GameBanshee Forums

@Georgi,
Need a bit more info about where you are going in Aus. Remember it is not a small place.
I can recomend getting away from the tourist routes and seeing some of the 'Outback'. I come from (amoungst other places) the north west of Aus and can truthfully say that the best sunsets, sun rises and most stunning land that I have ever seen comes from there. If you are into comfortable hotels, smooth roads, being able to ignor your gas tank (or water bottles for that matter), then it is not for you.

One of the most amazing things I saw was, when going fishing on a friends 32 foot boat about 10 miles out from Dampier, we where overtaken by two eagle rays that where bigger than the boat. They barely seemed to be moving their wings and easily beat the 15 knots we where doing.

The most magical trip I have done in Europe was in Ireland. When we visited Tara there was a peasoup fog, so we where surrounded by barrows and standing stones, unable to see where the next one was, or each other (I was with girlfiend), and there was the noise of a horse gently walking down a road - but due to the nature of the fog, you could not tell how far away the horse was or the direction the sound was comming from. Apart from the fact that it was not scarrey at all, it reminded me of the Barrow's in LotR, just after the hobbits left Tom Bombidill's.

@Jace, I know Oz isn't small, that's why I need tips on where to go (Not really sure of anything much yet, except that we'll be flying into Perth to start off with )

Hopefully I'll also be visiting New Zealand, and possibly one or two Asian countries on the way - maybe Thailand, Singapore, Bali... So any tips on those would be welcome too

@Grunt I have to say, it would be cool to be a student at the Durham Uni college that the castle belongs to - term address would be "The Castle, Durham"...

@Yshania: I went Fowey for Christmas shopping. It's really beautiful (we were lucky with the weather). Only problem is the car park on the top of the hill...

The Eden Project seems to be the great place to visit in this region as well.

If anyone ever go to the Lake District, go further inside and don't hung around the Lake Windermere. It's too touristy. And if the weather is not kind to you, find a pub (preferably with nice view) and stay there.

it's all about L.A.

southern california is a must for any traveler. for one there is all the regular tourist crap, but there are some really awesome places to go. first of all i'd go see a taping of a show, like Leno or some sitcom, lots of fun. the getty museum is awesome, but the museum i like best is the norton simon museum in pasadena, it's really small but has a ton of good art. i'd go to the farmer's market, it's a cool place, i'd also suggest just driving down the streets, especially hollywood blvd. and santa monica blvd. I would also for sure go check out any beaches around wherever you happen to be. also it may sound touristy and dumb, but it is a lot of fun to see a movie at mann's chinese theater. it's the same as any theater, plays the same movies, but it's just a famous place with all the star's hand prints in front of it, plus you get to see all the homeless people just chilling on hollywood blvd.!

I'll probably have my next 500 posts in this thread There are so many places I have visited that I would like to include in a world travel guide, most of them off the beaten track since I strongly dislike touristy fake set-ups.

Let's start with Australia and NZ since Georgi is planning to go there soon:

Australia is a vast country and continent where you can go on for hours and hours in the same type of landscape. If you enjoy outdoors like hiking, cutting your way through a rain forest with a machete horse riding etc, it's a great place. I'd like to recommend one touristy thing: go and see some good opera or ballet in the Sydney Opera house - the acoustics are outstanding

New Zealand: One of my favorite places on this planet, I'd move there if it weren't for my job. It's the best place in the world for all sorts of outdoors activites. The North Island has many geothermal areas, the South island has the great mountains. The Southern alps is a must see IMO, even if you are not a climber. Kaikoura is another beautiful area. Whether you feel like taking a swim with a school of dolphins, climb icefalls or raft in the undergruond tunnels and caves inside the mountains, the kiwis have got it all.

Regarding an Asian stop on the way - it all depends on what you like. Singapore is like on big city - a very nice one though, with a very international population. Thailand is a typical "tropical paradise", beware of the heavy tourist areas though. If you like watersports like diving, snorkelling, kayaking etc, Thailand would be a good choice. Malaysia is similar, long white beaches and rain forest, just less hilly. I haven't been to Bali, but I have many friends who have been there. Also a good place for diving I've heard, but heavily touristed.

For the great outdoors...

A selection of the most spectacularly beautiful places with the most dramatic scenery:

Kamchatka: The penisula north of the Kuril Islands north of Japan. Belongs to Russia. It used to be a military base to nobody could go there, not even the Russians themselves unless they were employed there by the military. You find the most beautiful volcanoes on earth there, the special type of lava creates perfect pointy cones. The thick lava type also makes explosive erupsions common, so it's full of calderas and big explosion craters. Many of the volcanoes are highly active, so if you feel like climbing into the steaming crater of an active volcano, this is the place, it can't be compared to other geothermal areas.
There are almost no roads, so offroad veheicles or helicopter are the only means of transportation beside your feet.

Greenland: Icebergs, glaciers, pack ice, ice fields and nice cliffs and table mountains. Good place for spotting whales if you don't want to see them from tourist boats like in many other places in the world. Few things compare to kayaking between the huge ice bergs off the west coast of Greenland. Again, there aren't many roads, so flying or going by boat between places is the only means of transportation besides your feet.

Iceland: It's called the land of fire and ice, and this is very true. The volcanoes are of a different type than on Kamchatka (where there are mostly stratovolcanoes), Iceland has shield volcanoes, like Hawaii. Glaciers, mountains, lava fields with incredible formations , geysirs, hot springs...if you don't like climbing or hiking, rent a mountain bike or a horse.

Scotland: The Northwest highlands and islands are the most dramatic. Good climbing, especially in the Cuillens (sp?) on Skye. A lot more accessible, so going around by car, bike, boat or bus is feasible. I love the Orkney islands and the Outer Hebridees, also a tiny little Shetland island called Foula which has great sea cliffs. The inner Hebridee Rhum is also extremely beautiful and has some great ridge walking if you like balancing on a 2 feet ridge 2500 feet up in the air with sheer rock face below The Northwest coast is marvellous, so pretty. If you don't like climbing, take walks in the valleys

Morocco: The most beautiful and highest part of the Atlas mountains are in Morocco. Avoid the touristy places in the north and the holiday resorts along the coast, and go inland, to Sahara and the Haute Atlas. You need an offroad 4WD jeep, strong legs - or a dromedar. The berber people who live in the mountains and the desert are extremely friendly and helpful. Sunrise over golden sanddunes, hiking in the deep canyons or ridge walking the summits - it's a great place.

I could list at least many more places in the Alps, Wales, Ireland, Norway, Russia, etc, but these are some of my favorites. If anyone is interested in outdoors, I can offer endless suggestions depending on taste and activity

Re: Tropical Paradises in Asia

Originally posted by Maharlika
Just came from a week-long vacation at Koh Samui Island and Phuket Island in the southern part of Thailand. The former located in the Gulf of Thailand while the latter is in the other side of the peninsula, touching the Indian Ocean.

Have you visited the western side, like the Krabi area and southwards? I wanted to avoid the touristy places, so I went around in the archipelgo this area and found many quiet and non-touristy villages along the coast as well as on the islands. I hardly met any other tourists, only a couple of professional scuba divers and rock climbers.

@Georgi,
Perth is a great place to live, but there is not lots to see for a visitor. It is a good base to see the South West from. Places I would recomend -

York : about 1 hours drive east into to weat belt. Good old scenic country town, car museum and other things (can't remember)

Margret River/Pemberton : about 4 hours drive south. One of the best surfing beaches in Aus, lots of vineyards, about the only place in the world where you get jarrah and karri trees. If you get a chance, find the Gloster tree. It is in the middle of a forest area, is very tall and there is a lookout station at the top of it. If you are brave enough, you can climb up it and get a great view.

The Pinacles : about 2-3 hours north. These are natural standing stones in the middle of a vast expance of sand dunes. Range in size from inches high to 6-7 feet. There are lots of them.

Monkey Mia : 8 - 10 hours north. Dolphins that come into the shore and let you feet and touch them. (other things too, but can't remember)

Kalgoorlie : 8 - 10 hours east. Old mining town (also modern mining town). Has lots of history and the biggest open cast mine in the world. Is the home of Two Up (an uniquely Australian gambling game played with two coins. Is more fun than it sounds)

If you are going around October/November, see if you can book on a wild flower tour. It is a bit touristy, but is well worth it. Miles and miles of wild flowers. Totaly indescribeable and very beautiful.

I will probably think of more and will post when I do.

There are a couple of SYMers who live in Perth. Ode to a Grasshopper and Tamerlaine come to mind. They may have some suggestions as well (it has been 8 years since I lived there)

@Georgi.

Yeah, it would be cool to live there.

York is lovely too - one of my favourite cities. Lots to see of a historical nature but many tourists are drawn there. Like the Tower of London - really impresive but too many tourists.

Edinburgh castle is extremely impressive.

An ex-Perth person Jace. Learn something new about you guys everyday.

The Pinnacles remind me of another strange geographic formation known as Wave Rock. It's a rock that looks like a wave, you litterly have to see it to believe it. The best I could find was this corny advertisment

Some cities to see for the culturally minded:

Florens, Rome, Barcelona, St Petersburg, Moscow, Paris, Prague, Dubai, Marrakesh(sp?)

And there are good clubs in most of these cities too, although I still regard London as Europe's clubbing city no 1.

A question: Does anyone know about those rather famous Arabic clay and rock villages, build in the rock in the desert, looking like La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Many years ago I saw a documentary about those Arabic buildings, they are very high and narrow, and every "floor" has small openings that look like cave openings, but it many, many stores. I believe similar buildings can be found it Petra in Jordan, but I have no idea where the specific type of buildings I saw where, somewhere in North Africa I think but it might also have been somewhere in the Middle East.

Here is a picture of La Sagrada Familia:

http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/g ... 131090.gbi

Re: Re: Tropical Paradises in Asia

Originally posted by C Elegans


Have you visited the western side, like the Krabi area and southwards? I wanted to avoid the touristy places, so I went around in the archipelgo this area and found many quiet and non-touristy villages along the coast as well as on the islands. I hardly met any other tourists, only a couple of professional scuba divers and rock climbers.

Never had the opportunity to visit Krabi. Just like you, I veer away from the maddenning crowd. I also went to Koh Samed --- it's in the northern part of the Gulf of Thailand. Not touristy either but definitely not wanting in people.

Try Khao Yai National Park where you need an armed (tranquilizer) escort when tigers are spotted around the area.

Re: Re: Re: Tropical Paradises in Asia

Originally posted by Maharlika
Never had the opportunity to visit Krabi. Just like you, I veer away from the maddenning crowd. I also went to Koh Samed --- it's in the northern part of the Gulf of Thailand. Not touristy either but definitely not wanting in people.

Try Khao Yai National Park where you need an armed (tranquilizer) escort when tigers are spotted around the area.

I'm certainly going back to Thailand sooner or later, my husband have never visited any country in South East Asia. I recently met a person who had been MTB:ing many times in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam - has anyone been in any of those countries?

I also would like to recommend travelling in the former Soviet Union. It doesn't strike many people as a suitable place for holidays, but it's as complex and variated as Europe or the US, and because it used to be a closed society, many people know very little about the many different cultures and the splendid scenery you'll find in areas that are anything else than touristy.

Originally posted by C Elegans
Some cities to see for the culturally minded:

Florens, Rome, Barcelona, St Petersburg, Moscow, Paris, Prague, Dubai, Marrakesh(sp?)

And there are good clubs in most of these cities too, although I still regard London as Europe's clubbing city no 1.

A question: Does anyone know about those rather famous Arabic clay and rock villages, build in the rock in the desert, looking like La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Many years ago I saw a documentary about those Arabic buildings, they are very high and narrow, and every "floor" has small openings that look like cave openings, but it many, many stores. I believe similar buildings can be found it Petra in Jordan, but I have no idea where the specific type of buildings I saw where, somewhere in North Africa I think but it might also have been somewhere in the Middle East.

Here is a picture of La Sagrada Familia:

http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/g ... 131090.gbi

CE, I believe those buildings are in Mali.

Originally posted by VoodooDali

CE, I believe those buildings are in Mali.

Mali, that would fit my original idea that they are in Northen Africa, and that the desert is Sahara. I will absolutely check this out, I've been trying to find those buildings for years. I've heard Mali is supposed to have a beautiful and unusual landscape, maybe something for me to try next Christmas?

I recall from another thread that you have visited Morocco @Voodoo, nice to see that you too enjoyed this lovely country

EDIT: I just checked out a few websites with photos from Mali, and indeed, I saw some buildings that strongly resembles the ones I wanted Thanks a lot Voodoo I'm bound for a holiday in Mali regardless of whether the right buildings are there or not, it looks like a great desert- and cliff landscape!

Originally posted by C Elegans


Mali, that would fit my original idea that they are in Northen Africa, and that the desert is Sahara. I will absolutely check this out, I've been trying to find those buildings for years. I've heard Mali is supposed to have a beautiful and unusual landscape, maybe something for me to try next Christmas?

I recall from another thread that you have visited Morocco @Voodoo, nice to see that you too enjoyed this lovely country

EDIT: I just checked out a few websites with photos from Mali, and indeed, I saw some buildings that strongly resembles the ones I wanted Thanks a lot Voodoo I'm bound for a holiday in Mali regardless of whether the right buildings are there or not, it looks like a great desert- and cliff landscape!

YW. My step-sister went to Mali for a month. She loved it, and said the people were really friendly. She also visited Niger (which is next door) and raved about that country even more.

Thanks for the hints, @Jace, Tammy and CE...
Still waiting for my visa to come through, but if it does I'll be working and travelling around Oz for a year (flying into Perth), and then flying (out of Melbourne) to Singapore and spend about a month travelling overland to Bangkok, and fly back to London from there. So anymore tips on anything to see in that neck of the woods would be great... Also, anyone know of any good bars/clubs in Perth?

The Valley of the Giants is around Margaret River, and that's pretty nice. It's an ancient karri forest in a valley. Rottnest island is okay, if a bit touristy and very expensive. There're these little animals called quokkas that only exist on Rottnest, they look a bit like miniature kangaroos. Can't say I know of any good bars in Perth, though I'll look into it if you want.

I went over to Melbourne a few years ago and it was quite a nice city.

@Georgi: That should be a really good trip, I did about the same route many years ago except that I didn't stay very long in Oz - but we seem to have many people here who are deeply familiar with that big red desert of a continent

If you are staying as long as a almost a year in Oz, you should definitely visit NZ at the same time!

@CE and Georgi...

...if and when you gals drop by Bangkok (hopefully at the same time), let me know. It'll be great to meet you in person. I'd bring my camera and have it posted here at SYM ...

...that is, of course, I'm still here and I did not get that job in Singapore.