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General => Off Topic => Topic started by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 24 February 2019, 02:14 PM

Title: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 24 February 2019, 02:14 PM
There have been a few mentions recently of folk traveling overseas.
UK, AU, NZ seem the popular ones.
Many of us have been to a few others.

Where have you been?
Was it great? Was it crap?

Where would you go back to ?
Where do you want or plan to go ?

Any plans or idea's you want to share?
Any pics you want to share?




Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 24 February 2019, 02:16 PM
From memory...

England. Home
Australia. Home.
France (several times)
Cyprus (several times)
Corfu.
Spain.
Egypt.
Thailand.
Cambodia.
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: gsxbarmy on Sunday, 24 February 2019, 03:20 PM
Canada and US. Drove the west coast of Canada a few years back, starting at Calgary, up and over the Rockies via Banff and Jasper to Victoria Island and thence onto Vancouver. Stunning scenery. Want to return to drive the East Coast - on the bucket list.

Lived in California back in '91 and drive the West Coast of the US - specifically Highway 1 a few times. Awesome. Route 66 on the bucket list to do.

Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. Ridden that twice. Absolutely fantastic. Would recommend anyone to do that ride.

Ridden down to the Alps in Switzerland to do the 5 passes last year, via the Black Forest in Germany and the Vosges Mountains in France. Wonderful roads. Might do the Dolomites this year or next, not sure, taking in Stelvio pass.

Have ridden out past the Nurburgring a couple of times continuing on into North Poland, great roads, plus you can stay the night at Colditz castle (which is now a hotel).


Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 24 February 2019, 03:41 PM
Cyprus (almost moved there to live)

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F2m5e71k.jpg&hash=a86bdd96149c2c51c3ac23f05cd48be88b7c4472)


Egypt.

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F1079r7t.jpg&hash=78e78e16b8bc6a15fcbb7526d0c29e5d8ab692d0)


France.

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F2n87e35.jpg&hash=4a2533ad656b6db0b520b12f90d45586d9925bbf)
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 24 February 2019, 03:43 PM
Thailand.

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F2e0iufd.jpg&hash=8015710fd21db6489ffa850756de0e0bcf4b1718)


Cambodia.

(https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi66.tinypic.com%2F2ivmm84.jpg&hash=f230e274429a46522aee014d444b69fe0b1fa964)
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 25 February 2019, 09:09 AM
Years ago when I had to submit all sorts of documents for my security clearance, this was a bit of a nightmare (but for all the right reasons).
I've been very fortunate to have travelled to many places, mostly as a kid, when Dad was working overseas (and we were living there) 

Oceania
Australia (Obviously. Born here. Live here.)

The Middle East

Saudi Arabia  (lived here 4 years)
Jordan  (highlight: Petra. Jordanian hospitality)
Oh the other highlight might have been that Arab guy holding a dagger to my sister's throat, while she was on a sacrificial altar.. for  a photo opportunity.  I wonder what that guy has been up to since...   :facepalm:

Asia
Singapore  (highlight: The food!)
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Philippines
India (highlight: The Taj Mahal in Agra, and Udaipur)
China (highlight: the 80's communist paranoia was fun  :rofl3: )
Hong Kong (highlight: Approach into Kai Tak airport)

Europe
England, Scotland, Wales  (highlight: My 10th birthday on a boat on Loch Lomond)
France (highlights: Paris, Versailles and The Loire Valley)
Monaco
Germany
The Netherlands
Greece (highlight: Just about everywhere). First place I ever saw anything approximating snow.
Portugal  (highlight: Porto )
Spain (briefly popped in to see Columbus's tomb)

Africa

Egypt (highlight: Floating Hotel tour down the Nile, seeing all the amazing  spots) 
Kenya (nature safari. Epic)

The Americas
Canada (highlight: British Columbia) Actually been to Canada twice, once as a kid, once as an adult.
United States  (a week in LA, for Disneyland etc)
Brazil: (highlights: Rio de Janeiro, Amazon cruise, Foz de Iguacu)

The list doesn't count countries where we were just 'in transit', mostly spent in shitty plastic airport chairs. On one occasion for near 24 hours in Africa... 

The places that left the deepest impressions on me:
Greece, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, India, Egypt, Canada.

As a Uni age adult I visited Brazil. I was blonde haired, blue eyed.. very rare there. Quite 'attractive' ;)

As far as which were good or bad. There was not a single one of them I didn't like, I'd go back to any or all of them. But first I'd have to address this problem....

Glaring omissions
Turkey – would LOVE to see Gallipoli, Hissarlik (the site of Ancient Troy), Cappadocia, and Istanbul (Constantinople  )
Italy – With my love of Ancient History not having seen Rome and surrounds is a major omission. 
New Zealand – I'm hopeful I'll get there one day.



:onya:
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: KiwiCol on Monday, 25 February 2019, 02:25 PM
We're a long way away compared to all the other destinations, so I guess it's understandable you've not managed a visit here.  As ya say, maybe one day . . . :whistling: :stir:
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Horse on Monday, 25 February 2019, 04:43 PM
In no particular order roughly from the north, various destinations within these countries in capitals multiple times

Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Germay
NETHERLANDS
AUSTRIA
SWITZERLAND
FRANCE
UK
Japan
HONG KONG
USA some east and west coast
Bahamas
Turkey
SPAIN
Portugal
ITALY
CHINA north and south
North Africa mostly Egypt
Mexico
Panama
HAWAII
INDONESIA
MALYSIA
Round AUS a time or two
NZ north and south Island, mostly south skiing need to do a bike tour there great scenery

Enjoyed everywhere food, people and climate in Italy and Spain are standouts for me skiing in Austria and NZ because of scenery and people are hard to beat.

Need to go to Canada, South America, (Some of) Eastern Europe, other than that more repeats of the above.

As someone said flying into old HK Kai Tak airports through the buildings or over the mountains was something to remember,

Catchya,

Horse 


Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: KiwiCol on Monday, 25 February 2019, 05:04 PM
Massive list horse!  Wonder if Stans' is longer?


@Globalrider
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Horse on Monday, 25 February 2019, 05:21 PM
ANZAC descendant's seem to be reasonably prolific travellers for one reason or another, took my first trip to Asia in my teens and am along way north of that now,

Toys and Travel , why else do you work??

Catchya
Horse
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Globalrider on Monday, 04 March 2019, 03:33 AM
Hey Col - probably easier for me to say where I haven't been 23 years at sea and riding for 56 years there are still a number of places I would like to ride like Japan - may do that next year!

Horse!! if you want to do Canada let me know - for get the middle bit - its just mile after mile of wheat and silos BUT the East is good if you take in the Civil war Eastern States and then there is the Westcoast. BC has some of the best riding around and down in the  Westcoast of the States Hwy 101. Trouble is you have to be watchful of the State-es! (Smokies HwyP) I have been dinged a few times!

Cheers
Stan
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Horse on Monday, 04 March 2019, 08:36 AM
Hi Stan,
            Worked with a guy some years ago from Canada and really want to do the Banff , Calgary area coupled with a bit of snowboarding/skiing , when I stop this working bullshit will definitely  seek some advice for an itinerary, probably do a winter and a summer run. By all accounts you live in a pretty spectacular part of the world.

Horse
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 04 March 2019, 09:18 AM
British Columbia for the win !
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Monday, 04 March 2019, 03:32 PM
Starting to plan a trip for this year.

The wife and I were looking at returning to the UK, been between the UK and AU 10 times since 2000.

Did Thailand and Cambodia last year and if I have my way we will have a week in each instead of the UK.

Not over impressed with the flights to the UK, takes me 34 hours door to door, plus the exchange rate makes the UK pretty expensive right now.  Cambodia is top of my list, so friendly, cheap and chaotic!

I have 24 days / nearly 5 weeks off "banked" at work so I need to book something.
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Monday, 04 March 2019, 03:39 PM
Last time I did the UK I started the trip with Banbury and did the MotoGP and ended it with Shelsly Walsh Hill Climb, did the bike museum and Coventry museum of transport inbetween.

There are a few bike events I keep an eye on that I may try and steer a trip towards.

Wife likes Italy...... (Mugello MotoGP ? )

Wife wants to visit Ireland (NW200 ? )

We have flown through Hong Kong and talked about doing a stop over there ( Macau GP ? ) 
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Johno on Monday, 04 March 2019, 03:42 PM
A short five night trip to Hobart and back leaving this afternoon.
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Globalrider on Tuesday, 05 March 2019, 01:49 AM
Horse!! Looks like you can get a non-stop flight now Sydney to Vancouver 15 hours!
I think the longest flight in the world is 17 hours now
:hat:
Stan
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Horse on Tuesday, 05 March 2019, 08:46 AM
Stan,
       These long haul aircraft are definitely making the world smaller, all I have to do now is stop working its very inconvenient!!! as soon as I retire I will get the handbrake organised and be making some plans and will be asking for some advice.
Have a good week,

Horse   
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Friday, 27 September 2019, 09:21 PM
I need a holiday !

42 days and I'm off back to Thailand.
Really looking forward to a break.

Loved it last year.....
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Friday, 27 September 2019, 11:38 PM
We love Thailand as well, we're going again next March. Those pictures look great, which part of the country is that?
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 28 September 2019, 06:27 AM
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Friday, 27 September  2019, 11:38 PM
We love Thailand as well, we're going again next March. Those pictures look great, which part of the country is that?

Kata Beach / Kata Noi in Phuket.

I'm a bit over long haul flights but Singapore is only 8 hours from Brisbane then it's a short flight to Thailand or Cambodia etc.
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Sweaty on Saturday, 28 September 2019, 08:15 AM

Kata Beach / Kata Noi in Phuket.

I'm a bit over long haul flights but Singapore is only 8 hours from Brisbane then it's a short flight to Thailand or Cambodia etc.
[/quote]

2nd pic looks like a nice dinner at the Bella Vista restaurant ?(part of Villa Elizabeth) This was our favourite place to eat when we stayed at Kata beach.
Love Thailand also & have been to Phuket & Khao Lak area's 3 times now for a great holiday with the missus.
Jetstar do a direct flight from Sydney, which is why I love it. Is this not an option from Brisbane?
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 28 September 2019, 09:15 AM
It's Mom Tri Villa Royal.
It's between Kata Beach and Kata Noi.
It's not cheap but it's quite nice, the owner has family connections to the Thai royal family. It's one of the nicer places we have found in the area.

http://www.phuket.com/phuket-magazine/hotels/villa-royale.htm

https://momtriphuket.com/
Title: Re: Travel / Counties / past and future ?
Post by: Sweaty on Saturday, 28 September 2019, 02:59 PM
We tried that for our Anniversary  :onya:
Try the Bella vista when you get back to Kata. It's a third of the price and we preferred it. Stroll on to the beach, turn left & go a to the corner of the beach.
Great spot, right on the beach under a big tree for shade & a nice deck.
Nice spot for a beer & luch as well  ;)
http://www.phuket.com/phuket-magazine/bella-vista-restaurant.htm