Has anyone been...

[foolhandy]

I lived there from 200-2003 and have been back once since. Still have a fair few friends over there who I'm in regular touch with so I know that from a tourist point of view it's not changed much since then - it's probably better in fact. The only time the weather's unpredictable (very wet!) is Christmas time during the rainy season. It's an astonishingly beautiful place and, I think, much better than Mauritius (great if you never leave the resort, a bit grubby & ordinary otherwise) and Maldives (flat, very flat). The main island is mountainous and constantly reminded me of Jurassic Park but if you do want the 'desert island' thing there are outer islands that will do it for you. In Seychelles you're constantly agog at just how beautiful it is.

Bali...well my sister-in-law lives there and we were there in 2009. I preferred the north of the island to be honest because it's a but quieter and more beautiful due to being less developed but the south was fun. I can recommend this hotel in Lovina www.lovinacantik.com/ which has 98% on TripAdvisor and is owned/run by my sister-in-law's friends. We stayed there when we were up there and it was fantastic. We did the usual stuff during our time in Bali - springs, massage, dolphin trips/swimming, eating/drinking out, beach slobbing!

If you choose either let me know on here and I'll find out what's currently not-to-miss for you. :-)

[Russ Greaves]

Bali it is.

[foolhandy]

Cool. When are planning on going and what would sort of thing you like recommendations on?

[Russ Greaves]

Going in August next year. Fancy seeing some authentic Bali, taking in some sights, maybe do a boat trip. We're only going for seven nights so could only realistically do three day trips, as I'll be under pressure to allow some sunbathing time!

[cambcam]

New York?

Somewhere I've always wanted to go but has for one reason or another, never made it.

Anyway, October, 3 or 4 nights. Me and the better half are quite prepared to strap ourselves in and go for it, but is New York doable as a City mini-break?

[Russ Greaves]

I went years ago when I was only 19, at the end of a three-month long trip to various places. There were four of us and we had almost no money between us, so we couldn't do any of the main tourist stuff... except wander around. And the beauty of somewhere like New York is that it's great for just wandering around, taking it all in.

It's definitely doable as a city mini-break and I reckon any longer than four nights would be almost too long just to see the city and its sights.

[imp566]

But it is a long way to go for 3 or 4 nights, jetlag can ruin the first day.

[Russ Greaves]

Not if you man up and get on with it.

[imp566]

Sept 14, 2014 19:15:31 GMT Russ Greaves said:

Not if you man up and get on with it.

[cambcam]

It didn't take much persuading to man up and get on with it - all booked, Times Square, 4 nights.

Naturally planning on doing all the sights, show on Broadway etc, but if anyone knows of any little hidden treasures that don't make the 'tourist top tens', that would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[tombowran]

Sept 15, 2014 18:35:14 GMT cambcam said:

It didn't take much persuading to man up and get on with it - all booked, Times Square, 4 nights.

Naturally planning on doing all the sights, show on Broadway etc, but if anyone knows of any little hidden treasures that don't make the 'tourist top tens', that would be appreciated.

Cheers.

For your premiership footy fix, go to Nevada Smiths. 3rd Ave and 12th St.
Mad for footy. Home of the New York branch of the Man Utd supporters club. Screens and memorabilia everywhere.
Packed at stupid o'clock in the morning for the bigger games

[animal]

Sept 15, 2014 18:35:14 GMT cambcam said:

It didn't take much persuading to man up and get on with it - all booked, Times Square, 4 nights.

Naturally planning on doing all the sights, show on Broadway etc, but if anyone knows of any little hidden treasures that don't make the 'tourist top tens', that would be appreciated.

Cheers.

you've left it too late I should imagine but try and get tickets to go up to the crown on the statue of liberty. Less than 50 visitors get up there a day & they treat you like royalty.

Central park is a great place to people watch (& it's free).

Go to the View restaurant on Time square for rotating nosh action. The buffet bit is better value than the table service bit on the next level.

Walk over Brooklyn bridge & take in the views back in across the river.

Take a Subway to Coney Island (very Warriors) then walk along the beach to Brighton Beach & Little Russia.

[cambcam]

So, New York.

Wow, wow, wow.

I remember a friend of mine years ago saying, "If you don't do anything else with your life, make sure you go to New York." - couldn't agree more.

If you are fortunate enough to visit with someone special, with a positive attitude and zest for life, it will reward like nothing else. Strap yourself in and go for it, you can sleep when you get home.

(Writing a message from Cambridge on the Brooklyn Bridge) -

[imp566]

Nov 3, 2014 10:39:58 GMT cambcam said:

So, New York.

Wow, wow, wow.

I remember a friend of mine years ago saying, "If you don't do anything else with your life, make sure you go to New York." - couldn't agree more.

If you are fortunate enough to visit with someone special, with a positive attitude and zest for life, it will reward like nothing else. Strap yourself in and go for it, you can sleep when you get home.

(Writing a message from Cambridge on the Brooklyn Bridge) -

View Attachment

You gone to Australia or New York? (picture is upside down!)

[Russ Greaves]

I liked New York, but not that much! What does that say about the people I went with?