Page 24 of 25
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 15, 2019, 1:11 pm
by -PJ-
Thanks Sid, you've helped squat really..
Come around and help me drink beer !!
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 15, 2019, 1:17 pm
by Brewdle
https://steakhouse.asia/saigon/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 15, 2019, 4:12 pm
by Sid
-PJ- wrote:Thanks Sid, you've helped squat really..
Come around and help me drink beer !!
I’m too far away to even help with that! Feeling as useless as Anne Frank’s drumset here
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 15, 2019, 5:19 pm
by gerg
Tell your mate not to waste his money, hand in his passport and go to his local RSL instead.
Sent from my SM-G570F using Tapatalk
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 20, 2019, 10:01 am
by T_R
Very possible to get a steak in Vietnam, though it will cost you about 20-30 times more than a local meal.
If you find a cheaper steak, be aware that it's almost certainly water buffalo, and may not be quite what you're expecting.
The real scandal is the lack of decent craft beer.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 10, 2022, 8:01 pm
by Botman
We're bringing it back... Travel is back on folks!
Where are you heading? Fo us COVID is over and we've just re-booked our Japan trip for next year
Going from 31 march - 23 april... flights are booked.
Places we're planning to hit.. in no order other than what im looking at on paper
Tokyo, Hiroshima,Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Nikko, Kanazawa... very excited. We were supposed to do this 2 years ago, but here we are.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 11, 2022, 9:04 am
by FuiFui BradBrad
Nice one Bot!
We’re looking into prices at the moment. I’ve been dying to head back to Hawaii. Doing the Kualoa Ranch movie tour is high on my to do list. When we were there last time, we went to book and found out you need to do it months in advance, so lesson learned.
Other than that, thinking New Zealand. Still early days on planning.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 11, 2022, 10:44 am
by T_R
Was in Japan last week, Italy a couple of weeks before that.
Feels both odd and very nice to be travelling again.
That'll be amazing trip round Japan, Botman!
Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 11, 2022, 6:58 pm
by gerg
Very keen to get to Japan in the next few years. Would love to spend a week in Kyoto just visiting the gardens. Not sure the family would be up for that though. We're moving to Thailand next year so that East Asia area becomes a whole lot more accessible.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 11, 2022, 8:56 pm
by T_R
gergreg wrote: ↑December 11, 2022, 6:58 pm
Very keen to get to Japan in the next few years. Would love to spend a week in Kyoto just visiting the gardens. Not sure the family would be up for that though. We're moving to Thailand next year so that East Asia area becomes a whole lot more accessible.
Kyoto is once-in-a-generation nice right now, simply because the Chinese aren't travelling yet and it's not completely overrun with tour busses full of mainland visitors. I first went to Kyoto in the 90s, and it was genuinely amazing. Since the Chinese discovered Japan as a tourist destination, it's turned into a hideous faux-Disneyland of gauche. I reckon you've got 6 months.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 8:45 am
by gerg
T_R wrote:gergreg wrote: ↑December 11, 2022, 6:58 pm
Very keen to get to Japan in the next few years. Would love to spend a week in Kyoto just visiting the gardens. Not sure the family would be up for that though. We're moving to Thailand next year so that East Asia area becomes a whole lot more accessible.
Kyoto is once-in-a-generation nice right now, simply because the Chinese aren't travelling yet and it's not completely overrun with tour busses full of mainland visitors. I first went to Kyoto in the 90s, and it was genuinely amazing. Since the Chinese discovered Japan as a tourist destination, it's turned into a hideous faux-Disneyland of gauche. I reckon you've got 6 months.
I used to think the bad rap Chinese tourists got was overstated until bumping into tour groups around Korea. They absolutely don't give a **** about anyone or anything else except themselves. Like completely blocking an egress. You politely ask to get past and they'll look 'down' at you and just ignore you. And you know they've totally understood you.
Not sure I can get there in 6 months so fingers crossed it takes a little longer to open up.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 9:59 am
by T_R
gergreg wrote: ↑December 12, 2022, 8:45 am
T_R wrote:gergreg wrote: ↑December 11, 2022, 6:58 pm
Very keen to get to Japan in the next few years. Would love to spend a week in Kyoto just visiting the gardens. Not sure the family would be up for that though. We're moving to Thailand next year so that East Asia area becomes a whole lot more accessible.
Kyoto is once-in-a-generation nice right now, simply because the Chinese aren't travelling yet and it's not completely overrun with tour busses full of mainland visitors. I first went to Kyoto in the 90s, and it was genuinely amazing. Since the Chinese discovered Japan as a tourist destination, it's turned into a hideous faux-Disneyland of gauche. I reckon you've got 6 months.
I used to think the bad rap Chinese tourists got was overstated until bumping into tour groups around Korea. They absolutely don't give a **** about anyone or anything else except themselves. Like completely blocking an egress. You politely ask to get past and they'll look 'down' at you and just ignore you. And you know they've totally understood you.
Not sure I can get there in 6 months so fingers crossed it takes a little longer to open up.
It really hit me in Paris earlier in the month, too. I fully understand that anyone has the right to go off and be a tourist in whatever manner suits them, but the absence of the huge lines of Chinese tour busses in front of the various attractions in Paris was really noticeable. I'm sure the lack of Chinese tour business has hit operators hard, but the city was charming again in a way that it hasn't been for the last decade at least. I wonder if COVID has been a chance for these huge tourist locations to pause and ask themselves what kind of tourism they want going into the future.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 11:29 am
by Botman
Sounds like we're going to thread that needle for our trip
@T_R , just reading back through the thread, do you still reckon rental car is a better option for getting around Japan than rail pass?
The rail pass for the period is looking like costing us about 2.5k for 2 adults and 2 kids... i dont mind paying a bit more if it means we'll get to places quicker and i never have to drive and can go about some moderate day drinking with freedom but we've not considered a car rental option at all
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 2:35 pm
by T_R
Botman wrote: ↑December 12, 2022, 11:29 am
Sounds like we're going to thread that needle for our trip
@T_R , just reading back through the thread, do you still reckon rental car is a better option for getting around Japan than rail pass?
The rail pass for the period is looking like costing us about 2.5k for 2 adults and 2 kids... i dont mind paying a bit more if it means we'll get to places quicker and i never have to drive and can go about some moderate day drinking with freedom but we've not considered a car rental option at all
Toss a coin.... I guess your kids are a bit older and more mobile now. The train is tough if you're constantly trying to shift a family full of luggage and small kids on your hips.
Most of that trip is dead easy on the Shinkansen, which is covered under the JR pass. Osaka and Tokyo will be a nightmare to drive in, so you'd look to avoid that. The main reason I mentioned rental car in the post up in this thread was that the conversation was about heading a bit off the beaten track. The places you're heading a very well serviced by trains.
On the whole, assuming the kids are OK, you're probably better on JR pass at this point.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 3:18 pm
by gerg
You're conveniently ignoring the day drinking though. Spare a thought for his poor wife and kids who have to put up with him. Is it better to have him rambling like a GH drunkard until he wraps himself in newspaper and snores himself to sleep or a sober and alert Botman?
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 3:21 pm
by Botman
I’ve told you before mate
I don’t argue and rant to my wife, I come here to get that out of my system so I don’t subject her to my inane ramblings
The GH is essentially my therapist at this point
You guys are doing gods work
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 4:47 pm
by FuiFui BradBrad
Botman wrote:I’ve told you before mate
I don’t argue and rant to my wife, I come here to get that out of my system so I don’t subject her to my inane ramblings
The GH is essentially my therapist at this point
You guys are doing gods work
Same. I started talking to Mrs Fui about the Fifita / Bent conditional contract sitch. She reminded me she was the wrong audience for that chat…
Logged on here to see what you guys had to say about it.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 5:37 pm
by gangrenous
Botman wrote:I’ve told you before mate
I don’t argue and rant to my wife, I come here to get that out of my system so I don’t subject her to my inane ramblings
The GH is essentially my therapist at this point
You guys are doing gods work
Your wife owes me I reckon! Can I bill?
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 12, 2022, 7:00 pm
by gerg
GE ... the marriage whisperer. Or some call him God.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 13, 2022, 8:37 am
by Botman
gangrenous wrote: ↑December 12, 2022, 5:37 pm
Botman wrote:I’ve told you before mate
I don’t argue and rant to my wife, I come here to get that out of my system so I don’t subject her to my inane ramblings
The GH is essentially my therapist at this point
You guys are doing gods work
Your wife owes me I reckon! Can I bill?
Prepare the invoice, Gangers
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: December 13, 2022, 3:11 pm
by gangrenous
Invoice: 198919901994
Payer: Mrs. Botman
Payee: gangers pty ltd
Antagonistic Bastard Number (ABN): 20162019
For services rendered:
4000 hours pointless debate with significant other - $30,000
GST $3000
Total owing: $33000
Payable by: next Raiders premiership
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 4, 2023, 10:49 pm
by Botman
A few days in… just sitting back and relaxing with a few wines before bed
japan has so fan lived up to all the hype
Day 1 - Ueno Zoo, which was truly one of the coolest zoos we’ve been too. Kids love it… but a tough day after the overnight flight and barely any sleep
Day 2 - Meiji Jingu Shrine, which was really beautiful.
We hit Harajuku to check out the rainbow food. Shibuya and saw the Shibuya crossing and crossed. Then off to Nakamegura for a mypig cafe (researched heavily to ensure we went to one that was known to treat their animals well) and walked the canal with cherry blossoms (though we didn’t get the timing perfect)
Day 3 - mt Fuji, day trip out. Worried it would be too cloudy. But we got a perfect day. Could see it as clear as anything. Went up the ropeway course and then around to the lake for the local ramen specialty
Day 4 - More low key. Hit the temple in Asakusa which is where we are staying for now and then out of Akihabara… spent damn near an hour and lord knows how much playing OG Street Fighter arcades with my son in one of the places… my daughter got an ungodly amount of gashapon thingys…
Day 5 tomorrow, we’re off on a day trip to Nikko
Haven’t even touched on the food which has been sooo god damn good… already pretty sure this won’t be the last trip for the Botman family to Japan
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 5, 2023, 5:41 am
by The Nickman
Hahaha god, I hope you kicked LC’s ass at Street Fighter, Nock.
How’s the day drinking going?
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 5, 2023, 8:17 am
by Botman
The Nickman wrote: ↑April 5, 2023, 5:41 am
Hahaha god, I hope you kicked LC’s ass at Street Fighter, Nock.
How’s the day drinking going?
Harder than I thought… the nature of what we’re doing and how busy we are isn’t playing ball for a ton of day drinking
But we’re getting it in where can
The train beers are carrying the day
And yeah i whooped the ever loving **** out of LC on street fighter. He didn’t have a prayer
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 5, 2023, 8:30 am
by T_R
I'm enjoying following on FB.
We're loving being here again after COVID (I've been back on business anfew times, but this is the first family trip).
Forgot just how much I enjoy this country as a tourist.
Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 5, 2023, 8:47 am
by bonehead
I've just taken a day trip to drop PJ's monster into Bot's house, by the time he returns possession will be 9/10ths
Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 7, 2023, 9:13 pm
by Botman
I’ve been in Takayama for about 6 hours and I’m already ready to quit my job, sell up and just move here
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 7, 2023, 9:39 pm
by zim
I'm landing in Tokyo in about 11 hours. Will be
in Japan for 2 weeks then off to Vietnam for a week.
You guys able to catch a raiders game in Japan?
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 7, 2023, 9:46 pm
by gerg
Botman wrote:I’ve been in Takayama for about 6 hours and I’m already ready to quit my job, sell up and just move here
You're viewing things through holiday made instead of reality. I did see something on YouTube saying property in some parts of Japan was reasonably priced because of a plummeting birthrate. I haven't seen much of Japan but will definitely get there in the next few years. I do love my bonsai and it is the mecca.
So many cool places to visit around the world again, now that things have opened up.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 7, 2023, 10:15 pm
by Botman
Mate all I saw when I walked around the town was people trying to sell me beef (hida beef at that!) and beer
I don’t know what else I need in my life
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 8, 2023, 7:56 am
by T_R
Botman wrote:I’ve been in Takayama for about 6 hours and I’m already ready to quit my job, sell up and just move here
We'll buy a place in the area to retire to. Lovely part of the world and close to all the rellies.
Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 8, 2023, 8:00 am
by T_R
zim wrote:I'm landing in Tokyo in about 11 hours. Will be
in Japan for 2 weeks then off to Vietnam for a week.
You guys able to catch a raiders game in Japan?
Welcome to Japan!
Unfortunately, we're heading off home on Thursday.
Heading to Gifu this morning for a little League One union action. The son of one of my former team mates is tearing it up for Tokyo Verblitz, and I've never seen him play live. I think Curtis Rona has finally secured a starting spot, too. Can't wait!
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 8, 2023, 10:53 am
by zim
Should be interesting watching. My first Japan trip so was hoping to get in some Sumo or baseball but don't think I'll be able to fit it in this time.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 8, 2023, 10:57 am
by T_R
zim wrote: ↑April 8, 2023, 10:53 am
Should be interesting watching. My first Japan trip so was hoping to get in some Sumo or baseball but don't think I'll be able to fit it in this time.
Sumo's out of session, but you'll definitely get some baseball in - should be a game almost every night in Tokyo at the moment.
Re: The Travel Thread
Posted: April 9, 2023, 9:15 pm
by Botman
I thought Rona was a really good young player
Remember saying the raiders should target him
I looked into some sumo stuff too. Really wanted to take my young bloke along to check it out but it wasn’t to be timing wise
We’ve just had a few absolutely delightful days in Takayama, we timed it out nicely and the Cherry blossoms here are in full bloom
Truly wonderful place… we got snow flurries walking home from dinner last night and honestly think that is a memory the family will have forever. My kids had never seen or been in real snow… and walking around the town this morning with snow sitting atop cars / roofs (not much though) was pretty cool for us all
I’ve eaten my body weight in hida beef and we’ve ticked all the boxes we could. Including Shirakawa-Go which was also very cool despite the rainy weather
Would have loved to get to Kanazawa but that’ll have to be next time
Off to Kyoto tomorrow morning… we’ve got day trips out to Osaka and lots planned for this next part of the adventure… but I’m already feeling sad about leaving Takayama