Slean Wolfhead Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Because I thought he meant somewhere halfway between the 2 not on Australia's doorstep. It's not halfway from the UK, it's about 10 hours from the East Coast of the USA. It's halfway for somebody in New York. I know because we've just gone through this with Yank mates and they came up with Hawaii. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortlepuss Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 South Goa, or just over the border is still fine....probably not the best places for kids though.You're right though, UK package deals started the destruction bringing in the beer monsters, and then Russian mob money just finished it off. First time i went i paid 7p for a bottle of coke, and we were eating out for £3 a night with drinks. You can see why it became attractive to profiteers. Went to Goa in the 80's - lots of stoned hippies living on the beach but before era of mass travel brought drunken louts and profiteers. I remember it being so cheap, and so beautiful - quiet shack on the beach for an evening meal, strolling along the beach early morning and hubby being made to help the local fishermen launch their boats (anyone vaguely strong was easy prey!), Kingfishers in the rock pools. A magical place and sadly lost now - I'd love to find somewhere like it, suspect I would be horrified if I returned there..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Having a month off work and self employed..budget is important; This rules out US. Bali is closer to Aus but seems better value especially when living for a month. Can be close to beach to surf, no car hire etc. still investigating and appreciate everybody's input and passion x When you said somewhere inbetween, I was picturing somewhere a little bit more equal in terms of travel time. We met up with family "in between" on the west coast of USA, so about 13 hours for us and maybe 11 for UK family. I would have felt a bit cheeky suggesting Bali, a few hours for us and practically 24 for them! I might as well have said come to Australia and stay with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I read this earlier on my phone and at that point was going to suggest Sri Lanka on the basis of direct flights to/from the UK and Australia and budget. It's been mentioned already and not sure why it wouldn't be considered suitable for children but then I have never been one for pandering to our son preferring for him to experience other cultures and living history rather than the 'disneyland' approach. I found a nice little article about family holidays in Sri Lanka http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/srilanka/10621447/Sri-Lanka-family-holidays-the-amazing-Mr-Elephant.html And well within budget - what about somewhere like this? https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/7882846?checkin=01-12-2015&checkout=31-12-2015&guests=6&s=wfWJ I worked with a lady from Sri Lanka and she became a good friend. We went to stay with her family three times when our lads were small and that is when the civil war was happening :shocked: We never saw any problems where her family lived and the lads had a great time with lots of adventures. We have been back since and did a lot more travelling. It's a beautiful place. I have to add Sesha also came with me to Scotland to visit once and she loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watneyni Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 It seems Bali is a lot cheaper than Thailand and it seems our $$$$ can stretch further. Unfortunately, it is further travel for our UK family, but the amazing villa's, location and cost should offset this. Anybody have any Bali recommendations? Must be walking distance to the beach and shops, sleeps 8 and have a swimming pool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I worked with a lady from Sri Lanka and she became a good friend. We went to stay with her family three times when our lads were small and that is when the civil war was happening :shocked: We never saw any problems where her family lived and the lads had a great time with lots of adventures. We have been back since and did a lot more travelling. It's a beautiful place. I have to add Sesha also came with me to Scotland to visit once and she loved it! One of my closest friends family is from Sri Lanka, she lives in Scotland now which is where we met and in fact she has Sri Lankan family in Perth too so we always felt connected and on our return journey to Scotland we flew via Sri Lanka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slean Wolfhead Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Went to Goa in the 80's - lots of stoned hippies living on the beach but before era of mass travel brought drunken louts and profiteers. I remember it being so cheap, and so beautiful - quiet shack on the beach for an evening meal, strolling along the beach early morning and hubby being made to help the local fishermen launch their boats (anyone vaguely strong was easy prey!), Kingfishers in the rock pools. A magical place and sadly lost now - I'd love to find somewhere like it, suspect I would be horrified if I returned there..... That's how i would describe it, magical. The smells, the colour, the humidity, helping the fishermen at Agonda and buying your live crabs off them for somebody else to cook....spicy samosas for breakfast and vindaloo at Bob's Inn for tea. The only place I've ever been that really effected me as "otherworldy". I last went back in 2006 and even the Indians had changed, mafia types from Bombay running taxis and building on farmland everywhere, rampant corruption in politics. I shan't bother going back again. Thailand is a much better option now...it's also commercialised but at least it's been done with more brains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slean Wolfhead Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Interesting article about Goa, maybe there will be hope one day http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-34311423 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benthomas010 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 It seems Bali is a lot cheaper than Thailand and it seems our $$$$ can stretch further. Unfortunately, it is further travel for our UK family, but the amazing villa's, location and cost should offset this. Anybody have any Bali recommendations? Must be walking distance to the beach and shops, sleeps 8 and have a swimming pool! It's not that far from uk... I used to do it 3 times per year :-) 17 hours airport to airport. Sorry no Vila recommendations though... Was never that flash lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 It's not that far from uk... I used to do it 3 times per year :-) 17 hours airport to airport. Sorry no Vila recommendations though... Was never that flash lol. Given that Perth is 18 hours it's hardly 'between' Aus and UK though. Intrigued why anyone would go three times a year, since you imply you were paying for yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacaranda Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Chortle I know a place in India on the coast that is very quiet and small,thats beautiful (not Goa)unspoilt and paradise but I'm afraid I won't disclose it because I want it to stay that way!:laugh:The flight went via Goa,and most people departed at Goa,I think there were only 12 of us on the flight to "the other destination"!Sri Lanka?Could quite easily retire there!The reason I stated it wasn't really for children is because when we went the kids were teenagers (13 and 15)and were getting to the stage where they didn't really want to come on holiday with us anyway!lol I'd love to train it though from Colombo to Trincomolee,and stay there for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benthomas010 Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Given that Perth is 18 hours it's hardly 'between' Aus and UK though. Intrigued why anyone would go three times a year, since you imply you were paying for yourself. Just a darn nice place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 So @watneyni where did you go in the end and how was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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