by lagas:
Chile of course, San Pedro de Atacama if you want to see the desert, Petrohue in the south if you want to see beautiful beautiful places.
Peru is pretty good also, specially Cuzco-Machu Picchu...very convenient and a great nightlife as well
yeah i was looking at some peru/chile trips, unfortunately i've gotten some push-back from others on altitude issues in peru
was thinking about something like
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SXLR (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SXLR)
or
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SMS (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/SMS) [/b]
-
Hoya has always struck me as being rather well-heeled for a student.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
The trip he described sounded more like a 5-figure venture than a couple thousand. But whatevuh.
Originally posted by vansmack:
What's a coupole thousand dollars when you have a 6-figure mortgage in your head?
[/b]
-
flyeurope.com has some deals if you travel september/october.
I think i remember flying in/out of NY to paris was in the 500 range which is better than I've seen it in 3 years.
-
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
on the other hand. . .having 4 weeks to drive around the u.s. would be very tempting. . .i've always wanted to see the largest ball of twine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biggest_ball_of_twine).
this was originally at the top of my list
something like this: http://travel.nytimes.com/map/travel/frugal-traveler/2007/ (http://travel.nytimes.com/map/travel/frugal-traveler/2007/)
still considering it, but would probably have to rent or buy and then sell a car to do it
-
also- if you're a student (or 34 & under) i encourage you to check out STA travel. In 2005 for $350 I flew from Dulles to charles de galle, took the train from paris to london and flew back from london to dulles.
I will forever consider that the best deal of my life.
-
Originally posted by chaz:
Hoya has always struck me as being rather well-heeled for a student.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
The trip he described sounded more like a 5-figure venture than a couple thousand. But whatevuh.
Originally posted by vansmack:
What's a coupole thousand dollars when you have a 6-figure mortgage in your head?
[/b]
[/b]
can't we just have fun brainstorming about trips without getting into peoples' finances?
-
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
i'm looking to take a 4+ week trip in august/september/october, the world is my oyster, where would you go?
if you go to south america, do consider adding the galapagos to your itinerary. spendy, but absolutely mind-blowing. i can fill you in on what to look for in a good tour. a once-in-a-lifetime type trip (not that you can't go again... i'm hoping to).
if i had four weeks and relatively unlimited funds, i'd do a southeast asia tour. bali, thailand, cambodia, sri lanka, maybe throw in the maldives.
-
some good ideas here:
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/travel/20071209_WHERE_GRAPHIC.html (http://www.nytimes.com/ref/travel/20071209_WHERE_GRAPHIC.html)
for anyone else looking for inspiration
-
I spent almost 2 months in 2003 tromping around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and it was awesome. Even better, total cost, including airfare (got a sweet deal for $700) was just over three grand.
I strongly encourage you consider SE Asia. You get: serious culture shock, incredible history (esp in Cambodia and the Nam), and almost the most important part, unbelievably cheap prices. You can get your own room with bathroom for usually a couple dollars a day, and if you want to go lux, for $10-$15 a day. Plus a full meal will rarely cost more than a dollar or two, including drinks.
Cambodia is especially awesome because of Angkor Wat/Siem Reap. On my trip, I planned on spending three days in Siem Reap and ended up staying for 2 weeks.
Another bonus is that, unlike Europe, the locals think Americans walk on water, and you will always make friends wherever you are.
Yet another bonus is you can travel on your own, or you can choose to hook up with other fellow travelers. I spent a week traveling around with this british guy, who I'm still in touch with, and then after a couple weeks on my own, had a great 'travel affair' with an Irish woman for about a week until we got sick of each other. What was funny was that after we "broke up", we kept running into each other every couple hundred miles for the next couple weeks because we were heading in the same direction.
-
If I had 4 weeks I would go trekking in Sikkim.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E1DA163AF933A05752C1A9659C8B63&scp=1&sq=sikkim&st=nyt (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E1DA163AF933A05752C1A9659C8B63&scp=1&sq=sikkim&st=nyt)
-
I'm going on this in June and cant wait
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/PHP (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/PHP)
-
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
If I had 4 weeks I would go trekking in Sikkim.
i was looking at these trips:
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/AHDS (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/AHDS)
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/AHHL (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/AHHL)
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/AHDK (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/AHDK)
does anyone know if the monsoon season in india gets significantly better in september/october as opposed to august?
-
Originally posted by Relaxer:
I spent almost 2 months in 2003 tromping around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and it was awesome.
this does sound great, i'm just trying to convince my g/f to buy into the culture shock factor ... i might convince her to do bali/malaysia/s-thailand, then head out into laos/cambodia/vietnam
-
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
with 4+ weeks??? i'd do either australia and new zealand, or. . .some combo of india and thailand. . .
I'd do Australia/New Zealand, but if it's more like September, you're talking winter, which may not be optimum. A friend has 6 weeks and that was the issue he came up against -- southern hemisphere trips in late summer are winter down there. Hence, northern S. America is appealing for that season.
-
Originally posted by Smylie:
I'm going on this in June and cant wait
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/PHP (http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/PHP)
have you or anyone you know done a gap tour before? everything i read online seems great, but i'd just hate to realize 3 days into a 20+ day tour that i hate it ... and i'm generally not a "package tour" person
-
and here i thought my measly week at an eighty degree low, american east coast beach was something special. perhaps i'll reread thompson's "the rum diary" to pretend i'm somewhere over the exotically liquored rainbow.
-
i took a month off last year and toured new zealand with a friend. all we had when we got to auckland was a friend to stay with for a couple of nights, a rental car, and return tickets. we drove all over both islands for the next few weeks, and had an amazing time. highly recommended. we went during winter here and the weather was incredible there. not sure if that would be the same with the timing you are looking at. if you want suggestions of places to go/things to do in nz, drop me a line.
-
i quit my job last year to do a little bit of traveling. i went on a 2 week guided tour of China with my mom . after doing the trip, i dont think i would ever do a guided tour again. not saying that it was a bad thing to do, but i wanted more free time to explore the cities.
a week after i got back from china i did a 6+ week solo backpacking trip around europe. easily the best experience of my life. freedom to go anywhere i wanted for as long as i wanted to. highlights of the trip were going to oktoberfest in munich, watching the sunset in croatia, and doing ice climbing on a glacier in switzerland. i went in september and october which was nice because the weather was good and it wasnt too crowded. if you dont mind living in a backpack for a few weeks i would highly recommend doing something similar. the downside is that the US dollar is weak in europe...
-
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Big plans for a guy with no income.
google "post-bar trip", asshole [/b]
Assuming you just graduated I would recommend a contiki trip. http://contiki.com/destinations (http://contiki.com/destinations)
They drive you around to the different destinations, drop you off in the downtown area with a map and say go explore on your own then meet at the bus at a certain time. You'll be in a group with people in your age group who are from all over the world.
I did a post-grad school 23 day Euro trip with them but they also offer more exotic locations like Aussie/NZ, Egypt, Bali or Russia.
-
If you haven't explored the possibility of travelling all over Europe with a Eurail pass, then you're really missing out on a great opportunity. Train travel is incredibly comfortable, scenic, affordable, and dependable. We're going to Munich for Oktoberfest at the end of September and then on to Prague before heading back to Germany, using the train as our main mode of transport.
Other thoughts...last year we went on a self-guided bike tour through Burgundy. Relatively easy biking, which is good since we stopped every hour in another winery and tried their wares.
Barcelona is gorgeous at that time of year. The tourists have thinned out but the weather is still comfortable. There are worst ways to spend a few days than checking out Gaudi's creations (especially Sagrada Familia) and hitting every tapas bar along Las Ramblas.
Another thought...use the ferry system in Greece and explore the islands - but not the usual suspects like Mykonos and Ios. For our honeymoon we took a sailboat and went to islands like Kifnos, Kea, Syros, and Sifnos. Some of these islands are too small to accept cruise ships but all are accessible by small boats. That's where you see real Med island life.
Yeah - that's it. Planes, trains, ferries, and bicycles. Do it all. Sept/Oct is a great time to see Europe!!
-
Get to Guyana and start from Georgetown going south to the Brazilian border, one week in Guyana, amazing country. Then from Boa Vista, in northern Brazil to Manaus. Couple of days in Manaus and then upstream in the Amazon to Peru. Then fly to Cuzco and cross to Bolivia through the Lake Titikaka, few days in Lake Titikaka, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni Salt Lake and cross to Chile and go south to Santiago and then go even further south or go to Buenos Aires finishing your trip in Rio or Salvador de Bahia.
-
this is awesome stuff, thanks so much for the recommendations
re: contiki, this company always struck me as a teens / early-20-somethings spring break party kind of thing, is that misplaced? i'm not that far removed from that age group, but i'm not really in the mood for going traveling with a bunch of 20 year olds
re: eurail pass, i did this when studying abroad in 2002 (when you could get 1 euro for less than 90 US cents), took a little more than 3 weeks to go on the train line from amsterdam down to naples, had the time of my life (and i owe it all to...)
right now i'm leaning towards starting out in bali and then going to se asia, maybe mixing in a shorter GAP tour with unplanned wandering ... but still investigating
thanks again, any more daydreams / brainstorms / suggestions are much appreciated ....
-
i need ideas too. i'm taking a year off school and am planning to get a one way ticket to sweden. i want scandinavia so bad. sadly, i have no business being there. there's a place to stay but not an ideal one. i've got a lot of charisma and plenty of schemes in my head to be put toward staying past the alloted 3 months on a tourist visa but nothing's set in stone.
the only thing i'm demanding out of this year, besides a lot of fun, is that i learn a language through-and-through.
-
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
the only thing i'm demanding out of this year, besides a lot of fun, is that i learn a language through-and-through.
If you're going to go through the effort of learning a language, at least make certain you learn a useful language. While Swedish will help bag some pretty hot ladies (or dudes) who are very likley to be taller than you, I think less than 10 Million people speak it.
When you get back and you don't have the opportunity to speak it often, it will go out of your head as quickly as you put it in.
-
Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
the only thing i'm demanding out of this year, besides a lot of fun, is that i learn a language through-and-through.
If you're going to go through the effort of learning a language, at least make certain you learn a useful language. While Swedish will help bag some pretty hot ladies (or dudes) who are very likley to be taller than you, I think less than 10 Million people speak it.
When you get back and you don't have the opportunity to speak it often, it will go out of your head as quickly as you put it in. [/b]
you're a bigger buzzkill than rhett!
-
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
you're a bigger buzzkill than rhett!
I was going to reply to you in Hungarian, but alas, I can't speak it any longer.
-
Originally posted by brennser:
Assuming Hoyas sold his soul to some law firm I doubt he's too worried about putting a little mileage on his credit card
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Big plans for a guy with no income.
google "post-bar trip", asshole [/b]
[/b]
Oh great...another fucking lawyer! Make it a one way plane ticket will you?
-
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
the only thing i'm demanding out of this year, besides a lot of fun, is that i learn a language through-and-through.
If you're American you should probably try to master the English language through-and through. I've not met one yet who has.
-
Originally posted by vansmack:
While Swedish will help bag some pretty hot ladies (or dudes) who are very likley to be taller than you, I think less than 10 Million people speak it.
also, the majority of swedes under 40 tend to speak very good english, so you can skip the language classes and head straight to the bars/clubs/produce aisle/outside of liquor shops/suburban high-school/(insert name of preferred pick-up spot here).
-
Jo, nem beszelek magyarul...
Originally posted by vansmack:
I was going to reply to you in Hungarian, but alas, I can't speak it any longer.
-
I think your extended Asia tour sounds the most interesting. Your dollar will go far and you can get some suits made for very little. Holiday in Cambodia and all of that stuff.
-
Originally posted by econo:
I think your extended Asia tour sounds the most interesting. Your dollar will go far and you can get some suits made for very little. Holiday in Cambodia and all of that stuff.
I forgot about that part. In an earlier trip to Thailand, I met a bunch of wealthy Price Waterhouse guys, and I asked them who was the best tailor in town. They directed me to a guy who I immediately bought two suits from (at about $150 each, and completed in 2 days!). I stayed in touch with him via email and then he came over to the US several times in subsequent years and I had 'suit' parties where my buddies came over, we drank bourbon, smoked cigars and listened to Frank, while selecting fabrics, choosing styles and getting measured. It was the perfect combination of manly-man and totally gay.
If you do go over, get yourself some suits (hot tip: a tailored tux is the greatest thing to own) and then just mail them home. So totally worth it.
-
What do you do that you need to own a tailored tux? Do you show dogs in dog shows?
I haven't worn a tux since junior prom 25 years ago.
Originally posted by Relaxer:
Originally posted by econo:
I think your extended Asia tour sounds the most interesting. Your dollar will go far and you can get some suits made for very little. Holiday in Cambodia and all of that stuff.
I forgot about that part. In an earlier trip to Thailand, I met a bunch of wealthy Price Waterhouse guys, and I asked them who was the best tailor in town. They directed me to a guy who I immediately bought two suits from (at about $150 each, and completed in 2 days!). I stayed in touch with him via email and then he came over to the US several times in subsequent years and I had 'suit' parties where my buddies came over, we drank bourbon, smoked cigars and listened to Frank, while selecting fabrics, choosing styles and getting measured. It was the perfect combination of manly-man and totally gay.
If you do go over, get yourself some suits (hot tip: a tailored tux is the greatest thing to own) and then just mail them home. So totally worth it. [/b]
-
Originally posted by Relaxer:
If you do go over, get yourself some suits (hot tip: a tailored tux is the greatest thing to own) and then just mail them home. So totally worth it.
when i was in thailand 4 years ago i had two suits made, and they're by far the favorite suits i've ever owned
getting a new bespoke wardrobe is definitely one of the reasons i'd like to go back ... and good call on the tux
-
Originally posted by econo:
Jo, nem beszelek magyarul...
Thank you.
-
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
What do you do that you need to own a tailored tux? Do you show dogs in dog shows?
I haven't worn a tux since junior prom 25 years ago.
Originally posted by Relaxer:
Originally posted by econo:
I think your extended Asia tour sounds the most interesting. Your dollar will go far and you can get some suits made for very little. Holiday in Cambodia and all of that stuff.
I forgot about that part. In an earlier trip to Thailand, I met a bunch of wealthy Price Waterhouse guys, and I asked them who was the best tailor in town. They directed me to a guy who I immediately bought two suits from (at about $150 each, and completed in 2 days!). I stayed in touch with him via email and then he came over to the US several times in subsequent years and I had 'suit' parties where my buddies came over, we drank bourbon, smoked cigars and listened to Frank, while selecting fabrics, choosing styles and getting measured. It was the perfect combination of manly-man and totally gay.
If you do go over, get yourself some suits (hot tip: a tailored tux is the greatest thing to own) and then just mail them home. So totally worth it. [/b]
[/b]
He could be part of the new ratpack, all he needs is a martini and cigarette to go with his tailored tux!!
-
Originally posted by econo:
Jo, nem beszelek magyarul...
According to babelfish, econo just said that Hoya's mother blows goats for a quarter.
-
Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
What do you do that you need to own a tailored tux? Do you show dogs in dog shows?
I haven't worn a tux since junior prom 25 years ago.
Originally posted by Relaxer:
Originally posted by econo:
I think your extended Asia tour sounds the most interesting. Your dollar will go far and you can get some suits made for very little. Holiday in Cambodia and all of that stuff.
I forgot about that part. In an earlier trip to Thailand, I met a bunch of wealthy Price Waterhouse guys, and I asked them who was the best tailor in town. They directed me to a guy who I immediately bought two suits from (at about $150 each, and completed in 2 days!). I stayed in touch with him via email and then he came over to the US several times in subsequent years and I had 'suit' parties where my buddies came over, we drank bourbon, smoked cigars and listened to Frank, while selecting fabrics, choosing styles and getting measured. It was the perfect combination of manly-man and totally gay.
If you do go over, get yourself some suits (hot tip: a tailored tux is the greatest thing to own) and then just mail them home. So totally worth it. [/b]
[/b]
He could be part of the new ratpack, all he needs is a martini and cigarette to go with his tailored tux!! [/b]
How about a joint and can of Kodiak?
As for when I use the tux, I certainly don't pull it out that often, but a few times a year I go to a banquet or some kind of formal affair/dinner. I also wore it into work once last year, just for the hell of it.
-
I'm impressed. Babelfish is good for context and not specifics. However, this time it was spot on!
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
According to babelfish, econo just said that Hoya's mother blows goats for a quarter.
-
canada is really nice in September as well ;)
-
Your tux has ruffles doesn't it.
Originally posted by Relaxer:
How about a joint and can of Kodiak?
-
Originally posted by Erinaceous Sonickus:
canada is really nice in September as well ;)
Why? Because it's the start of hockey sesaon eh?
-
Originally posted by vansmack:
]If you're going to go through the effort of learning a language, at least make certain you learn a useful language. While Swedish will help bag some pretty hot ladies (or dudes) who are very likley to be taller than you, I think less than 10 Million people speak it.
When you get back and you don't have the opportunity to speak it often, it will go out of your head as quickly as you put it in.
that's what i always hear, but i think i want to live in sweden... when i'm an adult and stuff. it's especially useless beause they're all taught english in school, but i wanna know it, i wanna be in! it won't be that hard, someone told me there are only 20,000 words, and someone else told me that after your third one languages are a breeze.
p.s. i think that thing about hot swedes is a myth, it's hit or miss most of the time. when they're hot it's amazing, but that's rare and most of the time there's some exaggerated feature like huge teeth or a fivehead that ruins the rest of the face. hot bods though.
-
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
p.s. i think that thing about hot swedes is a myth,
I was nearly arrested for public drooling in my only visit to Stockholm.
And they were the worst group to hang out with at the World Cup as well:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61438018@N00/189197143/in/pool-swedishgirls (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61438018@N00/189197143/in/pool-swedishgirls)
-
even the dudes?
-
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
even the dudes?
The ladies in our world cup group were quite pleased with the Swedish men as well.
But I won't post a picture of that.
-
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
What do you do that you need to own a tailored tux? Do you show dogs in dog shows?
I haven't worn a tux since junior prom 25 years ago.
i've been to 2 or 3 weddings in the past few years where a tux would have been appropriate, and i go to at least 2 formals/black ties per year. i typically have to rent at least one tuxedo a year. not only would a custom tux look & fit better, but it would cost less than two rentals (if i had it made in tailand, india, etc). i regret not having on made during my travels. next time i'm in that part of the world, i'm definitely getting fitted for one (along with a regular suit or two).
-
You're assuming you're never going to gain or lose any weight?
Originally posted by sweetcell:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
What do you do that you need to own a tailored tux? Do you show dogs in dog shows?
I haven't worn a tux since junior prom 25 years ago.
i've been to 2 or 3 weddings in the past few years where a tux would have been appropriate, and i go to at least 2 formals/black ties per year. i typically have to rent at least one tuxedo a year. not only would a custom tux look & fit better, but it would cost less than two rentals (if i had it made in tailand, india, etc). i regret not having on made during my travels. next time i'm in that part of the world, i'm definitely getting fitted for one (along with a regular suit or two). [/b]
-
While I've never been overseas I've seen over 90% of the US states, and if you've never done the around the US trip (Glacier Park, Yellowstone, Golden Gate Bridge, Space Needle, Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, etc etc etc) you -really- should do that. I've got tons of fond memories.
-
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
You're assuming you're never going to gain or lose any weight?
yes, i admit that is an assumption - albeit one founded on precedent. i can still wear suits i bought several years ago, weight fluctuations haven't been an issue so far.
-
I'm wearing a suit today that I bought in 1994
-
By the way, how in the world does this thread (or your trip?) honor Memorial Day? Are you planning on visiting all the countries where US soldiers have died while trying to conquer the world?
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:
in honor of memorial day...
i'm looking to take a 4+ week trip in august/september/october, the world is my oyster, where would you go?
we're thinking about southern south america, aus/nz, se asia, india (i'm guessing the latter two would be better in sept/oct as opposed to august) ... but really open to anything ... we were also thinking about breaking this up into mini-trips, with people in my group hopping on and off at different points
sub-question, has anyone ever gone on a GAP Adventures (http://www.gapadventures.com/) trip?
-
Originally posted by brennser:
I'm wearing a suit today that I bought in 1994
you fashion plate, you!
-
Originally posted by brennser:
I'm wearing a suit today that I bought in 1994
I still fit into the suit I graduated high school in, but I don't wear it because it's double breasted and well, who wears a double breasted suit in 2008?
-
Originally posted by brennser:
I'm wearing a suit today that I bought in 1994
And I'm digging those shoulder pads in a BIG way! :)
-
Originally posted by chaz:
Originally posted by brennser:
I'm wearing a suit today that I bought in 1994
And I'm digging those shoulder pads in a BIG way! :) [/b]
awww, thanks guys!!
<img src="http://www.hooplife.ca/raptorshq/upload/articles/Jalen_Rose_Draft1.jpg" alt=" - " />
-
Is your wife cool with that?
Originally posted by brennser:
I'm wearing underwear today that I bought in 1994
-
for those who care, we're going to indonesia!
send me a PM if you have any tips for java, bali, lombok, and the gili islands ... thanks!
-
For music, you must go to Bandung which is in West Java. Dr. Doom will back me up on that. Maybe he'll even share some details about the cool party I set him up with. Lots of cool bands in Bandung.
-
bali is absolutely amazing. one of the most beautiful and interesting places i've visited in all my travels. ubud is a fun place to spend a few days, be sure to catch a performance of ketchak. it's also a good central base for day trips - i paid $15 for an all-day tour of temples (the required sarong will run you another $4-5). if you have the time, check out the northern beaches for one of my definitions of paradise. the beaches in the south are nice too but it's also the most built-up/touristy area. north side is much quieter. kuta is good for shopping, otherwise not much to see.
-
awesome, i'm really excited ... we'll be in seminyak (just north of kuta) for a few days when we first get in, splurged on a villa to hole up and recover from jet lag ... then heading to java, right now only planning on using yogyakarta as our base, but i'll definitely look into bandung (thanks jag!) ... after that skipping over bali to go to lombok and the Gili Islands (http://wikitravel.org/en/Gili_Islands), which i'm REALLY excited about
then finishing off the trip with a long stay in ubud
we were thinking about going to lovina in the north for a couple of nights, do you think it's worth it to cut our stay in ubud short for that?
-
villa in seminyak: should be fun, it'll be a tropical beach-house party.
gili & lombok make me jealous. never made it over, but they do indeed sound fabulous. very different culturally than bali. if anyone does scuba, those are definitely world-class spots to do it.
yes, i'd be willing to trade some ubud in exchange for lovina, but then again i'm a beach person. ubud has a lot more to do (tons of cultural stuff: performances, tours of temples and ruins, various classes, shopping, etc), lovina is paradise on the sand. good mix to do both.
-
so, here's a travel-related question for y'all: thanks to recent developments, i'll be spending labor day week in the netherlands. what's the most efficient way to get euros? exchange cash here? use credit cards? ATMs?
sucks enough that the dollar is so week, would rather not waste additional percentage on high exchange commissions/fees.
-
traveler's checks are a real pain in the ass.
stick with atms. i don't think there are processing fees on them...unless they've been charging me without a warning. i've had some problems with a lot of banks just not working with my debit card. it's not a big deal because it works with the type i see the most often.
but also, i think i'm going to be in amsterdam around labor day weekend. if you find yourself in the city, we should get some space cake.
-
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
stick with atms. i don't think there are processing fees on them...unless they've been charging me without a warning.
most banks will charge you an "international transaction fee" of around 2 to 3%. they're charged separately from the withdrawal amount - check your bank statement. ATMs have been my most common method of getting cash overseas. i was wondering if there was a better/cheaper way.
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
but also, i think i'm going to be in amsterdam around labor day weekend. if you find yourself in the city, we should get some space cake.
cool, let's see what we can set up... will PM you. will probably be in the hague over labor day weekend and return to a'dam the following weekend.
-
yeah, I usually take a few travelers checks as 'emergency money' but always use ATMs otherwise. It used to be that there was no charge for using ATMs at all (other than what your bank charges you for not using their ATM) but in the past year or so they have tacked on the 'international transaction fee' which is usually 1 or 2%. It is still better than exchanging cash though.
-
Wow, I wish I'd seen this thread earlier.
Hoya, go to Myspace and add the Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance Talent to your friends list, and say hello from Jaguar and myself. Indonesia has a tiny but lively indie rock scene and if you're lucky you might be able to catch a great show and meet some really nice people.
In Java, be sure to visit Yogyakarta a cool city where multiple universities give it a college town vibe, Indonesian style. Mt. Merapi, an occasionally-active volcano, is just an hours drive away and worth the trip.
Bali is beautiful, but get away from the tourist traps full of drunken and annoying Aussies to the smaller towns. Also avoid big resorts. Ubud, inland, is a spiritual magical place and well worth a visit.
Jakarta's probably worth no more than a day or two (I lived there seven months), if you'll be spending any time there I can give you a few pub and restaurant tips.
If I could go back I'd spend more time exploring Java, and visit the area around Anak Krakatau, where Krakatoa blew up and a new volcano is being formed.
For the 30-hour plane ride to Indonesia I recommend the book "Krakatoa," a great read which will give you a flavor for the history and culture of the country.
Finally if you need any more specific tips feel free to message me... and you may get some ideas from my photostream of Indonesia pics:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=indonesia&w=77926160%40N00 (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=indonesia&w=77926160%40N00)
Oh yes, travelers checks -- I have traveled all over the world and never needed them. I don't quite understand the concept. Seems kinda anachronistic, like the old notion that paper airline tickets were the equivalent of cash.
-
Originally posted by They call me Doctor Doom.:
Wow, I wish I'd seen this thread earlier.
awesome, thanks for all the tips
-
i normally exchange some "walking around" cash before i leave, but after that, it's atm's all the way. . .you get a better exchange rate than cashing travellers checks, and even with the fees, you still come out a bit ahead than with travellers checks. plus, you get all that protection from fraud and have a paper trail for your withdrawals and purchases.
only encountered one problem and that was in portugal where the atm's would not recognize my mastercard debit card. . .
-
I generally shun the use of cash and always go with credit cards when possible (airline miles!)
But those goddamn French make it really difficult with their minimum credit card purchases (even in major department stores), as well as the seeming randomness of your credit card not working in their fucking credit card machines.
I'm now with Vansmack on something: hatred of the French.
-
Went I went to several countries in Africa, they did not accept MasterCard, only Visa. I only had a MasterCard at the time, so it was very useful to have Travelers Checks in that situation.
-
i don't think i've ever been somewhere that accepted credit cards but not visa. mastercard seems fiercely unpopular.
-
irish people arent big on credit cards either. i believe we only landed with maybe â?¬100. that did not get us far
-
Stockholm suxxx. I want to go to a bar and talk to strangers. But, there's no way I'm shelling out the crowns for a few hours of drinking. (about $11 a beer- $8 at happy hour- cocktails double) I've got an all day train pass and would hate to stay home tonight. Suggestions?
*this might be an unanswerable problem
-
go out to a bar and meet people, but don't drink? or drink non-alcoholic drinks?
have you checked out malmo?
-
Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
irish people arent big on credit cards either. i believe we only landed with maybe â?¬100. that did not get us far
I was okay with using mine. Only got one look and my purchase was over $50, so I gave the look back. Other than that, friendly response when I used it. I had plenty of cash and then added to the pot after a few days. The exchange rate & fee was so expensive at Union Station but worse once you get there, so ATM is the way to go.
No travelers cheques, apparently it's not recommended (anymore).
I used cash for on the spot, cheap stuff; card for larger purchases. Never tried getting cash at point of purchase...does that work overseas?
-
Originally posted by sweetcell:
go out to a bar and meet people, but don't drink? or drink non-alcoholic drinks?
have you checked out malmo?
yeah, i went out anyway and ran into $7 draft, which i could not turn down.
is malmo worth visiting?
-
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
yeah, i went out anyway and ran into $7 draft, which i could not turn down.
meet any local hotties?!?
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
is malmo worth visiting?
never been there, but i'm told it's worth a day or two. big university town, good amount of historical and cultural points of interest, etc. at a minimum, it's a change of scenery from stockholm :)
-
Originally posted by sweetcell:
Originally posted by slowgraffiti:
[qb]yeah, i went out anyway and ran into $7 draft, which i could not turn down.[/b]
meet any local hotties?!?
Only on the train. This one guy recommended a good neighborhood, but the bar I randomly chose was this indie nightclub where everybody came in a really big group of friends. On the way back I talked up this babe from Holland, but he had to change trains. There's always tonight I guess.
If I can find a place to stay, I'll give Malmo a shot.