Author Topic: "Holiday Road" - The Official Vacation Thread (Read 171623 times)

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #75:** February 25, 2014, 11:36:39 AM »

I suggest you try a sampler of Russia House's infused vodkas before writing the whole category off. The horseradish and garlic vodkas are really tasty.

Quote from: HalfSmokes on February 25, 2014, 10:37:09 AM

flavored vodka shots are something I could do without

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #76:** February 25, 2014, 11:41:56 AM »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on February 25, 2014, 11:36:39 AM

I suggest you try a sampler of Russia House's infused vodkas before writing the whole category off. The horseradish and garlic vodkas are really tasty.

l used to go there occasionally before kids. Now, if I'm spending good money on drinks, I want something I can sip and enjoy with a comfortable chair and a noise level where I can hear my friends, preferably outside. Then again, going out to drink now usually means either beers over a neighbor's bbq or going to the pool and grilling with beers

OldChelsea · « **Reply #77:** February 25, 2014, 11:50:21 AM »

Lithuania, 16th-26th June. Only remaining Baltic country (apart from Russia) I haven't visited, and I'll also be missing a four-match Nats Park visit from the Braves and their mental-defective supporters.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #78:** February 25, 2014, 11:54:56 AM »

Excellent planning

Quote from: OldChelsea on February 25, 2014, 11:50:21 AM

I'll also be missing a four-match Nats Park visit from the Braves and their mental-defective supporters.

tomterp · « **Reply #79:** February 25, 2014, 09:04:50 PM »

My bro's taking my nephew to Normandy for June 4-8.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #80:** February 25, 2014, 10:02:35 PM »

Wow. I went to Juno Beach in June '84. Powerful.

Quote from: tomterp on February 25, 2014, 09:04:50 PM

My bro's taking my nephew to Normandy for June 4-8.

lastobjective · « **Reply #81:** February 26, 2014, 07:52:31 AM »

Going to China May 24 - June 3, then Japan through June 12. Thankfully I'm traveling with a good friend who speaks some Chinese and a little Japanese. It'll be my first time going to Asia as well.

Natsinpwc · « **Reply #82:** February 26, 2014, 09:50:00 AM »

Quote from: lastobjective on February 26, 2014, 07:52:31 AM

Going to China May 24 - June 3, then Japan through June 12. Thankfully I'm traveling with a good friend who speaks some Chinese and a little Japanese. It'll be my first time going to Asia as well.

Sounds like fun; I have traveled extensively in Asia although not for many years. Been to Tokyo; never in China except for Hong Kong. People are nice and will assist you if you can't understand signs or look lost. Don't forget to bargain when you buy things; even in stores. They will be offended if you don't! People don't queue up in bus and subway stations, etc. Just their culture and they are not being rude to you. I also recall leaving tips in Japan and having people look at me funny; then read it was not normal to tip for meals. Of ocurse that was like 30 years ago so read up on that kind of stuff before you go.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #83:** February 26, 2014, 10:29:04 AM »

That's the middle of the Japanese baseball season...

Quote from: lastobjective on February 26, 2014, 07:52:31 AM

Going to China May 24 - June 3, then Japan through June 12. Thankfully I'm traveling with a good friend who speaks some Chinese and a little Japanese. It'll be my first time going to Asia as well.

Natsinpwc · « **Reply #84:** February 26, 2014, 02:34:25 PM »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on February 26, 2014, 10:29:04 AM

That's the middle of the Japanese baseball season...

I watched the Nippon Ham Fighters play someone back in April or May 1985 when I was there on business; we were unable to get tickets to the Giants but I did get a Gianst souvenir baseball I still have.

It was lots of fun and I remember they brought around whiskey to sell in addition to beer!

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #85:** February 26, 2014, 02:56:25 PM »

Excellent - that's definitely on my bucket list.

Quote from: Natsinpwc on February 26, 2014, 02:34:25 PM

I watched the Nippon Ham Fighters play someone back in April or May 1985 when I was there on business; we were unable to get tickets to the Giants but I did get a Gianst souvenir baseball I still have.

It was lots of fun and I remember they brought around whiskey to sell in addition to beer!

lastobjective · « **Reply #86:** February 26, 2014, 08:15:04 PM »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on February 26, 2014, 10:29:04 AM

That's the middle of the Japanese baseball season...

I'm hoping I can convince my friend to go to at least half a game. I think it'd be amazing, and I'd love to see a NPB game.

Natsinpwc, thanks for your story!! I will definitely try to read up a bit on how to do things. I look forward to eating all the good food....

Natsinpwc · « **Reply #87:** February 26, 2014, 09:45:31 PM »

Quote from: lastobjective on February 26, 2014, 08:15:04 PM

I'm hoping I can convince my friend to go to at least half a game. I think it'd be amazing, and I'd love to see a NPB game.

Natsinpwc, thanks for your story!! I will definitely try to read up a bit on how to do things. I look forward to eating all the good food....

I spent five weeks in Tokyo. Again this was many years ago but most places had plastic displays of their main dishes so I could always point to what I wanted if there was no English menu.

tomterp · « **Reply #88:** March 01, 2014, 09:33:19 PM »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on February 25, 2014, 10:02:35 PM

Wow. I went to Juno Beach in June '84. Powerful.

60 years hence now and most of the vets are early 80's, in another decade few will be around, much less able to travel.

He's going to chat up a few of the old guys, drink copious amounts of local wines and live the moment.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #89:** March 01, 2014, 10:21:19 PM »

No sir, 70 years hence. My FIL lied about his age to join after Pearl Harbour and his 90th B-day is later this month.

tomterp · « **Reply #90:** March 02, 2014, 05:44:00 PM »

Quote from: Ali the Baseball Cat on March 01, 2014, 10:21:19 PM

No sir, 70 years hence.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #91:** March 03, 2014, 10:39:54 AM »

90s, not 80s, either. If you just turned 20 on 6/6/1944, then you'd be 89 today.

houston-nat · « **Reply #92:** March 03, 2014, 01:59:14 PM »

Any recommendations on hiking boots? I'm climbing a volcano in Guatemala next week...

HalfSmokes · « **Reply #93:** March 03, 2014, 02:06:32 PM »

I'm a big fan of Merrells, they also tend to break in fast which is good if you need them fast.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #94:** March 03, 2014, 03:12:42 PM »

Depends how much gear you'll be carrying...if you are carrying a heavy pack over rough terrain, heavy leather boots (such as Vasque) have the best grip and support. If not, I would go for lighter mesh w/ gore tex boots (I have a pair of Asolos I picked up for like $100 from Sierra that have served me well on several trips to Costa Rica).

Terpfan76 · « **Reply #95:** March 03, 2014, 04:38:41 PM »

Ask cope... he might be able to hook you up.

tomterp · « **Reply #96:** March 03, 2014, 04:44:01 PM »

Quote from: Terpfan76 on March 03, 2014, 04:38:41 PM

Ask cope... he might be able to hook you up.

Yeah, we just had a discussion on boots. Cope and I both vote Salomon, but the right boot is the one that fits you best as well as being durable enough for the intended purpose. Day hiking is not the same as a heavy backpacking expedition.

houston-nat · « **Reply #97:** March 03, 2014, 05:14:41 PM »

Probably not going to do anything super heavy-duty for a while, but will be using it for long or rough walks on a few vacations. There's a decent chance that I do serious hiking in 2015, though.

UMDNats · « **Reply #98:** March 03, 2014, 05:18:33 PM »

Haven't had a vacation since spring break 2012 with my family. Literally can't wait to actually get a few days at the beach this summer.

houston-nat · « **Reply #99:** March 04, 2014, 12:28:26 PM »

Okay, I guess I don't need to buy those hiking boots just yet since the volcano my friends and I were going to climb IS FREAKING ERUPTING RIGHT NOW.