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

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

  1. enjj

    enjj Well-Known Member
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    GF and I plus 4 others. Will fly into Liberia so we don’t have to worry about the ferry. Guess I’ll cancel the Nissan Micra and find a more suitable mode of transport.
     
  2. EagleDuck

    EagleDuck Well-Known Member
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    yeah, I’d get a little crossover SUV or something like that.
     
  3. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    I’m going to start leaving plastic rats for my fellow Elantra owners.
     
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  4. spagett

    spagett Got ya, spooked ya
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    Thanks for the tips

    Ended up bailing on the north island. It'll give me something new to see if I ever come back and there is already so much to see on the south island

    General consensus online was don't waste time on the north island so I'm planning to see as much of the south island as I can. Might do Milford sound if I have a clear day.
     
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  5. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for
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    we tried to do Milford via a small plane tour but we got rained out. the north island is cool (Auckland is a nice city, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Waitomo caves are all cool) but the South Island is def the better of the two
     
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  6. spagett

    spagett Got ya, spooked ya
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    Bummer

    Plane in would've been awesome. I was listening to Russillo's review of NZ and he did that.

    Hoping to see the aurora while I'm there since it'll be their winter
     
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  7. Goose

    Goose Hi
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    Portugal is a better place than America and it’s not even really close
     
  8. LeonardWashington

    LeonardWashington Leader of Tuanon
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    what do you like so much about it
     
  9. ats

    ats I heard Vance and all of Ohio love couches


    Loving the waters off St John
     

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  10. Tex

    Tex Week 0 Enthusiast
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    I want to go to there
     
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  11. Goose

    Goose Hi
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    The people
    The food
    The price of food
    The price of nearly everything
    The natural beauty
    The architecture
    The public transit
    The non cobblestone roads are all smooth
    The women
    The weather

    I don’t really see the point of returning home
     
  12. phunkybuck

    phunkybuck Your pennies have been in my ass
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    So you can help get more Amazon DC’s up and running in Modesto, duh
     
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  13. Bert Handsome

    Bert Handsome I'm sorry I'm late, I didn't want to come
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  14. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
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    Was just reading about this for our trip over there in October. I respect it.
     
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  15. Upton^2

    Upton^2 blocked just a park away, but I can't really say
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    Balding?
     
  16. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
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    Yes, but not related.
     
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  17. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Currently stranded on the tarmac in Iceland due to our flight getting diverted coming home from Zurich because of some sort of sickness hitting the flight attendants. First time experiencing a diversion and it’s really not a ton of fun!
     
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  18. ats

    ats I heard Vance and all of Ohio love couches

    How long?

    and you can’t get off due to security screening?

    they’re just going to refuel, get a new crew, and send you on your way?

    I wonder how many miles you’re about to get
     
  19. Handcuffed

    Handcuffed I live inside my own heart, Matt Damon
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    final night in tokyo and was able to get a reservation at Ebisu Yoroniku

    every bit as good as its tabelog rating would suggest. super fun night.
     
  20. Goose

    Goose Hi
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    One last night in Lisbon and I’m solo since my dad is carrying on to Spain. where should I drink tonight?

    Staying out in Caicicis
     
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  21. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for
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    yeah I would start writing your email to the customer service folks now cuz this is gonna be a fat voucher or miles payout
     
  22. Pasta88

    Pasta88 Canes, Bruins, Raps, Jays and Sunderland.
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    It will be covered by EU261 regulations. The compensation will be tricky to claim since the situation seems to be right on the border of “extraordinary circumstances”.
     
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  23. C Yank

    C Yank #WalkOffCoach
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    Somewhat of a similar thing happened to me in 2021. Was flying to puerto Vallarta from Seattle and the flight ahead of us was landing, and somehow their landing gear broke or something and blocked the only runway. We flew around in the air for 2 hours being told we’re going 3 different places, eventually diverted to mazatlan.

    stayed on the tarmac for 7 hours because they had no customs workers on the clock and had to figure out what they were going to do. Eventually got people off the plan, took another hour to get through customs.

    the promised buses didn’t come for another hour, ended up taking a taxi (got scammed), got to an awful hotel where there were bloodstains on the sheets and lamp (wish I was kidding). Flew out next day to PV once the airport opened up again.

    My girlfriend and I ended up getting 20k miles, $100 credit a piece, and full round trip flight comped from Alaska airlines
     
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  24. C Yank

    C Yank #WalkOffCoach
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    IMG_9288.jpeg
    bonus pic of the plane that caused the closure
     
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  25. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
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    Holy shit I remember when that happened. Crazy you got stuck in that mess.
     
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  26. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Sat on the plane for about an hour, finally got off and got bags and were shuttled to a hotel. Couldn’t continue on from KEF because the flight attendants were already short staffed and they didn’t have the minimum required to fly. Was on the phone with an agent for at least an hour while we were collecting everything and finally got rebooked for a flight tomorrow with a 7 hour layover to get home. Lastly, we splurged on Polaris because this was our first international trip with our 16 month old, and the wife and I are separated in economy middle seats tomorrow. I’m ready to send United an email from Karen
     
  27. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Didn’t quite expect this offer. I’m not mad about it as long as they aren’t difficult in refunding the fare difference as well for getting bumped to the back of the bus

    IMG_3561.jpeg
     
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  28. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Got extremely drunk during a layover at CLT flying to my grandma’s funeral. Got diverted to Albany after being unable to land in Scranton. Passed out, missed all announcements, was hella confused walking off the plane seeing “Welcome to Albany” signage.

    Spent the night at a Best Western with a mediocre Italian restaurant. Bad time, do not recommend.
     
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  29. Tex

    Tex Week 0 Enthusiast
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    I quickly scanned the pic and thought it said 1500 E-Cigarettes and thought that’s an odd offer but maybe guy likes to vape lol
     
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  30. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    That's basically a voucher for $1,500 towards United flights? That seems incredible generous
     
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  31. bwi2

    bwi2 Not affiliated with BWI
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    for a one day delay and two class downgrade (into separate middle seats)?
     
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  32. BumpingNasties

    BumpingNasties Kissing Babies and Hugging Mommas...the Dabo way!
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    Raleigh folks going to see Riley Green with the lady friend on June 14. Going to stay Friday-Sunday. Where should we eat and stay?

    concert is at Costal Credit Union Park.

    She got turnpike tickets so I’m going to this since she wanted to. I don’t know shit about Riley Green.
     
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  33. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for
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    ask for three grand or 100k and see what they say

    given the class downgrade you might as well try it
     
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  34. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
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    I’d probably stay downtown or North Hills area. Tons of food and drink options- tough to narrow down without area/taste. There’s nothing around that venue, so plan to either tailgate (lots of free parking) or pay venue prices.

    I can never remember who else is in the area other than Tangman. Happy to give better info once you know more of your plans.
     
  35. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Didn't see class downgrade

    i have no frame of reference, never been repaid before
     
  36. Tangman

    Tangman Well-Known Member
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    I would stay downtown personally, more to see and do. Would avoid the glenwood area unless you are looking for nightlife geared towards the early-mid 20s cohort.

    one easy recommendation is to pregame at transfer company, it has a burial taproom and multiple acceptable places to eat and it’s an easy drive/uber to Walnut Creek.

    would need to know preferences to advise further
     
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  37. Handcuffed

    Handcuffed I live inside my own heart, Matt Damon
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    not really sure the etiquette for this thread but i'm through flight 1 of 3 on my way back home from two weeks in Japan (for the first time). guessing everyone already knows the deal re: sites to see so I'll strictly talk about food from the restaurants I remember.


    Chikyu Masala for curry (3.87; Shinjuku, Tokyo): B --- good ambience (tiny upper floor restaurant with cold beer) but only decent food
    https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13248884/

    Katsu Pulipo for pork cutlets (3.92; Shinjuku, Tokyo): B --- good food but weird ambience
    https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13264309/

    Kyoto Sushi Restaurant East End Gion (3.19 on 7 reviews; Gion, Kyoto): A- --- our first sushi in Japan and it was after an exhausting day... this tiny place hit the spot. think it caters to tourists but, hey, i was a tourist.
    https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26041608/

    Hafuu Hon Ten (3.68; Nakagyo, Kyoto): A+ --- shoutout ohhaithur for the rec; just an incredible (yet reasonable) dinner amplified by the host who went to high school in Vermont and was able to talk to us about the food and the city
    https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260202/26000943/

    Pizzeria da Ciro (only 3.35 but lots of Michelin awards; Sakyo, Kyoto): A --- supposedly Tokyo alone has more neopolitan pizza places than all of Italy. pizza was a bit of a departure from the usual food but this place was great and i loved being in a neighborhood
    https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260302/26030855/

    A Happy Pancake (3.10 i think? not certain it's the wrong one; Nakagyo, Kyoto): C+ --- not upset that i tried this place but we waited an hour and i'd take an Original House of Pancakes (not IHOP) over it any day of the week... don't have tik tok so didn't realize it was a hyped place
    https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26027707/

    Tiger Gyoza Kaikan Shijo Karasuma (3.46; Nakagyo, Kyoto) A- --- friend had recommended the dumplings here and they did not disappoint. don't think this is upscale in any way but it felt excellent to eat a bunch of types after walking around the city all day
    https://tabelog.com/en/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26024487/

    Udatsu Sushi (3.69; Meguro City, Tokyo) B+ --- fancy omakase place with a michelin star. the artistry of each dish was incredible, the presentation, the service, etc... it's clear why they have a star. but in terms of enjoyment per bite or even per dollar spent, i thought craft in austin was superior and i preferred most of the random walk-in places I had over the last two weeks
    https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13232637/

    Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Shibuya Dogenzaka (3.23; Shibuya, Tokyo) A- --- there's a million of these places but I had so much fun at the tiny stand-up sushi joint. they had some special tuna one of the nights I was there that was superior to anything i've eaten and it was like 690 yen/order. easy, delicious, and cheap.
    https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13052346/

    Roppongi Yakiniku Kintan (3.49; Minato City, Tokyo): A --- grade is amplified by experience (was final night's dinner for my school cohort with endless drinks) but it was a lot of fun and quite delicious
    https://tabelog.com/tw/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13166084/

    Ebisu Yoroniku (4.3; Shibuya, Tokyo): A+ --- lived up to the hype. secured a reservation day-of and it was spectacular. wish i could've done the 19-course meal at the original yoroniku mainly to try the sandwich but i would come back here 100/100 times. and it wasn't even that expensive, even with a bottle of wine.
    https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130302/13211927/

    Starlux Lounge in Taipei Terminal 1: C-
    Starlux Lounge in Taipei Terminal 2: C+
    Starlux as an airline: A

    Fushimi Inari, hiking to the viewpoint: A+++
    Fushimi Inari, hiking the loop around the summit: C
    Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: F---- (though I knew this going into it)
    Arashiyama Monkey Park: B+ (mainly for the view at the top; don't care about the monkeys much)

    Day-tripping to Nara: B
    Day-tripping to Hakone: A
    Skipping Osaka to spend more time in Kyoto: No Ragrets

    Japan: A++
     
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  38. Fran Tarkenton

    Fran Tarkenton Old Enough to not know whats Chappell Roan
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  39. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    this thread is never against talking about restaurants. especially japanese restaurants.

    glad you enjoyed hofu honten
     
  40. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Finally made it home today. Ended up in the very last row of the plane but we sat across the aisle from 2 of the flight attendants from yesterday who had been working our section so they were very friendly. Apparently the diversion was because the crew members that got sick were working the very back of the plane and they were concerned for some sort of gas leak. One attendant told me that they weren’t bringing that plane back to the US today still because they hadn’t figured out the issue.
     
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  41. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
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    Staying here this week. Any food recs?
     
  42. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    Darling Oyster Bar and The Ordinary were two good spots I went to two years ago. Went to Tempest last month and had a fantastic meal. Great group dining experience. Also had brunch at Rappahannock which included a couple good entrees.

    I feel like there’s plenty of people on here who could chime in on Charleston food recs. Classics like Husk, FIG, 167 oyster bar. Lewis Barbecue is the one bbq spot I’ve tried in Charleston and it was really good. Expect a 30 minute line.
     
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  43. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
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    Thanks. Walked down to Leon’s so hoping it’s good. Thanks again.
     
  44. Tex

    Tex Week 0 Enthusiast
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    In Monterey. Went to Schooners. Saw all the sea lions. Love it so far.
     
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  45. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    We stayed at that hotel while we were in town a couple weeks ago. Whole area far exceeded my expectations.
     
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  46. Tex

    Tex Week 0 Enthusiast
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    Loving the area. Any recs?
     
  47. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
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    The Monterrey Aquarium is legit. Definitely recommend.

    The whale watching trip was great, but I guess that largely depends on how much activity you see. It’s still mating season I believe so it’s probably worth your time. We saw 12 humpback whales. Was awesome.

    We kayaked around the bay for a couple hours one evening and that was fine. Got to get up close to the sea lions and otters, but I probably wouldn’t do it again.

    We ventured down into Point Lobos and hiked around there for a bit, which is pretty incredible in its own right. The harbor seal pups were full on pupping it up. Highly recommend that as well. We hiked around Big Sur one day and that I would consider to be a must do while you are in the area.

    We ended each day with drinks at the Monterrey Plaza watching the otters futz around in the bay right below. Schooners was by far the best food we had in town. We were with our 11 year old daughter, who is a good eater and good traveler, but knocking out the finest restaurants each night wasn’t really a priority. We walked to a local pizza place one night (Gianis) and made the wrong decision on the pizza place (should have chosen Heirloom apparently). We did room service one night due to exhaustion and happy hour.
     
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  48. Tex

    Tex Week 0 Enthusiast
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    Thanks for the info. The aquarium and whales are on the agenda. Walked on the beach a bit. We are meeting the new little nephew so I’m sure we will be doing more kid friendly stuff. I have been stopping in places for local beers. So I’ve got that going for me. Which is nice.
     
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  49. WhiskeyDelta

    WhiskeyDelta Well-Known Member
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    There’s a deli called Capangnos up the hill that makes truly ridiculous sando’s. Can feed the whole family with one probably. (Admittedly this was 12 years ago)
     
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  50. fsugrad99

    fsugrad99 I'm the victim here
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    Spent the week in Sydney, wonderful city and cool people.

    About to see Japanese Breakfast at the Opera House.

    IMG_4202.jpeg