I_Will_Freckle

Just for the record - I HATED Bali and Lombok. The longest 3 weeks of my life!

Seasider - thought you were coming to Perth?

annqldau

It's like Aus everyone likes different places I suppose for different reasons.

I_Will_Freckle

Of course.

Getting dysentry didn't help...

BadgeIsBack

Magnetic Island?

annqldau

I'm getting world wander lust I think, withdrawal symptoms may need to go further than magnetic island.

Kooky.

Good lord no - Perth was never a possibility; it was Sydney or Palm Cove and there's not much of an IT industry in Palm Cove.

The first time I went to Bali, which was from the UK and my first holiday after hooking up with my current husband, I spent the first 3 days sharing the bathroom with him. Not much you have to discover about each other after that. I'd only been to Asia once, to Hong Kong, was a bit careless and cleaned my teeth with tap water. Something I'd never do now, even after living there for 6 years (Singapore is not Asia in that respect; I drink the water there).

The first time I went to Lombok, I was sick for about 5 days. Not sure why as I was careful, but that was nothing compared to the earthquake.

Gotta live dangerously sometimes.

brido

Nothing says 'aussie" more than cheap. Chevron Island is as warm as Surfers Paradise all year round and can be accessed by walking if you live close enough.

I heard New Caledonia was quite expensive,so im afraid i cant help.Im not even sure how far away it is!

annqldau

LOL... 2 weeks on Chevron Island...I think not but thanks for the effort.

bobbyftm

what about Vietnam? my ex haircutterer was there late last year and said it was extremely nice

annqldau

yOu have to wear black pyjamas though don't you???

It has crossed my mind.

Busy trying to work out who does the best last minute deals here... any suggestions welcome.

bcworld

Very hard work......be prepared for some not particularly good natured high pressure selling at every turn. I spent 17 days travelling from the Mekong Delta north to Halong Bay...by the time I was half way up I was completely over it. It was a completely different experience to Thailand and Cambodia where the people were so much friendlier and hospitable.

annqldau

Suppose Vietnam has already been corrupted by Americans.

Kooky.

I've only been to Hanoi and Halong Bay but I loved Vietnam. Hanoi is very cool, steeped in history, mad traffic (motorbikes) and a great vibe. We went to Halong Bay at the wrong time of year (February) but the mist just made it more eery to me.

I didn't find people to be unfriendly at all - just wanting to make a living.

The curfew on bars is a bit of a bummer though (we were just getting going at 11pm and were told it was last orders in Ming's Jazz Bar - WTF?).

bcworld

It's a fascinating country - there are some amazing things to see - and Hanoi was probably the highlight.

I've nothing against people making a living, and in other countries I've had no issues. But in Vietnam I had really bad experiences, often in situations which seemed to start off with real sincerity and then just turned nasty. Like the point when you say you won't pay 10US Dollars for a postcard. Or at the end of a Cyclo ride when the agreed price miraculously doubles.

annqldau

I'm open to all options and nobody gets a post card when I'm on holiday just a toast with a beer or two.