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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 22:17 
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Kern wrote:
Which company?


Pffh, you don't want actual important information do you? Why would you need that?


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 22:39 
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Kern wrote:
Which company?


I'll find out for you


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:03 
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Thanks Ashfish! Any more?

Whilst this Guardian article falls into the usual 'make Guardian readers feel guilty for something they all do' trap, the argument about tourism destroying places for locals is something I've often been grappling with and feeling guilty about.

I like to go to historic towns because of the history and the sights. I don't want to feel that I've wandered onto a film set yet at the same time if everything is turned over to bars and restaurants with little actual life or business going on then that's kind of what these places are.

But I still go and do it and contribute to the problem because I want to see these places and so do millions of others. Yet whilst the Radcliffe Camera would make for an ace Wetherspoons, it's because it's being used for its intended purpose that makes it that much more interesting to visit but I get why in other places they've become bars etc so locals can earn a living.

In short, I'm a self-hating tourist, but will never call myself 'a traveller'. Arghh... just go and have fun people.


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:04 
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I've always found Tinkers Rucksack to be reliable for adventure holidays. Some of the staff are proper weird though.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 9:53 
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Paid my balance yesterday for my guided trek up Mount Toubkal in Morocco in September. About three days up and two down. Looks pretty reasonable although it's been a very long time since I've done anything at altitude. I'm also spending a few days in Fez and Marrakech beforehand. Looking forward to it - first new continent since 1995!

Anyone been to Morocco?


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 9:56 
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Yup. I was in Marrakech a few weeks ago.

I really didn't like it there, I'm afraid. Although the quad bike excursion I did was cool.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:06 
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What didn't you like?

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:08 
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Bad dates.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:09 
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#WhipWhipWhip

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:20 
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Gogmagog

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Ask my wife. She went.
Also, I am shit at quad bikes. Couldn't get used to it not counter steering and having to weight the back wheel all the time. My brain kept trying to make it ride like a MotoX bike.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:22 
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Zardoz wrote:
#WhipWhipWhip

Actually, this. The way they treat animals (and each other) is horrific.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:32 
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MaliA wrote:
Ask my wife. She went.

Will do.

Quote:
Also, I am shit at quad bikes. Couldn't get used to it not counter steering and having to weight the back wheel all the time. My brain kept trying to make it ride like a MotoX bike.


How the hell do you cope with the Rover?


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:33 
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Gogmagog

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Kern wrote:
MaliA wrote:
Ask my wife. She went.

Will do.

Quote:
Also, I am shit at quad bikes. Couldn't get used to it not counter steering and having to weight the back wheel all the time. My brain kept trying to make it ride like a MotoX bike.


How the hell do you cope with the Rover?


It has a wheel, not handlebars, and front wheels are driven.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:39 
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Grim... wrote:
Zardoz wrote:
#WhipWhipWhip

Actually, this. The way they treat animals (and each other) is horrific.


This is something I haven't come across in my guidebooks. Thanks for warning me of this.


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:48 
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Also, it's kind of dry, but not really. In Marrakech at least, you can go to the top floor of most touristy places and they'll serve you alcohol - you can ask at the door, they won't be offended. They will, however, lie through their teeth, so you'll have to wait until you actually have the beer in your hand before you know if they do or not, so make sure not to order anything else but your drinks when you first arrive (which they'll try to get you to do). Kosybar near the Market Square had alcohol while we were there.

Speaking of the Market Square, prepare to be swamped with people who want your money. Don't dance to music, don't look at snakes or (beaten up) monkeys unless you want to pay someone. Get used to saying "no mercy" to a lot of people (the watch guys were especially persistent).

Taxi drivers (and everyone else) will put their price up massively because you're white - you can normally haggle them down to around half of what they start at, which will still be triple what natives of the city pay, but it's only about £3 anyway, so try not to let it bother you.

Apparently, the coffee to drink is a "nous nous".

Do take a wander around the streets though, just so you can be amazed at how beautiful all the shops are, how maze-like it is, how they can ever make a living when every third shop sells exactly the same thing, and how they manage to squeeze cars up market streets.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:58 
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Much appreciated. Thanks for this Grim....


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 14:46 
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My only knowledge of Marrakech is from the old Amiga game Titus The Fox.


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 20:28 
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This year
Denmark (swos)
Egypt (diving)
vlieland(kids)

And marrakech is fun but indeed irritant at times..
don't go for the leathering shops..

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 20:33 
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romanista wrote:
This year
Egypt (diving)

*Jealous* this is something I really want to do again.

We've already been to Venice this year. In September we're heading to South Carolina for a week then down to Savannah for another week. Looking forward to it and the photography opportunities.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:32 
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romanista wrote:
This year
Denmark (swos)
Egypt (diving)
vlieland(kids)

And marrakech is fun but indeed irritant at times..
don't go for the leathering shops..


Umm... where did my reply go? Stupid Microsoft Edge.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not particularly interested in seeing or smelling tanneries so I think I should be able to avoid the more obvious traps.

Just looked Vlieland up. Seems a nice place for a chilled weekend. Is it popular?


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:33 
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Goddess Jasmine wrote:
In September we're heading to South Carolina for a week then down to Savannah for another week. Looking forward to it and the photography opportunities.


Great stuff! I've only been to South Carolina once, back when I was nine. All I can remember is a hurricane, and jumping up down on Fort Sumter without knowing why it mattered.


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 16:43 
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I was in Marrakech and Agadir about 15 years ago, and the biggest recommendation that i can give is that you have a guide. If you don't, at least pay some cash to some local you find at least likeable and trustworthy to show you around, otherwise you'll get harassed all the time. I payed to a young guy not far from my hotel to show me around and he was very cool.

Don't try to buy drugs, unless you're very sure about it. Really, just don't. Most hash comes from Morocco, but this is something you're better of not even trying.

Haggling is part of the culture, and it can get really fun. At first, since i'm more north european looking i was getting double the prices that my dark skinned cousin was getting. But i got the hang of it. I think i was getting addicted by the end. I bought 4 chess sets, shit tons of ceramic plates....just because.

First day i went to make small talk with some local teenagers (in Agadir), and there was a night club in front of them. There was some girls coming in and i said something like "moroccan girls hun? Very good looking". The boy said they were all prostitutes. I thought he was just being reactionary. Later i went into the disco and he was right. One of them offered my cousin 3000€ to marry him. Don't know how much has changed since then, but it's not normal for groups of girls to go out at night into discos, it seems.

Roads are good, at least were when i was there. So there's plenty of chances for a road trip. The country is safe. Even though some guys can get really persistent. And at the time i had long blonde hair so i got it pulled by kids for some reason.

Their couisine is absolutely divine. Just go to whatever looks more local. Don't be a british and go to the british pub. (sorry for the stereotype)


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 18:06 
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Thanks for this!


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 9:54 
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Goddess Jasmine wrote:
romanista wrote:
This year
Egypt (diving)

*Jealous* this is something I really want to do again.


I'm very happy i can actually do it.. after breaking my hip in april ..last thuisday passed my paid freshup with flying colors .. now just have the medical statement later today).. I really felt liberated in the water..

to make you even feel more jealous here's the boat i'll be cruising the red see on to dive https://www.liveaboard.com/nl/diving/eg ... gL0A_D_BwE

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 9:55 
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Kern wrote:
Just looked Vlieland up. Seems a nice place for a chilled weekend. Is it popular?

Vlieland tries to be not popular.. they maxed out the number of tourists on a low number, to avoid feeling like an overcrowded tourist trap.. really nice..

(still have to book this though, so might change at the last minute)

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 17:26 
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romanista wrote:
Goddess Jasmine wrote:
romanista wrote:
This year
Egypt (diving)

*Jealous* this is something I really want to do again.


I'm very happy i can actually do it.. after breaking my hip in april ..last thuisday passed my paid freshup with flying colors .. now just have the medical statement later today).. I really felt liberated in the water..

to make you even feel more jealous here's the boat i'll be cruising the red see on to dive https://www.liveaboard.com/nl/diving/eg ... gL0A_D_BwE

Very nice! I've never fancied doing a live aboard though, I enjoy having a walk around the nearest town at night. For a tourist destination Sharm is actually bloody lovely (although the diving is better in Hurgarda imo).

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:17 
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I;ll be a few days in sharm too, so best of both world i hope, since live aboard allows you to go farther/ be earlier at the famous sites)

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 17:29 
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Oh indeed! It definitely has it's plus points. :)

Joan's and I have just booked to swim with whale sharks. I'm crossing everything that he loves it and I can get him booked in to do his scuba diving qualifications when we get back. :D

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 18:15 
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I honestly feel scuba diving is overrregulated.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 18:17 
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You just don't have the bottle for it


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 20:31 
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Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Oh indeed! It definitely has it's plus points. :)

Joan's and I have just booked to swim with whale sharks. I'm crossing everything that he loves it and I can get him booked in to do his scuba diving qualifications when we get back. :D

No pressure then. :p


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 21:17 
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Joans wrote:
Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Oh indeed! It definitely has it's plus points. :)

Joan's and I have just booked to swim with whale sharks. I'm crossing everything that he loves it and I can get him booked in to do his scuba diving qualifications when we get back. :D

No pressure then. :p

I'm not sure if you're just continuing with the scuba puns... ;)

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 22:30 
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I swam with small sharks of some variety in the Dominican Republic. Also rays. Oh, and dolphins. It was nice.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 22:47 
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This year

Wales (Did this in June) it was great
Dublin (just wife and Kids) I'll be at staying at home

We are having our kitchen replaced from 20th August, so my wife is taking the kids to Ireland as we will have no oven, washing machine and a chunk of the house will be a building site.

As I will get to just whatever I want with my time whilst they are away its a holiday for me of sorts as well!


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 11:35 
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Cras wrote:
I swam with small sharks of some variety in the Dominican Republic. Also rays. Oh, and dolphins. It was nice.

I'll never forgot our skinny dip
\
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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 11:47 
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Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Joans wrote:
Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Oh indeed! It definitely has it's plus points. :)

Joan's and I have just booked to swim with whale sharks. I'm crossing everything that he loves it and I can get him booked in to do his scuba diving qualifications when we get back. :D

No pressure then. :p

I'm not sure if you're just continuing with the scuba puns... ;)

I wasn't, but then realised I was.


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 11:55 
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Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Joans wrote:
Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Oh indeed! It definitely has it's plus points. :)

Joan's and I have just booked to swim with whale sharks. I'm crossing everything that he loves it and I can get him booked in to do his scuba diving qualifications when we get back. :D

No pressure then. :p

I'm not sure if you're just continuing with the scuba puns... ;)

He would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids!

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 13:09 
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@goddess Jasmine look who came to visit us at the wreck of the kingston

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk8S91NXJGo&t=2s


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 20:02 
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More balloon pictures from Cappadocia:


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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 20:17 
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Ah, it looks magical.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 20:21 
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That does look amazing.

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 Post subject: Re: Summer holidays
PostPosted: Wed Oct 16, 2019 21:29 
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First one's a stunning shot!


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