The holiday thread

[Blackmac]

Booked 10 days at The Datai in Langkawi for Xmas/NY, appear to have neglected to mention it has a fab golf course to my gf…

That was on a travel documentary here a few days ago. Looks sensational

[Sards]

Our holiday season is kicking off the 13th December. Thats our Builders Break....or manufacturing etc. Its normally 15 working days leave with the 5 odd holidays added to it. A lot of my staff are on an extra weeks leave because of service...I am not such a cnut afterall. Or I pay my guys well. Unfortunately we are very committed to January with our work load so will have to split the extra 5 days leave and start work again around the 11th of Jan. That means a very limited time to get all the things done whilst the weather is great in CapeTown. I am still in trauma from that bitter winter we just went through....so am desperately in need of some sun, water and....fishing.

The wife has relented and given the nod for this break to be centred around fishing. Our recent trip to Witsands was a real awakening for me....besides it costing loads to charter the boat , with all the high tech ameneties , the same rule of fishing still applies...if the fish is hungry , it will bite. We have tried some rock and surf but its not a favourite of my boys. They prefer Lagoon and river fishing. I love rock and surf....theres just something about standing with your feet in the shallow water , a rod in your hand with your middle finger lying gently on the line , feeling every movement on your bait , whilst the wind plucks at you and the waves roar in front of you. Its literally a break from all of lifes bullshit.

So...seems there was an ulterior motive to my eldests drive for us to buy a boat...Everytime we looked at a boat , the most important criteria for him was speed to be able to ski. Now I patiently explained to him that there is a huge difference between a speed boat and a fishing boat. A boat of course is absolutely necessary for River and lagoon fishing. Eventually I found a boat after many months of searching that actually serves both purpose. I have images of my eldest and his mates skii-ing at Langebaan lagoon. Apparantly they have all the kit to ski...but dont have a boat , and I am the unfortunate father who has been lumped with the responsibility because I have a skippers license.

So...the boat arrives Sunday and will go into storage after we adjust what needs to be adjusted.

The plan...after the 13th breakup we are going to rent some storage space for the boat at Langebaan lagoon. And find some accomodation. We have from the 14th till the 18th to play at the lagoon. Targeting some good fishing. The 20th we leave for a weekends pre Christmas break at a spot called Die Dam on the East coast. Its just me , my best mate and our 2 eleven year old boys. Those 2 boys are in need of some bonding time together. They play together at club cricket and my mates kid threw the biggest tantrum the one match and at coaching and things went south. The kid seems to be maturing but my son is very wary of him so we are hoping they can build a bridge and get the vok over it. Thats going to be rock and surf. My favorite period I am looking forward to. Then its Christmas with all its bull....Then the 4th of Jan we are going up to the Sedgefield , Wilderness area , for a chartered trip targetting Leervis on the 5th and then a week of exploring the Sedgefield estuary, Then my holiday time is done and its back to the grindstone that is life.

Holiday

First pic is Langebaan lagoon. Second pic is Sedgefield lagoon. 3rd pic is swartvlei lagoon. 4th pic is the boat I bought

[assfly]

I was recently in Zanzibar, for work.

What an unbelievably beautiful place. The best beaches I have ever seen in Africa, great weather, delicious food. Hotel was decently priced and although Stone Town was a bit touristy I picked up some nice gifts for the family at very good prices. Can highly recommend.

[OomStruisbaai]

For me work is holiday. going live on 1 st January, so lots to do. Will be kak living at Struisbaai , working and kms of bodies lining up on the beach.

[Slick]

I was recently in Zanzibar, for work.

What an unbelievably beautiful place. The best beaches I have ever seen in Africa, great weather, delicious food. Hotel was decently priced and although Stone Town was a bit touristy I picked up some nice gifts for the family at very good prices. Can highly recommend.

Meant to be going there in June for work and hoping to stay for a few days after

[Sards]

I was recently in Zanzibar, for work.

What an unbelievably beautiful place. The best beaches I have ever seen in Africa, great weather, delicious food. Hotel was decently priced and although Stone Town was a bit touristy I picked up some nice gifts for the family at very good prices. Can highly recommend.

Meant to be going there in June for work and hoping to stay for a few days after

We looked at it one year. Just wasn't enough activities for the kids. And everything else is available in the garden route

[assfly]

We looked at it one year. Just wasn't enough activities for the kids. And everything else is available in the garden route

They're two very different offerings. From what I saw, there would be plenty to keep kids occupied. And the experience of walking around Stone Town was incredible. The locals are lekka too, so laid back and not aggressive like other parts of the coast. The fish I ate was unreal.

[Sards]

We looked at it one year. Just wasn't enough activities for the kids. And everything else is available in the garden route

They're two very different offerings. From what I saw, there would be plenty to keep kids occupied. And the experience of walking around Stone Town was incredible. The locals are lekka too, so laid back and not aggressive like other parts of the coast. The fish I ate was unreal.

I wasn't really excited until you mentioned the amazing fish. Love eating fish. The fresher the better. The place is more for your honeymoon type traveler. I was in Egypt for 3 years and never visited the pyramids or Karnak. Not interested in rocks. The dolphin diving looks very staged and I am not into the Shark cage diving type experience. I barely go to a mall or the shops and although it's got historical significance, walking spice roads is not for me. OK there are pools and beaches etc. But that is everywhere here anyway.
I can't sit a whole day on the beach. But look thats me. We had booked and there was a problem with our transfer flight so we canceled because it was too messy and went to Knysna instead and had a great week over there. Maybe I am put off by the mess the booking agency made so that's why I lost interest.

[vball]

Just back from Kalahari and Okavango Delta. Out of this world. Animal sightings were superb with right up close to young lions, cheetahs, heyenas, aardwolves and lots of buck type things. Did nit even need the big lens.

Really wanted to get red lechwe running through water but wrong time of year. Next time.

Pangolin Safaris and Ker & Downey are out of this world.

[Sards]

Just back from Kalahari and Okavango Delta. Out of this world. Animal sightings were superb with right up close to young lions, cheetahs, heyenas, aardwolves and lots of buck type things. Did nit even need the big lens.

Really wanted to get red lechwe running through water but wrong time of year. Next time.

Pangolin Safaris and Ker & Downey are out of this world.

That's a great area. Must have been warm. Did you do any Orange river rafting

[OomStruisbaai]

Schools close today. Stay at home. No holiday for me. Going live on 1 January.

[Biffer]

Just booked to go to Greece in April. Had a pile of BA points, paid £2 for return flights.

[Tichtheid]

Two days in Glasgow late January.

Beat that.

[Dan54]

Well, I turned 70 in Sept, so decided to do a last longish trip to UK (and a bit of Europe). Mrs Dan decided to breal her ankle in 3 places late July (tramping up Mt Taranaki), so had to put on hold . Went end Of Oct, and changed it to just Wales and England, returned last week. Will say best holiday we have ever had, 2 weeks staying in the Rhondda valley in Wales, loved every moment, just exploring area with friend from Aus (he actuallu Welsh from there), then rented a car and Mrs and I thoroughly enjoed another couple of weeks through mid Wales and over in general area of Cotswolds. Will say to Welsh and English posters, loved my time in both places, enjoyed all the people I had the pleasure of meeting. Couple of highlights for me as an old rugby fella, was visiting Cardiff Arms Park, and best was going to Rugby School. Had 4 days in Kuala Lumpur to break up trip home, wasn't a great fan, but ok.
So to sum it up great holiday, with memories that will last us for quite sometime.
Other thing I am convinced I a bit old to travel that far again, too hard to get over it, so propbably just stick with here in NZ and perhaps a few trips to Aus from now on. Though see what happens when and if we forget about the sitting around in airports?

[Enzedder]

Our last trek was a toughy with both of us struggling with old injuries and too much walking involved. Not doing that again and the waterfalls and beaches can keep rolling along without me.

We stopped going on holiday with all the riffraff a few years ago and our next one (vehicle based) planned for March (all going well). Forgotten Highway and East Coast (for the Kiwis on here)

[Dan54]

Our last trek was a toughy with both of us struggling with old injuries and too much walking involved. Not doing that again and the waterfalls and beaches can keep rolling along without me.

We stopped going on holiday with all the riffraff a few years ago and our next one (vehicle based) planned for March (all going well). Forgotten Highway and East Coast (for the Kiwis on here)

Forgotten Highway just up the road from me NZer, good drive I think, especially when you stop and read some of notiveboards on roadside that tells of history etc of it getting it built. Of course you can stop at the Whangamomona hotel and buy a passport for the replublic. I must admit I keen on doing the East Coast too.

[TedMaul]

Going to Capetown next month: aiming for Hermanus and George whilst there, any recommendations very welcome!

[mat the expat]

Planning a cold-climate visit to Japan in Feb/March.

Our delayed 25th anniversary. The Lady of the House is very accommodating of my Martial Arts Trips so this time, no Budo, just tourism.

Lots of hot springs and good food

[Sards]

Planning a cold-climate visit to Japan in Feb/March.

Our delayed 25th anniversary. The Lady of the House is very accommodating of my Martial Arts Trips so this time, no Budo, just tourism.

Lots of hot springs and good food

Nice...not the cold but very nice

[Sards]

Going to Capetown next month: aiming for Hermanus and George whilst there, any recommendations very welcome!

Hermanus and George are far apart. If you mean Knysna and George, we are there for a week every summer. Our favorite spot atm. We stay in Wilderness. Its central to all the activities taking place there. A short drive to Sedgefield. Here you can paraglide off Sedgefield hill. Fish. Swim in warm water at the estuary. Quad bike. Wilderness has the best restaurants around. Selena's for a fishy vibe with stunning views or Joplins for a meaty affair., are our favorites. Its a short drive to George if you are into malls etc.

So my recommendation is Wilderness. We booked in February already when booking opened. After New year the accommodation loosens up and rates are better. We go first week January

[Sandstorm]

Going to Capetown next month: aiming for Hermanus and George whilst there, any recommendations very welcome!

Hermanus and George are far apart. If you mean Knysna and George, we are there for a week every summer. Our favorite spot atm. We stay in Wilderness. Its central to all the activities taking place there. A short drive to Sedgefield. Here you can paraglide off Sedgefield hill. Fish. Swim in warm water at the estuary. Quad bike. Wilderness has the best restaurants around. Selena's for a fishy vibe with stunning views or Joplins for a meaty affair., are our favorites. Its a short drive to George if you are into malls etc.

So my recommendation is Wilderness. We booked in February already when booking opened. After New year the accommodation loosens up and rates are better. We go first week January

Agreed, Wilderness is great.

Hermanus is VERY busy until 6 January, then it quietens down. Lots of decent wine farms for lunch/wine tastings on the hill above the town.

George is a bit lame, but it's only 5 miles from Vic Bay which is a nice beach. If you want a good game reserve nearby I recommend:
https://www.botlierskop.co.za/?utm_camp ... ember_2024

[vball]

Just back from Kalahari and Okavango Delta. Out of this world. Animal sightings were superb with right up close to young lions, cheetahs, heyenas, aardwolves and lots of buck type things. Did nit even need the big lens.

Really wanted to get red lechwe running through water but wrong time of year. Next time.

Pangolin Safaris and Ker & Downey are out of this world.

That's a great area. Must have been warm. Did you do any Orange river rafting

Nothing like that Sards. Did have lots of lions padding around edge of tent.When you wake up and see the huge paw prints 10cm from the tent it gives you a a) great feeling of wow how close and b) well I am alive !
Then elephants at same distance too from the tent. Lots of armed rangers taking us to/from tents.
But wonderful place and if I sell the other kidney, will go back again for sure.

[Sards]

https://insideguide.co.za/cape-town/gar ... rZoJGRq2oA

Some info on the Garden route.

[Hugo]

.

[robmatic]

Just booked to go to Greece in April. Had a pile of BA points, paid £2 for return flights.

Islands or mainland?

[Biffer]

Just booked to go to Greece in April. Had a pile of BA points, paid £2 for return flights.

Islands or mainland?

Islands. My sister lives out in the eastern islands

[Tichtheid]

Does anyone have experience of the fear of flying courses and do they work?

I'm not suddenly going to start short-hauling my way from Edinburgh to Newcastle, but I do feel I'm missing out on stuff

btw, I know that once you get to the airport, statistically the most dangerous part of the journey is done, but that won't get me on a plane

[Hugo]

Does anyone have experience of the fear of flying courses and do they work?

I'm not suddenly going to start short-hauling my way from Edinburgh to Newcastle, but I do feel I'm missing out on stuff

btw, I know that once you get to the airport, statistically the most dangerous part of the journey is done, but that won't get me on a plane

I don't personally. Which part of the flight experience is the challenge for you? Or you've never flown?

I hate the descent and ascent with a passion but can handle the majority of the flight. Trust me, I am a mess at takeoff and when climbing so can perfectly relate to your fear, but once you are cruising along it's fine.

[TedMaul]

Thank you Sands and Sards

[Sandstorm]

Does anyone have experience of the fear of flying courses and do they work?

I'm not suddenly going to start short-hauling my way from Edinburgh to Newcastle, but I do feel I'm missing out on stuff

btw, I know that once you get to the airport, statistically the most dangerous part of the journey is done, but that won't get me on a plane

I don't personally. Which part of the flight experience is the challenge for you? Or you've never flown?

I hate the descent and ascent with a passion but can handle the majority of the flight. Trust me, I am a mess at takeoff and when climbing so can perfectly relate to your fear, but once you are cruising along it's fine.

What about clear air turbulence?

[robmatic]

Just booked to go to Greece in April. Had a pile of BA points, paid £2 for return flights.

Islands or mainland?

Islands. My sister lives out in the eastern islands

Cool, we do a fair few island trips to Kos, Leros etc. due to them being a stone's throw away from us. I think spring in the Aegean is perfect.

[inactionman]

Does anyone have experience of the fear of flying courses and do they work?

I'm not suddenly going to start short-hauling my way from Edinburgh to Newcastle, but I do feel I'm missing out on stuff

btw, I know that once you get to the airport, statistically the most dangerous part of the journey is done, but that won't get me on a plane

A good mate of mine's partner went on one of these, she managed to get out to Sweden on the outbound but couldn't face the return so they has to spend 2 days sorting ferries etc.

So, they do work, as she made the first leg, but you'll need to gird yourself for the return journey. Maybe just fly an outbound to e.g. France and then have train home?

I think BA offered it, bit I can't recall detail I'm afraid - it was a good few years ago now.

[assfly]

I ended up watching heaps of YouTube videos about flying. I figured if I knew the technical aspects of how a commercial plane works, then perhaps it'll help with my reaction to turbulence.

It helped a lot. I still get a bit jittery but nothing like I used to. I've also developed this weird geeky interest in aviation, despite my nervousness of flying.

I also find that sitting in the middle of the plane helps. Probably a placebo but helps me immensely.

[Sandstorm]

I ended up watching heaps of YouTube videos about flying. I figured if I knew the technical aspects of how a commercial plane works, then perhaps it'll help with my reaction to turbulence.

It helped a lot. I still get a bit jittery but nothing like I used to. I've also developed this weird geeky interest in aviation, despite my nervousness of flying.

I also find that sitting in the middle of the plane helps. Probably a placebo but helps me immensely.

Noel Phillips is the man. He climbs aboard all kinds of ancient planes in places that clearly don't do proper maintenance and none have dropped out of the sky. His trips are interesting and funny. Or downright brutal (5 days on Greyhound bus across America or 14 hours on a 737).

https://www.youtube.com/@noelphilips

[Paddington Bear]

Had five days of leave to use before the end of the year and didn’t fancy using it on my in-laws, so did a week’s walking in the West Highlands last week. When you do get a clear day on the mountains there is something incredibly special about the combination of sun and snow, you pay for it by walking into horizontal snow for three hours the next day!

Overall I didn’t find walking conditions wildly different to the summer, you have the place to yourself and there’s enough time to get proper walks in providing you get up and go. Recommended

[Biffer]

Had five days of leave to use before the end of the year and didn’t fancy using it on my in-laws, so did a week’s walking in the West Highlands last week. When you do get a clear day on the mountains there is something incredibly special about the combination of sun and snow, you pay for it by walking into horizontal snow for three hours the next day!

Overall I didn’t find walking conditions wildly different to the summer, you have the place to yourself and there’s enough time to get proper walks in providing you get up and go. Recommended

Yeah, it can be amazing but it's the additional preparedness that people miss, for being able to deal with a sudden break in the weather where there's high winds, extreme cold and zero visibility.

[Slick]

Had five days of leave to use before the end of the year and didn’t fancy using it on my in-laws, so did a week’s walking in the West Highlands last week. When you do get a clear day on the mountains there is something incredibly special about the combination of sun and snow, you pay for it by walking into horizontal snow for three hours the next day!

Overall I didn’t find walking conditions wildly different to the summer, you have the place to yourself and there’s enough time to get proper walks in providing you get up and go. Recommended

Yeah, it can be amazing but it's the additional preparedness that people miss, for being able to deal with a sudden break in the weather where there's high winds, extreme cold and zero visibility.

A guy I know was trying to persuade me to go on a winter hill walk with him over Christmas but I said I'd never dome it before and was looking at getting a guided walk before I went myself. Ahhh, it's no different from summer walking if you have crampons he said. What about navigating and things like cornices?

What are they?

I'm busy that day.

[assfly]

Noel Phillips is the man. He climbs aboard all kinds of ancient planes in places that clearly don't do proper maintenance and none have dropped out of the sky. His trips are interesting and funny. Or downright brutal (5 days on Greyhound bus across America or 14 hours on a 737).

https://www.youtube.com/@noelphilips

Yes he's one I watch. He's taken many a dodgy African flights

[Dogbert]

Forcan Ridge going up to the Saddle in Kintail on Monday - Decent , almost Alpine conditions for an exposed scramble

[Paddington Bear]

Had five days of leave to use before the end of the year and didn’t fancy using it on my in-laws, so did a week’s walking in the West Highlands last week. When you do get a clear day on the mountains there is something incredibly special about the combination of sun and snow, you pay for it by walking into horizontal snow for three hours the next day!

Overall I didn’t find walking conditions wildly different to the summer, you have the place to yourself and there’s enough time to get proper walks in providing you get up and go. Recommended

Yeah, it can be amazing but it's the additional preparedness that people miss, for being able to deal with a sudden break in the weather where there's high winds, extreme cold and zero visibility.

Agreed. Common sense required year round but in much larger quantities in winter. Unfortunately this meant I called off doing the Glenfinnan Munros later in the week