The Travel Thread

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T_R
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by T_R »

He just doesn't like Australians.

But he's still the travel writer I'd be if I could write.

"But: all journeys were return journeys. The farther one traveled, the nakeder one got, until, towards the end, ceasing to be animated by any scene, one was most oneself, a man in a bed surrounded by empty bottles. The man who says, "I've got a wife and kids" is far from home; at home he speaks of Japan. But he does not know - how could he? - that the scenes changing in the train window from Victoria Station to Tokyo Central are nothing compared to the change in himself; and travel writing, which cannot but be droll at the outset, moves from journalism to fiction, arriving promptly as the Kodama Echo at autobiography. From there any further travel makes a beeline to confession, the embarrassed monologue in a deserted bazaar. The anonymous hotel room in a strange city..."
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Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Thank you for your help gentlemen - out of curiosity, how much Spanish did you guys have to speak when you were in Central/South America. I'm teaching myself some basics at the moment, and probably taking a language course for a couple of months before I go, but will knowing general greetings/ordering food/transport be a sufficient base to build on?
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Question wrote:2 words on why to go Mick Phat arses .
Don't be insensitive Matthew - I believe the term is 'phat backs', as in 'baby got...'.
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Sterlk
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Sterlk »

Michael wrote:For christ's sake - it was a light-hearted throwaway remark. Are you retarded? I wasn't intending to get into a lengthy discussion about comparative wealth between Mexico and first-world countries.
Somebody's gotten pretty uppity recently.

I was just saying not to get your hopes up about the whole living in the lap of luxury thing. Without prompting from Woodgers, I wouldn't have gone any further than that. On that last post, I was responding to him, not you.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

It's perfect timing that I just changed my avatar to Colonel Kurtz burying his head in his hands, because that's what I feel like doing right now.

You take EVERYTHING seriously - I make a remark about not wanting to jinx Boardwalk Empire, and you give me a dissertation on how its impossible to travel back through time and alter the production of the show.

I jokingly talk about these shady Mexican guys who appear to come from wealth, and you start rambling on about how comparative wealth is different in poorer countries. I KNOW THAT!

If it will put this stupid discussion to bed, I met these guys in Barcelona, where they'd just finished working at a resort in Malaga for the summer. They speak perfect English, go to uni in Mexico City, own summer houses, and just got back from a filthy weekend in Vegas. I don't think you can do those sorts of things in Mexico if you don't have a pot to piss in.

Stop ruining every thread you post in with rubbish like this.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Sterlk »

Its genuinely amusing that you're getting so riled up about it. :lol:

I will amend my signature just for you.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by T_R »

Michael wrote:Thank you for your help gentlemen - out of curiosity, how much Spanish did you guys have to speak when you were in Central/South America. I'm teaching myself some basics at the moment, and probably taking a language course for a couple of months before I go, but will knowing general greetings/ordering food/transport be a sufficient base to build on?
Outside Asia, I am a notorious menu-pointer.

I've cumulatively spent months in Spanish speaking countries and still don't know how to say hello.
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Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

T_R wrote:
Michael wrote:Thank you for your help gentlemen - out of curiosity, how much Spanish did you guys have to speak when you were in Central/South America. I'm teaching myself some basics at the moment, and probably taking a language course for a couple of months before I go, but will knowing general greetings/ordering food/transport be a sufficient base to build on?
Outside Asia, I am a notorious menu-pointer.

I've cumulatively spent months in Spanish speaking countries and still don't know how to say hello.
And you got around without too much trouble?
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Chickas shoe »

My language skills are pretty rubbish too but, one phrase I try to get down is "excuse me, I don't speak French/Spanish/Thai/Greek/Berber very well but, do you speak English?". It at least shows you're giving it a shot and levels the playing field somewhat even if they don't speak English - it's a whole lot politer than "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH!". It works particularly well in France. It depends where you are but there are a lot of people around the world with at least some grasp of English, we're lucky. That and miming has always got me through in most places.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Cheers, I'll try and get some basic phrases down pat and take it from there. Anyone here been to Machu Picchu?
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by T_R »

Michael wrote:And you got around without too much trouble?
Because of the huge amount of labour imported for the car industry, an astounding number of South Americans speak quite good Japanese and Korean. Betcha didn't know that. More often than not, if English has left me down then one of those languages has been enough to muddle through with.
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Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Did anyone have any issues regarding visa's/border-crossings? I've got dual citizenship, so I'm planning to travel on my British passport wherever possible...

For example, I know when I was in Asia that you just rock up to the border, fill out the form, get your passport stamped and you're through in 20 mins, no questions asked.
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Chickas shoe
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Chickas shoe »

Lonely Planet's thorn tree forum might have a few clues in this regard. Here's the South American branch:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/f ... forumID=22
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Chickas shoe »

use the search forum thing, obviously
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Gracias mi hermano. ;)
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by SubLime Green »

Michael wrote:Cheers, I'll try and get some basic phrases down pat and take it from there. Anyone here been to Machu Picchu?
I didn't know a word of Spanish when I went over there, but it is a very easy language to pick up. If you do a few courses over here before you leave, you shouldn't have any problems. I went to Macchu Picchu and it was definitely worth it. I didn't do the traditional trek though, instead doing a 9 day hike through Choquequirao, which is another Inca ruin. However, despite how amazing that was, there are so many things to do and see in South America. I was there for 2 months and I feel like I still have plenty more to see for next time.

P.S. Be warned at how touristy the actual Macchu Picchu area is. To get a shot without other people in it, you will need to get up at a ridiculous hour and wait at the bus station to get on on of the earliest buses.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by T_R »

Looks like my life is about to take a sharp turn towards the Middle East.

Has anyone here spent much time in Saudi/the Gulf?
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Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Schifty »

T_R wrote:Looks like my life is about to take a sharp turn towards the Middle East.

Has anyone here spent much time in Saudi/the Gulf?
You going to live there?
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Duaneo »

Heading to New York and Las Vegas in 3 weeks.....1st time overseas.
Any tips? Must see things? Tips on what to do on a long ass flight?
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Sterlk »

Vegas huh?

While I haven't been, I've looked into it a little. The super appealing thing there is that you can stay in 4-Star resorts for like $50 USD a night, depending on the season, tends to be cheaper in the summer, which is when you'll get there. The great thing about it being so cheap is that you can extend your stay and live in the lap of luxury for a good while for next to nothing, you'll probably get 3 or 4 nights in vegas for the price of 1 in NY.

I suppose they vastly increase their profits due to the resort guests spending time at the tables, obviously you're going to do some gambling given that its vegas, but if you stay low-stakes and don't spend all your time on the tables, you'll probably have a great time and hardly spend a thing.

Couldn't have picked a better time to go too, our dollar is approaching $1.10 USD.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Duaneo »

Ya, well I had no choice of accomodation or where I go, as I am going as part of Kostya Tszyu's team to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as he is being inducted (Along with Tyson, Stallone and Juilo Cesar Chavez) so there will be some official engagements I have to attend as a part of that, as well as they have already organised some sightseeing/attractions.
I am assuming I will have some free time to do as I please, and thought I would throw it out for some recomendations if others have been over and seen some "must see stuff"

The dollar is awesome ATM. Unless I win at the casinos......or I just have to do 10% better.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Danster »

In Vegas - Grand Canyon heli tour, Tao nightclub and Tao pool party @ Venetian, concert @ Hard Rock, Caesars Palace, Old Vegas (Golden Nugget).

In New York - museums (even if they aren't your usual cup of tea) are amazing, Central Park on a sunny day, Chelsea markets and pier, Broadway show, Times Square, Statue of Liberty (book in now online so you can go up), Yankee Stadium for a game or a tour.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Sterlk »

Duaneo wrote:The dollar is awesome ATM. Unless I win at the casinos......or I just have to do 10% better.
The $AUD has nothing to do with the casinos.

The odds are the same no matter the currency conversion. Take roulette for example, you double your money if you correctly choose black/red, no matter how much our dollar is worth compared to theirs, if you win you get double what you've put in.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by jedski »

Schifty wrote:
T_R wrote:Looks like my life is about to take a sharp turn towards the Middle East.

Has anyone here spent much time in Saudi/the Gulf?
You going to live there?
A close friend of mine moved to Saudi Arabia a few years ago with her husband. The plan was that they'd live there for 3 years - the company arranged a job within a local school for her to teach English to the children and also provided them with a fully-furnished house and car, all they had to spend money on for the next 3 years was food, clothing and entertainment. They worked out that they'd have around $1mil in their bank account at the end of their stint (he's works high up in the finance industry) which would set them up for life back in Oz.

A year later they moved back, I guess for them it wasn't all that they expected.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Bard »

So being that im studying tourism management (o the pain) i have to write essay's on boring subject's. ive jsut finished an essay on developing sustainable indigenous tourism in australia.

basically wondering who has partaken in any indigenous tourism or who would be open to the idea or what perceptions you all have???


ps, tasmania, melbourne, gold coast and sydney in 3 weeks :D mad keen.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by viking »

Duaneo wrote:Heading to New York and Las Vegas in 3 weeks.....1st time overseas.
Any tips? Must see things? Tips on what to do on a long ass flight?
i went over to vegas in march.it's awesome you will love it.
i stayed at the MGM grand,as someone else mentioned i got a room for about $50 a night.it wasn't too spectacular but did the job and had a pretty good view of the strip.

it was still fairly cold when i was over there(snow still on the tops of the mountains in the distance) so your probably going at a really good time weather wise.
be prepared for a lot of walking.even though there is a monorail and taxis every where you still have to walk a lot just to get from one casino to another.

i went and saw a couple of shows at various casinos,i reccomend you go and see some while your their.
alcohol is free if your gambling.you can just go up to the bar and chuck a $20 in the machines that are at the bar and as long as you look like your playing it they will just keep serving you drinks.

a good time will be had no matter what you choose to do.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Vanilla Bear »

One piece of advice about Vegas - as long as you are gambling the Casino will give you free drinks. Cocktail waitresses walk around the floor offering drinks to anybody spending money. So do what I did - find yourself a poker machine, and sit there for a couple of hours doing 1 cent bets. Every time the waitress comes around get yourself a free drink. All you have to do is tip her a dollar or two to make sure she comes back to you again. Will cost you next to nothing and you'll get plenty of drinks out of it.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by T_R »

Schifty wrote:
T_R wrote:Looks like my life is about to take a sharp turn towards the Middle East.

Has anyone here spent much time in Saudi/the Gulf?
You going to live there?
Probably not at this point - just back and forth a lot for the next few years, I think. Might get an apartment there..will wait and see.
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Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Sterlk »

Can I ask why you're going to be spending enough time there to get an apartment? It is a war-torn zone of the world, after all. :shock:
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf isn't a war-torn area.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Sterlk »

Ah, didn't see that bit. Still, what's there that would require an apartment? Work? If so, I'm curious as to what job requires travel to the middle east.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Off »

Weapons trader.
This place is woke.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Michael »

Sterlk wrote:Ah, didn't see that bit. Still, what's there that would require an apartment? Work? If so, I'm curious as to what job requires travel to the middle east.
Do you have any idea how much money is washing around in the Gulf area at the moment, even after Dubai's markets went belly-up? I'm pretty sure the bulk of the professional workforce in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi (arguably the richest city in the world) are ex-pats.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by T_R »

Sterlk wrote:Ah, didn't see that bit. Still, what's there that would require an apartment? Work? If so, I'm curious as to what job requires travel to the middle east.
Just regular travel over there, doing some consulting. As Michael says, the money coming out of the region at the moment is outrageous...we're pulling in big contracts on just word of mouth at the moment.

Which is good, since Asia is utterly, utterly dead.
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Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
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Re: The Travel Thread

Post by Nick »

I expect to see an NCIS episode where Gibbs finally nabs TR soon
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