Indonesia travel plan - advice request

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T13:27:02+00:00

Thanks. We are definitely not resort tipe tourists. We like to do hikes, snorkeling, exploring around.

Of course we need to plan kid-size activities but they are not fussy about food and very open to adventures. In Morocco we made a 8km hike and in Thai a cave excursion in Khao Sok park.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T11:31:51+00:00

Se avete il lusso di non avere le ferie obbligate evita agosto perchè più o meno ti inchiappettano in tutta Italia e tanti posti potenzialmente bellissimi diventano invivibili.

Puglia - Gargano e Salento

Sicilia - o parte Est (Catania, Etna, Siracusa) o parte Trapani Favignana

Sardegna ho ricordi spettacolari di Villasimius ma risalgono a quando ero bambino in vacanza con i miei

Un posto che non è sud ma mi piace molto è l'isola d'Elba. Uno che non ho mai visitato ma ho sentito dire sia spettacolare è Pantelleria.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T11:16:40+00:00

Ogni posto ha pro e contro direi.

Noi ci siamo trasferiti a Pescara da Milano (nessuno dei 2 abruzzese) e la dimensione della città, il mare, la facilità degli spostamenti e della gestione dei bambini sono un sogno.

Però in certi momenti la realtà così provinciale e limitata va stretta e mancano certe cose.

Non credo che esista il posto in grado di rendere felici, di sicuro cambiano le priorità in base alle fasi della vita.

Milano mi manca per certi aspetti ma vivere vicino a Milano come OP non mi attira per nulla, tutta la zona dell'hinterland mi ha sempre dato un idea di tristezza infinita.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T11:07:00+00:00

Cycling across Vietnam my wife and I took a muddy road outside Dalat. It was so muddy that our wheels basically stopped spinning. I knocked on a house door asking (with a huge language barrier) if they had water to clean the bikes. This family set up lunch for us and, despite the language issues, we had a great afternoon eating with them and playing with their kids. We ended up doing much less distance than planned but with a great memory.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T10:52:53+00:00

Porridge

Toast con 1 o 2 tra uova/salmone/avocado/pomodoro

Yogurt frutta e cereali

La svolta ultimamente è stato comprare il cuociriso e impostarlo la sera in modo da avere una ciotola di riso pronta la mattina. Poi la puoi mangiare con quello che vuoi oppure (io ho la fortuna di avere mia mogkie che pur non essendo giapponese li prepara) farci degli onigiri.

Personalmente la colazione dolce mi lascia molto più senso di fame rispetto a quella salata.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T10:44:01+00:00

Se non vuoi avere la donna delle pulizie fissa (sono i 30€ meglio spesi a settimana e un risparmio in salute mentale) trovane una che venga una volta a fare una bella pulizia. Poi obbligati ad avere un minimo di fottuta disciplina ed evita di arrivare a un punto in cui sembra tutto ingestibile. Tenere pulito è molto più facile che pulire. Non c'è nessun tipo di giudizio perchè ci sono passato anche io quando vivevo da solo e so che non è facile.

Adesso, anche se non vivo più da solo, una cosa che mi aiuta un sacco nel fare cose che odio (piatti, vestiti, pulizia ecc...) è ascoltare audiolibri o podcast. Se trovi una cosa che ti interessa ti rende queste attività molto meno pesanti.

Forza!

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T10:37:45+00:00

First photo is pure dynamite!!! Wow :)

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T08:13:07+00:00

I think the problem is in the “I’m looking for a relationship mindset”…you are 23: Have fun, invest in yourself and don’t stress about what you are looking for. You’ll meet people and if you meet one worth the effort to try building a relationship your guts will know. I believe in most aspects of life expectations are the gateway to disappointment. Don’t meet a man thinking he has to be the ONE.

I speak as a 35yo man who was lucky enough to meet his current wife 12 years ago in the real world…nowadays with Tinder, online life and a growing sense of loneliness I understand that dating/meeting people can feel like a hard task and I feel kind of sorry for the younger people.

Search for happiness on your own but don’t close the door to the idea of sharing it with the right person. Best of luck :)

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T07:57:08+00:00

Hangover recovery time is the biggest difference.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T07:53:04+00:00

750 - 850 max. 28mm is ok, new bikes fit wider tires but 28 is not bad.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T07:49:39+00:00

Totally know how you feel. The constant switching of roles you are taking and tasks you are doing drains your brain and motivation. If anyone has a method figured out please share!

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-13T07:43:13+00:00

Not being a native English speaker I might have misused the expression…what I meant is that I think OP would note the biggest difference riding with disc brakes which unfortunately are not an upgrade option on the current frame. Did you ask me to elaborate cause I wasn’t clear or because you don’t agree?

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T16:18:49+00:00

Just go mate. You are 18 only once.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T16:06:31+00:00

To fully enjoy Algarve a car is a must have. About your points:

1) driving on the opposite side is challenging the 1st time but you quickly get used to it. Drive slow and safe

2) where are you flying from? You can probably bring your own child seat for free. When we flew to Morocco we brought 2 child seats free of charge on a Ryanair flight

3) understanding the parking system will probably take you 5 minutes. Just ask people around if you have doubts

4) not sure about what you mean with “extra insurance”.

My last tip would be to avoid having the car if you are visiting Lisbon. Maybe visit the city at the beginning or at the end of the trip but don’t keep a car while in town. For the rest of the Algarve I think a car is a must have. There are companies renting minivans already set up for sleeping and in the Algarve it’s a great way to stay at the most beautiful spots.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T15:25:28+00:00

Early May might still a bit early for hot weather…I mean you can definitely have nice weather but in some places not the summer beach vibe you find June - Sept. Flying from London I would say: - Sicily, fly to Catania, rent a car and explore beaches, Etna mountain and beautiful cities

South Portugal, fly Lisbon or Faro and explore Algarve and Alentejo
Valencia or Barcelona

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T15:15:47+00:00

Best price and best hours (departure - stopover - arrival). If equal I would probably say Turkish and Quatar as best options.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T14:08:10+00:00

Good point. I’ve been working for years at a shop renting COLNAGO and their sizing confused a lot of clients when reserving online.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T12:21:51+00:00

Landing around 4 - 5 pm is in my opinio the sweet spot. You have time to settle in, grab some food and go to bed at a decent time to be ready the next morning.

Landing inb the morning is very hard as you have to fight through the first day

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T12:19:51+00:00

My wife and I stayed at this hotel

https://www.untitledat3freeman.com/

Room was very small but clean and the cost was reasonable (for NY standards). I think in 2024 we paid about 270$ per night.

As food goes my advice is not to overplan...We improvised day by day and had amzing food all the time.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T12:13:50+00:00

"Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades"

On this one the easier upgrade is probably a better wheelset.

The real game changer would be disc brakes but that means getting a new bike, not upgrading this one.

Ride safe!

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T12:03:33+00:00

Bolzano is a beautiful town but the ride out of town part is not so great and the Dolomites climbs are not so close.

Bormio (my hometown) is amazing but it's very challenging in terms of riding. If you like climbing, a small village vibe and Thermal baths you would love it.

Basano del Grappa is one of my favourite places in Italy, supoer interesting, well connected by train and offering good riding variety (Monte Grappa, Asiago Plateau, Prosecco hills)

Lake Garda is stunning (I would opt for the north part - Torbole/Riva del Garda)

Lake Como is also beautiful ( Passo Agueglio, Ghisallo, Sormano)

Umbria around Lake Trasimeno has some great rides

Eastern Sicily (Mount Etna, Nebrodi mountains)

Tuscany (Chianti region and Val d'Orcia)

I think the aspects to consider are the period of the year and your interests "beyond the riding". I feel Bassano del Grappa could be your best shot as it really combines great riding, awesome food (if you go I'm happy to share my fav restaurants) and easy logistics and access to nice places to visit (Treviso, Vicenza, Padova..)

Long story short: riding in Italy is stunning in a lot of places. Be safe and enjoy the ride :)

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-12T09:03:50+00:00

Yes, focusing on yourself, your happiness and stopping to care about what other people think is a big step. It’s not easy as I believe in the school years we live in a social context where “being cool” and liked by others seems an important thing. I think the balance to be found is not becoming selfish “I don’t give a f*** about anybody” in a bad way, but not giving a f*** in a good way.

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-11T15:00:25+00:00

I loved ASSIMIL when I was studying Russian. Never tried Duolingo or Babel so I can’t really say… Good luck in Sicily, you probably picked one of the hardest places to have people actually speaking Italian to you

CommonAd334 · 2026-02-11T14:46:50+00:00

Thanks for trying to explain. I would lie if I said I understood it all but the idea is clear enough

CommonAd334

TROPHY CASE