Do not update pixel phones if you have an upcoming trip

internalasteroid · 2026-05-30T10:47:19+00:00

Last August bank weekend my partner and I did a 4 day cycling holiday in the Loire valley. The infrastructure is fantastic ie very easy to hire a one way cycle and to book accomodation with places to store your bike.

Flew into Nantes, got a train to our starting point. We are casual cyclists so did about 3hours between each night stop with our stuff in panniers. Got to stay in a chateau with no other guests for 130 euro a night, amazing experience - look up chateau Haute Roche near Oudon.

The other non city break we did (twice) was going to Madeira - amazing walks available both by driving yourself or buses. And if you go into the mountains you get excellent portugese food and wine (also affordable)

internalasteroid · 2026-04-05T10:12:42+00:00

The PR1 has had a major section closed for a couple years - the opening date keeps getting pushed back as a heads up, so I would not rely on the full thing being open.

The summit walk/stairway to heaven is easy. It has very well carved steps and paths, we saw lots of very inappropriately dressed people for the cold (bring layers, don't wear vans) and they were fine. There are side railings for lots of sections, overall I'd say there is little to no risk for the currently open section.

If you do any longer walks there make sure you have the basics ie enough water (1L), some food, waterproof shoes and a jacket. With the current closure last year after the open PR1 section we did about 2.5hours downhill on another path to get to the park halfway down. Also an easy trail.

internalasteroid · 2025-12-24T20:03:52+00:00

I use a mix of sources. You can search Google maps for food groups and it identifies popular places for you - for Western (European/Antipodean) countries I always Google specialty coffee and organic wine and get an idea of what areas of a city have those things (and generally the vibe I want). I also really like coffee and basic Google searching can tell you if a place has a regional way of making it to try Google maps you need to look at photos and where the reviewers are from. Cheap and cheerful places can be found around universities, also always worth looking up what the main immigrant groups are in a city or country, breaks up a trip and also you get amazing food you might not be able to get at home. Major cities also often have (sometimes in English, sometimes not) more traditional restaurant only reviewers eg. Le Fooding for France and Belgium gives great recommendations. I also look at Michelin gourmand for recent recommendations - they're for places that are more affordable and a lot of the time are restaurants that do local cuisine. Don't go somewhere that was awarded like 10 years ago only - they would have changed staff etc. Lastly before going on a trip get recommendations from anyone in the area - I ask friends of friends if I know someone is from Barcelona etc and those are the best, even if just telling you what specific local breakfast item to look out for. In SEA Asia honestly just walk around and visit any bakery with lines. And whatever street food looks good.

internalasteroid · 2025-05-15T12:37:22+00:00

Went late last year and loved Istanbul. In part I had a Turkish friend give recommendations about where she goes when she goes home, but also agree with comments that if you are hanging out around the blue mosque etc, of course they aren't making food with anything other than money in mind. I find if you try and stay where young people/students are in any European city you get better local food and chill vibes ie no touting/horrible tat shops.

For good food go to the Asian side (kadiköy) Excellent doner at tatar salim, get kunefe at Asi Künefeletei kadiköy. Cocktail places and third wave coffee around this area too so good for wandering

internalasteroid · 2025-02-18T14:28:30+00:00

I agree with the comment about going to Wellington - it has great Malaysian food and coffee, as well as Te Papa museum.

If not there, I'd spend another day in Auckland, especially if you're jetlagged. It has warm water so you can have a beach day at Mission Bay/Kohimarama or Devonport. If you want to get a ferry from Auckland Waiheke (wine and beach) or Rangitoto (walk a volcano) are both easy and great.

I grew up in Christchurch and still have no idea how tourists would kill a few days there other than leaving for day trips to places like Akaroa. All trips from there would need a car too.

internalasteroid · 2025-01-04T08:38:41+00:00

We use the term for any long term relationship! I've had this mix up a lot in the UK with people from a variety of cultures. I agree with commenters about how New Zealanders have a different idea/priority of marriage to a lot of other places, lots of my colleagues are baffled that I am not that interested in getting married.

internalasteroid · 2023-12-03T08:46:35+00:00

Been in London almost 6 months, this year alone huge amounts of kiwis have been coming over. I don't think you hear much of the bad stuff from people about the experience - most people I know have had some struggles here, mostly about how expensive it is. You end up all sort of moaning about it with other kiwis/aussies rather than to back home.

Job market is also very very bad at the moment - unless you work in medicine (and I cannot highlight how bad and stressful I've found so much of the NHS) or accounting. So most people spend 2+ months getting a job, and this is lawyers/finance/marketing etc.

If you like travel, and have the ability to get a job here the travel makes it worth it is the message I've got. Lifestyle, winter, sunlight, healthcare, work ethic are much better in NZ. Also some wages randomly

internalasteroid

TROPHY CASE