Re: Have You been ?
Posted: 03 Jul 2020, 13:37
Selby White wrote:
Next Ten -
11. Hong Kong
Went with Mrs MW in 2010, got a package deal from the excellent Kuoni including flights with Air New Zealand. The Langham Place hotel is in the Mongkok district and is one of the best I've ever stayed in - nicely appointed rooms, spotless and excellent service. It is on top of the Mongkok metro station so very convenient for getting around. Yet in the road at the back of the hotel there was a street market with fish flapping around in bowls and hens in cages - thankfully don't recall seeing bats - as well as traditional Chinese shops, really fascinating.
Didn't take too much notice at the time but perhaps one in ten people were wearing face masks.
It was cloudy and rather humid the week we stayed and there was some heavy rain typically on the day we took the ferry to one of the islands. My recollection is that it wasn't overly expensive but certainly not as cheap as I had imagined - really couldn't say we got any bargains there.
The place had a real buzz about it and the iconic trams add to the unique atmosphere. At the time I got the impression that HK brings together the best of Chinese and British cultures, but. sadly, I don't think that's the case today.
Had some enjoyable meals, most notably when we met my companies' distributor and they took us for a seafood blowout which was sensational. Eating out was certainly more expensive than the UK, well Nottingham anyway.
Conclusion: I've ticked it off my bucket list and it's unlikely I'd go back
12. Tokyo
I wish! Right at the top of my list
13. Madrid
One company I worked for had a major office in Madrid and used to visit probably every three months.
But my first ever visit was with a different company in the early 1980's. I was with my colleague John and we met the local sales people for dinner and there were solemn promises that we'll get cracking at 9 AM the next morning. So we rolled up at the office at 8:50 to find the door locked. Eventually a girl arrived probably about 9:20, head down, avoiding eye contact, and we were let in. By about 10 AM everyone was there and we were able to get on. It got to 12:30 and my stomach started rumbling so I asked John when lunch was and he said 'be patient'. An hour later still nothing.....but we finally went out at 2:00 PM. I remember it was a small church converted to a restaurant. Nice apperitive of dry fino sherry, food started arriving as did bottles of red wine, the place was packed and the hub-bub of conversations gradually increased.
When you are with the locals you cannot (!) finish a meal without a brandy to accompany your coffee, so they ordered a special one called Cardenal Mendoza. OMG there's no using of optics and I was poured the biggest measure I've ever seen in a huge goblet. At one stage I had the presence of mind to look at my watch and it was 5:30! and lunch was still in full swing! And there was a potential problem: my flight home was at 6:15! As you might imagine I was feeling rather carefree by that stage, but fortunately I only had hand luggage and the taxi got to the airport in 15 minutes and got my flight ok - those were the days!
It's a good destination for a visit with some fabulously elegant boulevards and buildings, and there's plenty of historical sights in addition to a pleasant climate. Well worth staying a few days to take it all in. I find the Madrilenos rather humourless and they can be a bit stand offish. The compensation, well for me at least, is that like much of Spain, it's a great place for eating out with the various regions of the country well represented - Galicia, Asturias, Basque Country and Andalucia. The seafood is of a calibre rarely found in the UK.
I'd happily go back if only to stock up on Cardenal Mendoza.....
14. Athens
Been a couple of times on business. The Acropolis and other antiquities are, of course, unique and unmissable. Elsewhere it's probably the ugliest city I've ever visited with mile after mile of grey appartment buildings all of the same height (it's in an earthquake zone). It gets seriously hot too.
Wouldn't be bothered by not going again.
15. Prague
When I worked in Frankfurt Prague was a five hour drive due east and we went as a family a couple of times. The centre is dotted with wonderful and interesting buildings and squares, and there''s that unique 'Mittel Europa' atmosphere. Always found prices quite reasonable, eg half litre of beer perhaps £1.50. Don't know if the locals have had an issue with the influx of visitors since the fall of communism but some of them can be very surly and off-hand. For the single gentlemen among us there are some very attractive ladies, like in much of Eastern Europe. Excellent local red wine too!
I'd happily go back the Czech Republic but would like to visit other smaller cities: Brno, Ostrava and Olomouc
16. Edinburgh
Was a guest at the Scotland v France rugby match once and thoroughly enjoyed my time in the city. Took Mrs MW there a while back and it was great again, as was our visit to Glasgow.
17. Seoul
Down the list a bit, but would go.
18. Sydney
I'd prefer to see Perth if I was travelling that far, but, yes, it's one of the world's great cities. Have friends in Melbourne too.
19. Shanghai
Down the list but yes
20. St Petersburg
I've seen the pictures and it looks magnificent. Have a standing invite to stay with a family there.
More -
21. Amsterdam
One company I worked for had a factory near the city so have been often. Well worth doing a touristy canal trip to take in the city's unique layout and architecture. Always struck me as not especially clean, but there's a good buzz about the place, even away from the famous coffee shops.
22.New Orleans
23. Vancouver
24. Auckland
My cousin lives there and I like what I've seen. Also have a school friend living in Nelson on the south Island, so, yes I'd like to go
25. Bangkok
We have a Thai family who are good friends of ours and, in an ideal world. would like to visit their country with them
26. Damascus
Was pretty high up my list before the troubles on the basis it's said to be the city that's been continuously inhabited for the longest time.
27. Jerusalem
28. Cape Town
Was lucky enough to go when in RSA on business. My absolute favourite place I've ever visited! The setting at the foot of Table Mountain is spectacular and I was taken to see some of the places along the coast from the city, truly beautiful. Very reasonable in terms of prices and has a very pleasant sunny climate.
29. Cairo
Isn't it the base to go and see the Pyramids? Can't say I've ever heard anyone raving about the city.....
30. Marrakech
As part of a visit including other Moroccan cities. Friends of ours visited last year and found the local mens' attitude towards women unacceptable.
So come on folks tell us your stories about any of the above cities