Bye bye SE Asia
May 26th, 2018, 09:46 AM
#22
Will do - would love that. Looks like an eccentric itinerary - Glasgow, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Reading for relatives, plus some southwest coast - but will include London at some point, maybe for Open House. Am thinking of riding the Caledonian Sleeper and the Night Riviera.
May 26th, 2018, 07:17 PM
#23
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I don't think that I will ever tire of S.E. Asia as I feel as comfortable there as I feel here at home in L.A. area. This coming trip will be 20 years of trips there. However, if I ever think that the long haul becomes too much to get there and home, then I might just make stops along the way to break it up a bit. Since I take 2-3 vacations a year, I also go to other places aside from S.E. Asia. I was to go to Europe last month and had a plane ticket and hotels booked, but canceled as I have grown tired of Europe and needed a rest from it. Have been going there since seventy-three and was there 3 weeks in summer 2017 before going to Japan 3 weeks after getting home from Europe.
At this point, since I have gone to so many places in the world, since the 70s, I like to now base myself in S.E. Asia and then add a new S.E. Asian destination, for 5 nights, within my 6 weeks there. But, as for Europe, I would really like to spend more time in Spain as last summer was my first time in Spain and I really liked it and the weather.
Happy Travels!
At this point, since I have gone to so many places in the world, since the 70s, I like to now base myself in S.E. Asia and then add a new S.E. Asian destination, for 5 nights, within my 6 weeks there. But, as for Europe, I would really like to spend more time in Spain as last summer was my first time in Spain and I really liked it and the weather.
Happy Travels!
May 27th, 2018, 12:08 AM
#24
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Crellston, you really do live a nomadic life!
Thursdays, hope you’re on the mend. Take it easy on the pills though. You mentioned Lake Matka near Skopje in a thread on Macedonia a few weeks ago on the Europe Forum. On our last full day in Macedonia we were in Skopje, we took the number 60 bus right to where it terminated. Then had a 25 minute very pleasant walk down to the Matka Canyon. Very scenic, but the garbage down there was everywhere. It was a Tuesday morning, so it must all have been left by weekenders. The thing about it was that almost all of the garbage had been deposited responsibly in bins/skips, which had then overflowed and began to scatter all over the place. Yet the local council had just let it sit there and blight the place. A real shame, we didn't stay long.
Thursdays, hope you’re on the mend. Take it easy on the pills though. You mentioned Lake Matka near Skopje in a thread on Macedonia a few weeks ago on the Europe Forum. On our last full day in Macedonia we were in Skopje, we took the number 60 bus right to where it terminated. Then had a 25 minute very pleasant walk down to the Matka Canyon. Very scenic, but the garbage down there was everywhere. It was a Tuesday morning, so it must all have been left by weekenders. The thing about it was that almost all of the garbage had been deposited responsibly in bins/skips, which had then overflowed and began to scatter all over the place. Yet the local council had just let it sit there and blight the place. A real shame, we didn't stay long.
May 27th, 2018, 12:13 AM
#25
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SPAIN. Our final trip in 2017 was for 3 weeks in November/December to a little seaside town called Albir, fairly close to Benidorm, but far enough removed to avoid its reputation. Another short flight from Gatwick with British Airways to Alicante, and then a 50 minute coach transfer north.
Albir, like Nerja attracts a more mature sensible type, and is very popular with cyclists. It’s very easy to get out and about by public bus from Albir, or a wonderful tram [train really], which runs all the way south to Alicante via Benidorm, and north to Calpe. The area, particularly north of Benidorm is very scenic and green, and very much a paradise for outdoor living and adventure. We made full use of the buses and tram to get around, very easy to plan something different every day. We were treated to a wonderful sunrise from our balcony every morning. Considering the time of year, the weather was generally very pleasant.
2018. Our first trip out of the UK this year to the Antalya region of Turkey for the last 2 weeks of February. We’ve been to Turkey several times in the last 10 years, Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Icmeler [near Marmaris], Bodrum Peninsula, and Fethiye. Istanbul should be a compulsory bucket list destination and visited at least once in a lifetime. But everywhere has its own character, beautiful scenery, excellent transport infrastructure, great food and drink, and very friendly people. Turkey is one of only a few self sufficient countries in the World. A lot of the very touristy places can be in your face a bit, but like most places they’re easily avoided.
We flew to Antalya [3.5 hours], and a one hour coach transfer took us to the coastal town of Side. As it was February the weather was unpredictable, but it was mostly very pleasant during the day, and cool as dusk approaches. Getting around is very easy by frequent shared minibuses called Dolmus. Very close to Side is the very easy on the eye working town of Manavgat, which seems to fit tourism in very nicely.
More later.
Albir, like Nerja attracts a more mature sensible type, and is very popular with cyclists. It’s very easy to get out and about by public bus from Albir, or a wonderful tram [train really], which runs all the way south to Alicante via Benidorm, and north to Calpe. The area, particularly north of Benidorm is very scenic and green, and very much a paradise for outdoor living and adventure. We made full use of the buses and tram to get around, very easy to plan something different every day. We were treated to a wonderful sunrise from our balcony every morning. Considering the time of year, the weather was generally very pleasant.
2018. Our first trip out of the UK this year to the Antalya region of Turkey for the last 2 weeks of February. We’ve been to Turkey several times in the last 10 years, Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Icmeler [near Marmaris], Bodrum Peninsula, and Fethiye. Istanbul should be a compulsory bucket list destination and visited at least once in a lifetime. But everywhere has its own character, beautiful scenery, excellent transport infrastructure, great food and drink, and very friendly people. Turkey is one of only a few self sufficient countries in the World. A lot of the very touristy places can be in your face a bit, but like most places they’re easily avoided.
We flew to Antalya [3.5 hours], and a one hour coach transfer took us to the coastal town of Side. As it was February the weather was unpredictable, but it was mostly very pleasant during the day, and cool as dusk approaches. Getting around is very easy by frequent shared minibuses called Dolmus. Very close to Side is the very easy on the eye working town of Manavgat, which seems to fit tourism in very nicely.
More later.
May 27th, 2018, 11:10 PM
#27
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MACEDONIA. Our latest trip was to Macedonia for almost 3 weeks starting on 23 April. Must admit I knew nothing about the country, so made an early investment and bought the excellent Bradt Guide. Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, where she spent her early life before getting The Call. Her birth home is now a shopping centre, but there is a very interesting Memorial House [come museum], and there are plenty of reminders of her scattered around town.
We flew from Skopje via Istanbul [Ataturk] with Turkish Airlines. Never used them before, they are an excellent airline and I’d have no hesitation using them again. Ataturk Airport is massive and very busy, so I’m glad that we had a 3 hour layover and didn’t have to rush around.
Skopje Airport is very modern and fairly small. Passing through Immigration was a breeze, and getting into town was an easy coach transfer dropping pax off at the Holiday Inn, which is v.central.
We stayed in Skopje for 4 nights, and quickly fell for the place. Macedonia Square by the Stone Bridge is beautiful, full of fountains and statues, and fringed by busy street cafes…..I’ve never seen so many statues in my life. Everything was clean, eating and drinking very inexpensive, the people friendly with English widely spoken. The town is flat, with great views of the surrounding mountains. The Old Town is the main tourist area, but also well frequented by locals. We had one day out by public bus to a place called Tetovo close to the Albanian Border. Very few tourists, very close to the mountains, and easy to navigate on foot.
From Skopje we took a bus south to Lake Ohrid, where we stayed for a week…..it’s beautiful. The journey there took 3.5 hours, the scenery was pretty rather than fantastic, some of roads could do with resurfacing, the traffic was light. We had a lovely apartment right on the Lake with v.impressive uninterrupted views. The owners picked us up and dropped us off at Ohrid bus station, and they couldn’t have been more hospitable…..£200 for a week, a bargain. Ohrid is the main tourist resort in Macedonia and was quite busy, it’s relatively compact, and mainly pedestriansed. Finding things to do in and around Ohrid wasn’t a problem, and everything was great value. We had days out in Struga, St Naum [saw an albino peacock], and Vevcani…..everywhere we went was well worth the [not very great], effort.
In and around Ohrid are some lovely pathed/paved woodland walks, which are easy to navigate without the need of a guide. Tsar Samoil’s Fortress is a focal point, and quite a step walk, but with all the views around to take in who cares about a bit of a hill.
After Ohrid we moved on by bus to Bitola, the 2nd largest town in Macedonia. It’s a pretty place with an Ottoman Bazaar and Old Town. The main drag in town called Marsal Tito is pedestrianised and v.vibrant. It’s surrounded by mountains. We were treated to several sudden downpours in our 3 nights there.
Finally we headed back to Skopje for our final 2 nights.
We flew from Skopje via Istanbul [Ataturk] with Turkish Airlines. Never used them before, they are an excellent airline and I’d have no hesitation using them again. Ataturk Airport is massive and very busy, so I’m glad that we had a 3 hour layover and didn’t have to rush around.
Skopje Airport is very modern and fairly small. Passing through Immigration was a breeze, and getting into town was an easy coach transfer dropping pax off at the Holiday Inn, which is v.central.
We stayed in Skopje for 4 nights, and quickly fell for the place. Macedonia Square by the Stone Bridge is beautiful, full of fountains and statues, and fringed by busy street cafes…..I’ve never seen so many statues in my life. Everything was clean, eating and drinking very inexpensive, the people friendly with English widely spoken. The town is flat, with great views of the surrounding mountains. The Old Town is the main tourist area, but also well frequented by locals. We had one day out by public bus to a place called Tetovo close to the Albanian Border. Very few tourists, very close to the mountains, and easy to navigate on foot.
From Skopje we took a bus south to Lake Ohrid, where we stayed for a week…..it’s beautiful. The journey there took 3.5 hours, the scenery was pretty rather than fantastic, some of roads could do with resurfacing, the traffic was light. We had a lovely apartment right on the Lake with v.impressive uninterrupted views. The owners picked us up and dropped us off at Ohrid bus station, and they couldn’t have been more hospitable…..£200 for a week, a bargain. Ohrid is the main tourist resort in Macedonia and was quite busy, it’s relatively compact, and mainly pedestriansed. Finding things to do in and around Ohrid wasn’t a problem, and everything was great value. We had days out in Struga, St Naum [saw an albino peacock], and Vevcani…..everywhere we went was well worth the [not very great], effort.
In and around Ohrid are some lovely pathed/paved woodland walks, which are easy to navigate without the need of a guide. Tsar Samoil’s Fortress is a focal point, and quite a step walk, but with all the views around to take in who cares about a bit of a hill.
After Ohrid we moved on by bus to Bitola, the 2nd largest town in Macedonia. It’s a pretty place with an Ottoman Bazaar and Old Town. The main drag in town called Marsal Tito is pedestrianised and v.vibrant. It’s surrounded by mountains. We were treated to several sudden downpours in our 3 nights there.
Finally we headed back to Skopje for our final 2 nights.
May 28th, 2018, 10:03 AM
#30
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LL, apologies; I cant recall if you've been to India--specifically Kolkata Seeing Mother Teresa's house, and the small very personal museum there, would be an interesting tie-in with your visit to Skopje. India isn't actually "SEA" so maybe you could go and not disobey your "bye bye" to the area!
Thursdaysd, adding to the good wishes that you feel better and better with each day.
Thursdaysd, adding to the good wishes that you feel better and better with each day.
Aug 1st, 2018, 10:44 PM
#33
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I realise that the Mods have asked me not to post Europe stuff on the Asia Forum, but couldn't resist posting our recent Romania [Transylavania] trip report...
Romania [Transylvania] - 6 to 23 June 2018
Beautiful green and spotless country, excellent value for money, easy to navigate, no guides needed, just allow plenty of times, especially if getting around by train. And take plenty of suncream, and a brolly [it rains hard and thunders and lightens like in the Dracula films].
Hope it helps someone, we don't all want to give Asia our full attention all of the time.
Edit: Next stop.....a boring AI transatlantic cruise to the Eastern Caribbean at the end of October, but we'll cope!
Happy travels.....LL
Romania [Transylvania] - 6 to 23 June 2018
Beautiful green and spotless country, excellent value for money, easy to navigate, no guides needed, just allow plenty of times, especially if getting around by train. And take plenty of suncream, and a brolly [it rains hard and thunders and lightens like in the Dracula films].
Hope it helps someone, we don't all want to give Asia our full attention all of the time.
Edit: Next stop.....a boring AI transatlantic cruise to the Eastern Caribbean at the end of October, but we'll cope!
Happy travels.....LL
