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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Styxx on July 11, 2005, 05:29:02 pm

Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 11, 2005, 05:29:02 pm
So, I'm planning a little trip for my vacations in January/February (if I actually get them, mind you), and the current idea is to go around the world, dropping by at countries with significant HLPer presence (and nice places to visit). Right now the idea is:

- Canada: Vancouver (Already talked to Shrike)
- Australia: Sydney (Steeeeak! Any room on the back yard for a tent?)
- Israel: Jerusalem (Sandwich'll have to stand me)
- Europe: Didn't decide yet (Nico? Slanker? Anybody else?)


I won't be spending much time on each place, two or so weeks on Canada then a bit more than a week on each of the other spots, but I may adjust my calendar based on how many people I know online I can find on each spot. The most probable place to find lots of HLPers is Europe, since nothing is too terribly far away and I won't need a visa from one country to another (Schengen territory or whatever it's called), so I may hang around for two weeks over there too, but not long on any single place.

What I want to know is - do you live near any of these places and is willing to try to meet someone from an online forum and go to a few tourist spots in or near your town? Or, better yet for people in Europe (or Sydney - Steak *hint, hint*), do you have a spare room or couch and are willing to take your friendly neighbourhood admin for a couple of nights (indications for cheap lodging are welcome too)? I may adjust my itinerary based on where I can find people willing to help out/hang out/go do touristy stuff, so if you think this can be a blast (and it can, I've already hosted Shrike for a couple months and it was fun), let me know. I'll be stopping at least one time on the way from Sydney to Israel, so if your country is more or less on the way (Thailand is the current stop, but just for a flight connection) it's fair game.

Any takers, or are you too afraid of online psychopaths from South American countries? :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Rictor on July 11, 2005, 05:34:05 pm
Why don't you go stay over at anon's place. I hear it's great fun.
:drevil: :drevil:

Seriously, sounds like a cool trip.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Ghostavo on July 11, 2005, 05:45:34 pm
*is afraid of online psychopaths from south american countries*

:nervous: :p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Nico on July 11, 2005, 05:46:59 pm
Well, I gather if you were to go to France, you'd go to Paris, where I'm not (I'm at Rouen, north west for paris, follow the Seine river and you'll find it), so.. voila.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Ford Prefect on July 11, 2005, 05:48:52 pm
<--- Is amused that the US is conspicuously absent from the list.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 11, 2005, 05:52:38 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Nico
Well, I gather if you were to go to France, you'd go to Paris, where I'm not (I'm at Rouen, north west for paris, follow the Seine river and you'll find it), so.. voila.


Not necessarily. Specially considering that I hear that people from Paris are arrogant, snobbish bastards while people from the rest of France are quite nice. :D

So, can I drop by? ;)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 11, 2005, 05:55:15 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Ford Prefect
<--- Is amused that the US is conspicuously absent from the list.


The US Embassy is the only one where I'd have to go personally to get a Visa, and the closest office is in São Paulo, which is two hours of flight away from here. I don't want to have to travel that much just to get a visa, so the US is definitely out of the picture, unless they change their tourist visa policy soon. I won't even get into any flights with stops or connections on the US, as a matter of fact.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Bobboau on July 11, 2005, 06:27:25 pm
your going on a 30,000 mile trip but your going to skip the US because you "don't want to have to travel that much just to get a visa"?
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 11, 2005, 06:30:59 pm
Exactly. I'm going on a trip to enjoy myself, I don't plan to go on any trips to get in lines for answering stupid questions, leaving fingerprints, and running the risk of getting my application denied because I looked at the clerk in a funny way. If they want me to go through so much trouble to get into their country, I'm more than pleased to just skip it.

;)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: pyro-manic on July 11, 2005, 06:34:47 pm
Whoa, sounds like a very cool trip. I'm not much use for the space, though - I'm at home in darkest Wales until the autumn, and then I'll be in university halls, so I'll have no space. Unless you want to sleep in a cupboard....
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Kosh on July 11, 2005, 07:17:18 pm
I am sure Karajorma would love to volunteer if you wanted to visit England. :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: FireCrack on July 11, 2005, 07:19:22 pm
Me = Vancouver BC



or Kingston, ON



It depends on when you come.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: EtherShock on July 11, 2005, 08:39:22 pm
You must have quite a bit of money saved up for this Styxx.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Fineus on July 11, 2005, 08:54:27 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rictor
Why don't you go stay over at anon's place. I hear it's great fun.

North London... quite close to me infact. And you're welcome in England any time :)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Rictor on July 11, 2005, 09:59:19 pm
You actually know his address? This...this has potential.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Ford Prefect on July 11, 2005, 10:10:49 pm
Party at an0n's place! Everyone's invited!
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Cobra on July 11, 2005, 10:44:15 pm
lmao!

stay away from an0n! he wuvs men! :nervous: :p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Bobboau on July 11, 2005, 11:05:39 pm
Nd-Nd: What is this emotion you humans call "wuv"?
Lrrr: Surely it says "love"?
Nd-Nd: No, 'wuv.' With an Earth 'w.' Behold!
Lrrr: This concept of wuv confuses and infuriates us!
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Cobra on July 11, 2005, 11:07:08 pm
:lol:

and yes, what i say is true, he even admitted to considering homosexuality on Warpstorm.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Bobboau on July 11, 2005, 11:12:15 pm
eh... you haven't been around an0n very long have you?
I wouldn't even bat an eye at someone telling me he consitered beastiality, incest, or pedophelia (or a combineation of two or more), let alone something as aproching of normality as homosexuality.

he'll take whatever position he needs to take to maximise conflict, or through you off gaurd.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Cobra on July 11, 2005, 11:13:43 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bobboau
eh... you haven't been around an0n very long have you?
I wouldn't even bat an eye at someone telling me he consitered beastiality, incest, or pedophelia (or a combineation of two or more), let alone something as aproching normal as homosexuality.

he'll take whatever position he needs to take to maximise conflict, or through you off gaurd.


*throw. :p

meh, i'm around him all the time at WS.

and did you see his old splash screen for is dungeon pr0n site or w/e? jesus christ!
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Taristin on July 11, 2005, 11:17:07 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Cobra
:lol:

and yes, what i say is true, he even admitted to considering homosexuality on Warpstorm.


Some of us have more than considerred it. :nervous:

*hugs Cobra*
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Bobboau on July 11, 2005, 11:19:14 pm
yeah cobra, I've been here sence 1997, I think .. I... oh my god I HAVE NO LIFE!!!

:(
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Martinus on July 11, 2005, 11:20:18 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Cobra


*throw. :p

meh, i'm around him all the time at WS.

and did you see his old splash screen for is dungeon pr0n site or w/e? jesus christ!
[color=66ff00]No fixing Bob's spelling, talented people are allowed their quirks.
[/color]
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: karajorma on July 12, 2005, 02:13:47 am
Quote
Originally posted by Kosh
I am sure Karajorma would love to volunteer if you wanted to visit England. :D


I was about to post something along those lines. :) There are a few Londoners on HLP we should meet up and have a drink :)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Ashrak on July 12, 2005, 03:11:08 am
you can drop by Tallinn: Estonia ... any time you like well go have a few beers ;)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Kosh on July 12, 2005, 03:20:53 am
Quote
Originally posted by karajorma


I was about to post something along those lines. :) There are a few Londoners on HLP we should meet up and have a drink :)



Funny how sometimes my smartass remarks are accurate.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: kasperl on July 12, 2005, 04:47:01 am
I doubt I can offer you a place to stay, as I'm still living with my parents, but if you somehow end up in Holland, I think hanging out for a day or so would be a nice idea. Not sure if any of the other Dutch HLP'rs are still even alive, though. Anyone heared anything from Tiara, TCO or Darkage? (Am I forgetting anyone?)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: karajorma on July 12, 2005, 04:52:10 am
Tiara defected to SpaceBattles a while back.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: kasperl on July 12, 2005, 04:54:56 am
Ah, well.

I'd almost say that if someone could hook me up with a bed in London I'd go over there, but I'm not sure the logistics would be all that easy. And not all too sure about travel prices either. Anybody here experienced with travelling from the continent to London on the cheap? (Preferably no hitch-hiking, just dodgy aircraft, rickety old ferries and shabby bus-lines, please.)

It'd have to fit in a weekend, though, with school and all.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: pyro-manic on July 12, 2005, 05:32:44 am
Easyjet or some other budget airline is probably the best bet. It's likely to be cheaper than using a ferry or the tunnel.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: kasperl on July 12, 2005, 05:57:20 am
I geuss so, and getting from here to the tunnel entrance isn't fun either. Not that I actually like flying..... Bus-on-boat, is that an option?
This is all up in the air, if it turns out to be possible to go there and back again in a weekend, manage to sleep in London without having to find a bench in a park, and make the whole thing somewhat affordable, I think it'd be great. Otherwise, I think I'll have to pass.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Setekh on July 12, 2005, 06:29:22 am
"Dad, can one of my friends sleepover here for a little while?"
"Sure, son. Where does he live? Has he asked his parents yet?"
"Uhh...."

:p

On a completely serious note, there is actually a lot of space in my house. With my mum's passing last year and my sister moving out earlier this year after she got married, there's only three of us guys in the house - and they're pretty easy. You won't need to pitch a tent in the backyard; you'll have your own entire room if you stay at my home. :p

That said, let me go ask the folks and confirm. Depending on what your timing is like, you'll either have to put up with me being out of the house for most of the day at uni, or being home all day on holidays. I live in a pretty quiet suburb, but transport is fairly easy into the city to do some sightseeing. I'll have to work out an itinerary for you. Of course, we'll have to fit some Xbox time in there too, since you haven't managed to import an Xbox yet to play Halo/Halo 2. If you give me enough advance warning I can even plan an Xbox LAN party with some of my church friends and you can join in some 8-player deathmatching fun. ;)

So ummm, yeah, sure. :D
Title: Re: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Primus on July 12, 2005, 06:34:25 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
- Europe: Didn't decide yet (Nico? Slanker? Anybody else?)


You will go to Finland. ;)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Nico on July 12, 2005, 06:34:43 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx


Not necessarily. Specially considering that I hear that people from Paris are arrogant, snobbish bastards while people from the rest of France are quite nice. :D

So, can I drop by? ;)


What question is that? :wtf:
That said, I have holydays in february (this year was from 14 to 19 february), and I'm at my parents place during that time (which is a remote, boring place), so I guess it would be better to come before or after that, if you decide to pass by ;) (not that I can't go back to Rouen during that time either, tho. Rouen is a cool, half medieval half modern city, btw, you might like).
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Fineus on July 12, 2005, 06:56:42 am
Quote
Originally posted by Rictor
You actually know his address? This...this has potential.

Maybe I do, and maybe I don't ;)

That said - I wouldn't give out anyones address over the internet without their permission anyway, and I sure as heck don't see an0n being ok with his being passed around.

So lets say I don't have it, and leave it at that :)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: aldo_14 on July 12, 2005, 07:05:08 am
Quote
Originally posted by Rictor
You actually know his address? This...this has potential.


It's a sordid and somewhat dull tale.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Rictor on July 12, 2005, 07:32:32 am
(http://www.penguinbomb.com/rictor/rictor/styxx.jpg)

please don't ban me.
Title: Re: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Slanker_MT on July 12, 2005, 07:35:52 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
So, I'm planning a little trip for my vacations in January/February (if I actually get them, mind you), and the current idea is to go around the world, dropping by at countries with significant HLPer presence (and nice places to visit). Right now the idea is:

- Canada: Vancouver (Already talked to Shrike)
- Australia: Sydney (Steeeeak! Any room on the back yard for a tent?)
- Israel: Jerusalem (Sandwich'll have to stand me)
- Europe: Didn't decide yet (Nico? Slanker? Anybody else?)


Er, I sure could give you a place to stay, but I don't know of any sight-seeing stuff around here :D

Edit: And I really don't know if there is any sort of HLPer-presence here. Blacksheep does live somewhere in the near distance, but I don't know of any others :p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Ghostavo on July 12, 2005, 07:49:14 am
Quote
Originally posted by Rictor
(http://www.penguinbomb.com/rictor/rictor/styxx.jpg)

please don't ban me.


:lol:
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Fineus on July 12, 2005, 08:27:33 am
Classic Rictor, classic :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: kasperl on July 12, 2005, 10:14:33 am
Ah well, it'd be at least interesting to meet up with everyone once...... :p

Unless there are a lot of other Dutchmen suddenly all popping up, a London meeting sounds like a nice idea. Who would be going?
Title: Re: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Sandwich on July 12, 2005, 10:30:09 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
...hosted Shrike...


:lol: I saw that and was gonna comment on what a nerd you were, then I realized that my reading "website hosting" into that made a nerd out of me!. :p

Anyway, you already know my answer. :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: karajorma on July 12, 2005, 12:01:43 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kasperl
Ah well, it'd be at least interesting to meet up with everyone once...... :p

Unless there are a lot of other Dutchmen suddenly all popping up, a London meeting sounds like a nice idea. Who would be going?


I'd be happy to go out for a drink with you lot. For once I might be the least nerdy in the group! :D Then again probably not :)
Title: Re: Re: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Lt.Cannonfodder on July 12, 2005, 12:20:47 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Primus

You will go to Finland. ;)

Yes, come to out insanely hot (30C!) nothern country where polar bears dance in the streets and penguins are all over the place :p

Quote
Originally posted by karajorma

I'd be happy to go out for a drink with you lot. For once I might be the least nerdy in the group! :D Then again probably not :)

How warm is it down there? I'm almost willing to pay the ticket price to get away from the heat :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 01:17:46 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Setekh
"Dad, can one of my friends sleepover here for a little while?"
"Sure, son. Where does he live? Has he asked his parents yet?"
"Uhh...."

:p

On a completely serious note, there is actually a lot of space in my house. With my mum's passing last year and my sister moving out earlier this year after she got married, there's only three of us guys in the house - and they're pretty easy. You won't need to pitch a tent in the backyard; you'll have your own entire room if you stay at my home. :p

That said, let me go ask the folks and confirm. Depending on what your timing is like, you'll either have to put up with me being out of the house for most of the day at uni, or being home all day on holidays. I live in a pretty quiet suburb, but transport is fairly easy into the city to do some sightseeing. I'll have to work out an itinerary for you. Of course, we'll have to fit some Xbox time in there too, since you haven't managed to import an Xbox yet to play Halo/Halo 2. If you give me enough advance warning I can even plan an Xbox LAN party with some of my church friends and you can join in some 8-player deathmatching fun. ;)

So ummm, yeah, sure. :D


Coolness. Let me know when you find out, I'm serious about this. Shrike can attest to the fact that I'm not a murdering psychopath.

;)

Quote
Originally posted by Nico
What question is that? :wtf:
That said, I have holydays in february (this year was from 14 to 19 february), and I'm at my parents place during that time (which is a remote, boring place), so I guess it would be better to come before or after that, if you decide to pass by ;) (not that I can't go back to Rouen during that time either, tho. Rouen is a cool, half medieval half modern city, btw, you might like).


Just joking. But I'll probably at least pass through France, especially if I end up going to the UK - then I'd go from Israel to France, then the UK, then back to Brazil. Just gotta check visa information with the British embassy. So if you have a spare couch it would be appreciated.

:D

As for everyone mentioning the UK - the more people from here I can get together the better, so if we can put a lot of HLPrs in one spot I can surely try to fit London on my itinerary. Lemme check the visa requirements.
Title: Re: Re: Re: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: karajorma on July 12, 2005, 01:23:40 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Lt.Cannonfodder
How warm is it down there? I'm almost willing to pay the ticket price to get away from the heat :D


It's actually less than 30 degrees here :D We're supposed to get a heatwave in August but so far it's been a fairly cool summer.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 01:27:22 pm
Just checked, Brazilians don't need visas to get into the UK for short stays (a few weeks) so it shouldn't be a problem. EasyJet seems to be cheap enough if you buy in advance (17 Euros from Berlin to Barcelona in February if I buy now!), and a friend of mine told me she flew a lot with them when she was in Europe and never had much trouble. If this is the standard price and I can get the trip set up soon enough, I may hop around all Europe in a few days!

So, who or where else? I need honest replies, I want to have everything planned soon-ish (a month, a month and a half).

:)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Nico on July 12, 2005, 01:43:42 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
Just joking. But I'll probably at least pass through France, especially if I end up going to the UK - then I'd go from Israel to France, then the UK, then back to Brazil. Just gotta check visa information with the British embassy. So if you have a spare couch it would be appreciated.


At my parents place, no problem, in my student room, you'd have to sleep on the floor, with a sleeping-bag or something.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 01:45:16 pm
I'm fine with sleeping bags, I'll obviously be taking one on the trip. Where's the closest city with an airport with EasyJet flights? :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: mrduckman on July 12, 2005, 01:51:42 pm
Too bad is not here. We've cool places were to go with sleeping bags.
Cordoba, Mendoza, Entre Rios, etc.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 01:54:58 pm
Well, I can drive to Argentina. Been there a few times already, just never for too long. A friend of mine wants to rent a van or truck and drive all the way down Tierra del Fuego, though I didn't check the practicality of that, and I don't really know what he wants to see or do over there.

:p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: kasperl on July 12, 2005, 02:21:49 pm
Someone should perhaps start by picking a date. I'll go check out some prices for planes, but it all kind off depends on me being able to either pitch a tent or roll out a sleeping mat somewhere in London, preferably without paying. Mind you, that is if my parents are ok with me going off to London for a weekend to meet up with some people I know from the web.

About the plane rides: The prices generally do not include airport tax, generally around 20 euros a flight. That means a round trip to London for a weekend would cost me about 35 euros according to the pricelist, but I'd end up paying 80, and that's without 'administrative costs'. So it'd be a hundred just for the flight to and fro. I checked Ryanair, because Easyjet doesn't fly from Eindhoven Airport, but this'll probably apply to the competition as well. Beware.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 02:25:35 pm
I'll be in Europe in general after February 7th 2006, and I think I can manage to stay for around two weeks. If I buy in advance tickets are very cheap, and I won't need any visas around there, so any date on this interval should be good. I just need to find the cheapest spot to get a plane back to Brazil.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Martinus on July 12, 2005, 02:30:23 pm
[color=66ff00]I'm currently in a bit of a spin with about 12 different things happening at the same time unfortunately and I'm trying to sort out placement in Germany for september so I don't think landing down at mine would be that much fun.
[/color]
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: kasperl on July 12, 2005, 02:51:39 pm
Looking at the prices, a plain trip won't  get any cheaper then 80 euros. More likely it'll be closer to a hundred, and that's without a hotel. I did find a few train ferry combo tickets for around a hundred for two persons, but that's a return ticket to and from a Dutch train station.

The cheapest option seems to be a bus trip, eurolines. The promo youth  ticket, which looks just as valid as a standard ticket, is 43 euros, round trip. The times are a horror, as far as I can see, so it'd either be a one-day affair, or I'd have to ask a classmate to keep my books and laptop over the weekend, and have my stuff with me at school on the monday. (That'd  be fun to explain to my classmates...)

€43 sounds affordable, a hundred might become a small problem.

EDIT: I've found some 'reasonably affordable' lodging, 17,50 GBP a night, a place called the Generator. That would be 35 for a weekend, approx. 55 euros for two nights including breakfast. This is for a bed in an eight-bed dorm with shared bathroom. That would be way to expensive for me, but this seems to be one of the cheaper rates going. Lodging would be essential for me being able to go, but at least the travel seems affordable.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Sandwich on July 12, 2005, 03:53:18 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kasperl
Looking at the prices, a plain trip...


Is that some sort of cross between a plane and a train? ;)

And Styxx, a friend of mine is camped out on the roof of a hostel in the Old City here.. literally camped out, with a tent and all. He pays 15 shekels a night (~$3.30 USD), and gets access to all the facilities and such down in the building. That's bare-bones lodging, of course, and there are options that range from a bit more civilized than that all the way up to 5+ star hotels here; Jerusalem is a tourist city, and with tourism relatively low, there won't be any problem finding vacancy.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Nico on July 12, 2005, 03:59:01 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
I'm fine with sleeping bags, I'll obviously be taking one on the trip. Where's the closest city with an airport with EasyJet flights? :D


No idea, but I guess that would be Paris, then you'd have to take the train (about 2 hours from Paris to Rouen by train). There's an airport at Rouen, but I don't think it's for international flights.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 04:08:22 pm
Hmm, gotta find Rouen on a map...
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Sandwich on July 12, 2005, 04:13:16 pm
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=rouen,+france&spn=1.641220,2.593597&t=k&hl=en
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 04:22:53 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Sandwich
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=rouen,+france&spn=1.641220,2.593597&t=k&hl=en


Nice. Doesn't show any town names, though.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Sandwich on July 12, 2005, 04:32:50 pm
Yeah, I noticed that. Get Google Earth.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Nico on July 12, 2005, 04:38:57 pm
(http://www.ingenieurs-supelec.org/images/normandie.gif)

Yellow area, in the "76", and then pinpoint to:
(http://www.map-of-france.co.uk/maps/Haute-Normandie.gif)
On same pic, north west of Rouen, Yvetot, that's where my parents are (about), and where I am right now :p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Rictor on July 12, 2005, 05:25:26 pm
<------

After years of generic obscurity, my constant agitation has finally payed off.

Viva!
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Clave on July 12, 2005, 05:31:39 pm
Sounds like an great trip - Vancouver and Vancouver Island are awesome.  2 weeks is enough to see a millionth of Canada, which I have to rate as my top country ever after England of course...:cool: :p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: EtherShock on July 12, 2005, 05:40:42 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
The US Embassy is the only one where I'd have to go personally to get a Visa, and the closest office is in São Paulo, which is two hours of flight away from here. I don't want to have to travel that much just to get a visa, so the US is definitely out of the picture, unless they change their tourist visa policy soon. I won't even get into any flights with stops or connections on the US, as a matter of fact.

It's a pity that you won't be visiting the States. Maybe you'll come when we revert from a theocracy back to a democracy. I wonder how many tourists we're losing to this strict policy?
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: WMCoolmon on July 12, 2005, 05:56:20 pm
If you ever decide to come by the states, tell me. :p I doubt I can give you free lodging, though.

I did think about going to Australia this summer, until I realized that the total cost for the plane would be ~$2000, plus lodging, food, etc. Impulsive international trips are definitely reserved for the more well-to-do.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: SuperCoolAl on July 12, 2005, 06:09:08 pm
Wow. If I wasn't 15 and stuck up here in Yorkshire I'd join you! btw Rictor :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 07:22:08 pm
Quote
Originally posted by EtherShock
It's a pity that you won't be visiting the States. Maybe you'll come when we revert from a theocracy back to a democracy. I wonder how many tourists we're losing to this strict policy?


I'll go to the states once the tourist visa policy is slackened, or when (if) I decide to get a scholarship for a PhD on one of the top Computer Graphics universities (Utah or North Carolina, most probably) after my Masters are finished. Or when a friend of mine from here who's moving to New Jersey in two weeks for a PhD is settled in and invites me over. Then I'll round up some more HLPers for the slau- er, healthy fun times.

This one trip I want to go to as many places as I can while still having enough time to visit the nicest toursit spots and such, and I want to be able to say I've went on a trip around the world. All the trouble to get into the US is definitely not worth it right now.

But I still gotta check my vacation availability, if I don't get all the time I want I may have to cut the farthest places from the list, and that would be a shame. I just need to have things more or less planned before I start bugging the "boss" about it.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: EtherShock on July 12, 2005, 10:35:17 pm
Jersey? No kidding! What part? Princeton area?
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 10:56:26 pm
Er, don't know. Where is New Jersey State University (or whatever is called) located? He told me it's half an hour drive or so from New York. But that's for mid year 2006, at the least.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Setekh on July 12, 2005, 11:28:40 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
Coolness. Let me know when you find out, I'm serious about this. Shrike can attest to the fact that I'm not a murdering psychopath.

;)


I'm serious about it too. ;) Can you give me a ballpark figure of what month this trip will be during? That'll help me work out how feasible it is. :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 12, 2005, 11:41:47 pm
Last week of January for my arrival at Sydney, for now. Can be adjusted, of course.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Singh on July 12, 2005, 11:42:40 pm
If you drop by Singapore, give me a line - if its before December that I could probably provide you lodging (we have a spare room in the flat) and if tis after october, more the better, since the WCG finals will be coming around that time and I have a lot of free time, having finally left the army :)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Setekh on July 12, 2005, 11:45:05 pm
Last week of January... smack-bang in the middle of my summer holidays. Excellent. I talked to my brother and he doesn't mind. Now to ask my dad. :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: EtherShock on July 13, 2005, 12:27:33 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
Er, don't know. Where is New Jersey State University (or whatever is called) located? He told me it's half an hour drive or so from New York. But that's for mid year 2006, at the least.

There's no such thing. There was a plan for one by uniting a bunch of state schools, but that never happened. I'm thinking you are referring to Montclair or *gasps* Jersey City. It would be funny if it was my school (which is not Jersey City). If you stop on by in the future, I'll see if I can put aside some time to show you around.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: karajorma on July 13, 2005, 03:47:26 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
Shrike can attest to the fact that I'm not a murdering psychopath.


Is that the same Shrike who mysteriously hasn't posted for nearly two weeks now? :p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Slanker_MT on July 13, 2005, 07:29:06 am
he did pop up every once in a while over the past few years :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on July 13, 2005, 09:15:57 am
Quote
Originally posted by EtherShock
There's no such thing. There was a plan for one by uniting a bunch of state schools, but that never happened. I'm thinking you are referring to Montclair or *gasps* Jersey City. It would be funny if it was my school (which is not Jersey City). If you stop on by in the future, I'll see if I can put aside some time to show you around.


Er, don't know then. Maybe they're sending him as a slave thinking that he'll be having a PhD. :D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: EtherShock on July 13, 2005, 12:08:23 pm
Yep, that sounds like college all right.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Black Wolf on July 15, 2005, 03:51:35 am
If you end up in Western Australia for a layover or whatever buzz me and we'll go get pissed. We tend to get ignored though - most isolated capital in the world doncha know.
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on September 15, 2005, 02:11:54 pm
Ok, developments:

My flight plan will take me through Toronto, Bangkok and Frankfurt along the way, for connections, but my travel agent tells me that I can get a later flight inside the same package if I want to stay for a while on each of these spots. So, anyone around here from these cities or close by? It's possible to stay for, like, just a day or two to buzz around a bit, see a few landmarks, and get drunk on the dirtiest pub in the area or something. Won't be bothering much.

Volunteers, speak up! :D :arr:
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Wild Fragaria on September 15, 2005, 02:33:30 pm
Cool vacation.  I always wanted to have a vacation like that.  It's a pity that you have to skip the States.

Anyhow, count me in if there's any HLPers drinking gathering in Kara's home town :)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Darkage on September 15, 2005, 02:40:48 pm
Quote
Originally posted by kasperl
I doubt I can offer you a place to stay, as I'm still living with my parents, but if you somehow end up in Holland, I think hanging out for a day or so would be a nice idea. Not sure if any of the other Dutch HLP'rs are still even alive, though. Anyone heared anything from Tiara, TCO or Darkage? (Am I forgetting anyone?)



I'm still alive and kicking, but i lurk more then i post these days:)

But i can even meet up with Venom (Nico) the Thaylisis is not that exspensive. So who knows:D

UK might also be possible nothing i cannot afford. But hotel would be a problem then it might get to exspensive.

SO if anyone wants me around in London, or Paris just drop a line:D

Good thing my dad doesn't care were i go when i go, so no permissions needed:D
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on September 15, 2005, 02:57:53 pm
Just to make it clear, my current flight plan (Made cheaper by Star Alliance's "around the world" package! Discounts if you go around the world stopping on at least three continents!) is:

01. Porto Alegre -> São Paulo
02. São Paulo -> Toronto
03. Toronto -> Vancouver
04. Vancouver -> Sydney
05. Sydney -> Bangkok
06. Bangkok -> Frankfurt
07. Frankfurt -> Tel-Aviv (Jerusalem)
08. Tel-Aviv -> Frankfurt
09. Frankfurt -> São Paulo
10. São Paulo -> Porto Alegre

The places in bold are the ones where I'm confirmed to stay (visiting Shrike, Steak and Sandwich, respectively). I may stay a bit on any of the other spots if there's anyone in the vicinity who can show me around the tourist spots and find me a cheap place to stay (but I'm inclined to stay a couple of days in Thailand anyway, would be a shame to pass through without knowing at least some of it).

I won't be spending a lot of time in Europe as initially planned because I wouldn't see much of anywhere in such a short time, so I'll do a dedicated Europe trip in the future. But if any HLPers are willing to meet me in Frankfurt, I'll stay a couple of days. Don't know the prices of plane/train tickets around there, but it can't be all that expensive, can it?

:p
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Sandwich on September 15, 2005, 03:19:35 pm
Styxx, I fully expect to get a call-up to reserves duty for sometime around Feb. or Mar... my question to you is, do you want me to get out of it, or do you want to visit me on base? ;)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Styxx on September 15, 2005, 03:28:17 pm
If you can still give me some directions for tourist spots (without me being virtually robbed by the people who live off tourists), point me to a cheap place to stay, and I can show up at your base, the second option would be awesome.

;)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Kie99 on September 15, 2005, 03:31:44 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bobboau
eh... you haven't been around an0n very long have you?
I wouldn't even bat an eye at someone telling me he consitered beastiality, incest, or pedophelia (or a combineation of two or more), let alone something as aproching of normality as homosexuality.


On his blog he posted that we wanted to rape his sister just to traumatize her.  He then called her a b*tch.

2 Down one to go....
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Sandwich on September 16, 2005, 03:05:32 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
If you can still give me some directions for tourist spots (without me being virtually robbed by the people who live off tourists), point me to a cheap place to stay, and I can show up at your base, the second option would be awesome.

;)


I think I'd much rather drive around with you visiting those places - it's been a long, long time since I've been a tourist. :)
Title: Around the World in 45 days
Post by: Kosh on September 16, 2005, 05:10:22 am
Quote
Originally posted by Styxx
Ok, developments:

My flight plan will take me through Toronto, Bangkok and Frankfurt along the way, for connections, but my travel agent tells me that I can get a later flight inside the same package if I want to stay for a while on each of these spots. So, anyone around here from these cities or close by? It's possible to stay for, like, just a day or two to buzz around a bit, see a few landmarks, and get drunk on the dirtiest pub in the area or something. Won't be bothering much.

Volunteers, speak up! :D :arr:



You could also take a detour and come to Nanjing. :p