Rincewind Posted 27 April 2012 Posted 27 April 2012 Would love to do that but with no valid passport now and maybe fulltime work looming it is not possible. If I survive a couple more years I could look at it. Pension credits next year. My next SIA license possibly running out in three years it would be a good time for early retirement if anyone wants to put up with an oldish man with creaky bones..
sphericalfox Posted 27 April 2012 Posted 27 April 2012 I thought this thread would have a least one rude joke....very disappointed! You know who you are!
clare Posted 27 April 2012 Posted 27 April 2012 You could do NYC with that budget, definitely. It just depend on accommodation, I.e. how many stars! I went with 2 friends back in October last year and we stayed for 5 nights at the Affinia Manhattan, which is slap bang in the middle of midtown Manhattan and opposite Madison Square Gardens. It's probably a 4 star hotel and the room cost us 1000 quid for 3 of us. So split three ways very good value! I got flights direct from Manchester to JFK with American Airlines for 515 quid. What is expensive is the general day to day stuff: shopping, sightseeing, eating out etc. It was my first time to NYC and I absolutely loved it. We did all the touristy things - Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Memorial, Sex and the City Tour, Coney Island, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Staten Island Ferry and also ate at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant there (massively expensive - I spent $150 on my 5 course dinner and champagne) but it was the best food I've ever had! I'd go back to NYC tomorrow if I could and I'd definitely go there on my tod if I git the chance...
lavrentis Posted 28 April 2012 Author Posted 28 April 2012 Well I've been looking at flights, £594 I've seen for a return flight with Air China stopping off in China en-route to Tokyo. Will be knackering I bet but will be worth it for the price I'd save. Mixed reviews I've seen for Air China
Haydos Posted 28 April 2012 Posted 28 April 2012 Surely a place like New York or Tokyo would fill your time up and make you less lonely. Tbh, If I was to go on holiday on my own I would choose somewhere like that because there's so many things to do. Even though I'd prefer it with a mate I'm sure you'll have a great time if that's your bag. It's one of the best places to go for things to do.
Ozwin Posted 28 April 2012 Posted 28 April 2012 Maybe it'll be like Lost in Translation with you meeting a girl way out of your league and going to parties you have no right to be at whilst falling in love and getting all soppy.
lavrentis Posted 29 April 2012 Author Posted 29 April 2012 Maybe it'll be like Lost in Translation with you meeting a girl way out of your league and going to parties you have no right to be at whilst falling in love and getting all soppy. If only I was as charming and as funny as Bill Murray. Scarlett I'll be honest though Ozwin, this trip has a lot to do with Shenmue
Ozwin Posted 29 April 2012 Posted 29 April 2012 Literally me in disguise aren't you? If I had any will power whatsoever I'd do the same.
lavrentis Posted 29 April 2012 Author Posted 29 April 2012 Literally me in disguise aren't you? If I had any will power whatsoever I'd do the same. Yeah it will be way out of my comfort zone but I'm such a Japanophile and it's like a pilgrimage.
21st Century Fox Posted 29 April 2012 Posted 29 April 2012 If only I was as charming and as funny as Bill Murray. Scarlett I'll be honest though Ozwin, this trip has a lot to do with Shenmue Remember, don't do this!!
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 29 April 2012 Posted 29 April 2012 You could try joining http://www.couchsurfing.org/ It was initially a way to find people who would let you crash on their couch when in a city, for backpackers and hitchhikers, but has developed into more of a travelling community, once you have decided where you want to go, you could sign up, look in that city, see if there are events/meetings that week, or just post your plans and ask if anyone would be willing to show you around the city, it is all free and a bit hippyish, but everyone I have met through it has been sound, (except one annoying rich hippy, Digital SLR with a tie dye scarf for a strap. iphone tucked into her hemp trousers). My mate has people over at least once a month, he had to get police checks etc to make sure he is a model citizen. Some of the chicks he has had stay over at his place are amazing
lavrentis Posted 3 May 2012 Author Posted 3 May 2012 Sorted flights with Alitalia and accomodation for 2 weeks at just over £1k flying 24th July. Leaves me more spending money Thanks for all your help
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 3 May 2012 Posted 3 May 2012 Sorted flights with Alitalia and accomodation for 2 weeks at just over £1k flying 24th July. Leaves me more spending money Thanks for all your help Where to?
lavrentis Posted 3 May 2012 Author Posted 3 May 2012 Guessing Tokyo. You'll be there at the same time as me! Yeah Tokyo. Are you getting the JR Pass or the Seishun 18 Kippu ?
James. Posted 3 May 2012 Posted 3 May 2012 Yeah Tokyo. Are you getting the JR Pass or the Seishun 18 Kippu ? I'd never heard of that pass before - seems like it's only valid from 20 July to 10 September. I'm there from 13 July to 29 July so may end up getting a JR pass for the first week and the Seishun for the second week. It looks pretty cheap although I haven't looked much into its validity, etc.
lavrentis Posted 4 May 2012 Author Posted 4 May 2012 I'd never heard of that pass before - seems like it's only valid from 20 July to 10 September. I'm there from 13 July to 29 July so may end up getting a JR pass for the first week and the Seishun for the second week. It looks pretty cheap although I haven't looked much into its validity, etc. Yeah It will be cheaper getting a pass than buying a fare there. I can't wait to go be honest.
Ozwin Posted 4 May 2012 Posted 4 May 2012 I think it's great you're doing this, what do your mates and that think about you doing it by yourself?
lavrentis Posted 4 May 2012 Author Posted 4 May 2012 I think it's great you're doing this, what do your mates and that think about you doing it by yourself? Some said that they couldn't do what I'm doing, like going on their own but then I just say, I have an opportunity right now, why should I wait until family or friends can afford and want to go to Japan. It's not worth waiting because it will probably never happen at least until a long time. Others think it's a good idea and they are quite happy that I'm doing it but the thing is I might meet other people out there. I suppose it is not uncommon for people to go travelling on their own. I'm not really going to "find myself", just to experience the culture, the sights and see the way of life really.
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 4 May 2012 Posted 4 May 2012 I think it's great you're doing this, what do your mates and that think about you doing it by yourself? I think you answered you're own question, clearly he has no mates if his doing it on his own Fairplay to you mate, i thought i was really confident then i travelled on my own and my self confidence just grew and grew. Meeting knew friends trying new things, going places i wouldn't normally do etc. You will have a ball
Langston Posted 4 May 2012 Posted 4 May 2012 The mrs went off on her holidays to the States with family a few years back, ended up travelling to Singapore for a week on my own while she was away and had the most awesome time. Unbelievable place. Definitely heading back to that region next year or that after - thinking Malaysia / Indonesia.
Rincewind Posted 4 May 2012 Posted 4 May 2012 I've always gone on my own since around 1974. My father died in 73 (?) and I thought I needed to get away. I think it was Austria. Cost about 90-100 quid for a fortnight. Enjoyed myself. Went on a couple of excursions visited the ski-slope of the olympics crossed one of the highest bridges that leads to Italy. Visited a village in Italy that borders Austria and had a few beers. Since then I have been Crete, Malta, Bavaria, Bulgaria, Spain, Majorca Isle Of Man to name a few. Never felt too lonely although I like my own company and never went out of my way to mix with others. I usually do maybe one or two excursions do the night out if there is one and make my way about where ever I am on my own. Although this has been bad for me a couple of times by being targeted by muggers. That isthe only thingyou have to be aware of. Not been for a few years. I don't like the hassle at the Airport. You can't leave cases unattended so if I go to the Airport bar or toilet whilst waiting I have to take my cases with me if waiting to be signed in delayed etc. May start going again nearer my retirement or after. You can get some good trips for OAP's.
welck12 Posted 4 May 2012 Posted 4 May 2012 Some said that they couldn't do what I'm doing, like going on their own but then I just say, I have an opportunity right now, why should I wait until family or friends can afford and want to go to Japan. It's not worth waiting because it will probably never happen at least until a long time. Others think it's a good idea and they are quite happy that I'm doing it but the thing is I might meet other people out there. I suppose it is not uncommon for people to go travelling on their own. I'm not really going to "find myself", just to experience the culture, the sights and see the way of life really. I've always done all my traveling on my own, I prefered it that way. You have more freedom to just up and leave somewhere else, dont have to worry about doing things you dont want to. Plus you will meet a lot more people if your on your own as you'll just sit and caht to anyone who's around as oppose to talking to you mates/family all the time. The other thing i found being on my own is i seemed to find a lot of little random things to do in places (due to talking to random strangers more) which other people missed out on
Captain... Posted 4 May 2012 Posted 4 May 2012 I've always done all my traveling on my own, I prefered it that way. You have more freedom to just up and leave somewhere else, dont have to worry about doing things you dont want to. Plus you will meet a lot more people if your on your own as you'll just sit and caht to anyone who's around as oppose to talking to you mates/family all the time. The other thing i found being on my own is i seemed to find a lot of little random things to do in places (due to talking to random strangers more) which other people missed out on I would agree with that, when I go away with mates, it often ends up sitting in a bar having a few drinks and chatting, when you are on your own you tend to make more of the place you are in.
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