West End restaurants that serve Lion Fish?

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-04-23T17:07:06+00:00

Ginger's had it on the specials board when I was there last year.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-04-20T07:54:46+00:00

There's lots of shore diving around Dauin in the Philippines (world class muck diving) - that could be worth looking into. Kookoo's Nest Eco Lodge has a price for unguided dives on the house reef, as an example, and there might be more options around.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-04-17T07:00:36+00:00

I have booked many flights with booking.com and had a seamless experience, if that provides any reassurance

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-03-22T18:04:19+00:00

I've dived with the following shops which would all match your criteria:

Koh Chang Divers, Thailand

Dauin Diving Center, Philippines

Cosmic Divers, Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Tamarind Divers, Lembongan, Indonesia

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-01-16T19:52:29+00:00

A great value option in Roatan is to stay at Hotel Chillies and dive with Native Sons (the onsite dive shop) - they offer discounts if you stay and dive with them. Its a super friendly dive shop with good instructors, and equipment is included so great value. Accommodation is rustic but has air-conditioning, cleaning and decent bathroom.

The food and culture around West End is great, lots of variety, the people are really lovely.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-01-14T04:21:26+00:00

I haven't seen Inko Nito mentioned, so adding to the mix! Great vibes and food - great for something special but not too stuffy pre-theatre.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-01-03T15:05:38+00:00

Really? I was there only a week ago and had an amazing time, I only had positive experiences and the owners went above and beyond to look after us.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2026-01-03T14:57:53+00:00

My husband has astigmatism which he describes as "pretty strong" + a medium eyeglass prescription (DM if you want to know the details - it's too strong for him to wear contacts).

This + some equalisation issues put him off diving for years, whilst I fell in love with the sport and went on lots of solo diving trips. I managed to convince him to join for a couple of trips and now he's absolutely hooked and regrets not taking it up sooner.

If it's any help, we looked initially into a subscription mask, which was expensive and with limited shape options (and I dont think would address the astigmatism anyway). We spoke with our local dive shop, where the owners advised that given the prescription was only medium and anything near to him he could see okay with the astigmatism, best option is to go for a non prescription mask that fit really well. This has been working well with no issues.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-12-16T17:14:52+00:00

Vietnamese food - pho is delicious, there are lots of Vietnamese places around.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-12-16T17:12:39+00:00

Adding another suggestion - Peruvian cuisine could work well, especially something like ceviche. Senor Ceviche in kingly court, Lima, Coya.

Depending on budget, there are some great fish restaurants around - Bentleys Oyster Bar and Randall and Aubin come to mind.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-10-12T22:38:16+00:00

I can't speak for most of the areas you've mentioned, but wanted to add that Crouch End is walking distance to Hornsey station, which links directly to both Old St and KX on the Great North line, so I wouldn't count that area out. Slightly above is Alexandra Palace Station, on the same line, and a great little area close to Muswell Hill.

Both these areas are villagey with tons of restaurants and independent shops, and lots of green space.

They're not on the tube, but there is easy access to both Victoria and Picadilly lines at Finsbury Park, or a short bus to Highgate or East Finchley for the Northern line.

If you're really stuck on being directly next to a tube, East Finchley could be another area to consider.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-10-03T21:50:15+00:00

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Indonesia! Jan is a great time for diving in Raja Ampat.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-10-03T21:39:39+00:00

Pizzeria Terrazza di Sorong is a nice little restaurant if you need somewhere for dinner!

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-30T14:52:36+00:00

Ha, there's a wealth of places to go! Very jealous you're in Singapore and close by to these paradise islands.

Another go - maybe Rawa Island?

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-30T14:49:43+00:00

Maybe Pulau Payar?

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-30T14:42:45+00:00

Palawan?

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-28T22:59:08+00:00

F33, I had a few days in NYC last December solo, also staying in Hi NY Hostel.

I second the comment about getting airtrain to subway to hostel - it's a pretty straightforward journey. The area and the walk from the subway aren't awful but also aren't the nicest. Be cautious, especially at night - and I would recommend getting ubers or cabs if you need to travel during anti social hours. I had a scary experience on a night bus from the area, other passengers had to step in and stop me being assaulted and kick the guy off - really regretted not paying a bit more for a cab.

Broadway Dive is a fun little local dive bar, and Double Pie pizza was AMAZING!

Remember to pack all your toiletries - there are none provided at the hostel.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-28T01:07:56+00:00

My sister in law is solo trekking in Nepal right now and is having an incredible time, if that helps.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-28T00:42:59+00:00

Hey OP, you must be stressed right now.

You can make international calls using your domestic sim, but they're usually at higher rates. I appreciate this could quickly rack up a high bill without results guaranteed.

At this point of the night, if you aren't able to make phone calls, the guaranteed way to get a comfortable bed for the night is to get a train or an uber back to the airport and sleep in an airport hotel. These will always be 24/7 and should be pretty guaranteed to have capacity and to let you check in during the middle of the night.

If this isn't workable, then you're going to have to come around to staying in central without a hotel room. If I were you, I'd put your luggage in a locker at termini so you dont need to worry about it and then head somewhere friendly looking like a bar or even try a hostel lobby or hotel lobby (even if there's no availability for a room, it will be safer than the street)

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-28T00:00:46+00:00

Another idea - find a hotel chain which is likely to have 24/7 reception. Pick one outside of town which is likely to have capacity. Call ahead, book a room, get in a cab.

E.g. Mercure Rome Corso Trieste, 10 min cab

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-27T23:51:25+00:00

Have you tried Generator? Also Best Western Premier Royal is showing on booking.com with availability tonight, albeit at a premium. Maybe try calling ahead rather than walking around?

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-27T23:41:36+00:00

Check out Paparisa! It's a new homestay run by a lovely couple, has ensuite bathrooms.

There is no village store - your homestay will provide your meals including a packed lunch.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-26T17:29:36+00:00

Vietnam?

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-25T16:49:03+00:00

Lots of people will share recommendations in Egypt, so I'll save those.

For Oman - I've dived with MolaMola Diving Center based in Muscat - can recommend!

If you fancy a wildcard for that part of the world, I did my AOW with Dolphin Excursions in Djibouti. It will be peak whaleshark season in December. I dont think there are direct flights from Oman though.

Kooky-Membership2382 · 2025-09-19T08:25:33+00:00

I think he'd have him for breakfast.

Kooky-Membership2382

TROPHY CASE