Where are you going.. (Travel Thread)

[Xerxes]

14 hours ago, Blugolds said:

Good tips for travel with kids already, we have traveled multiple times with our twin boys 16mo, basics already covered above, plenty of diapers, wipes, snacks, pacifiers in diaper bag for easy access. Your kids are older so it may not all apply, might be "easier" for you as they are communicating. 

 

As for travel in airport etc. We had small strollers that folded, one for each kid. What we found to be a lifesaver were backpacks! Walking around airport we put the boys in backpacks, we both wore a kid. Small strollers we used as luggage carriers and it frees up both hands and you dont have to keep tabs on the kids. When we got to the gate, we had large bags (like hockey bags) that packed into the backpacks lower compartment, at the gate, the backpack and stroller folded up and went into the gate check bag, drop them at the entrance of the plane and the plane throws them in the belly, when you get off the plane they are there waiting for you, grab them and as soon as we got back to the boarding area we unpacked them, kids back in backpacks, strollers out for carrying stuff etc. 

 

The only way I could figure out movement with kids as well as rolling luggage etc without a monster cart. It worked really well. 

 

Only other challenge was the actual flights, and as stated above, plenty of distractions worked for us. A variety of snacks, we went to the dollar store and bought about $20 worth of cheap trinkets and sticker books that they had never seen before and would give them one when they started getting fussy, then when they got bored, we would switch them out. Helped a lot. Empty water bottles for the kids and fill them at the airport or when walking around at destination. 

 

4yr old might be a little big for a backpack, but 2yr old would work, technically I think they do work for 4yr old depending on size. They have been a lifesaver because the kids are super chill in them, it frees you up to do whatever you need to do without keeping tabs on them and gives you both hands etc. 

 

We usually buy diapers/wipes etc at destination, dont know availability in the area that you will be traveling but what we found was that when traveling you either pay to pack everything and check what you need or pay to buy new when you get there and use what  you need and leave the rest, we found it easier to pack and travel with less, buy what we need when we get there and leave what we dont use, didnt waste much and made everything significantly easier. Just something to consider. 

 

Also the tip on one person responsible for passports was good. The wife loses literally everything constantly so Im that guy. When I travel internationally I have an inside pocket or money belt type thing that holds a credit card and passports, its always on me close so that if a bag is stolen or lost or any other possible issue, we still have money and a way to get home without hassle, the rest I really dont care about and would be a minor inconvenience, but not having $ or passports turns a minor inconvenience into a nightmare. 

kids are a lot of work. 
 

That is why Xerxes manages a diversified portfolio of nieces and nephews. 
 

Much easier, no logistics involved and you get all the upside.  

[lnofeisone]

On 8/31/2024 at 5:49 AM, villainx said:

 

We are in Barcelo Maya resort now.  Weather and water is pretty decent. 

 

Love to hear it. We are headed there during Thanksgiving. Hoping for good weather and lots of pool time for the kids.

[Dinar]

On 8/31/2024 at 10:53 AM, Xerxes said:

kids are a lot of work. 
 

That is why Xerxes manages a diversified portfolio of nieces and nephews. 
 

Much easier, no logistics involved and you get all the upside.  

Yes, and money, but with the right woman, it is so worth it!  People like you - wealthy, well rounded and educated should have kids, rather than people who don't care about their offspring.  Perhaps you are depriving the world of the new Avicenna. 

[Xerxes]

7 hours ago, Dinar said:

Yes, and money, but with the right woman, it is so worth it!  People like you - wealthy, well rounded and educated should have kids, rather than people who don't care about their offspring.  Perhaps you are depriving the world of the new Avicenna. 

Thanks Dinar. Much appreciated. 
 

I actually didn’t know Ibn Sina was written/known as Avicenna in the West.

Edited September 3 by Xerxes

[rohitc99]

Planning a trip to costa rica during thanksgiving week. kids are 21 and 16 who would like to do activities like ziplining, snorkeling, hiking etc

 

can suggestions on the top places to visit during this 8 day trip ? any do's , don't or suggestions ?

[Xerxes]

There we go. That is all I needed. 
report of monkeypox in Kerala 

[backtothebeach]

I read that “monkeypox in Kamala” at first glance, lol.

[villainx]

On 9/4/2024 at 12:05 PM, rohitc99 said:

Planning a trip to costa rica during thanksgiving week. kids are 21 and 16 who would like to do activities like ziplining, snorkeling, hiking etc

 

can suggestions on the top places to visit during this 8 day trip ? any do's , don't or suggestions ?

 

Kids might want to try surfing?

 

It's unlikely you'll be going to southern west side, but Rancho Cielo Alto was good, by Uvita: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YzzQGBCZLaEELa8U6

 

 

 

[Xerxes]

1 hour ago, backtothebeach said:

I read that “monkeypox in Kamala” at first glance, lol.

lol omg 

[ourkid8]

I am going to Chicago to run the Marathon on Oct 13th.  Is there any other runners on this board running the Chicago Marathon? OR, any other upcoming marathons? 

Edited September 25 by ourkid8

[dealraker]

Been in Scotland with Angela for a while, will return home Oct 16.   Making a small circle from Edinburgh, Ft. William, Ballater, then Arbroath.  We day hike focusing on history, remote vistas, book stores, then hit the pub to talk about it with locals.  

 

Long ago now I was with you younger guys doing fairly extreme athletic skill type trips, fitness was my obsession.   At 70 I now have Waldenstrom lymphoma, a more-than-50% blocked left anterior descending artery, and slow growing prostate cancer.  But other than that...

 

Life is great...if you can stand it.   Having a great time in Scotland.  

 

 

Edited September 25 by dealraker

[Xerxes]

23 minutes ago, dealraker said:

Been in Scotland with Angela for a while, will return home Oct 16.   Making a small circle from Edinburgh, Ft. William, Ballater, then Arbroath.  We day hike focusing on history, remote vistas, book stores, then hit the pub to talk about it with locals.  

 

Long ago now I was with you younger guys doing fairly extreme athletic skill type trips, fitness was my obsession.   At 70 I now have Waldenstrom lymphoma, a more-than-50% blocked left anterior descending artery, and slow growing prostate cancer.  But other than that...

 

Life is great...if you can stand it.   Having a great time in Scotland.  

 

 

Only few hours away from Fort William (a city) is an actual for worth seeing :“eilean donan castle”. 
 

Enjoy yr trip. 

 

 

[Xerxes]

50 minutes ago, ourkid8 said:

I am going to Chicago to run the Marathon on Oct 13th.  Is there any other runners on this board running the Chicago Marathon? OR, any other upcoming marathons? 

i keep it at 1 marathon every two - three years 

 

 

[LC]

On 9/4/2024 at 10:05 AM, rohitc99 said:

can suggestions on the top places to visit during this 8 day trip ? any do's , don't or suggestions ?

Not sure if you've booked already - but I love Nosara. Playa pelada there is Olga's a cool cafe/restaurant owned by like 8 french people, Playa guionnes has great fantastic surfing.

[John Hjorth]

2 hours ago, dealraker said:

Been in Scotland with Angela for a while, will return home Oct 16.   Making a small circle from Edinburgh, Ft. William, Ballater, then Arbroath.  We day hike focusing on history, remote vistas, book stores, then hit the pub to talk about it with locals.  

 

Long ago now I was with you younger guys doing fairly extreme athletic skill type trips, fitness was my obsession.   ...  But other than that...

 

Life is great...if you can stand it.   Having a great time in Scotland. 

 

Enjoy Scotland with Angela, Charlie [ @dealraker ] !

[villainx]

1 hour ago, LC said:

Not sure if you've booked already - but I love Nosara. Playa pelada there is Olga's a cool cafe/restaurant owned by like 8 french people, Playa guionnes has great fantastic surfing.

 

You can also check whatever wildlife you think might be laying, hatching, etc.  We were at Ostional during turtle laying season, near Nosara, and despite having to be there hella early, it was fun.

 

Also check out the farmers or extremely local produce markets.  You might think regional fruits would be easily available, but sopates and others exotic stuff were not too easily found.

 

And download offline maps.  

 

 

 

 

[dealraker]

4 hours ago, Xerxes said:

Only few hours away from Fort William (a city) is an actual for worth seeing :“eilean donan castle”. 
 

Enjoy yr trip. 

 

 

We plan to see Eilean Donan on our next trip when we go to the Isle of Skye, it looks fantastic in the photos we see.

[rohitc99]

16 hours ago, LC said:

Not sure if you've booked already - but I love Nosara. Playa pelada there is Olga's a cool cafe/restaurant owned by like 8 french people, Playa guionnes has great fantastic surfing.

thank you. still planning travel. any suggestions what is the best way to book the entire itinerary? individually for hotel, flights etc ?

[LC]

@rohitc99

I've always done it individually because it's usually just me + 1, and I like the flexibility. And it's always a bit of an adventure figuring out how to get from the airport, to the car rental, to an ATM, to the hotel, to here, to there, etc...

 

I think if I were going with a family/bigger group, and less concerned with cost vs. ease of managing a bigger group...certainly easier to book everything together and have it simple and straightforward.

Depends on how you like to travel. 

 

But really it's not too difficult to book flights and rent a car near the airport. From there you can drive to the hotel. I usually find an ATM in a not-sketchy area and take out some colons, but you could also just go straight to the hotel and ask them the best place to take out cash. Really though most places take credit card. 

 

Tamarindo is another area I like, and if you go into the high country in Guanacaste it's a mix of beautiful landscape and a bunch of wind turbines - very cool to see. Rincon volcano by liberia airport is a great area - have stayed a few days there and there's lot of nature-stuff to do, ziplines, waterfall hikes/swims, etc. 

 

Tons of resources online to build an itinerary - have fun

[Vish_ram]

I had a great hike in Dolomites (Italian alps).

 

Few folks who hiked with me said Milford sound NZ is a great place to hike/visit. 

[tede02]

Visited Hilton Head Island in South Carolina in August. Was my first time there. Very nice area. 

[Gamecock-YT]

3 hours ago, Vish_ram said:

 

 

Few folks who hiked with me said Milford sound NZ is a great place to hike/visit. 

 

Rains almost every day and tough to get to, besides that it's nice. Spectacular views. 

[ourkid8]

On 9/25/2024 at 5:42 PM, Xerxes said:

i keep it at 1 marathon every two - three years 

 

 

Great way to stay in incredible shape! 

[Xerxes]

Beautiful White Mountains in NH.
Got lucky with the weather and timing. 
 

Never seen so many pumpkins. 
Beats Canada. 
 

[Xerxes]

On 8/29/2024 at 3:42 PM, hasilp89 said:

Last time i went was Dec 2016 and typically have only ever been in Dec. Nice time to visit IMO. Not boiling and no rain. Might actually be a bit cold in the north. 

Don't think you should have an issue with Visa.

I've enjoyed Rajasthan and would recommend visiting there.

Last time i went to Goa was when i was a kid, remember it just being beaches but prob missing something there.

We went to Rishikesh in 2016 to spread my dad's ashes. Not sure i would go back but was an intersting place. Big yoga/spiritual scene if you're into that stuff.

Mumbai is a whirlwind lots of great food.

I'm actually going this dec/jan with my young kids and Father in Law (it's on his bucket list to get a pic with the Taj Mahal!). Delhi/Rajasthan/Gujrat/Mumbai.

 

Hasilp

 

i am set to arrive in Delhi in December. Flight booked but itinerary not even started.  

Then got the news from Trudeau this past weekend. Does this affect your plans ?