Holiday!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Borderline intellectual functioning?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

A friend I hadn't seen for quite some time called around to my house last week. During the conversation we had he mentioned that he was going to Gdansk in early Novemeber with another mutual friend. He asked me and my girlfriend if we were interested in joining them. I said yes on both our behalves and booked the flight and hotel straight away. I was also asked to keep it a secret from the other friend, so that it would be a surprise on the day for him. Then I had a party last weekend where my girlfriend met this other mutual friend I mentioned for the first time. Unfortunately it didn't go well. To say she dislikes him is an understatement of some considerable proportion. So, this long weekend away is going to be awkward. Hopefully she'll like him better as she'll not be on acid and touchy when we travel. Also, he was painfully drunk so may forget the verbal abuse she showered on him. Mind you, I've been abroad with him many a time and he gets even more drunk and challenging on holiday. Oh yes, this will be fun alright.

[Jackmypie]

Off to the south of France Friday morning, staying there for a night then driving to a place near Genoa Italy the next day and staying there for 8 days

[Katster]

I'm going to Amsterdam on Boxing Day, just for a few days. I have been quite a few times but not for about seven years now. Already seen Anne frank's, been to Ajax, Heineken tour, the holland experience, red light district (tho always worth another visit), hash marijuana hemp museum and the diamond museum. Just wondering what others think are must sees?? I am thinking vondelpark and there is currently a cool sounding art exhibition on at the hermitage. Other than that we will probably just wander around and see what tickles our fancy I guess. What's the deal with smoking over there these days?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

What's the deal with smoking over there these days?

You can still buy gear from the coffee shops in Amsterdam, at the moment. I believe it's up to each Dutch town / city to decide whether they allow the selling of dope. Amsterdam hasn't yet banned it. I think they'd be insane to do so, as I'm pretty sure they'd see a significant drop in tourism. Mind you they did ban fresh mushroom sales a few years ago after a French girl jumped to her death off a bridge there after taking them.

On a side note, I met a DJ who had just come back from playing in Amsterdam before they banned mushrooms. He went so wild that his friends had to lock him in a bedroom. When it went quiet in the bedroom they opened the door to find him lying down and trying to eat his rucksack with his mouth wide open. Turns out he thought he was a python and thought his bag was food. lol

I'm off on holiday to the Welsh coast tomorrow. A friend has got hold of a shed load of mushrooms. Now all I have to do is stop thinking about this python story lest I try to re-create it in my deranged mind. lol

Wishing you safe fun in Amsterdam.

[Katster]

As much as I'm tempted, I wouldn't be taking mushrooms. Truffles are still legal there apparently - we watched a film about it the other day. But I won't be taking them, either. I'm not even sure I will smoke to be honest, just wondered in case the mood takes me. I'm just looking forward to a few chilled out days wandering around eating waffles and drinking milkshake.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

As much as I'm tempted, I wouldn't be taking mushrooms. Truffles are still legal there apparently - we watched a film about it the other day. But I won't be taking them, either. I'm not even sure I will smoke to be honest, just wondered in case the mood takes me. I'm just looking forward to a few chilled out days wandering around eating waffles and drinking milkshake.

Yes, you can still get truffles there. I took the risk a little while ago to have some sent over from there to here. They weren't that good and the risk was a bit too much for my liking, so I'll not be doing that again. I know what you mean about the smoke though, it really is a take it or leave it thing for me also. It's not really something I take in public unless I'm in a field at a festival, as I get paranoid. That said, one of the funniest (for the outside observer) things I've ever done was after leaving an Amsterdam coffee shop having had a smoke (you could still smoke in there in them days).

[mandolin]

After having had a seriously rough few weeks and with a difficult Christmas coming up, Mr Mandolin and I have decided to have a week away in February. We'd like to be somewhere we can sit in the sun and be a bit pampered. Never really done the lying in the sun kind of holiday but we really, really need a rest. Any suggestions?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

After having had a seriously rough few weeks and with a difficult Christmas coming up, Mr Mandolin and I have decided to have a week away in February. We'd like to be somewhere we can sit in the sun and be a bit pampered. Never really done the lying in the sun kind of holiday but we really, really need a rest. Any suggestions?

Hello mandolin. Kind of depends how much you want to spend, how far you are prepared to travel, and also your definition of pampering. Also, do you want a culinary or cultural experience thrown in? Which airport would you want to fly from. I'm afraid, at the moment, all I can think of is questions rather than answers.

[mandolin]

Hi Yoghurt. The only answers I can give to your incredibly sensible questions are: We have 7 days and both of us must go to work the day after we fly back, so jet-lag wouldn't be great. We're not (this time at least) interested in art galleries/museums etc etc. Good - though not necessarily familiar - food is near essential. We'd ideally fly from Manchester, East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford or Birmingham (in order of convenience). Honestly, what we want is to be able to go somewhere, slump, have people give us lovely food and drink, sleep in a comfy bed, not feel that we should join in in any way, sit listening to the ocean/wind/wildlife/anything rather than other people. That would be our definition of pampering. On this holiday, (and, I hope, on this holiday only) we would happily go to a hotel and not feel that we had to leave it for any reason. I'm thinking more of recuperation than having an "experience". If I ruled the world, the west of Ireland or the north of Scotland would be warm in February - I'm particularly feeling the need to be warm. Dubai, Hong Kong or Las Vegas would be my idea of hell. The money question is what is really buggering us up. We could throw a couple (or even a few) grand at it, but that would mean that we couldn't keep the stupidly expensive hospitality package for Glastonbury option open to us if we're not lucky in the resale.

Having typed all of that, I realise that I'm looking for the impossible. But if you or anyone out there had any thoughts, they would be very gratefully received.

[LondonTom]

One of the Thomson Sensatori resorts? (They have them in

Tenerife/Crete ....parents took me to Crete one a few years ago, it was nice for the pampering but a bit dull outside the resort tbh...pricey I think, but 7 days off season shouldn't be to bad)

[oneeye]

Maybe consider a look at Aquaba? Guaranteed warm weather, great value, and not too busy Feb time

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Hi Yoghurt. The only answers I can give to your incredibly sensible questions are: We have 7 days and both of us must go to work the day after we fly back, so jet-lag wouldn't be great. We're not (this time at least) interested in art galleries/museums etc etc. Good - though not necessarily familiar - food is near essential. We'd ideally fly from Manchester, East Midlands, Leeds/Bradford or Birmingham (in order of convenience). Honestly, what we want is to be able to go somewhere, slump, have people give us lovely food and drink, sleep in a comfy bed, not feel that we should join in in any way, sit listening to the ocean/wind/wildlife/anything rather than other people. That would be our definition of pampering. On this holiday, (and, I hope, on this holiday only) we would happily go to a hotel and not feel that we had to leave it for any reason. I'm thinking more of recuperation than having an "experience". If I ruled the world, the west of Ireland or the north of Scotland would be warm in February - I'm particularly feeling the need to be warm. Dubai, Hong Kong or Las Vegas would be my idea of hell. The money question is what is really buggering us up. We could throw a couple (or even a few) grand at it, but that would mean that we couldn't keep the stupidly expensive hospitality package for Glastonbury option open to us if we're not lucky in the resale.

Having typed all of that, I realise that I'm looking for the impossible. But if you or anyone out there had any thoughts, they would be very gratefully received.

Apologies for the delay in responding, but have only just come back from a little break away myself. You could look at some of the Egyptian Red Sea resorts. Another place that springs to mind would be to look into Agadir in Morocco. You'd get flights to both I'd say from Manchester, and could possibly book a hotel seperately after researching on Trip Advisor etc

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

This time next month I'll be on the train to Manchester airport, staying there overnight, and then flying early the next day to Cuba for 2 weeks. I've researched and researched again. We are not going on a package deal so I have had to do a lot of plotting and planning. Now all I need to do is get through what's going to be a real shitty month at work. The thought of the holiday is about the only thing that's stopping me from being totally in the doldrums.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

It's getting close now. Just a few days of work to go. Can't wait to get away from the shite that is work, and all it represents.

[Jackmypie]

Your job can't be too bad if you can afford to go to Cuba for 2 weeks ehh

I'm well jealous though, definitely somewhere I want to visit in my lifetime! What sort of holiday is it? Relax, Cultural, Cigar smoking?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Your job can't be too bad if you can afford to go to Cuba for 2 weeks ehh

I'm well jealous though, definitely somewhere I want to visit in my lifetime! What sort of holiday is it? Relax, Cultural, Cigar smoking?

Hello Jackmypie. I'm living off money that was earned decades ago when I was worked like a dog for no pay. Then about two years ago I finally got paid for all those years of work when I had no other life. I'm running out of the stuff now though, so Cuba and my imminent wedding are my last fandango.

I'm going because I want to see it before it changes. If the USA lifts the embargo it'll change beyond all recognition as it is today. So, I'm going to spend a few pence travelling around the place, trying to get a deeper experience than just the All Inclusive shite that everyone talks about on Trip Advisor about the place. There's very few cultural questions asked on that site, which kind of saddens me. It's dominated by Canadians who just want to get pissed and rub sun cream on to their privates. I guess it's their equivelant of Benidorm.

[PastCaring]

Lucky you - I would love to visit Cuba! A friend from my last job went there twice in a year, which adds up to a whole month, and never managed to travel beyond the hotel enclave and the nearest beach - a total waste of a trip, if you ask me! Do you speak Spanish?

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Lucky you - I would love to visit Cuba! A friend from my last job went there twice in a year, which adds up to a whole month, and never managed to travel beyond the hotel enclave and the nearest beach - a total waste of a trip, if you ask me! Do you speak Spanish?

Unfortunately I don't speak Spanish. I have got an electronic translator that I'll use where necessary. Other than that I'll have to improvise through some sort of sign language. I should imagine the owners of the casa particulars (B&B's) that I stay in will speak English to some extent, if not fluently.

I know what you mean about not getting beyond the hotel enclave. I can't see the point of flying all that way to Cuba if that's all you are going to do. You may as well have a shorter flight and go to Lanzarote or similar. I have a friend who went to Moscow and never got beyond 100 feet of the hotel as he just got drunk all the time. What was the point of that? Mind you I went to Vienna once and did the same thing, so I'm a fine one to talk.

[Katster]

Scarborough today just for a few days, hoping to visit Runswick and Robin Hoods bay which were both childhood favourites of mine. Weather please be kind to us! Thanks.

[Katster]

Beautiful!

[t8yman]

Scarborough is ace, have a great time Katster. Its a bit shitty round here today, but tomorrow is supposed to be really nice.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Glad to hear you are having a nice time Katster. I've always wanted to go to Robin Hoods Bay since I first heard about the place many years ago. I really must pull my finger out on that one.

[Perks]

This time next month I'll be on the train to Manchester airport, staying there overnight, and then flying early the next day to Cuba for 2 weeks. I've researched and researched again. We are not going on a package deal so I have had to do a lot of plotting and planning. Now all I need to do is get through what's going to be a real shitty month at work. The thought of the holiday is about the only thing that's stopping me from being totally in the doldrums.

How was Cuba Yoghurt? Fancy getting there before it changes. I've just come back from Honduras - was badass. lovely people (I don't speak Spanish either - so that bit was interesting!!), shit dog coming back. Still atleast festival season is nearly upon us..that keeps me going

[kaosmark2]

Just come back from Sardinia. Had an amazing 10 days out there and have between utterly sulking all journey about leaving. Managed to get my Kitesurfing back up to the level it was before my recent bout of health problems, caught up with loads of mates I've barely seen and made some new ones. Drank far too much but I enjoyed myself while doing so and don't reckon I'll have any consequences from it apart from a desire to stay fairly sober for the next few Weeks. Gorgeous island, gorgeous water, uncomfortable sand, excess of wine and tasty food.

Fucking hell why do I have to come back to reality?