The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Phuket is pretty garbage imo
     
  2. Jax Teller

    Jax Teller Well-Known Member
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    Your face is garbage
     
  3. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    devine, PJP3, BamaNug and 2 others like this.
  4. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    That looks awesome :respek:
     
  5. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    I get all notifications from Houston, Dallas, and Austin, including destination cities I wouldn't travel to. It may not seem helpful, but over time, with more data points, I can better understand the relative value of other fare prices. Still seems like a good idea though.
     
  6. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Bunch of air Serbia deals out of NYC right now
     
  7. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    anyone done Alaska? may have asked that before but couldn't find it

    family sort of wants to do a cruise but they seem way too expensive for what you get

    I can't remember our Alaska residents names either

    living on West coast, deciding between Alaska/Hawaii
     
  8. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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  9. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    I vote fly a bit more and do SE Asia
     
  10. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    feel like with the flight for those being so obnoxious anyways, an extra skip from the East coast won't really be a huge deal
     
  11. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I'm going to do this. I think I'm going to do two two-week trips instead of one three-week. Now to figure out when/where to go
     
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  12. The Banks

    The Banks TMB's Alaskan
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    :cerealkiller:

    Whatcha wanna know?
     
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  13. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    say you had like 2 weeks or less to see Alaska for someone who has never been then may never get back

    what would you do

    from research it seems like take a small cruise up from Seattle/Vancouver, then do a week of driving/trains/etc
     
  14. The Banks

    The Banks TMB's Alaskan
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    We talking 60-70 year olds or 20-30 somethings?
     
  15. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    going to be 2 30~yo and 2 60~yo probably
     
  16. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    I really enjoyed Seward, Whittier and Anchorage. I can't imagine the cruise is the best way to see alaska. /2cents.
     
  17. Jax Teller

    Jax Teller Well-Known Member
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    This networking group I'm in is doing a trip to Thailand at the end of Jan. Price is $2099
    including Round-trip airfare from JFK via Air China
    Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
    Intra-Thailand flight and ground transportation
    Double Occupancy (Single room occupancy for $279 extra)
    Accommodations at Superior First Class hotels 11 Full buffet American breakfast daily (B)
    Welcome dinner in Bangkok (D)
    Cooking Class & Farewell Dinner in Chiang Mai (D)
    Sightseeing Thailand tours as per itinerary and all transfers
    Professional English speaking Tour Director throughout

    This is the itinerary..
    Day 1 January 25th- Depart USA.
    Your exotic Thailand vacation begins as you depart today aboard your wide-body jet.

    Day 2 January 26th- Arrive in Bangkok.
    Welcome to Thailand, the “Land of Smiles”. Evening arrival in Bangkok, the breathtaking capital. You’ll be met by your Thailand tours Director and escorted to your upscale hotel located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
    Menam Riverside Hotel

    Day 3 January 27th Bangkok.
    Special “orientation breakfast”, then embark on an included tour introducing you to some of the outstanding Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Visit Wat Trimitr with its invaluable 5-tons solid gold statue of Buddha and Wat Po, featuring the colossal 150 foot long “Reclining Buddha”. See the White Marble Temple representing the finest example of Thai architecture. Afternoon at leisure or join an optional canal boat ride across the river for a glimpse of local daily life ($30). This evening enjoy a welcome dinner. (Breakfast & Dinner Included)

    Day 4 January 28th Bangkok.
    Two days at leisure to discover Thailand’s vibrant and exotic capital at your own pace. Your Tour Director can make suggestions for independent exploration. Join an optional excursion to the colorful Damnoen Saduak floating market, reached by a rice barge followed by a visit to Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the world ($40). A tour of the spectacular Grand Palace, former residence of the Kings ($38) is also available. Both Thailand tours can be on either days 4 or 5 depending on the departure date. (Breakfast included)

    Day 5 January 29th Bangkok Continued. Continue to enjoy your independent exploration of one of the world’s greatest cities! (Breakfast included)

    Day 6 January 30th Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Phitsanulok.
    Over the next few days venture into some of Thailand’s most fascinating regions, rich with culture, history and stunning landscape. In Ayutthaya, the ancient capital, see the giant bronze statue of Wat Mongkol Borpith and the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri. Continue to Lopburi to view the magnificent stone carvings of Phra Prang Sam Yod as well as the Monkey Temple. Drive via beautiful scenery of rice paddies to Phitsanulok, the gateway to Northern Thailand, visit the Bronze Case Factory and view how Buddha Images are made in an authentic way. Topland Hotel (Breakfast included)

    Day 7 January 31st Phitsanulok/Sukhothai/Lampang.
    Today travel to Sukhothai to see the famous ruins of this 13th century first capital of Siam. Visit the Textile Museum, a unique private collection. Continue to Sri Satchanalai, the northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng where you’ll visit an ancient Ceramic Kiln before proceeding to Lampang for overnight. Wiang Lakorn Hotel (Breakfast included)

    Day 8 February 1st Golden Triangle/Chiang Rai.
    Lampang is famous for its narrow streets and traditional horse-drawn carriages. Visit a local paper and ceramic making village. Depart for Phayao, a rural lakeside town and once princely state. Proceed to Chiang Saen, situated on the border with Laos. Enjoy a short boat trip on the Mekong River towards the Golden Triangle – the meeting point of Thailand, Burma and Laos. Visit Mae Sai, the Northern-most point of Thailand, stroll through the colorful local market and shop for Burmese handicrafts before arriving in charming Chiang Rai. Phowadol Resort & Spa (Breakfast included)

    Day 9 February 2nd Chiang Rai.
    Day at leisure. Your hotel is located within easy access to the Mae Kok River. Today join an optional boat trip down the river and visit the fascinating local hilltribe villages, learn about their culture and observe the colorful costumes ($32). (Breakfast included)

    Day 10 February 3rd Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai.
    Morning drive to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North.” Your hotel is centrally located within a short walking distance to the renowned night market. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight we suggest an optional “Kantoke Dinner” featuring local specialties as well as breathtaking performance of songs and dances by a local hilltribe dressed in traditional costumes ($32, dinner included). Duangtawan Hotel (Breakfast Included)

    Day 11 February 4th Chiang Mai.
    Today visit an elephant camp and see a demonstration of the role of the elephant in Thai agriculture, commerce and culture. Later visit an Orchid Farm. Afternoon at leisure to discover the charm and beauty of this ancient city. (Breakfast Included)

    Day 12 February 5th Chiang Mai.
    Morning optional city tour visits Chiang Mai’s most interesting temples as well as fascinating Wat Doi Suthep located high in the mountains ($28). Tonight, enjoy a classic Thai cooking class and delicious farewell dinner experience with your fellow travelers. Whether you want to try cooking Thai food yourself or not, you’ll surely walk away having enjoyed a delicious meal! (Breakfast & Dinner included)

    Day 13 February 6th Chiang Mai/Bangkok.
    Final day at leisure for shopping or independent pursuits. Late today, fly back to Bangkok (Breakfast included)

    Day 14 February 6th Bangkok/USA.
    Connect in Bangkok for your flight home. Your magical Thailand vacation ends as you arrive the USA later today.

    I'm sure I could do Thailand cheaper than that, but considering almost all my friends are married and can't travel I'm thinking about doing it just so I can go with a group of people. And still do my own thing if I want, as long as I'm back in Bangkok on the day we leave. It's not that bad a price I don't think. But BamaNug Arkadin southlick Gin Buckets what do y'all think of that itinerary? I've only ever been to Pattaya and Phuket.
     
  18. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Itinerary looks fine, especially at that price point (with flights and lodging included). I'd be skeptical about doing such a 'regimented' tour, but like you said, may be your only option---assuming you don't want to travel alone? If you didn't mind traveling along you could do it at that price (or potentially lower) by keeping a lookout for flights and staying in hostels/more budget-friendly places. Also, one of the best things I've ever done was rent motorbikes/mopeds in the North, and it doesn't look like you'll really have a chance to do that (don't rent one in Bangkok, you'll die). I guess the one thing I'd warn against is that my favorite part about the trip was getting off the beaten path and exploring, and doesn't look like you'll have much of that.

    I've heard nothing but good things about Chiang Rai, really wanted to check it out while I was there. That's a long time in Bangkok, but the city's so damn big I'm sure you'll stay entertained. Day 6 and 7 for the areas outside of Bangkok could be pretty cool, just haven't heard anything about them, I would think fairly rural.

    But overall, a good standard 2 week tour. I'd be a bit skeptical about all the group tours, as they more often than not feel very touristy when organized like this (I would think, at least).
     
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  19. Jax Teller

    Jax Teller Well-Known Member
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    All my traveling has been on my own (other than yacht week). I don't mind but this seemed like a pretty good deal and it would be with people I generally know, or would like to know better. I'm assuming there would be time to get out on my own as well. And yea, no way in hell I'm getting on a motorbike in Bangkok, Pattaya was scary enough.

    They just opened up booking and there are plenty of spots so I have some time to think about it.
     
  20. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    I'm sure it will be great but I just can't personally travel like that. All the areas are great though
     
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  21. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    So I'm looking for some opinions from the New Zealand vets. Pretty much have my locations set for my december trip but just going between 2 splits of days. What would you do?

    5 nights queenstown
    Drive to Franz josef early, do glacier hike, stay one night
    Drive to Abel Tasman national park stay one night, hit park in morning before flying to wellington
    2 nights Wellington

    Or 4 nights queenstown
    1 FJ
    2 Abel Tasman
    2 wellington

    Mainly if I do one night by abel tasman, I may have only enough time to visit the park for 3-4 hours, if I give it two nights, I can do a full day of hiking, beach, kayaking etc. Normally I would opt for the two nights but since everyone raves about Queenstown, I'm afraid of cutting a day from there. is 4 nights enough? Would I get that much more being there an extra day/night?
     
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  22. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    There's currently a delta sky miles flash sale that ends tomorrow night on fares to Mexico and the caribbean for Sept 6 through November
     
  23. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Girlfriend didn't expedite her passport, return was today. Would be three weeks for tomorrow. Reference point for anyone in the same situation
     
    #5875 Arkadin, Aug 17, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2016
  24. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Curious, do you notice issues with speed while streaming using a vpn?
     
  25. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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  26. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Big fan of my ULA pack
     
  27. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    Can't go wrong with Osprey. I have a day pack from that is great, but my workhorse pack is an REI one I've had almost 10 years and still in fantastic condition.
     
  28. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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  29. Pasta88

    Pasta88 Canes, Bruins, Raps, Jays and Sunderland.
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    I bought the Osprey Farpoint 40L and was impressed enough. Had more than enough room for my stuff and fits all carry-on size regulations.
     
  30. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Yea I'm going to be asking for a pack for Christmas so this is relative to my interests. Traveling in a city with 40 lb piece of luggage is miserable
     
  31. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Don't get a top down pack.
     
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  32. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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  33. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    How's the trip so far? Any stories?
     
  34. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Ah that was my one concern was not wanting top down. Glad to know there are options. Th Jd.
     
  35. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    In looking at websites, I need to go to an outdoors store and size them. I have no frame of reference for 50L, 70L, etc. I know the one I've been using is really small, so I probably don't need to go all the way up to 70L
     
  36. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Nothing mind blowing yet, only blacked out once so far in BA which is good. But it's going really well. My number one priority has shifted to learning Spanish quickly.

    For anyone interested, I'm documenting my experience at:

    Www.loggingoff.work
     
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  37. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Nice. How's BA? Fucking nuts? Get a steak at La Cabrera, and go to the Church Rave.

    Just read one of your posts about getting pesos from the ATMs down there---it's a fucking adventure, so frustrating. I was down there for Argentina's Independent Day, and you had to go to 10 fucking ATMs to find one with cash, and then there was usually a line out the door.
     
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  38. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Yeah. Panel loader is absolutely the way to go. My pack is 55 liters but I don't carry much shit and even with a bunch of stuff in it it's very light and easy to manage
     
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  39. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Other than last weekend I've actually been staying fairly low key, at least as far as boozing goes. I don't like getting too wild in a foreign place without a circle of trust. Love the city though, so much different than other SA cities I've been to. Very busy. But beautiful. And all the damn women.

    One thing that sucks is how the people refuse to pick up their dogs shit on the sidewalk. Makes no sense to me.
     
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  40. bertstare

    bertstare Non-hick Bert
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    Reds on things to do? Going there with the gf tomorrow and Sunday.
     
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  41. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Dc or PR?
     
  42. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Florida Gators

    san juan: eat at dragon fly, snorkel, bars away from the port

    dc: newseum, spy museum, holocaust
     
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  43. bertstare

    bertstare Non-hick Bert
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    San Juan, PR

    I live in DC though and oddly enough have done none of the things that 941 recommended
     
  44. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Ah. Two days is tough. I'd always recommend going to Vieques but it would take up your whole trip. I really enjoyed going to the big fort, learned a ton about Puerto Rican history that I never knew. All the food was a pass for me.
     
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  45. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    just booked most of Oahu trip

    need one more hotel or air bnb, got an amazing one to walk out onto beach on north shore
     
  46. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Damn totally forgot my favorite part. Did an excursion through El Yunque rainforest with Kalichi Adventures that was amazing. It's expensive, like 200 bucks, but you get to do a ton. Someone else dod it in this thread on my recommendation so maybe they can confirm whether it was worth it or I'm just crazy
     
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  47. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I have a 46L osprey and used it for my two three week trips just fine

    I want one that's easy to get on a plane
     
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  48. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    PJP3 what were your favorite sushi restaurants in Japan you spoke about being cheaper than you expected? If you remember