OT: The Travel Thread

[Stoneburg]

A neighbor was just raving about the beaches at Sandbanks and told me it’s only 4 hours by car from Montreal and all you need is to book an Airbnb.

What is the most popular beach in Sandbanks?

Outlet Beach

Sandbanks Provincial Park

Outlet Beach is the most widely known. With its expansive, two-kilometre-long shoreline, soft, white sand and rolling waves, thousands flock here each summer. 750,000 of them, in fact.

Has anyone been? Any tips? What’s an ideal number of days to spend there?

I’ve been craving for a beach for the longest time. Since I can’t take a week off to go to Riviera Maya, I was wondering if a few days at Sandbanks would do the trick.

We live in the area. This is a great place to stay that is a hidden gem, with a semi-private beach just offshore, warm, crystal clear water, as good as Sandbanks, 2 km also, without the crowds.

Stoneburg Cove Cottages | Cottage Rentals & RV Park Carrying Place

Stoneburg Cove Cottages is a seasonal boutique cottage rental, RV Park and Marina located in Carrying Place, minutes from Prince Edward County.

www.stoneburgcove.com

There are dozens of things to do in the area, 45 wineries, cideries, microbreweries, and great restos, so the longer you stay the better.

 

[angusyoung]

Going to Jamaica for the first in February.

Any do's and don't's? Any special places to see? People have told me to stay clear of Kingston. A lot of violence and poverty, they say.

Here's a few heads up,,Everybody knows to avoid Kingston,We once went with a friend that was from there originally,Mobay, and even he and his family won't go there. Have to ask why Jamaica with the current climate there. Negril has the best beach and the area is safer that Mobay. I know friends that have been robbed by their taxi driver and even the tour guide,take an excursion through your place of residence,might be safer. More than a few have had their rooms ransacked and the safes were opened. Don't waste your time and money on golfing,terrible conditions and a total ripoff. Get your weed or hash from where you're staying if that's your bag. Dunn's river falls, which in near Ocho,which is pretty good and safe also,but still be on guard,is great to experience,bring bug spray! but it's a hike from Negril.

 

[BLONG7]

Going to the DR in April, first time leaving Canada since 2017...............looking forward to Punta Cana
Or as they call it, Punta Canada !!!

 

[angusyoung]

Going to the DR in April, first time leaving Canada since 2017...............looking forward to Punta Cana
Or as they call it, Punta Canada !!!

October we're going back to the Cook islands for a wedding

 

[HuGort]

I am thinking on retiring to warmer country. Possibly Portugal.

 

[sandviper]

I didn’t go anywhere as exotic as some of you are discussing but I just came back from a Bahamas cruise a few weeks ago. FWIW, I felt completely safe and no concerns about covid. I can’t speak about the more recent variants making the news, but we had a great time and the weather was beautiful.

I sailed on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas and we went to Nassau and Coco Cay. For those who have cruised, as you probably agree, the food was wonderful as well.

 

[Runner77]

I was in Morin Heights recently with a friend who knows someone who has a house overlooking a lake. We ended up spending a good part of the afternoon with him, turns out everyone knows him as he is the only owner who regularly walks around that lake, so he made a lot of friends.

Fascinating individual, he retired at 38. Had lived in Paris but decided he had enough and for what was the price of a studio apartment in Paris at the time of his retirement (he’s probably in his 70s now), he bought his Morin Heights home.

Since he doesn’t like our winters, he rents out his house in the winter months and travels to warmer climes. He told me that one of those places he spent considerable time at last year was Serbia. Says he was stunned by the low cost of living, quality food and affordable health services. Very safe environment and lots to do.

Says he’s going back this year but would never consider buying as it’s never a good idea being an absentee owner. His approach is that if he’s leasing, then he’s protected as the owner of the property will do all in his power to deal with any irritant or unforeseen situation in order to protect the revenue stream this gentleman provides as a lessee.

Serbia? Gotta admit I would have never even considered it as a destination. Anyone experienced it?

 

[sandviper]

I was in Morin Heights recently with a friend who knows someone who has a house overlooking a lake. We ended up spending a good part of the afternoon with him, turns out everyone knows him as he is the only owner who regularly walks around that lake, so he made a lot of friends.

Fascinating individual, he retired at 38. Had lived in Paris but decided he had enough and for what was the price of a studio apartment in Paris at the time of his retirement (he’s probably in his 70s now), he bought his Morin Heights home.

Since he doesn’t like our winters, he rents out his house in the winter months and travels to warmer climes. He told me that one of those places he spent considerable time at last year was Serbia. Says he was stunned by the low cost of living, quality food and affordable health services. Very safe environment and lots to do.

Says he’s going back this year but would never consider buying as it’s never a good idea being an absentee owner. His approach is that if he’s leasing, then he’s protected as the owner of the property will do all in his power to deal with any irritant or unforeseen situation in order to protect the revenue stream this gentleman provides as a lessee.

Serbia? Gotta admit I would have never even considered it as a destination. Anyone experienced it?

NGL, never even entertained the idea of Serbia.

 

[Scriptor]

I am thinking on retiring to warmer country. Possibly Portugal.

Third person I have seen talk about this in the last month. Parts of Portugal are fairly still inexpensive.

Always remember health insurance costs when retiring abroad. My friend is looking to get his EEC passport through his Italian nationality in order to cover that...

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I was in Morin Heights recently with a friend who knows someone who has a house overlooking a lake. We ended up spending a good part of the afternoon with him, turns out everyone knows him as he is the only owner who regularly walks around that lake, so he made a lot of friends.

Fascinating individual, he retired at 38. Had lived in Paris but decided he had enough and for what was the price of a studio apartment in Paris at the time of his retirement (he’s probably in his 70s now), he bought his Morin Heights home.

Since he doesn’t like our winters, he rents out his house in the winter months and travels to warmer climes. He told me that one of those places he spent considerable time at last year was Serbia. Says he was stunned by the low cost of living, quality food and affordable health services. Very safe environment and lots to do.

Says he’s going back this year but would never consider buying as it’s never a good idea being an absentee owner. His approach is that if he’s leasing, then he’s protected as the owner of the property will do all in his power to deal with any irritant or unforeseen situation in order to protect the revenue stream this gentleman provides as a lessee.

Serbia? Gotta admit I would have never even considered it as a destination. Anyone experienced it?

They still haven't changed the name to Molson Heights?

Serbia's past and geopolitical position makes it a place I would not visit. Rather would go to Malaysia or Thailand if I want quality, good food and rent at a low price. Year round sunshine and beaches, to boot. Will be moving there, hopefuly in max 10 years. Probably close to KL, even though Malaysians aren't big dog lovers. We'll rent from a Chinese owner as they often live in neighborhoods where dogs are more accepted.

 

[Runner77]

They still haven't changed the name to Molson Heights?

Serbia's past and geopolitical position makes it a place I would not visit. Rather would go to Malaysia or Thailand if I want quality, good food and rent at a low price. Year round sunshine and beaches, to boot. Will be moving there, hopefuly in max 10 years. Probably close to KL, even though Malaysians aren't big dog lovers. We'll rent from a Chinese owner as they often live in neighborhoods where dogs are more accepted.

Next time I go to Morin Heights, I’m going to try and locate the recording studio where Rush and others famously recorded. It apparently was not in Morin Heights but close to it. Was fully demolished only in 2020:

Le Studio (later renamed Studio Morin Heights) was a residential recording studio in the Laurentian Mountains near the town of Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada built in 1972 by recording engineer and producer André Perry, Nick Blagona and Yaël Brandeis. The studio with a Trident console where artists recorded and stayed, was the venue for many notable Canadian and international artists, including Rush (it was nicknamed "Rush's Abbey Road"), The Police, Bee Gees, Chicago, David Bowie, April Wine and Cat Stevens and Vain. Perry described the facility as "like the United Nations. I had people from London, New York, Quebec, all over the world."

Renowned for its retreat-like location as well as its state-of-the-art equipment,[3] it was one of the earliest studios to install a Solid State LogicSL 4000 B mixing console and RADAR digital-recording equipment.[4] Perry sold the studio in 1988. In 2008 the studio had gone out of business, and as of 2015 the property was up for sale.[5] On 11 August 2017, the building was partially destroyed by "a suspicious" fire.[2]The entirety of the complex was demolished in 2020.[6] (…)

The house and grounds are featured in the music videos of the recording sessions of the Rush songs "Tom Sawyer",[1] "Limelight" and "Vital Signs".[20] The studio is also seen in April Wine's music video for "I Like to Rock." Also, an episode of Popular Mechanics for Kids was taped there, with Elisha Cuthbertdemonstrating recording and mixing techniques.[21]

This Rush clip is from there:

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Next time I go to Morin Heights, I’m going to try and locate the recording studio where Rush and others famously recorded. It apparently was not in Morin Heights but close to it. Was fully demolished only in 2020:

Le Studio (later renamed Studio Morin Heights) was a residential recording studio in the Laurentian Mountains near the town of Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada built in 1972 by recording engineer and producer André Perry, Nick Blagona and Yaël Brandeis. The studio with a Trident console where artists recorded and stayed, was the venue for many notable Canadian and international artists, including Rush (it was nicknamed "Rush's Abbey Road"), The Police, Bee Gees, Chicago, David Bowie, April Wine and Cat Stevens and Vain. Perry described the facility as "like the United Nations. I had people from London, New York, Quebec, all over the world."

Renowned for its retreat-like location as well as its state-of-the-art equipment,[3] it was one of the earliest studios to install a Solid State LogicSL 4000 B mixing console and RADAR digital-recording equipment.[4] Perry sold the studio in 1988. In 2008 the studio had gone out of business, and as of 2015 the property was up for sale.[5] On 11 August 2017, the building was partially destroyed by "a suspicious" fire.[2]The entirety of the complex was demolished in 2020.[6] (…)

The house and grounds are featured in the music videos of the recording sessions of the Rush songs "Tom Sawyer",[1] "Limelight" and "Vital Signs".[20] The studio is also seen in April Wine's music video for "I Like to Rock." Also, an episode of Popular Mechanics for Kids was taped there, with Elisha Cuthbertdemonstrating recording and mixing techniques.[21]

This Rush clip is from there:

My cousin painted the apartments next to the studio in the 80's

 

[Runner77]

My cousin painted the apartments next to the studio in the 80's

Your cousin is fame-adjacent.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Your cousin is fame-adjacent.

According to him, he once stumbled on a passed out Keith Richard on a couch, that summer.

The story seemed credible. I imagine there are literally thousands who've had the exact same experience.

 

[David Suzuki]

Serbia would be an awesome place to travel to, plenty of history and a great place to booze if that's your thing. I've never personally been but I know people who have and they don't have any complaints.

 

[Mrb1p]

Serbia would be an awesome place to travel to, plenty of history and a great place to booze if that's your thing. I've never personally been but I know people who have and they don't have any complaints.

A couple of my fellow chefs have ventured in the balkans and they swear by it. Both for the food, people and culture. Its on my short list after I graduate.

 

[RabbleMasterBlaster]

I heard great things about Bali. You can live cheaply in a rented hut on a beach (20 some dollars a day) and eat exquisite food that is very affordable. I know someone who did it for over 3 months and loved her experience.

Anyone been there?

Bali is greatly overrated. And it's really not that nice of a place. There's a lot of white privilege attitudes that make people think they can do this, but Balinese aren't big fans. Additionally, there's a very real and growing contingency of extreme Islamic law sweeping the land and trust me, you don't want to be around when it comes through.

I agree with everything y'all saying about Vietnam. I originally sent because of the Top Gear special where they ride motorcycles from HCMC to ha long bay. I did Hanoi to hoi an by train (going to ha long bay first) and it was probably the best thing I've ever done in my life. Vietnam is a truly special special place.

I originally moved to Singapore for the purpose of traveling around SEA but I've just passed the 8 years mark so... Singapore is obviously an anomaly in Asia. Its wildly too expensive, but does give you the best starting location to go anywhere.

Thailand is probably where I will end up retiring.

 

[Runner77]

My daughter got bumped from a flight on standby and will be spending the next few days in Rome.

Any suggestions for good but affordable hotels and restaurants?

 

[Incubajerks]

My daughter got bumped from a flight on standby and will be spending the next few days in Rome.

Any suggestions for good but affordable hotels and restaurants?

It depends on what you want to eat and where you will eventually stay, if you need advice write me in private ...

 

[Runner77]

It depends on what you want to eat and where you will eventually stay, if you need advice write me in private ...

Thanks for the kind response. She managed to book a flight out, tomorrow. Will definitely keep it in mind next time.

 

[DougHarvey]

Next time I go to Morin Heights, I’m going to try and locate the recording studio where Rush and others famously recorded. It apparently was not in Morin Heights but close to it. Was fully demolished only in 2020:

Le Studio (later renamed Studio Morin Heights) was a residential recording studio in the Laurentian Mountains near the town of Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada built in 1972 by recording engineer and producer André Perry, Nick Blagona and Yaël Brandeis. The studio with a Trident console where artists recorded and stayed, was the venue for many notable Canadian and international artists, including Rush (it was nicknamed "Rush's Abbey Road"), The Police, Bee Gees, Chicago, David Bowie, April Wine and Cat Stevens and Vain. Perry described the facility as "like the United Nations. I had people from London, New York, Quebec, all over the world."

Renowned for its retreat-like location as well as its state-of-the-art equipment,[3] it was one of the earliest studios to install a Solid State LogicSL 4000 B mixing console and RADAR digital-recording equipment.[4] Perry sold the studio in 1988. In 2008 the studio had gone out of business, and as of 2015 the property was up for sale.[5] On 11 August 2017, the building was partially destroyed by "a suspicious" fire.[2]The entirety of the complex was demolished in 2020.[6] (…)

The house and grounds are featured in the music videos of the recording sessions of the Rush songs "Tom Sawyer",[1] "Limelight" and "Vital Signs".[20] The studio is also seen in April Wine's music video for "I Like to Rock." Also, an episode of Popular Mechanics for Kids was taped there, with Elisha Cuthbertdemonstrating recording and mixing techniques.[21]

This Rush clip is from there:

Love this pic of Neil at le Studio

 

[angusyoung]

Guess I could have mentioned this much earlier as it was some time ago, but still applies. This is a bit of a public health announcement, Covid is still around and wherever in the world you may be or going, keep an eye on it. We sure weren't and a handful of us came down with it. I started it off by getting it in of all places during a recent stint in the ICU ( completely unrelated to Covid ) and eventually got isolated and quarantined. It's pretty much the same symptoms and with the loss sense of smell and taste for a good week and half or so and sudden onslaught of volatile diarrhea, was not a fun couple of weeks I can tell ya. Just be aware of what's going on.

PS- If anyone has ever seen a falcon on Malta, let me know, we've never seen one ever, never, not even once.

I am thinking on retiring to warmer country. Possibly Portugal.

Portugal is lovely but have you considered Ecuador? particularly around the Manta area. Very inexpensive and you can swim in the ocean year round, unlike Portugal where the water is always pretty cold. The currency used is US dollars and a lot of expats have moved into the area. I find that Spanish is easier to learn than Portuguese, have a hard time with that language for some reason.

My mrs bought a property in Okinawa a few years ago with the intention of making it a year-round retreat. She will always have to make periodical returns to mainland Japan for her interests and family and friends and it's convenient for her. For me, not hot enough in the winter time to really say it's a beach spot, which I adore but prefer to spend my time more in Greece and the Netherlands. Sure neither are beach weather in winter, but prefer being surrounded by family and friends and the lifestyle I'm accustomed too. Okinawa is very nice, better in summer imo and will go every once in a while to keep the peace.

 

[angusyoung]

My cousin painted the apartments next to the studio in the 80's

Fascinating! My very distant cousin by marriage painted " Meisje met de parel " AKA '' the girl with the pearl earring " for the plebians. I always wanted to do portraits a la Rembrandt, it was evident it were not to be. My contribution into the world of art, if you can call it that, is the occasional and rather impressive donation of a pearl necklace.

I was in Morin Heights recently with a friend who knows someone who has a house overlooking a lake. We ended up spending a good part of the afternoon with him, turns out everyone knows him as he is the only owner who regularly walks around that lake, so he made a lot of friends.

Fascinating individual, he retired at 38. Had lived in Paris but decided he had enough and for what was the price of a studio apartment in Paris at the time of his retirement (he’s probably in his 70s now), he bought his Morin Heights home.

Since he doesn’t like our winters, he rents out his house in the winter months and travels to warmer climes. He told me that one of those places he spent considerable time at last year was Serbia. Says he was stunned by the low cost of living, quality food and affordable health services. Very safe environment and lots to do.

Says he’s going back this year but would never consider buying as it’s never a good idea being an absentee owner. His approach is that if he’s leasing, then he’s protected as the owner of the property will do all in his power to deal with any irritant or unforeseen situation in order to protect the revenue stream this gentleman provides as a lessee.

Serbia? Gotta admit I would have never even considered it as a destination. Anyone experienced it?

Passed through Serbia a few times over the years, usually at night and try to get through as quick as possible. The hi-way taken ( E-75 ) is up to modern standards and everything seems safe. Only stopped at a few comfort stations en-route to and from and language was an issue but English is becoming more common. If it is anything like Montenegro (been there a couple of times) it would be worth visiting, the food is wonderful, many speak English and they use Euros which simplifies things, unfortunately Serbia does not.

 

[angusyoung]

Bali is greatly overrated. And it's really not that nice of a place. There's a lot of white privilege attitudes that make people think they can do this, but Balinese aren't big fans. Additionally, there's a very real and growing contingency of extreme Islamic law sweeping the land and trust me, you don't want to be around when it comes through.

I agree with everything y'all saying about Vietnam. I originally sent because of the Top Gear special where they ride motorcycles from HCMC to ha long bay. I did Hanoi to hoi an by train (going to ha long bay first) and it was probably the best thing I've ever done in my life. Vietnam is a truly special special place.

I originally moved to Singapore for the purpose of traveling around SEA but I've just passed the 8 years mark so... Singapore is obviously an anomaly in Asia. Its wildly too expensive, but does give you the best starting location to go anywhere.

Thailand is probably where I will end up retiring.

Bali is great, but depends what you're after. A lot of so called beach destination are similar, overcrowded, not genuine. Need to escape the ultra-touristy way and go out and explore, lot's to see and do there. Great surfing and golf courses, superb scuba diving and the food is insanely delicious and so cheap. The more adventurous one gets the greater the fulfillment. So many island to explore besides Bali and if you're going all they way there, keep going a tad more. Have fond memories of some cooking classes on Gili Trawangan.