GRcade Travel Topic

SilentRight wrote:

St Nick wrote:Saw this was asked earlier on, but wondering if anyone else can help. I've just booked to go to Iceland for a week with my finance at the end of February(staying in an Airbnb apartment in Reykjavik). Has anyone here been who can suggest what to do? We've hired a car for the week so will be able to get around.

No one responded to me either Bunni where are you!

I've never been to Iceland but would something like this help with ideas: http://www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.co ... land-8949/

That's a great list, thanks Moggy.

Rudolphin wrote:

I shot a kid wrote:

This is radio, not television wrote:

I shot a kid wrote:aha nice one!

This is radio, not television wrote:...

I can only speak for Bogotá, since I worked and lived there for 5 years. I never actually traveled to Medellin in all my time there but by all reports it's a much nicer city & the hot weather helps. Not sure what tips I can give for traveling in and out, I just took an Avianca/Iberia flight every time from Madrid to Bogotá. Traveling in Bogotá is really cheap but the traffic is appalling. Travel with time! And if you're traveling from city to city via bus, prepare to queue. Colombians strawberry floating love standing in line. Always buy things you would normally queue for online if you can. The lines are insufferable.

Tips for Bogotá...

- Always bring a small umbrella with you in your bag or something. Trust me. It rains more often than it does in the UK/Ireland. The temperature never gets higher than 25 degrees in Bogotá because it's so high in the mountains however you will sunburn much faster than you would at home due to the altitude. I learned this the hard way.
- Go to a restaurant called 'Andres Carne De Res' in a small village called Chía to the north of the city. Very famous/odd eatery in Colombia and great food. All the tourists go there and it's great to meet other travelers.
- And if you like food, a neighbourhood called Usaquen in the north-east is the place to go. Some amazing restaurants there. It's a very posh area where most of the rich folks live in the city. I used to live close-enough by and would eat out there every fortnight or so. It's quite expensive for a Colombian, but for a tourist it costs strawberry float all. It's actually one of the things I miss most from Colombia, the amazing (and cheap) food.
- Travel in taxis with a Colombian if possible because they WILL rip you off. Hell, they used to rip me off even though I spoke Spanish.
- The Downtown area (called La Candelaria) is nice if you like touristy things, there are lots of museums and a big mountain called Monseratte that overlooks the city with an amazing view. Definitely recommend going up to the top in a cable car. It really is an incredible view.
- Simon Bolivar park is huge and really nice if the weather's good and you want to chill out for an afternoon. Also great for cycling.
- Zona Rosa is where all the big clubs and pubs are. (And the best women, if you're after that kind of thing ) The most popular pub in the city for some reason is the Irish Pub right in the middle of the area. It used to be packed whenever I went there. The biggest franchise pub is funnily enough called BBC (Bogotá Beer Company) and they have amazing craft beer.

Rudolphin wrote:Taf

was also in Colombia, though as a tourist. He might have other advice for you.

Thanks mate, gives me a starting point

Can't add anything re: Bogota as Chalky's covered it all (definitely do Monseratte) EXCEPT: go to Andres Carne de Res. It's a massive nightclub, steakhouse, bar, gathering spot, BBQ, mad house. Most hostels will run a trip, including a bus out there with all you can drink for the trip, entrance fee, and a bus back. Not cheap, but it's a hell of an experience.

For the rest of it:

- Villa de Leyva is a small colonial town just outside Bogota and might be worth a day trip.
- I wish I'd spent more time in Medellin, but it depends what you're looking for. It's a very modern city that's still on the rebound from the 80s when it was the Escobar powered murder capital of the world. The transport system is tiptop and stupidly cheap, there are loads of museums and I think a national park to explore
- Guatape is a must see, and very close to Medellin. It's a town next to a series of islands which were created when the whole region was flooded for a reservoir. We even persuaded one of the water tours to take us to Escobar's house, which is technically off limits (the land is owned by the government as the place was bombed by the Cali Cartel in the 90s) which was utterly surreal.
- Speaking of, they've turned Pablo's main house into, I gooseberry fool you not, a theme park. Never went there but his infamous hippos are still present.
- Valle de Cocora/Salento is worth a punt. There are some lovely walks around there and the palm trees are worth it alone (tallest in the world mate). Stay at La Serrana eco hostel, it's brill.
- If you fancy somewhere a bit off the tourist trail, try Manizales. It's a big modern city next to a load of volcanoes and an amazing national park. We bodged a ride on an old milk truck ferrying supplies to the farmers while collecting milk from their sparse herds. It was incredible.
- Go to Cartegna. I mean, obvs. It's one of the big draws of the country for a reason, it's bloody lovely. Super hot though.
- If you've got a spare 4 days, the trek to Ciudad Perdita, also in the north, is amazing. It's a 4 day hike into the jungle to the Lost City of Colombia. It gained some notoriety in the late 90s when a number of tourists were kidnapped by Communist Rebels while doing it. There's none of that now, but the walk is amazing and the scenery awe inspiring, even if the ruins themselves look like a bunch of putting greens. It's also the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I was pretty trim back then. Magic Tours seemed to be the best (they got cake and we didn't )

Those were the highlights, but I'll have I think and add any more I can think of.

EDIT: Oh oh! I really, really wanted to get to Leticia, a town way in the Amazon. You have to go down the titular river to get there, and the best way is to get a cargo boat which will give you a hammock for the trip for super cheap. It's on the more adventurous side, but I hear it's a hell of a time.

I went to Leticia on the final year of my geography degree (spent one night in Bogota... but was basically in a restaurant and hotel for my time there annoyingly). Leticia was amazing. Apart from my actual coursework we did a jungle trek, kayaking on an amazonian lake a lot of boating on the rivers (saw some of the amazon dolphins) and a zipwire through the canopy. It's a pretty small town, but a few good food places and a karaoke bar.

Is anyone planning on watching the Martin Clunes "Islands of Australia" series on ITV?

http://www.itv.com/hub/martin-clunes-is ... a4426a0001

The first Island he visits in episode 1 is the Island I have relatives on (Lord Howe) and spent some time there in 2016. Heading there again in 2017 and 2018. It's a literal paradise...

I want to go to Iceland, but I don't drive, so is there a good site when you can do for example group tours where you're taken to all the main sights etc!

All the tours we looked at were expensive as hell. If you can't drive I'd seriously consider waiting until you can, or can go with someone who can. I loved being there, but I really want to go back with a car as I feel I missed out on a lot.

Can anyone give me some advice on Hong Kong/China/Japan?

I'm considering spending up to 5 weeks there but have no idea how to divide up the time. China is obviously massive and will take time getting around. Equally I understand Japan is expensive to travel so don't want to spend a huge amount of time there...

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

Anyone give me a few pointers on phone usage abroad? I'm in three different countries and literally just want something that can send texts and calls, I'd use my phone but it's not unlocked. COuld I pick up a $20 burner and be able to use it in each country so long as it's unlocked?

Who is your provider? I've used Vodafone's world traveller service in the US, China and Japan for a fiver a day. If you're in North America for a length of time, I know a lot of people where I stayed did just buy cheap burner phones and keep in contact that way.

Tomous wrote:Can anyone give me some advice on Hong Kong/China/Japan?

I'm considering spending up to 5 weeks there but have no idea how to divide up the time. China is obviously massive and will take time getting around. Equally I understand Japan is expensive to travel so don't want to spend a huge amount of time there...

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

Just saw this! Apologies if you've already sorted it.

I did ten days in Japan, three days in HK and a week in China; if I had five weeks I'd pump the extra time into China and travel a bit more.

Few things to keep in mind;

If you're looking to do a bit of travel within Japan using the rail network - which you should - you *need* to get a JR pass or it'll be prohibitively expensive, and you can't get them when you're in Japan as they're only for foreigners. The other problem is that, as of last February at least, there's no digital option for them. I'm aware that you're not in the UK just now, so your best bet is probably to get it sent to a family member or friend in the UK and posted on to your location, unless you're travelling somewhere that can issue you one.

http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/

We travelled from Tokyo to Kyoto, then to Osaka and through to Hiroshima, where we flew to Hong Kong. Flights from Hiroshima to HK are cheap(£60-80) and last about five hours.

Tokyo is massive. Really strawberry floating big. There are others on here who will be able to help you out with things to do better than I can, but there's a gooseberry fool ton of stuff that's worth seeing. The best day I had was a walk I took from the hostel I was staying in Asakusa, taking in the nearby shrine, to the Pokemon shop in - I think - Ikebukuro. Was really nice to see people going about their business, and I jumped the subway back to Akihabara on my way home.

Speak to Jay Adama if he's still about - I haven't seen him for a while. We met up for a pint while I was out, and he took me to the Golden Gai in Shinjuku, which is definitely worth seeing. Loads of little bars that seat no more than about ten people, and great for wandering around in. He lives/lived in Tokyo and probably has some great things to do.

Osaka and Hiroshima we only got a couple of days in - definitely worth seeing, I wish I'd had more time in Osaka particularly. There's strawberry float all in Hiroshima apart from the park that houses the nuclear bomb museum. It's 100% worth seeing, and I will never go there again.

Hong Kong is great. Get the ferry, it's cheap as strawberry float and connects Hong Kong Island to the mainland. Also make sure to get the tram to the top of the mountain - some spectacular views. Skarjo lives out there, and can direct you better than I can.

China visas aren't too hard to get - cost me £150 but is valid for multiple entries over two years. I'm quite upset I won't be able to use mine again.

We went to Guangzhou - a city a few hours from Hong Kong. It's nice, but I guess you'll be better going to Shanghai or Beijing, and travelling around from there. I ran out of cash and couldn't afford to go, so stayed with a mate who is teaching English out there.

Cheers Cora, lots of useful advice there, appreciate it

Has anyone traveled to the USA when their ESTA is close to expiring? Mine runs until the 5th March and I'll be there from 17th - 27th February. I can't see how that would be a problem but I don't want to find myself being water boarded under the new administration.

I was just going to apply for another one but can envisage the situation where two applications causes more confusion.

Tomous, I can't type a lengthy reply out right now - and Cora covered a lot - but I've been to Hong Kong and Shanghai/Hangzhou and live in central Japan so I'll add my two cents worth later. Meant to do it when I first saw the post but forgot all about it and am now about to board a plane.

Hime wrote:Has anyone traveled to the USA when their ESTA is close to expiring? Mine runs until the 5th March and I'll be there from 17th - 27th February. I can't see how that would be a problem but I don't want to find myself being water boarded under the new administration.

I was just going to apply for another one but can envisage the situation where two applications causes more confusion.

Yeah I have travelled close as well. Mine ran out in early May last year, and I used it maybe a week or so before. You'll be fine.

I can go find out the exact dates if you want, as I still have the emails.

Going to Malta for a few days Feb half term. Looks like a cool place with lots to see.

I've never been, heard really good things though.

Off to Lisbon in a couple of weeks, looking forward to getting some hiking done in the surrounding area as well, never visited Portugal before.

Im going to Poland next week.

I dont think they'll enjoy me with my classically aryan good looks.

Hime wrote:Has anyone traveled to the USA when their ESTA is close to expiring? Mine runs until the 5th March and I'll be there from 17th - 27th February. I can't see how that would be a problem but I don't want to find myself being water boarded under the new administration.

I was just going to apply for another one but can envisage the situation where two applications causes more confusion.

As long as you weren’t born in Iraq you should be fine.

Anyone been to Porto? Going for a long weekend in March, a friend moved out there in Jan so hopefully they will know the bets places to eat drink, but any other suggestions would be great

Do some of you guys travel alone? I've never done it before and I'm sure I wouldn't like it? But trouble is I'd like to go somewhere this year, but most of my friends are all hooked up with partners etc so it looks like I'm staying put this year.....

Gandalf wrote:Do some of you guys travel alone? I've never done it before and I'm sure I wouldn't like it? But trouble is I'd like to go somewhere this year, but most of my friends are all hooked up with partners etc so it looks like I'm staying put this year.....

I've been travelling alone for the last month and a half and it's an absolutely wonderful experience. The freedom and independence that comes from not having to worry about someone else's happiness is liberating and it's easy to meet people along the way. Saying that, it's not for everyone. It if you are the adventorous type and don't mind pushing yourself from your comfort zone I'd recommend it.