Sri Lanka
Jul 23rd 2017, 5:55 am
#121
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: Sri Lanka
Agreed.
I tend to travel hard - seeing a lot in a short time frame. Whenever I see a guide or blog say you need to spend the entire day in this museum or that sight I always laugh because I'm always out in three hours. Like the Forbidden City. When you realise 90% of the place looks exactly the same there's no point spending hours and hours wandering around to look at yet another identical courtyard. So I'm never daunted by a packed itinerary. I also have no problems cutting out stuff to do at the last minute if I find something fascinating that I want to stay there longer.
I'm the traveller who's up at 6:30 AM, hit Starbucks (or whatever the closest equivalent is) and hit the pavement or trail. Won't say I don't understand those who linger over an overpriced hotel breakfast till 10:30 and spend the entire day at one sight not because they particularly liked it but because they are simply moving at a leisurely place, because I do, but that's not my style.
I tend to travel hard - seeing a lot in a short time frame. Whenever I see a guide or blog say you need to spend the entire day in this museum or that sight I always laugh because I'm always out in three hours. Like the Forbidden City. When you realise 90% of the place looks exactly the same there's no point spending hours and hours wandering around to look at yet another identical courtyard. So I'm never daunted by a packed itinerary. I also have no problems cutting out stuff to do at the last minute if I find something fascinating that I want to stay there longer.
I'm the traveller who's up at 6:30 AM, hit Starbucks (or whatever the closest equivalent is) and hit the pavement or trail. Won't say I don't understand those who linger over an overpriced hotel breakfast till 10:30 and spend the entire day at one sight not because they particularly liked it but because they are simply moving at a leisurely place, because I do, but that's not my style.
Oh goodness, I don't mean to sound like a total holiday fun killer.
I like to have lists of things that we want to do / see / go to and then each day we can decide what happens next. Some things need planning/ booking, some don't.
Often this is because we need to make the most of our time in a location - think of HCMC for example...Palace, war museum, tunnels trip, etc. Easily that's two whole days gone.
I like to have lists of things that we want to do / see / go to and then each day we can decide what happens next. Some things need planning/ booking, some don't.
Often this is because we need to make the most of our time in a location - think of HCMC for example...Palace, war museum, tunnels trip, etc. Easily that's two whole days gone.
Jul 23rd 2017, 6:09 am
#122
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: Sri Lanka
Agreed.
I tend to travel hard - seeing a lot in a short time frame. Whenever I see a guide or blog say you need to spend the entire day in this museum or that sight I always laugh because I'm always out in three hours. Like the Forbidden City. When you realise 90% of the place looks exactly the same there's no point spending hours and hours wandering around to look at yet another identical courtyard. So I'm never daunted by a packed itinerary. I also have no problems cutting out stuff to do at the last minute if I find something fascinating that I want to stay there longer.
I'm the traveller who's up at 6:30 AM, hit Starbucks (or whatever the closest equivalent is) and hit the pavement or trail. Won't say I don't understand those who linger over an overpriced hotel breakfast till 10:30 and spend the entire day at one sight not because they particularly liked it but because they are simply moving at a leisurely place, because I do, but that's not my style.
I tend to travel hard - seeing a lot in a short time frame. Whenever I see a guide or blog say you need to spend the entire day in this museum or that sight I always laugh because I'm always out in three hours. Like the Forbidden City. When you realise 90% of the place looks exactly the same there's no point spending hours and hours wandering around to look at yet another identical courtyard. So I'm never daunted by a packed itinerary. I also have no problems cutting out stuff to do at the last minute if I find something fascinating that I want to stay there longer.
I'm the traveller who's up at 6:30 AM, hit Starbucks (or whatever the closest equivalent is) and hit the pavement or trail. Won't say I don't understand those who linger over an overpriced hotel breakfast till 10:30 and spend the entire day at one sight not because they particularly liked it but because they are simply moving at a leisurely place, because I do, but that's not my style.
Jul 23rd 2017, 6:42 am
#123
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Sri Lanka
Whatever floats your boat innit.
For me I could think of nothing worse than having an itinerary. The fun and adventure and not knowing is what I enjoy.
My old man when he was travelling round SEA (for about 10yrs) used to buy the Lonely Planet just so he knew where not to go. If it was in it he would avoid it.
If you like have a plan and that works for you then all good. Different strokes and all that.
For me I could think of nothing worse than having an itinerary. The fun and adventure and not knowing is what I enjoy.
My old man when he was travelling round SEA (for about 10yrs) used to buy the Lonely Planet just so he knew where not to go. If it was in it he would avoid it.
If you like have a plan and that works for you then all good. Different strokes and all that.
She generally finds restaurants and bars for us to try. Fair play - she's incredibly good at picking some awesome places.
If in a bartering culture and not sure, just assume it's half of what they're saying, or less.
Don't do what I do and get bogged down with a cab fare argument when he's saying the equivalent of $1 and you're saying 80cents.
I'm really impatient and hate the rigmarole, but others love it.
Always, always, stick with your gut feeling. If the seller seems alright and not a total scumbag then make a deal. If they're a scumbag you think then buy somewhere else.
Oh, and something I heard in Sri Lanka - if you buy something hand made / silk / cotton / any claimed material. Buy the one you're looking at and don't let them take it away and wrap it, you might end up with a shit / knock off version of what you were looking at.
I'm the traveller who's up at 6:30 AM, hit Starbucks (or whatever the closest equivalent is) and hit the pavement or trail. Won't say I don't understand those who linger over an overpriced hotel breakfast till 10:30 and spend the entire day at one sight not because they particularly liked it but because they are simply moving at a leisurely place, because I do, but that's not my style.
Balance is everything.
