Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

[burd]

Not yet.... suggestions?

No, But I stayed at a couple resorts there and was surprised to see how golf oriented they were. The links looked beautiful. I have no idea why that surprised me. Ignorant American assumptions, I guess.

[mookie1995]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

No, But I stayed at a couple resorts there and was surprised to see how golf oriented they were. The links looked beautiful. I have no idea why that surprised me. Ignorant American assumptions, I guess.

have only been in Istanbul (and that was for a long weekend). mookie will look into it, thanks.

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Tourism Day 1, in Moscow. My work in Russia is done, so now I get to see the sites. Going to Kremlin, St. Basil's, Red Square, and seeing the Moscow Metro today, along with whatever else catches my eye along the way.

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Moscow update:

My tour yesterday was incredible. It was a personal 8 hour tour, covering an amazing breadth of sites. The tour guide was very well informed and she really did a great job of explaining everything and making it fun and interesting. Some of the specific sites I saw were Red Square, Kremlin, GUM, St. Basil's, Metro (like 8 stations), Armoury, Lenin Library, Bolshoi Theater, a monestary, and a traditional Russian restaurant for lunch. The tour was very history-centric, on my request (I'm a history buff), but my guide was an art history major and knew a bunch about art and architecture, so it included quite a bit in those areas too. The tidbits on the architecture and the changes in architecture in different eras was very interesting. I don't imagine many here will get the opportunity to visit Moscow, but if you do, take it. And get a private tour. It was some of the best money I've spent on a vacation.

Afterward, I found an awesome craft beer bar (dare I say, better than any in the Twin Cities?), and met up with a friend of a guy in my beer group that lives here. He took me to a few good bars, and a burger place. Really a fun night.

Today I was on my own. I slept in, and then wandered down to Red Square. Took more pictures, and did some Christmas shopping at Gum, and in the Christmas market set up in Red Square. Got lunch, dropped my stuff at the hotel, and found another beer bar, that is almost as awesome as the one last night, near my hotel.

I think people in the US see Russia as an almost mystical place that we cannot visit. That it is dangerous, that Russia is our enemy. I have to say, I have seen none of that while here. People have been warm and welcoming. Some curious about what I'm here for, but not hostile in the slightest. The language barrier is a challenge, a bigger challenge than anywhere else I've been, but it isn't a deal breaker. People are usually willing to work with you to communicate, and Google translate has been very helpful a few times. Hell, one night we got hammered with a bunch of locals in Tyumen, and a beer bar with live music, everyone was great, and friendly, and just fun to hang out with. When it is all said and done, I have seen or experienced a single thing that would give me pause to recommend an American visit Russia.

[burd]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Interesting. Thx for that, blue.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Oh I'd definitely go, I'd just be a little more on guard than usual and definitely avoid bringing up Putin or politics. But as an American, that is a good rule to follow wherever you go.

[SJHovey]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Moscow update:

My tour yesterday was incredible. It was a personal 8 hour tour, covering an amazing breadth of sites. The tour guide was very well informed and she really did a great job of explaining everything and making it fun and interesting. Some of the specific sites I saw were Red Square, Kremlin, GUM, St. Basil's, Metro (like 8 stations), Armoury, Lenin Library, Bolshoi Theater, a monestary, and a traditional Russian restaurant for lunch. The tour was very history-centric, on my request (I'm a history buff), but my guide was an art history major and knew a bunch about art and architecture, so it included quite a bit in those areas too. The tidbits on the architecture and the changes in architecture in different eras was very interesting. I don't imagine many here will get the opportunity to visit Moscow, but if you do, take it. And get a private tour. It was some of the best money I've spent on a vacation.

Afterward, I found an awesome craft beer bar (dare I say, better than any in the Twin Cities?), and met up with a friend of a guy in my beer group that lives here. He took me to a few good bars, and a burger place. Really a fun night.

Today I was on my own. I slept in, and then wandered down to Red Square. Took more pictures, and did some Christmas shopping at Gum, and in the Christmas market set up in Red Square. Got lunch, dropped my stuff at the hotel, and found another beer bar, that is almost as awesome as the one last night, near my hotel.

I think people in the US see Russia as an almost mystical place that we cannot visit. That it is dangerous, that Russia is our enemy. I have to say, I have seen none of that while here. People have been warm and welcoming. Some curious about what I'm here for, but not hostile in the slightest. The language barrier is a challenge, a bigger challenge than anywhere else I've been, but it isn't a deal breaker. People are usually willing to work with you to communicate, and Google translate has been very helpful a few times. Hell, one night we got hammered with a bunch of locals in Tyumen, and a beer bar with live music, everyone was great, and friendly, and just fun to hang out with. When it is all said and done, I have seen or experienced a single thing that would give me pause to recommend an American visit Russia.

My brother, who speaks fluent Russian, has been to Moscow multiple times. His first visit(s) were before the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break up of the old Soviet Union. After those events, he went back. He said it was literally like the difference between night and day. Very normal, friendly and good place to visit.

[leswp1]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Oh I'd definitely go, I'd just be a little more on guard than usual and definitely avoid bringing up Putin or politics. But as an American, that is a good rule to follow wherever you go.

This sure has changed over the years. The lack of integrity and the disrespecting of our allies has really changed the way we are viewed. Before it was fighting the Ugly American stereotype but there was at least respect for our gubmint. Now there is total lack of respect for our gubmint and our leader and a sort of pity for the rest of us. Pity and derision at the ignorance of those who think we should be this way and just pity at being stuck i a place with total idiots for the rest of us. Uncomfortable

[Handyman]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Anyone been to South Africa? Planning to go next August for like 10-12 days. Probably spend most of the time in and around Capetown. Looking for suggestions...

On the agenda for sure is to go on a wine tour and Shark Cage diving

Nice thing is they have a city pass (which the GF and I always get because we like to do as much as possible for as little as possible) which has a 5 day hop on hop off bus tour and all sorts of other goodies

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Anyone been to South Africa? Planning to go next August for like 10-12 days. Probably spend most of the time in and around Capetown. Looking for suggestions...

On the agenda for sure is to go on a wine tour and Shark Cage diving

Nice thing is they have a city pass (which the GF and I always get because we like to do as much as possible for as little as possible) which has a 5 day hop on hop off bus tour and all sorts of other goodies

I’ve got a few friends who’ve been recently, I can dig up a lot. One of them lived in cape town for a few months

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

This sure has changed over the years. The lack of integrity and the disrespecting of our allies has really changed the way we are viewed. Before it was fighting the Ugly American stereotype but there was at least respect for our gubmint. Now there is total lack of respect for our gubmint and our leader and a sort of pity for the rest of us. Pity and derision at the ignorance of those who think we should be this way and just pity at being stuck i a place with total idiots for the rest of us. Uncomfortable

Yeah.... that does not seem real on-base.

[leswp1]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Yeah.... that does not seem real on-base.

My FB feed is full of people from over the pond (Family over there). This is pretty much a synopsis of what they say/post. Before a few yrs ago there were rarely posts relating to politics over here. Lots of their own politics. Now- wooo-eee. They have a very dry humor and some of their posts slay me

[manurespreader]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

Anyone been to South Africa? Planning to go next August for like 10-12 days. Probably spend most of the time in and around Capetown. Looking for suggestions...

On the agenda for sure is to go on a wine tour and Shark Cage diving

Nice thing is they have a city pass (which the GF and I always get because we like to do as much as possible for as little as possible) which has a 5 day hop on hop off bus tour and all sorts of other goodies

My daughter lived there for 6 months and I visited a couple of times. There is no paucity of sharks for sure. The area is quite beautiful, hotels are on the expensive side, there is plenty to do, such as go up table mountain or go to the Cape of Good Hope, which is worth a trip, or the beach, though you are going in winter. ( I went in summer).
Be careful of the Baboons and don't leave your car door open or they will get in. Fresh water is in extremely short suppy so there will be many steps taken to preserve it. My wife did a tour of the townships, given by a local, which she said was really interesting.
Safety is important. Don't go around by yourself. Sometimes people will offer to watch your car. What they really mean is that if you don't let them, they will vandalize it. Do not let any female members of your party walk around unescorted at night, anywhere. We hired private security a couple of times, but not all the time.
Once you get there, talk to a local about safety etc. We visited an Ostrich farm south of town which was pretty interesting, but not cheap. Get the word cheap out of your vocabulary.

[Handyman]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

My daughter lived there for 6 months and I visited a couple of times. There is no paucity of sharks for sure. The area is quite beautiful, hotels are on the expensive side, there is plenty to do, such as go up table mountain or go to the Cape of Good Hope, which is worth a trip, or the beach, though you are going in winter. ( I went in summer).
Be careful of the Baboons and don't leave your car door open or they will get in. Fresh water is in extremely short suppy so there will be many steps taken to preserve it. My wife did a tour of the townships, given by a local, which she said was really interesting.
Safety is important. Don't go around by yourself. Sometimes people will offer to watch your car. What they really mean is that if you don't let them, they will vandalize it. Do not let any female members of your party walk around unescorted at night, anywhere. We hired private security a couple of times, but not all the time.
Once you get there, talk to a local about safety etc. We visited an Ostrich farm south of town which was pretty interesting, but not cheap. Get the word cheap out of your vocabulary.

Yeah I am not expecting it to be cheap at all...though I did find good deals on the cage diving (from a highly reputable company) and combo wine tours. (Viator is my friend in this regard) The City Pass also includes certain things I know we would do (dinner cruise, penguin sanctuary, museums...etc.) and it is really cheap (about half the price it is in places like Paris or California) so that is mitigating some of the cost. Originally wanted to add in some time in Johannesburg but that adds too much in cost right now.

The thing is I have no idea what to think is a good price for airfare. I have been pricing it the last month and it doesnt seem to move much. (usually between $1200-1400 RT with short layover in Amsterdam each way) Now this is way cheaper than the GF and I expected but we dont know if that means it is a good deal or not. Right now I can do airfare and pretty solid hotel for about 11 days for like $3200 total and not sure what to feel about that.

Thanks for the advice about security, I had read similar stuff and was concerned.

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Travel Part 3: Destination Unknown

My FB feed is full of people from over the pond (Family over there). This is pretty much a synopsis of what they say/post. Before a few yrs ago there were rarely posts relating to politics over here. Lots of their own politics. Now- wooo-eee. They have a very dry humor and some of their posts slay me

Agreed. I have friends from Europe, to Africa, all the way across to Japan, and Korea. All I see is amazement that we could elect a guy like trump and near universal condemnations of him. Prior to that? *crickets*