scrubbedexpat141

I bet it is. Unlikely I'll go any time soon though, it's full of Russians.

Pica

Spent a very, very cold Christmas in Moscow not long ago. Some wonderful things to see but never felt welcome there.

TheShed

Fair point MH but I choose to live in the ME as it provides my particular skills with the best chance to earn for my future.

WRT India and China, my point was that I don't HAVE to go there so I won't. My dislike of the two place are based also on India. Some of the people I've met here, and China. The way it's waging a secret economic war against Africa.

I have a project in Kenya and am very close to that country and see on a yearly basis how China is destroying one of the worlds most beautiful places.

P.s I don't go to Pakistan anymore due to risk, but have generally found the pakistanis in my industry to be more honest and honourable than their neighbours.

Scamp - Dorset was amazing, off to The Worlds greatest city now

Meow

I rarely go on summer holidays. Most places are pricier and full of children and this place is much quieter.

I was in Istanbul earlier in the year and will probably have a week somewhere else in October or November. I also have a trip to Kenya in June next year although the timing isn't up to me. I really don't enjoy the traveling part which puts me off going away that often.

scrubbedexpat141

Southampton?

Philippines so far: bat shit crazy, amazing, friendly, stunning, 3rd world.

Been here all of 5 minutes and can tell I'm going to enjoy it a lot.

InVinoVeritas

Two weeks in New England in October to do some leaf-peeping and lobster roll eating. Did it in 2000 and had an amazing time.

hnd

Started our holiday in Edinburgh with family. Some highs and some really dreadful lows. Then flew down to our old home area in Sussex and caught up with more family and old friends for three days. Then jumped on a plane to Salzburg for three nights where we enjoyed discovering the town and its various refreshment opportunities. Next onto a train to Innsbruck for some more gentle sightseeing and yet more opportunitites to discover the local brews and wines. We were half way up a mountain this morning and bumped into a couple from Bahrain who knew our neighbours from when we lived in Dubai - very small world😳. Onto another train tomorrow lunchtime to Munich to catch up with friends, do some shopping and indulge in a last porkfest before flying back to Muscat on Sunday.

If any of you are ever in Innsbruck we can recommend Stiftskeller on the edge of the Altstadt - a great place to eat and to sit and while away the time over a drink (or several) whilst people watching. We also met a great couple of guys from New Orleans who are here in Innsbruck setting up a New Orleans jazz, blues, gospel - everything New Orleans style really - fest in a square on the side of the river next to the Cammerlander. It's this weekend so we'll miss it but if any of you are into that stuff and thinking of a trip in this direction in the future it could be worth checking on the dates. Who knew that Innsbruck is twinned with New Orleans?

Hope you're all having fun wherever you are 👍

co durham boy

Great people mate and a great country . Mad as a bag of ferrets !!

scrubbedexpat141

What a holiday. Granted, we stayed in nice resorts and a casino hotel (which was quite average) and didn't see as much of the country as I'd have maybe liked to....but don't care because we will 100% be going back.

The food, people, weather (we got v lucky, no rain and blue sky)...everything. Quality country.

First place I've ever been that saying your Good Morning / Afternoono / Evening, PLease, Thank You etc in the local (not Tagalog) language went miles. Everytime it was greeted with huge grins and questions about how we knew etc.

Cebu as a city didn't offer barrel loads, but was a nice place. Bit dicey, malls and places were swarming with armed security and we were searched for 'guns and knives' going anywhere. Wasn't a great problem though, hotels offered more than enough entertainment!

mikewot

Cambodia, Siam Reap, hotel we stayed at gave truly amazing service. Upper range price but not expensive per se. In my experience the best hotel I have stayed at in the world, head and shoulders above everywhere else for service.

InVinoVeritas

Care to share Mike? I'm off to Siem Reap in a month but haven't booked anywhere yet.

mikewot

Privilege Floor, Lotus Blanc. Read the Tripadvisor reports (mine should be published tonight), I cannot add more than that. Absolutely first class service, if we ever go back then this is the place we will stay.