The Travellers Thread

[aeroshady]

Okay, so here I am, less than one week from heading to my Wedding and Honeymoon. Wedding will be in Scotland (Isle of Skye) and the honeymoon is going to be in Bali!

So, any last minute advise for either? I have been to Scotland, though not the highlands. I have never been to Bali before! I also just got my SCUBA certification over the weekend!

I cannot believe that the 18 months is up already!

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by aeroshady

Okay, so here I am, less than one week from heading to my Wedding and Honeymoon. Wedding will be in Scotland (Isle of Skye) and the honeymoon is going to be in Bali!

So, any last minute advise for either? I have been to Scotland, though not the highlands. I have never been to Bali before! I also just got my SCUBA certification over the weekend!

I cannot believe that the 18 months is up already!

Yeah: spell advice the American way.

[daveshookme]

But no, no actual advice. I can try to get some for you at work this weekend, places to hit. I know I know people who have been to Scotland, I don't know of anybody who's been to Bali but it's possible. I'll get back to you.

Edit: have a blast, man!

[aeroshady]

Originally Posted by daveshookme

Yeah: spell advice the American way.

A little story about this: I actually work for a Scottish based company (William Grant & Sons). As a result, the computer marks anything spelled the "American" way as incorrect. I have slowly given in.

Words I use on a daily basis that I spell "non-American" now:

Mould
Favourite
Colour

I know....it pains me too....

Originally Posted by daveshookme

But no, no actual advice. I can try to get some for you at work this weekend, places to hit. I know I know people who have been to Scotland, I don't know of anybody who's been to Bali but it's possible. I'll get back to you.

Edit: have a blast, man!

Awesome! Thanks!

[diableri]

Originally Posted by aeroshady

A little story about this: I actually work for a Scottish based company (William Grant & Sons). As a result, the computer marks anything spelled the "American" way as incorrect. I have slowly given in.

Words I use on a daily basis that I spell "non-American" now:

Mould
Favourite
Colour

I know....it pains me too....



Awesome! Thanks!

How YOU doin there big guy?!

[aeroshady]

Originally Posted by diableri

How YOU doin there big guy?!

Please note: I don't get free samples

[daveshookme]

righteous stuff

https://i.redd.it/6hai6cs0298z.jpg

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by lockman21

Nice! That's what I did to Amsterdam. Ended up in Global First on a United 777-200 IAH > AMS, then spent some time in London on my way back and had Flagship First on an AA 777-300 coming back LHR > DFW.

Awesome when standby works well

Forgot to mention this: Apparently I have a push to talk button on the side of my headphones (I knew it was there, I never knew what it was). Flying BOS ALB I managed to press it while I was talking to the captain and may have transmitted a sentence to Boston Center. oops.

In other news, there's a new open bid for FAA Air Traffic Control now. Opened yesterday, it'll be open for 5 more days. I made it through the entire testing process for the last one and and was one of about 3500 people who did so and wasn't hired, out of about 28k applicants. They ended up hiring about 1400 people total. Hope I have better luck this time!

[Peregrine]

For anyone in need of some nature travel inspiration, tune in to EarthLive tonight - should be pretty epic.

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by aeroshady

Okay, so here I am, less than one week from heading to my Wedding and Honeymoon. Wedding will be in Scotland (Isle of Skye) and the honeymoon is going to be in Bali!

So, any last minute advise for either? I have been to Scotland, though not the highlands. I have never been to Bali before! I also just got my SCUBA certification over the weekend!

I cannot believe that the 18 months is up already!

Nice man, have fun. Update us when you get a chance. Sounds amazing.

Originally Posted by daveshookme

righteous stuff

https://i.redd.it/6hai6cs0298z.jpg

Am I dumb or something? I don't get it.

Originally Posted by Peregrine

For anyone in need of some nature travel inspiration, tune in to EarthLive tonight - should be pretty epic.

Sweet, thanks for the heads up. Read in the other thread that you were invited to be attend part of it. Sounds pretty incredible man. If you get a chance maybe you can post something about it all.

I've been in Vancouver for a week. Love it here, good to see family, but it's so expensive. Going to glacier national park on Tuesday for a week which I'm excited about. Will be good to get some hiking and rafting in. Then Chicago for a week. I'm starting to realize that I really have no desire to live in America again. I don't mean this harshly because I do love the states, but I'd rather just go to visit family/friends. Unfortunately, the reality of keeping my green card will force me to go back for at least a few years. I think ill do one more year in Granada, then a year or two in Mexico then try the us for a few years until I can get my citizenship.

Anyone else been traveling or have trips coming up?

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by SmoothG

Nice man, have fun. Update us when you get a chance. Sounds amazing.







Am I dumb or something? I don't get it.







Sweet, thanks for the heads up. Read in the other thread that you were invited to be attend part of it. Sounds pretty incredible man. If you get a chance maybe you can post something about it all.



I've been in Vancouver for a week. Love it here, good to see family, but it's so expensive. Going to glacier national park on Tuesday for a week which I'm excited about. Will be good to get some hiking and rafting in. Then Chicago for a week. If anything, this trip has made me realize that I really have no desire to live in America again. I don't mean this harshly because I do love the states, but I'd rather just go to visit family/friends. Unfortunately, the reality of keeping my green card will force me to go back for at least a few years. I think ill do one more year in Granada, then a year or two in Mexico then try the us for a few years until I can get my citizenship.



Anyone else been traveling or have trips coming up?

Easy jet is a very low budget carrier in Europe and mandates your print off your own boarding pass. This guy took it one step further and printed his the size of a damn billboard.

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by daveshookme

Easy jet is a very low budget carrier in Europe and mandates your print off your own boarding pass. This guy took it one step further and printed his the size of a damn billboard.

Ah yah, gotcha, flown them a few times. They're great as long as you print your ticket and don't check a bag. I was just too slow to realize he was taking the piss out of their boarding pass policy. That's kinda funny.

[FromTheMorning]

Been home in Chicago for the past month and had an absolute blast. Back to Melbourne tomorrow. Definitely excited to get back but dreading the flight

[SmoothG]

Xanax and a few drinks.

[SmoothG]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/c...ter_the_plane/

It's been done in here before but it's one of the top ask reddit questions right now. I always get an aisle and I always stand up when the fasten seatbelt comes off. Don't ever move ahead and don't ever need anything from above. I've been flying for hours and want to stretch my legs.

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by FromTheMorning

Been home in Chicago for the past month and had an absolute blast. Back to Melbourne tomorrow. Definitely excited to get back but dreading the flight

Nice, do anything interesting? Pizza, portillos, Mexican...? I always remember Aus having terrible Mexican. At least in New South Wales anyway.

[FromTheMorning]

Originally Posted by SmoothG

Nice, do anything interesting? Pizza, portillos, Mexican...? I always remember Aus having terrible Mexican. At least in New South Wales anyway.

All of the above. Reason for the trip home was to stand at a friend's wedding. Was a lot of fun. Happy to be able to call Chicago home, I really love it.

You're correct about the Mexican. My first two meals when I got home were Portillos and this little Mexican spot by my parents house. That said, the Asian food there is top stuff. I'd say I eat Vietnamese in Melbourne more than any other cuisine.

[Jordan#41]

Anyone know the breakdown of a yearly cost for the Delta/Jetblue lounges? I fly quite often (mostly domestic)

Thanks

[SmoothG]

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tr...eritage-sites/

Newest unesco world heritage sites.

[daveshookme]

Originally Posted by Jordan#41

Anyone know the breakdown of a yearly cost for the Delta/Jetblue lounges? I fly quite often (mostly domestic)



Thanks

I can find out for ya if you give me a few days

[CrushLive]

Any general advice and restaurant recommendations for Milan, Florence & Venice?

[DIDriveOut2SPAC]

Originally Posted by Jordan#41

Anyone know the breakdown of a yearly cost for the Delta/Jetblue lounges? I fly quite often (mostly domestic)

Thanks

Its getting harder and harder to get access without airline status or American Express.

Days passes hover around 50$ for most domestic airlines lounges. JetBlues lounge at JFK is free to enter but it is capped.
EU lounges seem to be a bit cheaper.

You can try using loungebuddy app on your phone, to get a discounted passes at airports you are travelling to.

I have status with Delta, United, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar if you email me I can usually forward entry to you. All you need is to A. let me know at least two weeks ahead of time and B - flying on these airlines, their subsidies or an airline that code shares with them.

[DIDriveOut2SPAC]

Originally Posted by CrushLive

Any general advice and restaurant recommendations for Milan, Florence & Venice?

In my opinion these restaurants are a must:

Milan
Casa Del Pane
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._Lombardy.html

Luca e Andrea
https://www.yelp.com/biz/luca-e-andrea-milano

Florence
Trattoria Al Tranvai< - so great we went twice on one trip. true locals place in an overall tourist infested city. Act Accordingly.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/al-tranvai-firenze

Alla Vecchia Bettola
https://www.yelp.com/biz/alla-vecchia-bettola-firenze

5ecinque - Its vegetarian, but its doesnt deter the experience.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/5-e-cinque-firenze

Venice
Trattoria Borghi - true locals place in an overall tourist infested city. Act Accordingly.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-s...tefano-venezia

[rmp207]

Does anyone have any advice on Iceland? I was looking to go early spring or late fall. It's a bit easier for me to take longer vacation during the off months.

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by DIDriveOut2SPAC

Its getting harder and harder to get access without airline status or American Express.

Days passes hover around 50$ for most domestic airlines lounges. JetBlues lounge at JFK is free to enter but it is capped.
EU lounges seem to be a bit cheaper.

You can try using loungebuddy app on your phone, to get a discounted passes at airports you are travelling to.

I have status with Delta, United, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar if you email me I can usually forward entry to you. All you need is to A. let me know at least two weeks ahead of time and B - flying on these airlines, their subsidies or an airline that code shares with them.

Originally Posted by DIDriveOut2SPAC

In my opinion these restaurants are a must:

Milan
Casa Del Pane
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._Lombardy.html

Luca e Andrea
https://www.yelp.com/biz/luca-e-andrea-milano

Florence
Trattoria Al Tranvai< - so great we went twice on one trip. true locals place in an overall tourist infested city. Act Accordingly.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/al-tranvai-firenze

Alla Vecchia Bettola
https://www.yelp.com/biz/alla-vecchia-bettola-firenze

5ecinque - Its vegetarian, but its doesnt deter the experience.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/5-e-cinque-firenze

Venice
Trattoria Borghi - true locals place in an overall tourist infested city. Act Accordingly.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/trattoria-s...tefano-venezia

Can always count on quality posts from you.

Originally Posted by rmp207

Does anyone have any advice on Iceland? I was looking to go early spring or late fall. It's a bit easier for me to take longer vacation during the off months.

I've never been but a few places some friends have talked about are: the volcano hekla, the blue lagoons, stand (or maybe touch) two different techtonic plates, see the northern lights, lots of glaciers, geisers, and waterfalls. Renting a car seems to be the best way to get around. And I've heard that reykjavik has some good nightlife. Going by yourself? How long you thinkng?

[FromTheMorning]

Originally Posted by rmp207

Does anyone have any advice on Iceland? I was looking to go early spring or late fall. It's a bit easier for me to take longer vacation during the off months.

Lovely country, would highly recommend. How long would you want to go for? I think anything less than 10 days would be selling it short. I've spent a week there and have to go back again to see the rest of the country.

[FromTheMorning]

Currently at a bit of a crossroads. Have 5 months left on my visa and am not confident that I'll be able to find work here that will be able to sponsor me and allow me to stay here long-term. I could go do agricultural work for three months and get my second-year visa, but really don't want to go that route mainly for career reasons. So over the past couple days I've switched my plan to staying here doing temp work until my visa expires, go back to the States for a visit around Christmas time, then head to Hanoi and get TEFL certified and start teaching. Or I could just be a normal person, go back to Chicago while I'm still only 27, and find a secure job with benefits and pick up where I left off on my quest for a wife, 2.5 children, and a picket fence. Don't think I'm ready for that yet though. Decisions decisions.

[SmoothG]

Originally Posted by FromTheMorning

Currently at a bit of a crossroads. Have 5 months left on my visa and am not confident that I'll be able to find work here that will be able to sponsor me and allow me to stay here long-term. I could go do agricultural work for three months and get my second-year visa, but really don't want to go that route mainly for career reasons. So over the past couple days I've switched my plan to staying here doing temp work until my visa expires, go back to the States for a visit around Christmas time, then head to Hanoi and get TEFL certified and start teaching. Or I could just be a normal person, go back to Chicago while I'm still only 27, and find a secure job with benefits and pick up where I left off on my quest for a wife, 2.5 children, and a picket fence. Don't think I'm ready for that yet though. Decisions decisions.

Decisions decisions. If you could find a job to stay in Aus, would you want to? What type of job would you stay for? What about a whv in nz? Or are you set on going back to sea?

If you are truly set on teaching esl in south east Asia (or anywhere else in the world) I can send you a pm instead of boring everyone here. You really have to decide what type of esl teacher you want to be. Why Hanoi? What type of certificate? A celta hopefully. Celta's cost about $1500 and all but guarantee decent work in Asia. And the rest of the world. You doing this for the adventure and travel...or as a money grab? You could save $10,000 in Korea in a year. Japan is usually a step below. China offers less monitarily, but the quality of life and the cost of living is so low it offers a better. I'm rambling...you need to decide on a country or region that fits what you're looking for!

If I were you, I'd finish out your year in Aus, then try a year in sea teaching English and see what happens from there.

I'm in Chicago now, been a good week visiting, love this city, but can't imagine having to work and live here. Back to Granada on Wednesday, start teaching again next week. Defo gonna be my last year...getting to Morocco and the alps are on my list for next year.

[FromTheMorning]

Originally Posted by SmoothG

Decisions decisions. If you could find a job to stay in Aus, would you want to? What type of job would you stay for? What about a whv in nz? Or are you set on going back to sea?

If you are truly set on teaching esl in south east Asia (or anywhere else in the world) I can send you a pm instead of boring everyone here. You really have to decide what type of esl teacher you want to be. Why Hanoi? What type of certificate? A celta hopefully. Celta's cost about $1500 and all but guarantee decent work in Asia. And the rest of the world. You doing this for the adventure and travel...or as a money grab? You could save $10,000 in Korea in a year. Japan is usually a step below. China offers less monitarily, but the quality of life and the cost of living is so low it offers a better. I'm rambling...you need to decide on a country or region that fits what you're looking for!

If I were you, I'd finish out your year in Aus, then try a year in sea teaching English and see what happens from there.

I'm in Chicago now, been a good week visiting, love this city, but can't imagine having to work and live here. Back to Granada on Wednesday, start teaching again next week. Defo gonna be my last year...getting to Morocco and the alps are on my list for next year.

My background is in Marketing which is not considered a skilled job for visa purposes. I'd be happy to stay here for another couple years if I could land a stable job, but the English thing is really nagging at me, like I know I want to do it and would regret not going through with it.

I've just really wanted to get back to Hanoi ever since I was there. I've never been so captivated by a city like I was with Hanoi, kind of hard to explain I guess. It seems there is a decent market for ESL teachers there. I'd probably get my CELTA through Apollo there but would be open to advice. PM me if you don't mind.

And yes I'm absolutely finishing my year in Aus. But time flies and I want to start planning my 2018.

[rmp207]

Originally Posted by SmoothG

Can always count on quality posts from you.



I've never been but a few places some friends have talked about are: the volcano hekla, the blue lagoons, stand (or maybe touch) two different techtonic plates, see the northern lights, lots of glaciers, geisers, and waterfalls. Renting a car seems to be the best way to get around. And I've heard that reykjavik has some good nightlife. Going by yourself? How long you thinkng?

My wife and I plan on going for around 10 days. She likes to relax at home for a few days whenever we take a trip, it would be a hard sell to convince to travel the entire two weeks. I plan to fly out of JFK the airfair is 1/3 of what it would cost, to take a connecting flight from my local airport. I will deff be renting a car for most of the trip and hitting as many spots as realistically can.

From the morning do you have any spots you regret not going to our would deff recommend? I plan on taking day hikes, nothing to crazy but were both in decent shape.