iron maiden, I'm very happy that you're planning a trip with Rogue! I certainly hope that it happens next year for you guys.

iNCY good on you for being a tourist for an afternoon. Any highlights? Did you stop for pasta or gelato or the like?

On my honeymoon, we stopped in Venice for one day/night as we travelled from Switzerland to Rome. I know this is the positivity thread, and I'm in the minority, but man was it overrated. We did the classic touristy stuff but I did not really enjoy it. Definitely the low light of my trip. At the same time, it was beautiful and unique,but I'm thankful we we weren't there for long.

Mar 19, 2023 12:52:56 GMT Foos said:

iron maiden, I'm very happy that you're planning a trip with Rogue! I certainly hope that it happens next year for you guys.

iNCY good on you for being a tourist for an afternoon. Any highlights? Did you stop for pasta or gelato or the like?

On my honeymoon, we stopped in Venice for one day/night as we travelled from Switzerland to Rome. I know this is the positivity thread, and I'm in the minority, but man was it overrated. We did the classic touristy stuff but I did not really enjoy it. Definitely the low light of my trip. At the same time, it was beautiful and unique,but I'm thankful we we weren't there for long.

Like I said I'm not much of a tourist and in Italy there is a lot of the same, old church, a Piazza etc.
I like to just walk and get the city under my feet, I have no interest in queuing to take the same photos everyone else takes.

We found an amazing little bakery and went there both morning, legit the best coffee and pastries of my entire life. I think I took photos.

In Italy I have never had a bad meal, one of the guys I was with was Italian and he has a hard rule about not ordering at any place that has photos of the food out the front or on the menu. It's a solid tip and a good way to avoid tourist traps.
We had 5he traditional spaghetti with clams, it was good but not my best meal in Italy.

Fortunately, most of the time I travel it is with suppliers who are natives and we go to the little family owned hole in the wall places with incredible food.

Switzerland would be a no thanks for me on a holiday, been there twice and it's just too sterile. Other places I wouldn't visit for a holiday include the UK and Germany.

Did you go into The Alps iNCY or stay in Zurich/Bern? The Swiss Alps are incredible.

We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for a few days nursing a Parisian hangover, then spent 6 hours on a bus to Florence nursing a Swiss hangover.

Mar 19, 2023 21:06:12 GMT NATH45 said:

Did you go into The Alps iNCY or stay in Zurich/Bern? The Swiss Alps are incredible.

We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for a few days nursing a Parisian hangover, then spent 6 hours on a bus to Florence nursing a Swiss hangover.

When I was in Switzerland I only stayed in Lucerne. Gorgeous area. We went up Mount Titlis. Lucerne was so peaceful and serene. Agreed, incredible area. I bought an overpriced cuckoo clock that's still up to this day.

I'm going to Italy too next month - doing the south rather than the north though. Incredibly excited, I haven't been overseas in almost a decade!

Mar 19, 2023 22:43:08 GMT @admin said:

I'm going to Italy too next month - doing the south rather than the north though. Incredibly excited, I haven't been overseas in almost a decade!

Avoid the Colosseum and do The Roman Forum.

Mar 19, 2023 21:06:12 GMT NATH45 said:

Did you go into The Alps iNCY or stay in Zurich/Bern? The Swiss Alps are incredible.

We stayed in Lauterbrunnen for a few days nursing a Parisian hangover, then spent 6 hours on a bus to Florence nursing a Swiss hangover.

I have been to Zurich and Lausanne for work
Just struck me that the Swiss are German on one side and Italian on the other.

Mar 19, 2023 22:43:08 GMT @admin said:

I'm going to Italy too next month - doing the south rather than the north though. Incredibly excited, I haven't been overseas in almost a decade!

I have been to Italy about 20 times but never as far south as even Rome. I will be interested to know how you go.
The Amalfi coast is high on my bucket list.

Lately I have been in Tuscany a lot for work and I love it there.


I also went to France for the first time on this trip. previously of never left CDG airport, this time I went to Lyon and Dijon.

Mar 20, 2023 1:13:57 GMT iNCY said:

Mar 19, 2023 22:43:08 GMT @admin said:

I'm going to Italy too next month - doing the south rather than the north though. Incredibly excited, I haven't been overseas in almost a decade!

I have been to Italy about 20 times but never as far south as even Rome. I will be interested to know how you go.
The Amalfi coast is high on my bucket list.

Yes we are doing the Amalfi Coast and Sicily - I will report back!

Went in to briefly say hello to sandylea at her work and her co-worker along with their child were there.

Said person looks at me and takes a step back I’m thinking “wtf did I do?” turns out they read my book and reportedly enjoyed it. Had never seen me before so just putting a face to the name.

Even if they were working me, it made my day.

TIL Tony backwards is Ynot. Y not...Why Not...

I had the best long weekend. On Friday Wife and I did a five hour round trip (through a torrential storm) to see Kurt Vile play in a country town. The gig was absolutely magic, getting to be literally a metre away from my favourite musician while he kills it for 90 minutes will stay with me forever. On Sunday we had a fancy dinner at a new Japanese restaurant in town and then saw Larry Dean at the comedy festival - he was absolutely hilarious and his show was incredibly clever.

And of course plenty of easter eggs and hot cross buns. A good way to end trip around the sun #32.

Apr 10, 2023 23:22:37 GMT @admin said:

I had the best long weekend. On Friday Wife and I did a five hour round trip (through a torrential storm) to see Kurt Vile play in a country town. The gig was absolutely magic, getting to be literally a metre away from my favourite musician while he kills it for 90 minutes will stay with me forever. On Sunday we had a fancy dinner at a new Japanese restaurant in town and then saw Larry Dean at the comedy festival - he was absolutely hilarious and his show was incredibly clever.

And of course plenty of easter eggs and hot cross buns. A good way to end trip around the sun #32.

I bet that show was the tits. Never seen Vile live, on the list though.

Apr 11, 2023 21:11:02 GMT All34LOL said:

Apr 10, 2023 23:22:37 GMT @admin said:

I had the best long weekend. On Friday Wife and I did a five hour round trip (through a torrential storm) to see Kurt Vile play in a country town. The gig was absolutely magic, getting to be literally a metre away from my favourite musician while he kills it for 90 minutes will stay with me forever. On Sunday we had a fancy dinner at a new Japanese restaurant in town and then saw Larry Dean at the comedy festival - he was absolutely hilarious and his show was incredibly clever.

And of course plenty of easter eggs and hot cross buns. A good way to end trip around the sun #32.

I bet that show was the tits. Never seen Vile live, on the list though.

He was so good, you have to make it happen when he's near you. Just a total vibe. 

Kurt must have heard us All34LOL, just announced a July show for Charlotte!

It's unfortunate you have to go several pages back to find this thread.

Don't think it fits in either Ukrainian thread but I *may* have a date on Friday with the woman I mentioned. Won't count my chickens on not getting flaked on until I wake up Saturday but it's kinda positive right?

That is super positive! Where is this lady mentioned?

May 3, 2023 9:57:33 GMT Emperor said:

That is super positive! Where is this lady mentioned?

Last page of the Tensions Thread. I thought it was likely a scam as I am sure those exploded when the war broke out but she might be legit since she's been living in my country for 2 years already so it's a different scenario than one where I'd need to travel or get her to. So we shall see.

Still be careful with this just in case and don't lend cash you expect to be repaid. And give us the details Sat.

May 3, 2023 19:41:48 GMT c said:

Still be careful with this just in case and don't lend cash you expect to be repaid. And give us the details Sat.

Yes please. Especially the update post-date.

What happened to @ness and his potential date? Hopefully the update doesn't go into the Negativity thread.

My five year old now reads books to me at bedtime. So proud of him. Past few weeks it's just clicked and he reads now. Splat the Cat was the big book winner last night.

Isn't that the greatest? When Caycee would read to me, it brought me such joy. Sometimes she would sing to me too. 

Wrong thread but I quietly mentioned it elsewhere that the date/meet up didn't happen. She cancelled "rescheduled" the day and I never back. I could tell she wasn't truly interested since the days leading up it was difficult getting a reply from her. No clue if she was even legit or if the mm was simply cosplaying as a ukranian girl. Lesson learned.

So back in March, the Wife's great-aunt passed away (not a positive, I know), however, apparently she set up trust funds for both of the boys (almost six figures each), let's just say neither one of them has to worry about post-secondary education. Needless to say, both the Wife and I are extremely happy about this, as it's something we won't have to worry about as they get to that point in their lives.

Mar 20, 2023 2:04:46 GMT @admin said:

Mar 20, 2023 1:13:57 GMT iNCY said:

I have been to Italy about 20 times but never as far south as even Rome. I will be interested to know how you go.
The Amalfi coast is high on my bucket list.

Yes we are doing the Amalfi Coast and Sicily - I will report back!

It was absolutely incredible to be honest, we had the best time. My #1 recommendation would be Capri, in my head I thought it might be a bit of a soulless place with all the luxury stores but it was so much more than that, it was incredibly charming and beautiful. A boat tour of the island and the blue grotto really exceeded all my expectations and I would tell anyone who cares to listen to put it on their bucket list.

Sorrento and Positano were also very pretty but a bit lacking in "things to do". I'm glad White Lotus convinced us to go to Sicily because it has a completely different vibe, less touristy, very cheap in places (especially in Catania - we had an incredible charcuterie board for 20 euros that would cost you probably about $100 here) and the architecture in the Baroque towns was stunning. 

The food was obviously absolutely incredible, I had carbonara three different times because it was just so damn good. :lol: I might do a photo diary post in System's travel thread if anyone is interested. 

May 17, 2023 1:56:57 GMT @admin said:

Mar 20, 2023 2:04:46 GMT @admin said:

Yes we are doing the Amalfi Coast and Sicily - I will report back!

It was absolutely incredible to be honest, we had the best time. My #1 recommendation would be Capri, in my head I thought it might be a bit of a soulless place with all the luxury stores but it was so much more than that, it was incredibly charming and beautiful. A boat tour of the island and the blue grotto really exceeded all my expectations and I would tell anyone who cares to listen to put it on their bucket list.

Sorrento and Positano were also very pretty but a bit lacking in "things to do". I'm glad White Lotus convinced us to go to Sicily because it has a completely different vibe, less touristy, very cheap in places (especially in Catania - we had an incredible charcuterie board for 20 euros that would cost you probably about $100 here) and the architecture in the Baroque towns was stunning. 

The food was obviously absolutely incredible, I had carbonara three different times because it was just so damn good. :lol: I might do a photo diary post in System's travel thread if anyone is interested. 

Please post photos... Mostly of the food!!

Yes agreed. I still dream of the food I had in Italy in 2016

I start a new job on Monday! Finally going to be able to save up some money before the move to Chicago. `

May 17, 2023 2:21:17 GMT iNCY said:

Please post photos... Mostly of the food!!

May 17, 2023 12:22:55 GMT Foos said:

Yes agreed. I still dream of the food I had in Italy in 2016

Here I am eating pizza with Julia Roberts, this is the place in Napoli where they filmed Eat Pray Love. You have to take a ticket for a 3 hour wait for a table.

I have never been to Naples, how was the pizza? @admin,
In other parts of Italy my love affair with Buffalo Mozzarella began.

May 24, 2023 1:03:33 GMT iNCY said:

I have never been to Naples, how was the pizza? @admin ,
In other parts of Italy my love affair with Buffalo Mozzarella began.

Amazing, and very consistent too, we also went to a small hole in the wall type place near where we were staying with 1/10th of the queue that I think was even better. It's all about the dough for me, you can taste/feel the freshness in the softness and elasticity.

Fried pizza was also very common which I wasn't really aware of, it makes the crust go crispy.