man, thanks for sharing, interesting ideasThanks Jafo, I am actually lurking and taking notes, as I also plan to see some new places, though I am more looking for a place to escape the scorching heat from April-July.
Ok, here some adventurous ideas: Indonesia, especially east of Lombok (but first drop by the Gilli islands for a week or longer), check out Flores or even Timor Este (this one isn't indo anoymore), or Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Lots of nice places or island off the tourist trail in Philippines as well, if you don't mind the Philippines.
If you like untouched islands, Koh Chang/Koh Payam in south Thailand (different Koh Chang than the one near BKK, very little tourism coz too far for most) have been almost private when I went there (no other people, beside of some stoned guys manning a little shop and the guesthouse owner who took the same boat to the island to open her gh just for me and my 'team'.
If you just want to chill in comfort, few places offer the same price/value as Jomtien in Thailand (don't overlook Bangsaray near by, even nicer and cheaper but further away). Pretty easy to find a condo with a huge pool and gym and Russian babushkas as neighbors for less than $200 monthly - if you double that you can get a place with a Jacuzzi in the living room or on balcony for just a bit more. But you'd be living in Babylon, and spiritual standards are at the bottom there.
Lots of alternatives like Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Pai (but all a little cooler in winter - for EU standards still 'hot'). If you are <35, Koh Phangan might be still fun, though overloaded with tourists and nomads nowadays.
Let's me also mention Mui Ne, Danang or Hoi An in VN, Koh Rong (and overlooked Mondulkiri/Ratanakiri) in Cambodia.
You could also check Ishigaki (SP?) island in Japan, which is closer to Taiwan than to Okinawa, and really nice. Some great smaller islands around Kyushu as well.
There are many different opinions from people and I haven't been there yet, but Lankawi in Malaysia seems interesting too, duty free island, free 3 months on entry, no tourist crowds, can go by boat straight back to Thailand or Malaysia. Also Malaysian Borneo seems very interesting, as there are different people living there, and they even had a British sultan in the past for quite a while.
If you prefer South America, why not Nicaragua (don't overlook Little Corn and Big Corn islands) or Argentina (while it's cheap). Or if you looking for more exciting experiences, Brazil and Colombia seem to be a good choice. EDIT: I forgot Isla Margarita (Venezuela), might be good to scoop up a house or condo there if still cheap (a bet on Venezuela's future, high risk/high reward).
I know what you mean. It's not such a daily occurrence in Japan anymore though.
If someone takes a picture of you (mostly without asking for permission), it's one of the countless Chinese 'tourists' that come to Tokyo to load up of taxfree good for resale in China. They just can't help it.
Yes, that's it...You mean Posadas, Argentina?
Yes, this I understand fullly.PS. I go to these places for the reasons I mentioned previously, e.g., here in this post: "Go where you are forgotten and left the f*ck alone."
I was looking into Okinawa couple of years ago but let it go due to the weather conditions in winter - does it make a difference a little bit south close to Taiwan? We are so spoiled that Canary islands are too cold for us in winter :/You could also check Ishigaki (SP?) island in Japan, which is closer to Taiwan than to Okinawa, and really nice. Some great smaller islands around Kyushu as well.
It's around 25-27 C in December, but one can also encounter few cooler days. That's Ishigaki, the furthest island, the others are cooler. SEA like south of Thailand and further down, would be a better choice if you are looking for a really warm winter.I was looking into Okinawa couple of years ago but let it go due to the weather conditions in winter - does it make a difference a little bit south close to Taiwan? We are so spoiled that Canary islands are too cold for us in winter :/
Yup I was there last winter.do you have your own recent experience?
Winter in Malta, really? if you want to stay in EU ok... Malta/ Canaria Island / Cyprus / Madeira are ok.. But if worldwide as a game play, you never stay in Malta winter time.. (december-march at least)i spend my winters in Malta
fairly small but still ok
If you just want to chill in comfort, few places offer the same price/value as Jomtien in Thailand (don't overlook Bangsaray near by, even nicer and cheaper but further away). Pretty easy to find a condo with a huge pool and gym and Russian babushkas as neighbors for less than $200 monthly - if you double that you can get a place with a Jacuzzi in the living room or on balcony for just a bit more. But you'd be living in Babylon, and spiritual standards are at the bottom there.
Let's me also mention Mui Ne, Danang or Hoi An in VN, Koh Rong (and overlooked Mondulkiri/Ratanakiri) in Cambodia.
man, thanks for sharing, interesting ideas
You personally like Pattaya (Jomtien) ? I was there for first time this year, after many long trips in TH. I am agree, Pattaya is cheap (except Club in walking street) but it's SO ugly beaches there, even Jomtien, to put any feet in the water honestly... And walking during the day and just see cheap charlie (70+) with slutty poor thai.. funny to see for 1hour, but sad and useless if you are 'very' wealthy..
Mui Ne in Vietnam is one of the best places I've seen for the beach in Vietnam, but boring AF and full of Russians (nothing against them, but the vibe is different). The Hoi An / Danang area can be a good compromise; and I think that in SEA, Vietnam has experienced the least inflation compared to neighboring countries.
I'd also add Tunesia and Morocco to Egypt, but all of these countries have a special hassle factor, which might interfere with having good time. Cape Verde might be more interesting, if one doesn't care about old stones and museums.Dont know if you are into it, but middle east can be a good choice for winter time (OMAN/UAE/JORDANIA, even EGYPT..), good weather but not too hot at this time.
yep, we spent about half a year in Mauritius - I concur with what you say, it's not a bad option at all, yet it has its flaws like every placevoid, have you been to Mauritius? Seems like a nice place for any budget, especially if you are white (for some reason many locals genuinely like the white people there). You would need a car though, since public transportation there is bad as it is the case on most islands. Seychelles are not far from Mauritius, so you could go there on a short trip as well, or stay a few months in each country.
yep, we spent about half a year in Mauritius - I concur with what you say, it's not a bad option at all, yet it has its flaws like every place
I can only recommend Reunion island next to Mauritius, this island has it all in case one is able to tolerate French mentality and police state....
Please, let's not go here. Both sides are 100% wrong, and that "discussion" will only fuel further division and hatred. Nobody needs that!""No offense but I deduce that you don't know well France if you compare French mainland and french territories (caribbean and african ones). Life and mindset are so SO different. Most of the time they are f****** racist with 'white' people. Lot of stories with that.
I'm not here to argue about general stuff like nations, race, mentality, religion, mindset etc. I don't know other territories but I lived for quite some time in Reunion and I just expressed what I feel (which can be totally wrong in your eyes)No offense but I deduce that you don't know well France if you compare French mainland and french territories (caribbean and african ones). Life and mindset are so SO different. Most of the time they are f****** racist with 'white' people. Lot of stories with that.
Please, let's not go here. Both sides are 100% wrong, and that "discussion" will only fuel further division and hatred. Nobody needs that!
I'm not here to argue about general stuff like nations, race, mentality, religion, mindset etc. I don't know other territories but I lived for quite some time in Reunion and I just expressed what I feel (which can be totally wrong in your eyes)
Yes, but this sounds a lot like 2004 or something. Where have you recently been asked for photos in China?PS. I know China and Japan very well, but I would NOT recommend China (or Japan) for vacation due to the language barrier and the number of photos you will be asked to take with the locals. Seriously, this is just such a turn-off for me in China. On any given day, they would ask you to take pictures with them at least 100 times.
Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Changchun etc. This is VERY normal (at least for me), but especially now that there has been a major exodus of foreigners from China: Opinion | An exodus of foreigners is under way. Does China want them any more?Yes, but this sounds a lot like 2004 or something. Where have you recently been asked for photos in China?
Then let me check again. We normally only have this in smaller cities where we used to joke that we should charge them 10 RMB per photo. Haha. Never had this in eastern Shenzhen though.Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Changchun etc. This is VERY normal (at least for me), but especially now that there has been a major exodus of foreigners from China: Opinion | An exodus of foreigners is under way. Does China want them any more?
PS. As recent as 5 weeks ago!
Well, in the grand scheme of things for a city with millions of people, a few dozen times a day isn't that noticeable to others. It's just tiresome to me, and I don't want to be rude, so I stop and accommodate them, and then others jump on the opportunity to also have their picture taken. This is where it gets out of hand because others all of a sudden think one is famous/known or something and also want pictures. I don't say "no." I'm a guest, and I'm polite.Then let me check again. We normally only have this in smaller cities where we used to joke that we should charge them 10 RMB per photo. Haha. Never had this in eastern Shenzhen though.
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