Travel/Overseas destinations

[Tiger Attack]

u can get this city pass booklet which costs 50 bucks or so and it gets u up the empire state building, into the museum of modern art, the guggenheim, the met museum and a three hour river cruise, plus something else i forgot.

well worth it


and those greyline double decker buses are pretty good. hop on and off, goes uptown, downtown, brooklyn and nite trip.

plenty to see and do.

 

[mk33]

Going to New York next month so be looking at NYT profile of New York
Hope to see some of those places listed.
Also a slight chance possible of going to Fenway Park to see Boston v Chicago White Sox.

Still off to see Anamato, Knighter?

Unlikely Gypsy its the day after my brothers wedding and apparently 2hrs away from where we are staying, unless someone at the wedding knows might just have to watch it at a tote in Disneyland.

Have booked the hop on hop off TA, am a fan of these as used them in other cities.

Will get back to you NYT if any questions left the print out at work last nmight

 

[Tiger Attack]

Going to New York next month so be looking at NYT profile of New York
Hope to see some of those places listed.
Also a slight chance possible of going to Fenway Park to see Boston v Chicago White Sox.

Still off to see Anamato, Knighter?

Unlikely Gypsy its the day after my brothers wedding and apparently 2hrs away from where we are staying, unless someone at the wedding knows might just have to watch it at a tote in Disneyland.

Have booked the hop on hop off TA, am a fan of these as used them in other cities.

Will get back to you NYT if any questions left the print out at work last nmight

I was there last month MK and had a good time. I spent a week and could have stayed longer. The place is way too busy tho.

Subway is a great way to get around. it costs two bucks a ride to anywhere. but u can get it cheaper if u buy a week's pass i think.

Must go to the galleries. Must must must!

 

[TigerGoneNorth]

I just got back from NY myself. Had a great few days. Yankee Stadium (the day Clemens made his comeback - magic!), Shea Stadium, Birdland, The Blue Note, and Steely Dan at The Beacon.

I also managed to catch the free Friday performance as part of the Today Show (Rihanna), the Puerto Rican Day Parade up 5th Avenue (embarrassingly featuring J Lo and Ricky Martin. I had no idea there were so many Puerto Ricans - they took over the town) and the Whitney Museum.

Some great restaurants and mostly brilliant weather so all up I had a great time. And the best part was I was there for work!

The Subway is a must - it's not just for getting around, there's usually a few sights to see too.

 

[mk33]

Off this weekend

10nts Orange County
4nts Vegas
5nts New York
7NTs Boston (including Red Sox v White Sox on the 20th)

Hope the Tigers win each week I'm gone, not a good omen is twice before I have been away for 4 weeks we lost every match but a good omen is we never lost a match when I was last in Americabut that was in Feb for a week.

Go Tigers

 

[Knighter]

Have a ripping time mate.

Whack 5 bucks on 33 in Vegas for me chum.

Cheers

 

[mk33]

Just recently back from a month in the USA.
Will try not to cover to much as fair bit on US in previous posts.

Spent first 10nts in San Clemente for a family function. This is a beachside town about 40 min from Anaheim and San Diego. Lovely spot as went to the beach a few times there as real good weather. Had days at Disney and San Diego Zoo and watched the 4th July fireworks over the San Clemente pier.
San Clemente very quiet seaside town at the moment just off the freeway, heaps of residental but really only two main streets, a bit similar to coastal towns here re shops, restaurants. Had a great time there relaxing and much quieter than Disney and San Diego. Disney was great, we were there until 10pm fireworks and still only did approx 50%, definately need more than one day there especially during peak season.

From San Clemente we drove to Vegas for 4nts. Would recommend the drive or bus trip one way from California as the scenary is unique and only takes 4-5 hours. We stopped at Barstow which is huge discounted shopping complex near the Nevada border. Vegas is amazing, one minute your driving in desert and then suddenly you turn the corner and there is a whole city there.

We stayed at the bottom of the strip at the Luxor and for two days we just went inside several hotels looking at their free shows and shops. Also did the tourist thing and rode the Gondola at the Venetian , rollercoaster at NY Hotel. My favourite hotels were Caesers Palace as reminded so much of Rome with its Colosseuim and Trevi fountain replica and was amazing inside, Venetian and Paris hotel were fantastic as you kept thinking it was daylight inside with their blue skies. Also the water fountaion at the Bellagio was the best street show by far.
Also did a day trip to the South Rim which would definately recommend although perhaps not by coach but the views are definately better than what you see in books. Also saw a show "Love: based on the Beatles (there is a CD released) by Cirque du Soleil which was a personal highlight.

Next had 5 nights in NY, I arrived on a Saturday night and stayed near Times square and was initially daunted by the size, amount of people and the business of the city, there was much more hustle than I expected but i loved the place. Did the hop on hop off bus, which included Uptown, downtown, brooklyn and night loop. So I saw a lot of things NYT has mentioned in his posts. Went to a game at Yankee Stadium, saw Rent on broadway, did Empire state building, Statue Liberty and Ground Zero but my highlight was Central Park. Spent almost a day there and it is great spot to chill out and relax, so amazing for such a big park in such a big city.

From New York took the Fung Wau bus in Chinatown to Boston for US$15. Really liked Boston smaller than NEw York but seemed a great size. Had days in Gloucestor (where Perfect storm was filmed) and Lincoln in New Hampshire where did some hiking. Also went to Fenway Park in Boston for a game, so pretty lucky to see games at Fenway Park and Yankee stadium.

From there it was home and back to much colder weather, so whats been happening here, any coaching coaches and can we still make the 8.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Sounds like a great trip knighter.

 

[an_oxford_man]

You didn't miss out on much back here, Knighter. :'(

 

[Stripes]

Welcome back MK33. Vegas sounds like one trippy place. :upside

 

[Liverpool]

Went to a game at Yankee Stadium
Also went to Fenway Park in Boston for a game, so pretty lucky to see games at Fenway Park and Yankee stadium.

mk33,

So what stadium "did it" for you?

I guess it depends if you support one of these teams, then that one will mean more....but the stadiums themselves...what are they like compare to, say MCG? Dome? and the atmosphere...are the crowd rowdy? reserved?

Hoping to get over there one day soon (and to a NY Rangers, LA Lakers, and SF 49ers game as well)......but next priority is to Anfield before the Reds move to their new home.

 

[Rosy]

Great holiday report thanks knighter. You sure packed a bit in the time you had.

I've never in my wildest dreams fancied going to China but my son has a new position over there for 12 months so I intend to go over and visit for a couple of weeks next year. Might try and organise a family Christmas with him.

In the meantime I'd better try and learn a few basic words to get us by when we arrive.

 

[mk33]

Went to a game at Yankee Stadium
Also went to Fenway Park in Boston for a game, so pretty lucky to see games at Fenway Park and Yankee stadium.

mk33,

So what stadium "did it" for you?

I guess it depends if you support one of these teams, then that one will mean more....but the stadiums themselves...what are they like compare to, say MCG? Dome? and the atmosphere...are the crowd rowdy? reserved?

Hoping to get over there one day soon (and to a NY Rangers, LA Lakers, and SF 49ers game as well)......but next priority is to Anfield before the Reds move to their new home.

Fenway Park
Yankee Stadium is being rebuilt next door.
Crowd not really rowdy very diehard and appreciative of the game. Yankee supporters though were going home as they thought they had lost and seemed more arrogant than Boston supporters.
Yankee stadium capacity is about 56,000, Fenway Park 35,00 approx and felt more like a suburban ground than a stadium.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Off to Vietnam(Ho Chi Min City) this weekend for the first time for a few days.

Anyone else been there?

 

[mk33]

No sorry ToO but have heard the Cu Chi tunnels is worth doing !
Have a good trip

 

[Scoop]

This seems the time to update recent travels.

Did Bangkok back in July. Amazing city. Busy like Punt Rd in peak hour times 1000 from 5 am till 10 at night.
Just a hive of activity. Locals are very friendly and willing to help, they go out of there way. But a lot of hustlers trying to sell you stuff at crazy prices but that 's OK, they are just trying to make a living.

The shopping is unreal, a female dream. The SCOOPET was in a frenzy, so many one off things that you will never see here. The night markets are a must, just a shoppers dream and some great little places to have a feed, not off the street carts but clean modern western places. Also did a tour out to the floating markets, great to get into the countryside and get away from the city. The Grand Palace is something you must see to fully appreciate, it was amazing. Could go on forever about the place, just a amazing city.

Overall a great holiday that is dirt cheap, if you want to live like a lord for two weeks, Thailand is the place to go.

 

[Tiger74]

I'm off to China this Friday. First week in a region city to meet my wife's family, but after that about 8 days in Beijing.

Outside the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, anyone have "must sees" they recommend I should get around to seeing while in Beijing?

 

[Elmer]

I'm off to China this Friday. First week in a region city to meet my wife's family, but after that about 8 days in Beijing.

Outside the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, anyone have "must sees" they recommend I should get around to seeing while in Beijing?

My memory is a bit scetch but I think the Ming Tombs are a day trip from Beijing. Defintely one to see.

 

[Tigers of Old]

if you want to live like a lord for two weeks, Thailand is the place to go.

Try doing it for two years. I'll be sad when my time here is up.

No sorry ToO but have heard the Cu Chi tunnels is worth doing !
Have a good trip

Thanks for the heads up knighter. 8)

The Cu Chi tunnels were fascinating.
Gave me a real insight into what the foreign soldiers fighting in Vietnam were up against.
A 200km underground labyrinth, stiffling with no light and filled with elaborate booby traps.
Certainly gave me a far greater appreciation of the difficulties that were faced in battle.
The Viet Cong certainly utilised their environment and their wits to make life hell for their invaders.

Vietnam is quite different to Thailand despite being right along side.
Couldn't believe the number of motorbikes.
3.1 million mb's in the city and barely a handful of riders wearing helmets.
The city was humming.

Tougher folks than the Thais who it must be said are among my favourite nationalities.
Harsher life here from early impressions.
Certainly felt less safe here than Thailand but perhaps that was simply due to lack of familiarity.

Really interesting part of the world and next time I go back I'll venture up to Hanoi which has less of the bustle of Saigon(HCM).

 

[BloodOath]

Hi All,

I am looking for some advice. My wife and I are going to a wedding in Mexico in January. We actually me travelling but its been a long lime since we have been away.

We have a week at a resort for the wedding on the Pacific Coast just drinking adn relaxing adn then have about 9 days to do something else. We considered going adn doing the inca trail to Machu Picchu but it looks like the weather will be wet and cold (January).

I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions on where to go from Mexico to do some cool and interesting stuff.

I have considered The Bahama (seems very expensive)
Cuba
Hawaii
New York
California

Anyone with suggestions for me to research would be greatly appreciated.