21st B day

[Commander]

Hi all, sorry i've not been on in a long while been very busy!!

Just to ask, my next b day will be my 21st. My parents want to pay for a 14 day holiday to where ever i want though i'd like to see the USA. Can anyone recommend somewhere nice to go to thats got pleanty to do. I'll be going in June.

I had a few ideas in mind.

A New England tour.

Florida

Las Vegas.

Cheers

[Hank]

NE in June is very nice, though a bit nippy up north. Florida in June is hot and sticky. Never been to Las Vegas for more than a couple hours (nor wanted to), so can't comment there.

California is also very nice in June, as is the Southwest (outside of the desert). I'd save the Southeast for winter.

Hank.

[MikeW]

Vegas is good although I don't know if I want to spend 2 weeks there. I would say Cali (my home state) starting in Yosemite, then on to San Fran and then down the coast till you get to San Diego stopping at various spots along the way. Cali has a lot to see and do and it differs from city to city. You have mountains, gorgeous National Parks, amusement areas , night life, beaches, etc etc. Just depends on how much you want to spend in a way because it can get a bit procey depending on where you stay and what you do. San Fran has a lot of stuff to see and do, including wine country, Golden Gate, wharf area, nihon machi, china town, etc etc, as you head down the coast there are a lot of picturesque areas along the coast. Then you get to LA and is kind of a wasteland...lol... but San Diego has a lot to do plus you can hop across the border if it strikes you. You can also take a trip into the desert east of San Diego to see sand dunes and cactus if that strikes your fancy. But really there are a lot of areas in the USA that are really cool to visit so it kind of depends on your tastes and desires. Oh, btw... Happy Birthday in advance!

[Kapplow]

Cali, Florida, or Colorado.

[Anime12478]

Atlanta is a nice place

You got 6 Flags, Atlanta Underground, the new Aquarium, etc. You get the southern charm with less hillbillyism.

[xvikingx]

If you have got 2 weeks you should rent a car or motorbike and travel. In the East you have DC, Philly, New York (up state and city), Boston, Baltimore, Virginia, Atlantic City if you want the "used car" version of Vegas, you can also visit Canada... but what's the point? The East coast has a little more culture but I agree with MikeW about taking a drive through California. There is a lot to see there. I also agree about LA being a wasteland.
I would take advantage of the time you have and move around.

[mark]

Las Vegas.


3 days max if you take in a few shows and you gamble.

[I_am_Cthulhu]

A drive up the PCH. One of the best times of my life...

(easily pleased, me...)

[Nochi-no-tsuki]

come to Philly!! lots to do, and you gotta eat a cheesesteak at Pat's before you leave! drive 1.5 hours north and you hit the poconos (north eastern pennsylvania) which is stunning in the fall, and there are many outdoor activities like whitewater rafting and horseback riding available, plus your dollar will go far there. after that head another 1.5 hours north and hit New York City and be a true tourist! i hear Maine is really pretty in fall as well.

hope you have fun wherever you go!

[rottunpunk]

thats a bit nice of them.
why not go to japan?
:p

[I_am_Cthulhu]

Hehe if you want a good steak, try Ditka's (http://www.mikeditkaschicago.com/) in Chicago...

[Manuka]

I agree with Rottunpunk, Japan, get an intro to a Dojo, even if you only watch.
Boyfriend can get himself there if he tries.

[Ignatz]

At 21 you will have to pay extra for automobile rental. You will neeed your own credit card and an interntional drivers license (we drive on the correct side of the road here)
If you overcome those hurdles I would suggest a driving tour of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain areas, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountains etc.
Prettiest places on this earth.

You might also consider Hawaii. You can spend some time on Kauai where they have the "Mini Grand Canyon" and super hiking and camping. Tropical paradise.

Scott is correct, Pacific coast Highway is absolutely beautiful.

I have seen most of the U.S. and it has taken almost 40 years. There is a lot to see. It is really, really, really big.

[I_am_Cthulhu]

Not sure about the international drivers licence. I used a UK one and they were cool with that (for a $30,000 convertible!). I am also certain that the US drives on the wrong side of the road. :D

If you like to get out and about, I can also recommend the drive between Vegas and San Diego. Include Coachella, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park to the list too.

[Spendius]

I would suggest a driving tour of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain areas, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountains etc.
Prettiest places on this earth.

I second Ignatz here, I went there with my parents about 12 years ago and keep wonderful memories. Don't forget Arches park and monument valley !

[euclid]

you can also visit Canada... but what's the point?



*shakes fist in anger*


:tongue:

[Ignatz]

Don't forget Arches park and monument valley !
Ah yes, monument valley. That is where John Ford shot all of his famous cowboy movies.

p.s. you can go to Canada and look at wheat and stop in Montreal and be insulted by people who think they speak French.

[Curtis]

If you want to see the four corners of the mainland U.S. then you will make a stop in the Pacific Northwest and Seattle, however good weather is never a guarantee. Sometimes it is sunny and sometimes we get rain or clouds.

You can go on a day cruise amongst the San Juan Islands and go whale watching. Take a day trip to Victoria, B.C., Canada for lunch, dessert and tea at the Empress Hotel. Drive up to Mt. Rainier for a day climb. Or just explore Seattle.

If you have the inclination to go to a practice, we can provide armor and such. Friday nights are good at Bellevue. Generally there are about 40-50 people minimum in armor there.

[michaelm]

Are you more interested in outdoor/scenic activities or big city cosmopolitan shindigs? That might help us with offering suggestions.

[euclid]

Ah yes, monument valley. That is where John Ford shot all of his famous cowboy movies.

p.s. you can go to Canada and look at wheat and stop in Montreal and be insulted by people who think they speak French.



Tabarnac!

You forgot to add that you would be getting insulted by really attractive people while in Montreal. I'm not sure what is going on there, but they really do seem to have a disproportionate number of hotties.

[mark]

p.s. you can go to Canada and look at wheat and stop in Montreal and be insulted by people who think they speak French.

Ignatz, you seem to get insulted almost everywhere you go:) Everyone must be jealous of your striking good looks.

We don't travel much in the spring we have too many festivals with free venues such as the Jazz Festival (over 500 free concerts), Just for Laughs (20 outdoor stages), African Nights (outdoor parties), Francopholies (100 free concerts), Fantasia , or Fireworks competitions to name a few....

If your festivaled out in Montreal you can always go a Unesco World Heritage Sight in Quebec City and catch a few festivals there such as the Medieval, Tall Ships....

When you are here feel free to drop by for practice, we have bogu and hakama/keikogi we can lend to our out of town guests.

PS Don't forget the food and the women... some of the best and most beautiful in North America.

BTW, be prepared for the cavity search, blood test, fingerprints and retinal scan when you enter the US. I hope you don't look arab (whatever that means) you might end up in Guantanamo or tortured in Afghanistan.

[Ignatz]

Ignatz, you seem to get insulted almost everywhere you go:) Everyone must be jealous of your striking good looks.
Joking, of course. I raced at Mt.Tremblant back in the 1970's. Nice skiing, too


BTW, be prepared for the cavity search, blood test, fingerprints and retinal scan when you enter the US. I hope you don't look arab (whatever that means) you might end up in Guantanamo or tortured in Afghanistan.
Mark, I can also arrange to have you put on the "special" list.:p

[mark]

Mark, I can also arrange to have you put on the "special" list.:p
Darn, and I wanted to find myself some tourney's on the east coast:)

I have a friend who had the misfortune a few years back of dating a woman who was in the midsts of a very nasty divorce with a US border guard. He was even named as a principal reason for their divorce!
That is one of the more pleasant ways to get on the "special list".

Decades later, he still gets "red flagged" every single time:)

[bullet08]

PS Don't forget the food and the women... some of the best and most beautiful in North America..

i believe the original poster is a girl. not sure if she swings that way. she has boyfriend from her previous posts.. :)

pete

[mark]

i believe the original poster is a girl. not sure if she swings that way. she has boyfriend from her previous posts.. :)

pete
Comander is a girl? Just checked. Yup she is a member of the women's forum.
A re-phrase is definitely in order. How about....

The women in Montreal are beautiful. You will fit right in:)

[runsyi]

Comander is a girl? Just checked. Yup she is a member of the women's forum.
A re-phrase is definitely in order. How about....

The women in Montreal are beautiful. You will fit right in:)

Smooth, real smooth. On my one trip to Canada (Whistler) I did not notice any hotties. Well, except for my ski instructor, but I think he was from Quebec. What I did notice was a lot of drunken American frat boys going around yelling, "U.S.A., U.S.A." and a lot of irritated Canadians responding with, "go back home."

Now Southern Japan is where it's at for hotties.

[runsyi]

At 21 you will have to pay extra for automobile rental. You will neeed your own credit card and an interntional drivers license (we drive on the correct side of the road here)
If you overcome those hurdles I would suggest a driving tour of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain areas, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountains etc.
Prettiest places on this earth.

You might also consider Hawaii. You can spend some time on Kauai where they have the "Mini Grand Canyon" and super hiking and camping. Tropical paradise.

Scott is correct, Pacific coast Highway is absolutely beautiful.

I have seen most of the U.S. and it has taken almost 40 years. There is a lot to see. It is really, really, really big.

Once again, you are a veritable font of infomation. You need to be at least 25 to rent a car.

I think California is the way to go. San Francisco is my favorite. You can go to Giradelli Square, check out the Ripley's museum, eat the best dim sum outside of China.... And the options for transportation are good. You can take BART to San Jose, Greyhound to LA.

Kauai is nice, but two weeks there would be a long time (sorry Elton). Once you see Waimea there's not much else to do. I'd recommend Maui instead. You can take a bus tour to Hana, walk Front Street in Lahaina, take surfing lessons, go on snorkeling tours of Lanai and Molokini, hit the clubs in Kihei.... And your parents did say anywhere in the USA, right? Hawaii's part of the USA.

Las Vegas I would not recommend in June. Sure, you could stay inside in the air conditioning all day and not worry about the heat but I think 14 days of gambling and shopping might be too much. But if you choose to go there, definitely hit a show like Celine or Elton John or one of the ubiquitous Cirque shows. The spa at the Paris hotel is also very nice.

Haven't been to the Pacific Northwest yet, but I hear Seattle is very nice.

[Ignatz]

Once again, you are a veritable font of infomation. You need to be at least 25 to rent a car.
I was 25 sometime during the last century when hitchhiking was a good way to get around the USA. I thought that they would rent to you but charge out the wazoo.

[runsyi]

I was 25 sometime during the last century when hitchhiking was a good way to get around the USA. I thought that they would rent to you but charge out the wazoo.

What? Hitchhiking is still a good way to get around the USA and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Yeah, they will still rent to you, but 25 is the minimum age not to get raped by the car people.

[mark]

Haven't been to the Pacific Northwest yet, but I hear Seattle is very nice.
Seattle is quite nice and a lot of fun, as is nearby Vancouver and Victoria (a ferry links the two - Butchard Gardens and Toffino up the Island are worth the visit). Some fun sidetrips are kayaking around whale pods, swimming with the salmon, and trekking in the Devonion forest ( tree trunks the size of a small house) near Tofino. There are some very high end hotels in the area. The rich and famous from LA regularly fly and helicopter up for the weekend.

Night Islet on the coast of British Columbia at about the same latitude as the tip of Vancouver Island was voted by Conde Nast as number 6th best destination in the world. In a small area 5-10km, you frequently have over 200 wild bear -brown, black, grisly and kodiak. With a guide you can walk up within 3 meters of a 500 lb bear trying to swat a 30-50 lb salmon out of a mountain stream while competing with bald eagles. It is a life changing sight. BTW it is pricey and fully booked a year in advance.

However the Kwakyutle (sp?) have restaured a traditional Indian lodge down the coast and hold re-enactments of a traditional west-coast indian potlatch for guests. Instead of staying at the lodge in the inlet, you can stay in the indian village and daytrip up river to see the bears.

[mark]

Mark, I can also arrange to have you put on the "special" list.:p

A small plane just crashed into the top of an apartment building in New York City a few moments ago.

Kibitzing on a forum aside we live in "interesting times" (Chineese curse use of the term).
My condolenses...

[Kenzan]

Tabarnac!

You forgot to add that you would be getting insulted by really attractive people while in Montreal. I'm not sure what is going on there, but they really do seem to have a disproportionate number of hotties.

Which is strange, considering all the Poutien they consume.
But yes. I know all too well the Hotness of which you speak.
'est si!

[Paikea]

Haven't been to the Pacific Northwest yet, but I hear Seattle is very nice.So...get that fixed in November when you come up for the PNKF taikai.

[runsyi]

So...get that fixed in November when you come up for the PNKF taikai.

Can't. Got to save up money for Taipei and Osaka. Next year, definitely. When's the next Obukan trip to Hawaii? You are going to make it this time, right?

[Commander]

Wow alot of input!! thank you ever so much guys. Ignatz i just love it when you post, you always get a smile out of me :D

I can drive there with a UK license which is good for a holiday only.

Still deciding though someone recommended 1 week in the Florida Keys or Tampa/ Naples.

[Commander]

[quote=mark]PS Don't forget the food and the women... some of the best and most beautiful in North America.
quote]

Mark there is one thing you should know, 1 i am 1/4 Italian and i am female, straight.


lol

Michael will be joining me

[Paikea]

Can't. Got to save up money for Taipei and Osaka. Next year, definitely. When's the next Obukan trip to Hawaii? You are going to make it this time, right?Bummer...don't know when we're coming, but if I have to hide in the wheel-well I'm there. Roxy can come fish me out when we land...

[Ignatz]

A small plane just crashed into the top of an apartment building in New York City a few moments ago.

Kibitzing on a forum aside we live in "interesting times" (Chineese curse use of the term).
My condolenses...
Right now the reports say it is a plane that belongs to a Yankees pitcher. From the reports it sounds like pilot error. Too soon to tell yet.

[euclid]

Which is strange, considering all the Poutien they consume.
But yes. I know all too well the Hotness of which you speak.
'est si!


I'm not sure that Montrealers eat that much poutine, I think it was really just a way to get the rest of the country fat and ugly.

:p

[euclid]

[quote=mark]PS Don't forget the food and the women... some of the best and most beautiful in North America.
quote]

Mark there is one thing you should know, 1 i am 1/4 Italian and i am female, straight.


lol

Michael will be joining me

Technically that's three things.

Four if you include Mchael's inclusion.

:ninja:

[xvikingx]

Florida Keys

Ah, the Keys is a good place to go. I loved it there. Great camping, food, and snorkeling. Bring plenty of bug-spray though.

[Big One]

[quote=mark]PS Don't forget the food and the women... some of the best and most beautiful in North America.
quote]

Mark there is one thing you should know, 1 i am 1/4 Italian and i am female, straight.


lol

Michael will be joining me

I sense americano. Please do tell us a wonderful story from A to Z after the trip.

I agree with Ignaz about colorado in the summer. It is beautiful but 5 days are enough. The rest spent it in Miami. That way you can tell Michael Junior 30 years from now that life was hard, along time ago, you was at the top and next day you are at the bottom.

[Commander]

I know that i defo wanna go to the Keys as my final destination to relax but i'd like to include either a snowboarding or city/cultural break first maybe for 3 - 4 days in the USA or Canada.

Anyone know any good cities to visit in either apart from New York as i have been there.

Cheers

[Kenzan]

I'm not sure that Montrealers eat that much poutine, I think it was really just a way to get the rest of the country fat and ugly.

:p

Mm..You may be right..I'm not sure if it's the same since I lived in Laval 15 years ago, but back then everone had two things which performed the same action as blood:

1.Lebatts
2.Poutine gravy.


....and there's not a damn thing wrong with that..
:D

[rottunpunk]

sod america. your parents are paying for you to go anywhere in the world.
GO TO JAPAN!!!! :D
:p

[Ignatz]

I know that i defo wanna go to the Keys as my final destination to relax but i'd like to include either a snowboarding or city/cultural break first maybe for 3 - 4 days in the USA or Canada.

Anyone know any good cities to visit in either apart from New York as i have been there.

Cheers
Lots of good snowboarding in June and the Keys are not hot then either. There is no culture in the US outside of NY.;)

[rottunpunk]

the us has culture? :D
:p

[Ignatz]

the us has culture? :D
:p
It is the culture of no culture.
BTW, there are over 250 languages spoken in NYC, gotta be some culture in there somewhere.

[rottunpunk]

is there a fish and chip shop. that does scraps and gravy
now thats culture :D
:p

[Ignatz]

No, we mostly have real food here.

[PhilMcLaughlin]

Go to eaglerider & look at the specials page

during my trip i spent 2 weeks biking from LA to Washington DC & covered just under 5000 miles - so you can cover a lot of ground if you try !

highlights - PCH, Yosemite, Sierra Nevadas, Death Valley, Vegas, GC, Monument Valley, Pagosa springs, Loved Memphis on a saturday night, Asheville & the blue ridge highway.

just like kendo - what you get out depends on what youre prepared to put in

make the most of a jammy piece of luck

[PhilMcLaughlin]

No, we mostly have real food here.

not travelled widely then ;-))

[xvikingx]

GO TO JAPAN!!!! :D
:p

Over-rated:tongue:

Anywhere in the world? My choices would be New Zealand, Lebanon (when things aren't so explosive... yuk yuk yuk), Malaysia (if things go well I'll see you next year Meng!), Peru, Turkey, Etheopia (during Christmas), Cuba, or pretty much anywhere in the Carib (excluding Haiti)....

[Commander]

Thanks again for the info and advice guys.

Does anyone know what Las Vegas is like?

Would Arizona be worth while?

[Ignatz]

Would Arizona be worth while?
Unless they moved it recently, the Grand Canyon is in Arizona.

[I_am_Cthulhu]

Does anyone know what Las Vegas is like?Yeah I do.

You'd fit right in there...