Where Should I Go in August??

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Thumper

None of the above is the correct answer. Maine has dozens of nice dirtbike accessible trails. And it is not that far for you. Cool too.

Interesting. Plus he doesn't have to learn to speak Canadian.

[Thumper]

If it's all about decompressing and saving the cash for REAL treats, Maine is a great destination in the NE. Lots of RV campgrounds too.

The pacific NorthWest appears to be in a heat wave, and the Rockies are in an epic drought. Beaches? South America!

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Interesting. Plus he doesn't have to learn to speak Canadian.

But... That’s the fun of a vacation. A different culture and a different language with different types of food. Quebec/Labrador/Etc does offer that. Long as you don’t count that crappy poutine stuff. Lol

[Boatguy]

No wonder I couldn't decide easily. The poll s a dead heat. Lol

[cheesy]

I would agree on Maine, even culturally it's different. I usually visit the Mid-Coast area, only because that's where my kid lives, but the entire state is diverse.

And what's wrong with poutine?

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by cheesy

I would agree on Maine, even culturally it's different. I usually visit the Mid-Coast area, only because that's where my kid lives, but the entire state is diverse.

And what's wrong with poutine?

Maine:. Boring. I'm from there originally, or VERY close by. I travel there every Summer by boat. for several years a new boat has been getting built so I haven’t been there, but I have many years of going there coming up in the future when this boat is done. I really don’t want to spend all my time in Maine. It’s just too boring to be in the same place all the time.

Maine is only culturally different if you’re from Texas or something. Lol. I’m from there. It’s as boring as it gets. My family lives there. My parents. And poutine is gross. It’s some gravy over soggy french fries. That’s a nasty thing. Just fast food.

So that’s off the list. Plus, the United States is boring in general. I’ve been wandering around it for decades. I need to go somewhere interesting. Colorado was great. But, I just did that. I’ve been everywhere. It’s time to leave the country. So can the posts please concentrate on places outside the United States? No destination inside the United States was in the poll. Or in the question.

[TominMO]

If you want to avoid the SE Asia heat in Thailand, then at least go to Japan. Before you go, immerse yourself in a bit of history, geography, ancient and pop culture. Get a map, phrase book and guidebook at a bookstore/Amazon. Japan is fascinating. Pick up greetings, courtesies, and a few shopping phrases via an online tutorial. Tour around, get recommendations from locals and any expats you run across as to what you should see. I guarantee you will not regret going there; just the opposite.

One of the very best novels I have read (twice) is Shogun by James Clavell.

[franque]

South America/Costa Rica might be nice, I've heard Ecuador is nice for retirees, though for a vacation, I'd look at Peru, it's supposed to be really beautiful, and great for riding, plus, with the altitude, it won't be as hot as neighboring countries. Costa Rica is nice, but tropical, so quite hot.

[Boatguy]

I’m doing both! Sort of!

I’m going to fly out to Thailand first, with a long layover in Tokyo. I’ll have a day there to look around. Then off to Bangkok.

I’ll look around Thailand for a couple weeks, then decide if I want to stay the month, go back to Tokyo for the remaining 2 weeks or fly all the way back and do Gaspé. Gaspé is easy accessible and also doable into the first week of September too if needed.

So I’ll start with the difficult stuff to see if I like it, then fall back on easier things if not.

That’s a perfect pre-Covid plan. Ha ha. Now I just have to check on the Covid situation for Japan.

[Boatguy]

Well, I guess Japan is out. Ugh. Definitely not interested in organized tours by travel agencies. Japan will have to wait.

Note that visa-free travel is suspended. Other foreign nationals newly entering Japan for the following purposes are permitted in extremely limited numbers and subject to strict requirements:

– Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a stay under three months for purposes of business or employment,

– Foreign students or technical trainees newly entering Japan for a long-term stay,

– Foreign nationals newly entering Japan for a short-term stay (only when a travel agency serves as the receiving organization for such travelers).

[TominMO]

Bummer.....

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Bummer.....

Right??? To me, that’s the most interesting of all the destinations.

So completely different from the United States.

And rather than the more chaotic nature of Thailand, it seems to have an orderly nature. And I kind of like that.

It was raining yesterday, so I went into a Barnes & Noble and read some of the guide books on the different places. I can see why you were saying Japan is really worth visiting.

But I guess I will wait until sometime later when there is no restriction.

[Boatguy]

Well, I pulled the trigger. Off to Thailand this weekend!

[TominMO]

Enjoy!

[Boatguy]

Currently IN China.

One pic is mine, one pic is what i saw from the plane landing, but couldn’t get a pic of because aisle seat.







Just a layover but wow is it beautiful!