pom
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Post by pom on Jul 21, 2018 17:38:55 GMT
OK so for those poor sods that previously made it through p2pindependentforum.com/post/173118/thread (and if you didn't I'm not entirely sure in retrospect that I'd recommend it) an update.... Didn't quit (obvs) or even take a sabbatical....instead I "bought" 15 extra vacation days, the majority of which I used to go to Tibet and overdose on monasteries and vast vast landscapes, including Qomlangma base camp (as they will insist on calling it on that side....I shall resist the temptation to comment on the various ironies of that..), and learned in the process that I'm not too old to deal with slightly more "interesting" circumstances (loos with a view turned out to be much better than proper toilet blocks sometime) and that my travel bug is still alive and well. My "problem" ? I now need to rewrite my travel bucket list having done almost all my big ticket locations...so I'm really open to suggestions and recommendations for totally awesome experiences whether they be gobsmacking views or just super friendly but totally different people (and please don't feel it has to be super exotic - for example there's huge swathes of Europe I've not been near yet, if nothing else perhaps I need to spend rather more time mooching around the greek islands). So....any recommendations for the "best" place you've ever been? Or alternately places you dream of (and why).
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ozboy
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Mine's a Large One! (Snigger, snigger .......)
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Post by ozboy on Jul 21, 2018 18:56:17 GMT
Not sure where you've visited already pom but a definite could be The Galapagos, and while yer there a four day trek (or get the rail up) to Machu Picchu in Peru, plus the Ecuadorian Amazon is also only several hours away. While yer in the general area it's also relatively easy to fit in Lake Titicaca and the floating native reed camps. I did all these last year as well as cycling the Death Road outside Le Paz, but that may be a bit much for you?!? South America in general is fabulous, IMHO. Patagonia and environs next for me.
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r00lish67
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Post by r00lish67 on Jul 21, 2018 19:13:49 GMT
allo pomHere are a few of my favourite places - they're more 'stay and get in the groove' places rather than 1-day blow-you-away's, but just in case any catch your interest: 1) Georgia (the country): A totally different place, very hospitable people, delicious food. Tbilisi is beautiful, whilst mixing crumbling and very modern buildings. Could also be combined with Armenia. 2) You mentioned Greece - I personally enjoy the islands that don't have an airport, makes them more 'exotic' somehow. Sifnos + Syros are two suggestions but obviously there are loads. 3) Sarajevo - lots of history (obviously) and again very friendly locals. 4) If you want the true 'desert island' getaway - Koh Mak, 30 minutes speedboat from Koh Chang, Thailand. 5) Best beach town - Sayulita, near Puerto Escondido, Mexico. 6) La Gomera, Canary Islands - Great for breathtaking views, very untouched back to nature experience.
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pom
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Post by pom on Jul 21, 2018 19:42:54 GMT
Not sure where you've visited already pom but a definite could be The Galapagos, and while yer there a four day trek (or get the rail up) to Machu Picchu in Peru, plus the Ecuadorian Amazon is also only several hours away. While yer in the general area it's also relatively easy to fit in Lake Titicaca and the floating native reed camps. I did all these last year as well as cycling the Death Road outside Le Paz, but that may be a bit much for you?!? South America in general is fabulous, IMHO. Patagonia and environs next for me. Yeah....looked at trying to fit in Galapagos a couple of years ago but didn't quite work with the Peru stuff we did (cos we wanted to do Nazca as well as MP - via rail, Titicaca etc). So it's still kinda on the list but for some reason isn't a must see for me. Bolivia is still a wanna do if I can work out what else to tie it in with (might skip the cycling tho and probably want a bit of a break before I next do altitude even if I do still have 10days worth of diamox left!) "Did" Patagonia last year, tho I'm sure at some point I might find another way to do more of it. Might end up with a really weird LatAm route to "avoid" places I've already been !
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Greenwood2
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Post by Greenwood2 on Jul 21, 2018 19:49:02 GMT
Shetland Islands, fantastic, don't miss Jarlshof. Or is this too pedestrian?
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pom
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Post by pom on Jul 21, 2018 19:53:26 GMT
allo pom Here are a few of my favourite places - they're more 'stay and get in the groove' places rather than 1-day blow-you-away's, but just in case any catch your interest: 1) Georgia (the country): A totally different place, very hospitable people, delicious food. Tbilisi is beautiful, whilst mixing crumbling and very modern buildings. Could also be combined with Armenia. 2) You mentioned Greece - I personally enjoy the islands that don't have an airport, makes them more 'exotic' somehow. Sifnos + Syros are two suggestions but obviously there are loads. 3) Sarajevo - lots of history (obviously) and again very friendly locals. 4) If you want the true 'desert island' getaway - Koh Mak, 30 minutes speedboat from Koh Chang, Thailand. 5) Best beach town - Sayulita, near Puerto Escondido, Mexico. 6) La Gomera, Canary Islands - Great for breathtaking views, very untouched back to nature experience. Oooh interesting - was looking at a foodie tour of Georgia etc recently, so may consider again thanks. Sarajevo...yeah def need to do some balkans & baltics too for that matter. Definitely need to do more thailand too.. Had quite a bit of mexican stuff thanks to lots of biz trips there that I always tagged a bit extra on to but will bear Sayulita in mind - from a very brief google it sounds like it might be similar-ish to Zihuatenejo. And looked a couple of times at La Gomera, but so far the rather unpredictable ferry timings have put me off...maybe next time. Thanks!!!!
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pom
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Post by pom on Jul 21, 2018 19:56:21 GMT
Shetland Islands, fantastic, don't miss Jarlshof. Or is this too pedestrian? Not at all..I do feel a tad guilty that I've yet to venture beyond Edinburgh & Glasgow, and was recently drooling over a friends holiday pics of some of the isles....so yes, Scotland and the islands definitely needs to go on there somewhere. Thanks!
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Post by mrclondon on Jul 21, 2018 20:30:10 GMT
Greek Islands - yes definitely worth exploring. Top tip - stay in the main town rather than concrete resorts. The smaller islands (measured by population) aren't generally worth the effort (IMO), but the likes of Kos, Samos, Paros, Naxos, Syros, Mykonos, Santorini, Kefalonia as well as the bigger islands of Rhodes and Crete are all worth exploring. My top picks a) staying in Kos Town, and walking a couple of miles up to the ruins at Asklepion where there are refreshing breezes, and plenty of shade b) staying in Chania on Crete, and walking the Samaria Gorge (16 km but all downhill) - you can imagine you are Bilbo in Lord of the Rings ! c) Staying in Fira on Santorini, and walking the caldera rim round to Oia; or taking the local bus to the ruins of Akrotiri (like Pompeii preserved by volcanic ash). Ferry travel between the islands is efficient but no longer the bargain it once was. If you like Greece, then Croatia is likely to appeal. Porec, Rovinj and Opatija in the north, the islands of Rab, Krk, Mali Losinj, the capital Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Trogir, Split, Makarska (a particular favourite of mine, with dramatic scenery), and of course Dubrovnik. My affinity with Croatia can perhaps be traced back to the early 70's when as a six to eight year old Yugoslavia was my introduction to the world of travel, and I've been back regularly since the end of the Balkan wars. Further afield Hong Kong. Staying in Mid Levels, and walking up to and around Victoria Peak, or along Bowen Road. Taking the metro and bus to walk the Dragon's Back (SE HK island), or to Sai Kung in the New Territories for the fish restaurants. There is lots more to see in HK than just Kowloon, I've spent several week long trips exploring over the years. Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery at Diamond Hill are a particular favourite. Closer to home Keukenhof Spring Bulb Gardens in Netherlands are well worth a trip, and for something a bit different Wereldhavendagen in Rotterdam in September - its a bit like an English county show but instead of an agricultural theme its maritime.
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pom
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Post by pom on Jul 21, 2018 21:03:21 GMT
Greek Islands - yes definitely worth exploring. Top tip - stay in the main town rather than concrete resorts. The smaller islands (measured by population) aren't generally worth the effort (IMO), but the likes of Kos, Samos, Paros, Naxos, Syros, Mykonos, Santorini, Kefalonia as well as the bigger islands of Rhodes and Crete are all worth exploring. My top picks a) staying in Kos Town, and walking a couple of miles up to the ruins at Asklepion where there are refreshing breezes, and plenty of shade b) staying in Chania on Crete, and walking the Samaria Gorge (16 km but all downhill) - you can imagine you are Bilbo in Lord of the Rings ! c) Staying in Fira on Santorini, and walking the caldera rim round to Oia; or taking the local bus to the ruins of Akrotiri (like Pompeii preserved by volcanic ash). Ferry travel between the islands is efficient but no longer the bargain it once was. If you like Greece, then Croatia is likely to appeal. Porec, Rovinj and Opatija in the north, the islands of Rab, Krk, Mali Losinj, the capital Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Trogir, Split, Makarska (a particular favourite of mine, with dramatic scenery), and of course Dubrovnik. My affinity with Croatia can perhaps be traced back to the early 70's when as a six to eight year old Yugoslavia was my introduction to the world of travel, and I've been back regularly since the end of the Balkan wars. Further afield Hong Kong. Staying in Mid Levels, and walking up to and around Victoria Peak, or along Bowen Road. Taking the metro and bus to walk the Dragon's Back (SE HK island), or to Sai Kung in the New Territories for the fish restaurants. There is lots more to see in HK than just Kowloon, I've spent several week long trips exploring over the years. Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery at Diamond Hill are a particular favourite. Closer to home Keukenhof Spring Bulb Gardens in Netherlands are well worth a trip, and for something a bit different Wereldhavendagen in Rotterdam in September - its a bit like an English county show but instead of an agricultural theme its maritime. Thanks... some of those Greek islands already done, either as a dedicated trip or by sail others definitely need to consider. Mmm must make a big batch of moussaka soon.... Croatia yep, another for the todo. HK - been there on biz briefly...doesn't hugely appeal for anything more as I'm not really a city person, tho won't rule out as a future stopover. Thanks - always interesting to hear others experiences
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macq
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Post by macq on Jul 21, 2018 23:07:27 GMT
might be classed as being to touristy but would mention a few National Parks in the US - Zion & Bryce Canyon even in the Grand Canyon & Yellowstone you can lose the crowds(its also funny at sunset in the GC how so many people went quiet so quick when sunset hit the walls) Also Washington state & Alaska in general or nearer to home how about the Northern Lights. Also just had a friend comeback raving about Vietnam which was their bucket list choice for many years
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pom
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Post by pom on Jul 22, 2018 7:34:10 GMT
might be classed as being to touristy but would mention a few National Parks in the US - Zion & Bryce Canyon even in the Grand Canyon & Yellowstone you can lose the crowds(its also funny at sunset in the GC how so many people went quiet so quick when sunset hit the walls) Also Washington state & Alaska in general or nearer to home how about the Northern Lights. Also just had a friend comeback raving about Vietnam which was their bucket list choice for many years Not at all, tho a few would be return journeys - did a loop around Bryce, Antelope, Monument and Grand Canyon a few years ago - was a bit rushed so wouldn't mind going back, particularly if I could do the GC rim to rim hike. And Alaska is on my list. Not hugely keen on the US in general at the moment tho. Visited S Vietnam a couple of years ago, but preferred Cambodia really. May go back and do N sometime if I can decide where else in the area to tie it in with. And yes, have been contemplating a few options for Northern Lights, problem is that as much as I'd love to see them, more generally a lack of daylight is my idea of hell! Perhaps I should just get a big map of the world, a blindfold and a pin !
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macq
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Post by macq on Jul 22, 2018 7:43:28 GMT
good job you have done Bryce already as i have just remembered a lot more people then normal went down with altitude sickness so may not have been the best pointer!
P.s Have you found some place to go for when you get back to your retirement plan?
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snowmobile
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Post by snowmobile on Jul 22, 2018 8:54:04 GMT
I'll echo Croatia as above. One of my favourite countries and I've been visiting since the old days of Yugoslavia too. In fact I think I still have an old Yugotours brochure somewhere! The area around Zadar is a good base for visiting the unmissable Plitvice Lakes NP, Krka NP, Kornati Island NP plus many other islands easily accessible by local ferries. Further south is the stunning Mljet Island NP. The smaller countries of Slovenia and Montenegro are worth visiting too. Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is also one high on my list. The lesser visited part of Italy, Calabria. From Tropea you can visit the spectacular Aeolian Islands above Sicily. Greek Islands, as above. One not mentioned yet is Skopelos, where Mammia Mia was filmed. The Azores. Volcanic craters, hot springs, generally amazing scenery. Canadian Rockies. Stunning scenery in the area around Lake Louise. Yes there are crowds but it's very easy to escape them at peak times by hiking off the beaten track a little. Just watch out for the bears! Also Jasper, Banff and basically everywhere in between. Costa Rica is great for wildlife and scenery. Nicaragua is becoming more accessible but still well off the beaten track. New Zealand of course, but you really need at least a couple of months there to make the journey worthwhile. That reminds me I should spend more time working on my list and less time on here
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moogman
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Post by moogman on Jul 22, 2018 13:54:45 GMT
A suggestion - Position yourself into a remote worker role, and then well, just go wherever the wind takes you over the coming months/years/decades. PS. Followed/contributed to your last thread; Am in a similar boat; Decided to call it quits early next year, decompress for a short while, then figure out what I'm doing for the next 1/4 life .
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Mike
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Post by Mike on Jul 22, 2018 14:35:21 GMT
Zimbabwe, Japan, and Pakistan are three of my favourite ever destinations (not in that order, and for totally different reasons)
Overall Pakistan is probably the most exotic and I can highly recommend Swat valley and the karakoam, I was there in March security situation is now okay again. Nanga Parbat base camp is a great walk (summer only). People are really amazing and food also very tasty - ticks all my boxes.
Zimbabwe is a very friendly place and, in 2012 at least, has a very odd feel to it since most of the tourist industry has dried up. May have become more commercial now but Matopos national park is great. Food leaves a bit to be desired here (unlike Pakistan and Japan!)
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