Re: Early August escape
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: Early August escape
 

:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Re: Early August escape
 

I'd definitely pick Lebanon though if you did pick BKK I'd recommend a day trip to the late medieval capital of Ayutthaya, about an hour away, though it it will be hot and sweaty and there are 30+ temples/sites to see; they're not walkable from each other so you'll need to book your car and driver for the whole day. Some of it is really cool though (with hidden passages inside old stupas and the like)...

In Lebanon, I don't think any of the Beirut beaches are Blue Flag quality if you know what I mean. Not sure I'd fancy swimming in them... Beirut itself is interesting, if you haven't been before, but a bit over-rated by hipster travellers I think and Hamra is bit meh. There is a pretty wild gay scene by all accounts, mainly on the East side (we were too old and dull to participate).

Baalbeck is truly amazing (and has the additional interesting twist of being Hezbollah central) but getting there for less than a king's ransom could be a challenge. I can't recommend what I did, which was to hire a car and drive yourself - while it's reasonably cheap and maximises flexibility, it's incredibly stressful and that was even though I had my Arab other-half to handle the frequent police and military checkpoints and random stops. Having said that, in a day trip to the Bekaa valley, with your own vehicle, as well as Baalbeck you could easily squeeze in a visit to a winery and the unique archaeological site of Anjar, the only extant purely Umayyad city, which is also quite beautiful (with two tone brickwork etc) and probably will be empty of tourists. A driver is likely to be essential but costly - unless you can charm a local into taking you around for "free"....

Another easy day trip is Byblos (J'beil) to the north, which is a lovely historical town with a magnificent crusader castle and lots of nice places to eat and drink. Though I guess it will probably be packed in August. The drive up the coast is nice-ish too and a lot less hazardous than the crazy drivers on the twisting road crossing the Chouf mountains.

Re: Early August escape
 

Ah yes, an useful post. Much appreciated. Lots of wankers in Lebanon but that's to be expected. I've been there ages ago but in the cooler months.

The Hezbollah connection is a bit off putting. But you survived!

Re: Early August escape
 

The $5 Hezbollah t-shirt complete with pictogram of crossed AK47s, purchased from the hawker who didn't even wait until I got out of the car at Baalbeck, was my nephew's prized possession in uni until it disintegrated after about 5 washes (that's probably almost a year for a student). The Hezbollah thing is really just decorative: lots of posters of ayatollahs, Hassan Nasrallah and yellow and black banners. Ultra-camp in fact but they keep the streets safe! And all just a few km down the road from Lebanon's most celebrated wineries...

Re: Early August escape
 

I would definitely recommend Yunnan, some fantastic limestone scenery with terraced rice paddies, I did 2 weeks there last year and just traveled around on a little 125cc motorbike staying in cheap hotels etc. Will be going back to do the same thing next year, does`nt feel like China in some ways more of a south east asia, as in rural Thailand, feel especially along the Vietnam, Laos border regions. Some parts are inundated with tourists, but if you pick your times right these only turn up by coach stay an hour and the bugger off.

And it is as cheap as chips!!

Re: Early August escape
 

Bit harsh Scamp, part of the fun of BKK is it being a bit of a shithole....breathing in the lovely aroma of sewage off the khlongs, mangy soi dogs, etc...there are some very pleasant little places away from all of this Lumpini park and watch the huge lizards that inhabit it (no not lady boys), The British Club for a taste of old colonial times....then get downright and nasty Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana...been going there since 1979, and my Dad has lived there for 50+ years

Re: Early August escape
 

Oh I'm sure lots of people love it.

Had a great night out in one area (I forget which) but when we got back to Bangkok I'd just had enough of the bullshit. Banyan Tree was lovely though and the first hotel was too, attached to Century Mall (I think). It's just the hassle and the grief and the bollocks attached to trying to do anything.

Every single person tries to fleece you. There's no other option but to bend over and get ****ed by every **** you meet. Got very boring at the end of two weeks and I won't cry about never going back.

Re: Early August escape
 

Cyprus is cheap as chips at the moment?

Paphos is lovely.

Re: Early August escape
 

Lebanon is overpriced, and full, sadly, of Lebanese people.[/QUOTE]

:lol:

No shit- Lebanon has Lebanese people there?!

Re: Early August escape
 

She's back with a bang. :rofl:

Re: Early August escape
 

:wave: hiya, I've been slacking

Re: Early August escape
 

Welcome back.
It's been the usual here anyway. Arguing and me commenting on every thread. Nothing changes.

Re: Early August escape
 

:lol:
Thanks. Just thought I'd be nosey and make my day go faster

Re: Early August escape
 

I wanted to post something rude and scathing about your unexpected return but I realised I can't. Welcome back, even if just for the moment ;)