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boy8cookie · Feb 16, 2010, 11:07 PM

As the title implies, I've come to the conclusion that I need a vacation. I live in Hawaii, so I'm not looking for a tropical island getaway type thing. I need a change of scenery, a change of pace, some kind of change. I'm looking for suggestions, I've got about $2000 to throw at this (including airfare), and about a weeks worth of vacation (need to save the rest for holidays).

Some places suggested by friends: Mexico, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, Alaska.

I'm hoping to be distracted the whole time, either by beautiful girls, or beautiful scenics (preferably both!). I don't need to relax, I don't want time to mull over my life, I'm not gonna lay on a beach and read a book.

Thoughts?

If you're wondering why I feel like I need a vacation, here's the quick and dirty reasoning: broke up with girlfriend, unmotivated at work, bored with friends & activities, life feels tedious. So, I either go on vacation, or jump off a bridge.

besson3c · Feb 16, 2010, 11:15 PM

How about a ski trip?

AKcrab · Feb 16, 2010, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

Some places suggested by friends: Mexico, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, Alaska.

One of these things is not like the other, which one is it, it's one or the other.

imitchellg5 · Feb 16, 2010, 11:31 PM

Go to Alaska.

boy8cookie · Feb 16, 2010, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

How about a ski trip?

Never been skiing.

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Go to Alaska.

What's in it for me?

imitchellg5 · Feb 16, 2010, 11:47 PM

Don't go skiing on vacation for the first time. If you injure yourself, it'll be a bummer.

I lived in Alaska for a year, it's very pretty in the spring in Anchorage or Juneau. If you're outdoorsy, you'll love it.

besson3c · Feb 16, 2010, 11:48 PM

Lots of people have never been skiing, a good resort will have instructors that can get you going safely. Unless you are the hyper competitive type, even falling on your ass can be a great escape in beautiful surroundings.

boy8cookie · Feb 17, 2010, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by AKcrab

One of these things is not like the other, which one is it, it's one or the other.

They're all places suggested by friends, I don't really know much about any of them, I've only been through Alaska via a cruise.

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

I lived in Alaska for a year, it's very pretty in the spring in Anchorage or Juneau. If you're outdoorsy, you'll love it.

I wouldn't consider myself outdoorsy, but I am looking for something new and different. It's an option.

Originally Posted by besson3c

Lots of people have never been skiing, a good resort will have instructors that can get you going safely. Unless you are the hyper competitive type, even falling on your ass can be a great escape in beautiful surroundings.

I wasn't ruling it out, simply stating I've never been skiing before. I like speed, and I'm pretty competitive, but I'm also naturally pretty decent at most sports, so I'm open to this idea as well. Still, I'm not sold on it either. More ideas!

Rumor · Feb 17, 2010, 12:42 AM

What about something as simple as escaping to another island for a couple of weeks?

Buckaroo · Feb 17, 2010, 12:59 AM

How about Italy. Rome, Pompeii, Piza, Venice.

besson3c · Feb 17, 2010, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

I wasn't ruling it out, simply stating I've never been skiing before. I like speed, and I'm pretty competitive, but I'm also naturally pretty decent at most sports, so I'm open to this idea as well. Still, I'm not sold on it either. More ideas!

I guess this is obvious, not to push this idea more for the sake of selling it to you, but you could also snowboard at any of the places where skiing is offered too. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing is an option too.

There is no place I'd rather be than some beautiful wintery haven in the scenic mountains somewhere, hence my bias!

tonton · Feb 17, 2010, 02:05 AM

Um... he's coming from Hawaii and wants something different. That would rule out Thailand, Mexico, Greece (on $2000? - do you mean backpacking?).

Likewise, I don't know how he'll do Italy unless he's backpacking.

How about a Seattle/Vancouver combo? How about Vegas? How about Montreal? NYC?

Hawaii - Tokyo is not very expensive, though staying in Tokyo can be (unless you get a capsule hotel).

boy8cookie · Feb 17, 2010, 03:01 AM

I was just in vegas, no desire to go back anytime soon. Italy is a possibility, I do have relatives there, but I'd rather go somewhere I don't know anyone. tonton seems to think Europe is too expensive? I could pull an extra $1000 or so, but I don't want to spend more than 3k.

Spheric Harlot · Feb 17, 2010, 03:14 AM

Tokio is very expensive even *if* you do the capsule hotel thing.

Unless you stock up on cup noodles BEFORE you go.

elyzabennet · Feb 17, 2010, 03:41 AM

Given your budget, I would stick with vacationing somewhere in the US or somewhere relatively close. Airfare is pretty expensive.
I'm flying to Europe in a couple of months and a roundtrip ticket from San Francisco to Luxembourg is about $1500 with tax.
If you want to have fun outings wherever you choose to go, you're not going to want to blow your budget on airfare.

Hope you have fun wherever you end up.

mattyb · Feb 17, 2010, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

I'm hoping to be distracted the whole time, either by beautiful girls, or beautiful scenics (preferably both!). I don't need to relax, I don't want time to mull over my life, I'm not gonna lay on a beach and read a book.

Thoughts?

Some places suggested by friends: Mexico, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, Alaska.

Egypt and Greece are visited for the historic monuments. While Greek nightclubs can be VERY good, its usually during the summer and on one of the islands. Doubt that you'll be distracted by beautiful girls in Egypt, but riding either a horse or a camel around the pyramids around sunset is pretty cool - its been nearly 20 years since I did this so caveat emptor.

Thailand can be done different ways : party hard and spend loads of money in Bangkok, Phuket etc, ride an elephant through the jungle, do the scuba diving thing etc.

I always fancied the 'be a cowboy for a week' thing. Dunno how much it costs though.

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

If you're wondering why I feel like I need a vacation, here's the quick and dirty reasoning: broke up with girlfriend, unmotivated at work, bored with friends & activities, life feels tedious. So, I either go on vacation, or jump off a bridge.

Thats bad news, hope everything works out.

PB2K · Feb 17, 2010, 05:31 AM

go trekking, it's cheap and fun

Simon · Feb 17, 2010, 05:35 AM

Your budget and time constraints suggest a domestic destination.

San Francisco

Short flight, not too expensive, tons of stuff to see and do, great food.

Laminar · Feb 17, 2010, 05:59 AM

YouTube - Vacation- Young Jeezy

RobOnTheCape · Feb 17, 2010, 08:26 AM

I'd check out airfare to India. Once you get there it's very inexpensive. Food/sights/sounds/animal life/temples/history, it is an amazing place to visit. Down in the southwestern state of Kerala you can rent a houseboat for an overnight cruise through the backwaters. Amazing, and relatively inexpensive. Goa is fun. In the state of Tamil Nadu I wandered until I found a rental apartment which was situated in this open field. It had bars on the windows, and when I asked why they said it was to keep the elephants from reaching too far in and grabbing stuff with there trunks. Sure enough in the morning there were plenty of signs of them from the night before.

turtle777 · Feb 17, 2010, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

How about a ski trip?

Not cheap.

Lift tickets, gear rental, instructor will add a lot to your bill.

-t

Rumor · Feb 17, 2010, 12:47 PM

Too bad this thread wasn't a week or so ago, otherwise I would have suggested New Orleans (which I suppose is still an option).

Doofy · Feb 17, 2010, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

I'm hoping to be distracted the whole time, either by beautiful girls, or beautiful scenics (preferably both!). I don't need to relax, I don't want time to mull over my life, I'm not gonna lay on a beach and read a book.

Thoughts?

OK, sounds like you need major excitement.
And what's more exciting than two weeks walking around Glasgow wearing a t-shirt which says "I'm surprised your English masters still let you wear those funny little skirts"?

OreoCookie · Feb 17, 2010, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

OK, sounds like you need major excitement.
And what's more exciting than two weeks walking around Glasgow wearing a t-shirt which says "I'm surprised your English masters still let you wear those funny little skirts"?

By any chance, is that connected to this?

SpaceMonkey · Feb 17, 2010, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

By any chance, is that connected to this?

And/or this?

osiris · Feb 17, 2010, 03:25 PM

boy8cookie could just spend $2 for a fake mustache and take a vacation from himself for a week.

boy8cookie · Feb 17, 2010, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

Your budget and time constraints suggest a domestic destination.

San Francisco

Short flight, not too expensive, tons of stuff to see and do, great food.

A definite possibility, I've always wanted to go there, but I don't think I could spend a week or more there.

Originally Posted by Rumor

Too bad this thread wasn't a week or so ago, otherwise I would have suggested New Orleans (which I suppose is still an option).

I feel like going there a couple weeks after Mardi Gras wouldn't be the ideal time to visit. Being there for Mardi Gras would've been awesome.

--

I'm thinking a cruise might be enjoyable, any suggestions there?

turtle777 · Feb 17, 2010, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

A definite possibility, I've always wanted to go there, but I don't think I could spend a week or more there.

Drive up to Yosemite or Sequoia State Parks. There.

-t

MacinTommy · Feb 17, 2010, 04:07 PM

Come on down to GA. We can listen to some old country music, sit on the front porch, twiddle our thumbs and drink moonshine. That might be the change of pace you're looking for.

The Final Dakar · Feb 17, 2010, 04:08 PM

That sounds horrific.

downinflames68 · Feb 17, 2010, 04:32 PM

Dude. You could bag tons of tourist girls that come to Hawaii. They're all right (it's hawaii), so go for that.

downinflames68 · Feb 17, 2010, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Drive up to Yosemite or Sequoia State Parks. There.

-t

Not sure driving a rental car through those parks is a good idea. Rental cars are always weak.

boy8cookie · Feb 17, 2010, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by downinflames68

Dude. You could bag tons of tourist girls that come to Hawaii. They're all right (it's hawaii), so go for that.

Like I said, I need a change of pace.

Originally Posted by downinflames68

Not sure driving a rental car through those parks is a good idea. Rental cars are always weak.

I don't even know if I can get a rental car, I've heard you need to be at least 25 years old.

SpaceMonkey · Feb 17, 2010, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

I don't even know if I can get a rental car, I've heard you need to be at least 25 years old.

You can, but you if you are under 25 you usually have to pay an extra daily fee.

downinflames68 · Feb 17, 2010, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

Like I said, I need a change of pace.

Bag some foreign chicks.

Doofy · Feb 17, 2010, 05:26 PM

Nip over to Columbia and pretend to be a cocaine baron for a couple of weeks. It'd be like a murder mystery weekend, but probably nowhere near as lame.

Mrjinglesusa · Feb 17, 2010, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

I'm thinking a cruise might be enjoyable, any suggestions there?

Fly to Los Angeles and take a cruise to Hawaii.

turtle777 · Feb 17, 2010, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by downinflames68

Not sure driving a rental car through those parks is a good idea. Rental cars are always weak.

Pff, no problem at all, done that in 1997 with a crappy economy car.

-t

turtle777 · Feb 17, 2010, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by boy8cookie

I don't even know if I can get a rental car, I've heard you need to be at least 25 years old.

Yes, you can. You need to pay extra for insurance, that's all.

-t

DrTacoMD · Feb 18, 2010, 01:17 AM

Yeah, I'm only 22 and I've done it before. But they charge you a royal f***-ton of money compared to the normal prices.

Shaddim · Feb 18, 2010, 02:00 AM

New Zealand. We had a blast there not too long ago.

Shaddim · Feb 18, 2010, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

That sounds horrific.

It sounds like my family reunions (which usually are horrific).

boy8cookie · Feb 18, 2010, 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

New Zealand. We had a blast there not too long ago.

I was considering australia or new zealand pretty strongly. Any specific recommendations?

Spheric Harlot · Feb 18, 2010, 04:01 AM

I was going to suggest New Zealand. It's practically around the corner (well, tectonic plate) from where you live. Problem with New Zealand is that it will be winter.

Great skiing on the southern island, but the northern island is merely uncomfortably chilly.

Regardless, NZ is one of the greatest places on the planet to be. I absolutely loved it there.

macaddict0001 · Feb 18, 2010, 04:08 AM

What about the rocky mountains?, or were you looking for more of a cityscape.

imitchellg5 · Feb 18, 2010, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

Come on down to GA. We can listen to some old country music, sit on the front porch, twiddle our thumbs and drink moonshine. That might be the change of pace you're looking for.

That's what I'm doing in 2 weeks

But sweet tea instead of moonshine.

boy8cookie · Feb 18, 2010, 03:37 PM

Thinking of taking this cruise. Fly up to LA, spend a couple days with my buddy up there, then spend a week cruising through Mexico. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

MacinTommy · Feb 18, 2010, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

That's what I'm doing in 2 weeks

But sweet tea instead of moonshine.

Lol. I've never actually had moonshine. I'm not opposed to trying it, though. Which part of GA are you going to?

imitchellg5 · Feb 18, 2010, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by MacinTommy

Lol. I've never actually had moonshine. I'm not opposed to trying it, though. Which part of GA are you going to?

I'll be in Powder Springs. My parents/aunts/uncles/cousins are throwing a party for my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary.

boy8cookie · Feb 18, 2010, 09:18 PM

Booked the trip.

Leave March 4th, arrive in LA. Spend a couple days in LA, probably surf a little. Cruise ship leaves on the 7th, cruises through Mexico over a week and ends back in LA the following Sunday. Fly back on that Monday, the 15th. I can't freaking wait... these will be a long two weeks leading up to the trip.