Feb 7, 2022 3:58:32 GMT @admin said:

The bus system is really good in Hawaii (especially Oahu) no wrestling or theme parks there obviously but I'd say a nicer climate and more beautiful scenery there, plus easier to get to from Australia.

PNW is really good for public transport too.

Hawaii is my happy place, normally do 7 or 8 nights on Maui, then 3 or 4 in Waikiki.
Last time I stayed at the Trump towers

Slight change of plans.

1st of June
Going to Dubai, UAE for 10 days in their scorching hot summer then Colombo, Sri Lanka where they may not have power for several hours a day 🥳

More than likely Vietnam in July with sandylea also

Seriously though I’m looking forward to it, hopefully a fun trip and a culture shock in a good way (more so Sri Lanka).

Mar 28, 2022 7:01:02 GMT System said:

Slight change of plans.

1st of June
Going to Dubai, UAE for 10 days in their scorching hot summer then Colombo, Sri Lanka where they may not have power for several hours a day 🥳

More than likely Vietnam in July with sandylea also

Seriously though I’m looking forward to it, hopefully a fun trip and a culture shock in a good way (more so Sri Lanka).

India in 2000 was the most out of my comfort zone I have ever been, but it was awesome.
There for 4 weeks, lost 15kg and for the first couple of days I could barely move because of the humidity...
You will have a great time.

Now I am old and roughing it for me is a hotel that's rated 4-Stars.... Yes, I am a spoilt asshole.

Mar 28, 2022 7:08:08 GMT iNCY said:

Mar 28, 2022 7:01:02 GMT System said:

Slight change of plans.

1st of June
Going to Dubai, UAE for 10 days in their scorching hot summer then Colombo, Sri Lanka where they may not have power for several hours a day 🥳

More than likely Vietnam in July with sandylea also

Seriously though I’m looking forward to it, hopefully a fun trip and a culture shock in a good way (more so Sri Lanka).

India in 2000 was the most out of my comfort zone I have ever been, but it was awesome.
There for 4 weeks, lost 15kg and for the first couple of days I could barely move because of the humidity...
You will have a great time.

Now I am old and roughing it for me is a hotel that's rated 4-Stars.... Yes, I am a spoilt asshole.

IIRC you’ve been to Dubai, any tips outside of the obvious like not breaking the law? Lol

I’m just doing the basic touristy stuff that’s indoors, staying near the world trade centre

May have had a parasite in India from the stories you told about your time there. They are common from what my Indian friends told me.

Mar 28, 2022 7:21:53 GMT System said:

Mar 28, 2022 7:08:08 GMT iNCY said:

India in 2000 was the most out of my comfort zone I have ever been, but it was awesome.
There for 4 weeks, lost 15kg and for the first couple of days I could barely move because of the humidity...
You will have a great time.

Now I am old and roughing it for me is a hotel that's rated 4-Stars.... Yes, I am a spoilt asshole.

IIRC you’ve been to Dubai, any tips outside of the obvious like not breaking the law? Lol

I’m just doing the basic touristy stuff that’s indoors, staying near the world trade centre

Unless they changed greatly, treat it like a church.  No swearing, do not show knees, dress conservatively, do not be loud, no public displays of affection, ect.  Also try to not to go during Ramadan, as they expect you to follow all of the Ramadan rules as well or something weird.  

Also no pictures of people for any reason without their permission and possession of poppy seeds in any form is illegal.  Weird ass country.  Like you can be arrested for saying fuck.

Edit:  Just remembered, under no circumstance touch a woman.  Guy spent three months in jail for reaching out to stabilize himself from failing using the woman next to him in a bar after that was considered criminal public indecency.   Apparently it is not uncommon to be jailed for shit like this if you are a tourist and a local makes a complaint.  

Mar 28, 2022 7:29:00 GMT c said:

Mar 28, 2022 7:21:53 GMT System said:

IIRC you’ve been to Dubai, any tips outside of the obvious like not breaking the law? Lol

I’m just doing the basic touristy stuff that’s indoors, staying near the world trade centre

Unless they changed greatly, treat it like a church.  No swearing, do not show knees, dress conservatively, do not be loud, no public displays of affection, ect.  Also try to not to go during Ramadan, as they expect you to follow all of the Ramadan rules as well or something weird.  

Also no pictures of people for any reason without their permission and possession of poppy seeds in any form is illegal.  Weird ass country.  Like you can be arrested for saying fuck.

Edit:  Just remembered, under no circumstance touch a woman.  Guy spent three months in jail for reaching out to stabilize himself from failing using the woman next to him in a bar after that was considered criminal public indecency.   Apparently it is not uncommon to be jailed for shit like this if you are a tourist and a local makes a complaint.  

I’ve heard they relaxed some rules for Expo2020 (sic) this year but I’ll take that with a grain of salt. Ramadan is April-May this year & travelling solo so no PDA concerns at least.

The big one will be the picture rules then. Read into them as they may in flux, but can be pretty serious shit. They are weird about taking pictures of people and buildings.

Hoping The situation calms down a bit before I go there, worst case scenario I fly somewhere close by but from what I’ve heard it doesn’t effect tourists that much



Also people asking for souvenirs that I barely know is annoying, or friends when we don’t even get each other birthday gifts. Unless you’re reimbursing me it’s not happening.

So what made you decide on Sri Lanka over all the other places?

Apr 11, 2022 8:07:51 GMT iron maiden said:

So what made you decide on Sri Lanka over all the other places?

It wasn’t that much more expensive to get a multi city ticket
Dubai - Colombo ticket than just a return Dubai ticket. Plus from all accounts I’ve heard + very recent travel vlogs it seemed really nice (just before all this really kicked off 🤦🏻‍♀️) and it’s cheap.

Both UAE & Sri Lanka don’t have Covid testing requirements (just need to be double vaxxed) so I don’t have that to stress about.

We’ll be an experience one way or the other at least 🥳

I have a week in Italy coming up in May after two weeks in NZ.

Apr 11, 2022 13:51:41 GMT iNCY said:

I have a week in Italy coming up in May after two weeks in NZ.

That’s awesome, anything in particular planned for trip or
Is it just work related?

Apr 11, 2022 14:05:03 GMT System said:

Apr 11, 2022 13:51:41 GMT iNCY said:

I have a week in Italy coming up in May after two weeks in NZ.

That’s awesome, anything in particular planned for trip or
Is it just work related?

Just work unfortunately, only highlight is that I think I might spring for business class on Emirates

Apr 11, 2022 14:13:26 GMT iNCY said:

Apr 11, 2022 14:05:03 GMT System said:

That’s awesome, anything in particular planned for trip or
Is it just work related?

Just work unfortunately, only highlight is that I think I might spring for business class on Emirates

Business class on Emirates is a one-bedroom apartment, right?

The right answer is




Honestly I would do Tennessee. Pigeon Forge, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis in that order.

Apr 11, 2022 15:10:57 GMT Gyro LC said:

Apr 11, 2022 14:13:26 GMT iNCY said:

Just work unfortunately, only highlight is that I think I might spring for business class on Emirates

Business class on Emirates is a one-bedroom apartment, right?

Sorry, don't know how I missed your question.
The cubicle is first class, which also gives you access to a shower. I don't know how rich you would have to be before burning 20k on a return flight first class seems like nothing, given that it's twice what business costs.

I would say that first class is to business what premium economy is to economy, about 20-30% better at double the price.
For me, Business is infinitely better than premium economy for one simple reasons... The seats go flat and you can sleep.

More importantly iNCY what sort of plane?

Apr 26, 2022 7:37:32 GMT NATH45 said:

More importantly iNCY what sort of plane?

I think it is the A380-800, I have taken this flight a few times:




The A380 is nice in Business Class, but I prefer the Airbus in Economy and Premium Economy.

I don't really care about the bar, or the food, I just want the lay flat bed.
I am flying to Europe and home in 7 days, so I need to be conscious when I get there and home.

I have flown business with: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, KLM, China Southern, British Airways, American Airlines and probably a few others I forgot.
Emirates is the nicest I have flown, followed in second by Cathay and Singapore Airlines.
The cray thing about Emirates is the first class lounge in Dubai, it is the entire top floor of the terminal, it is crazy and you can board your flight directly from the lounge at any gate.
I don't think I will be able to access this lounge after this year as I don't see myself maintaining my Qantas Platinum status.

Apr 26, 2022 7:55:48 GMT iNCY said:

Apr 26, 2022 7:37:32 GMT NATH45 said:

More importantly iNCY what sort of plane?

I think it is the A380-800, I have taken this flight a few times:




The A380 is nice in Business Class, but I prefer the Airbus in Economy and Premium Economy.

I don't really care about the bar, or the food, I just want the lay flat bed.
I am flying to Europe and home in 7 days, so I need to be conscious when I get there and home.

I have flown business with: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, KLM, China Southern, British Airways, American Airlines and probably a few others I forgot.
Emirates is the nicest I have flown, followed in second by Cathay and Singapore Airlines.
The cray thing about Emirates is the first class lounge in Dubai, it is the entire top floor of the terminal, it is crazy and you can board your flight directly from the lounge at any gate.
I don't think I will be able to access this lounge after this year as I don't see myself maintaining my Qantas Platinum status.

Any advice for travel in Dubai outside of the obvious tips like dressing modestly etc?

Apr 26, 2022 8:34:21 GMT System said:

Apr 26, 2022 7:55:48 GMT iNCY said:

I think it is the A380-800, I have taken this flight a few times:




The A380 is nice in Business Class, but I prefer the Airbus in Economy and Premium Economy.

I don't really care about the bar, or the food, I just want the lay flat bed.
I am flying to Europe and home in 7 days, so I need to be conscious when I get there and home.

I have flown business with: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, KLM, China Southern, British Airways, American Airlines and probably a few others I forgot.
Emirates is the nicest I have flown, followed in second by Cathay and Singapore Airlines.
The cray thing about Emirates is the first class lounge in Dubai, it is the entire top floor of the terminal, it is crazy and you can board your flight directly from the lounge at any gate.
I don't think I will be able to access this lounge after this year as I don't see myself maintaining my Qantas Platinum status.

Any advice for travel in Dubai outside of the obvious tips like dressing modestly etc?

In a somewhat embarrassing piece of news, this will be my 19th flight through Dubai... and I have never left the airport.
I rarely sight see when I travel for work.

You can't take us anywhere.

A US family caused a bomb scare at Israel's main international airport after presenting an unexploded artillery shell at a security check.

www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61267265

Apr 29, 2022 18:25:46 GMT Gyro LC said:

You can't take us anywhere.

A US family caused a bomb scare at Israel's main international airport after presenting an unexploded artillery shell at a security check.

www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61267265

Footage from airport
vt.tiktok.com/ZSdPRyR9p/

I’m too paranoid to take a packet of chips on a plane, just in case there’s an issue yet people do stuff like this or try to bring prohibited fruit & vegetables into Australia despite the multiple warnings not to do so.

Some border fun from Australia:

Apr 29, 2022 18:25:46 GMT Gyro LC said:

You can't take us anywhere.

A US family caused a bomb scare at Israel's main international airport after presenting an unexploded artillery shell at a security check.

www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61267265

You may not like it... But this is what peak freedom looks like

Unsurprisingly Sri Lanka is now on the “reconsider your need to travel list” meaning unlikely my travel insurance will cover me anymore.

Here’s to waiting hours for webjet to reply to me 🤦🏻‍♀️

May 11, 2022 5:59:47 GMT System said:

Unsurprisingly Sri Lanka is now on the “reconsider your need to travel list” meaning unlikely my travel insurance will cover me anymore.

Here’s to waiting hours for webjet to reply to me 🤦🏻‍♀️

They did just burn down the president's house, which tends to be a sign that things are not going particularly well.

Shit happens.

I had a tour of Eastern Europe half-planned out in mid 2016 and then Eastern Europe did what it does best and I got the call telling me, it probably wasn't a good idea.

IIRC, flights went up in price as did travel insurance, and Topdeck - the tour group was altering the itinerary to swing more so into Western Europe.

We spent 1/10 the price on flights and went to NZ instead.

May 11, 2022 22:09:49 GMT iNCY said:

May 11, 2022 5:59:47 GMT System said:

Unsurprisingly Sri Lanka is now on the “reconsider your need to travel list” meaning unlikely my travel insurance will cover me anymore.

Here’s to waiting hours for webjet to reply to me 🤦🏻‍♀️

They did just burn down the president's house, which tends to be a sign that things are not going particularly well.

Earlier this week

I have a really crap schedule and now have too many hours in Dubai airport.