Travel
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@NTA Not to rain on your missus' parade (pun intended) but you were thinking mid-Jan, right?
and she went off Singapore because it would be hot and humid....?
What time of year did her friend go?
I remember going up to Port Douglas years ago and striking up a conversation with a Kiwi lady working in a shop on Macrossan Street. She said even the locals clear out to the Hinterland in the new year because it's so damn hot
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Contrarian View:
Been to Port Douglas once, stayed at Peppers Beach Club. On the whole, I gave the holiday about 6/10.
Pluses: GB reef trip was absolutely epic. Incredible snorkelling, great day out on the boat. Only place better for snorkelling was the Maldives. Cant comment from a diving perspective as I only breath air, not tanked air. Others on the boat said it was great, but there's better to be had elsewhere. The massive Garoupa at some restaurant was great, that thing is fucking massive. We ate out at resto's a couple of times and once at a backpackers and, like all of Oz honestly, the food was absolutely brilliant & well priced (Take Sydney out of the equation for well priced)
Not So Plus. Pepper's is great if you've never been to a SE Asia resort. It's not even close to a Thai / Malay / Vietnam / Philippines resort. Not even close. Additionally, we felt the town had very little holiday feel. I.e when your walking around it, it felt like your in a small town, not a holiday/resort place. And lastly, not sure if this is still the case, you couldn't swim at the beach due to the stingers.
Summary: It's not shit and if you do it right, you can have an awesome time. But make sure your expectations are managed.
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@NTA Not to rain on your missus' parade (pun intended) but you were thinking mid-Jan, right?
and she went off Singapore because it would be hot and humid....?
What time of year did her friend go?
January, I'm told... But then her friend is also a bit more outdoorsy (races offroad etc) so isn't adverse to a little discomfort.
And yes I reminded her it is the wet season and her counter was "but it's the wet season everywhere up that way"
Anyway I've passed it on. I look forward to the next change of mind
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@nostrildamus said in Travel:
Very sensible. And obv all Ms NTA friends must feature in the Hawt thread.
I think certainly some of them are worth a go.... for their age
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@mariner4life said in Travel:
Visit: the wildlife habitat Port Douglas. And swim with a saltie
I almost get the feel @NTA might suggest this to his wife with a big smile on his face
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@MajorRage agree with all of that Port Douglas town itself is small and a bit meh, but like a lot of Kiwi destinations it's more a gateway to adventures if you are that way inclined.
Stingers are around most of the time, so the beach is to look at not swim at.
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well, no, there is a stinger season, that's why the nets are up. right now you could swim at the beach no problem. But in Jan you aren't going to want to go in the ocean because yes jellyfish and yes its the temperature of a bath
MR's critic is pretty much spot on. The "all inclusive" resorts are further out. i like Peppers because it's right on Macrossan St (i actually usually get an apartment somewhere on Macrossan). And it is a "small town" really, but that's why i like it. I head up there, get an apartment, and just wander the town eating and drinking.
100% depends on what you want. Jan in the Tropics is pretty shit though, we just battle through it in Air Con
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@mariner4life said in Travel:
well, no, there is a stinger season
I worded what I meant badly. I should have said the majority. Isn't it any month with an "R".
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@mariner4life said in Travel:
well, no, there is a stinger season
I worded what I meant badly. I should have said the majority. Isn't it any month with an "R".
Stinger nets normally come down late May, and go back up about December?
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Maybe @NTA needs to play a longer game. OK but I get to choose the next holiday, no arguments.
Just checking: you're married, right?
Then when MrsNTA express in January she will feel like she should delegate it all.
Double checking the married status.
Her: "Where do you think we should go?"
Me: "How about (Option A)?"
Her: "No"
Me: "How about (Option B)?"
Her: "No"
Me: "How about (Option C)?"
Her: "No"
Me: "OK"
(days pass)
Her: "What about this?"
Me: "Cool"
(days pass)
Her: "No I've heard (factoid) so I'll look for something else"
(days pass - repeat twice)
Her: "WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE ORGANISING EVERYTHING?" -
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@NTA, unless you ski Japan at Xmas time sucks balls.
Come in Spring or Fall and its amazing to sight see etc, but in winter its just fucking cold.
If you like skiing, it's amazing. Also fucking cold. I can't recall being much colder in my life than wandering around Otaru in what felt like a blizzard.
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Four weeks to go until I head to Scotland for 11 days, Northern Ireland (to visit a mate and his family for a couple of days), Paris for three days, London for two days, back to Northern Ireland for four nights, Dublin for 3, then back home via Sydney for three nights.
Highlights:
- Visiting about 8 distilleries in Scotland
- being hosted at Longchamps for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (I'll need to buy a suit)
- tour of Lord's
- various drinking sessions with old friends (mate in Belfast, then an old journo school mate in Dublin)
- attending The Everest in Sydney on the way home
- flying business class both ways.
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