The Travel Thread

[phantom eel]

So me and the GF are thinking about going over to NZ for the Auckland 9's next year and I was after some suggestions go things to do while we're over there. Not really sure how long we will stay so things to do in and close to Auckland is top of the list.

Thanks

We went to Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a bit of history and about 3 hours drive north.
http://www.waitangi.org.nz/visit-waitangi/

Coromandel Peninsula is a nice part of the world too, about 2.5 hours drive east. Rotorua is a smelly experience, about 2.75 hours drive south east. Lake Taupo is pretty cool, about 3 hours south east.

As for Auckland itself, I don't really remember too much... visited 10 years ago and it just reminded me of Sydney? As others have said/will say the south island and Wellington and the coastal parts of north island are great!

 

[Red Bear]

South Island is awesome. Tongariro national park on the North Island is also pretty cool

 

[kia ora storm]

Go to Waiheke Island...

Stay out of Otahuhu..

Karangahape Road will give you live music but is pretty scummy or if you want something up market head to Ponsonby for a meal and drinks.

 

[Bazal]

Thanks for the tips...been to Thailand a few times so used to the culture shock.

Everyone is saying go to Hoi An so will definitely include it.

Im in saigon right now. Did Halong Bay, absolutely stunning place. Do two nights and if you can. Hanoi is great, a bit older and definitely more charming than Ho Chi Minh. Food and drink is much cheaper in Hanoi too, at least in the areas we've stayed. That said niether is expensive. Ho Chi Minh is definitely more tourist friendly and a lot more people speak English. We are at the end of a five week SE Asia tour so we only did Hanoi Halong and Saigon, but we've made friends with some yankee backpackers since Halong and they couldn't speak highly enough about Sapa.

One tip. Cabbies speak no English as a rule, so a written destination is a must as they can generally read it ok. Found a few good spots to eat too if you need....

 

[Misanthrope]

Might get to head back to China for a week or so later in the year. A potential sponsor has asked if I'd be interested in visiting Chengdu (I've already been, but I'm not going to turn down a free trip) and reviewing it.

They seem to be on board with flying me over specifically for the occasion, so fingers crossed they decide to go ahead with it! Would be good to catch up with the Dutchmang again.

 

[t-ba]

Chengdu...Nightlife like a pandas sex life. I thought Wuhan had bad nightlife until I spent a weekend in Chengdu...

Taking most of next year off. I've got to spend Jan and Feb back home (Sorting out five years of avoiding doing basic things like tax returns, not voting and not updating stuff. Then starting my masters in Late Feb), and then I've four months until the missus' job wraps up. We then have to find a place in Malaysia because she'll be studying full time at university there. She'll start in September but I don't think I want to get a job there just yet.

I'm thinking Turkey and Iran by myself, Burma, Laos and Yunnan (China) with her before the school year starts and then a few solid months of living in Yogyakarta and Malang (Java Island) by myself pottering about and taking some Javanese Language courses.

I can see myself living out of a cardboard box in 2016...

 

[Misanthrope]

I wonder if you caught Chengdu on a bad night or I caught it on a good one? I had a blast when I was there. Got absolutely blasted on a weekday with a bunch of backpackers, hit up Jellyfish, and partied until I vomited in a urinal at McDonalds.

Made seeing the pandas at 7am just about the least pleasant experience I've ever had.

 

[Misanthrope]

I have a dilemma and I need your advice, FFBers?

As some of you may know, I've got the opportunity to take part in a free four day safari in Tanzania that covers my safari, my food, and my accommodation.

The only cost to me would be tips, visas (around $150), and flights to and from Tanzania (around $1600).

Now, do you go for your four days and then head home?

Or do you spend an extra $500-$800 that you don't necessarily have and take a few extra days in the country to see something different?

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I stand by my poaching and ivory dealing idea to finance the lot...

 

[Bazal]

Personally? I find a way to afford the extra. Might not ever get the chance again

 

[Didgi]

Go the extra, more bang for your buck in terms of one set of flights etc. Can't really just up and go to Africa whenever you like.

 

[Misanthrope]

Personally? I find a way to afford the extra. Might not ever get the chance again

Go the extra, more bang for your buck in terms of one set of flights etc. Can't really just up and go to Africa whenever you like.

Yeah, that seems to be the general consensus.

I'm not sure when or if I'll ever get the chance to travel around Africa again, and right now I have no real expenses beyond paying off my credit card and pitching in some cash to help the folks out in exchange for a bed and three square meals a day.

 

[soc123_au]

Beg, borrow or steal the extra. Any less than 10 days would be criminal.

 

[Twizzle]

what everyone else said

 

[Didgi]

Sell your body.


Just don't catch ebola doing it

 

[PJ]

We went to Tanzania last Jan and it was amazing.

Get as much together as you can and stay as long as you can. So many parks to see.

We did a great cultural/day trip out of Arusha to a village near Moshi with a great local guide. Was called Nyange adventures. He also does other trips around if you wanted to see some of the other parks.

 

[Misanthrope]

Ended up opting for the extra four days in Zanzibar.

My safari is a four day one all comped through my site. Serengiti, Crater, the works. Really excited for that. I've also got a couple of days in Arusha + the four extra days to chill out in Zanzibar.

Flying in and out through Kenya, but will spend next to no time in the country :lol:

 

[soc123_au]

When do you go?

 

[madunit]

You can go & check out where farrokh bulsara was born

 

[Misanthrope]

When do you go?

I'm there from November 21st until the 30th. Touch down in Oz on December 2nd (my birthday).

I think a s**t drinks might be in order...