Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site

Nick · Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject: Favorite places/holidays

Picking up from where we left off in the "Travelling in 2009" thread.

I thought it'd be cool to discuss the places that we've been that have inspired us, entertained us, opened our eyes, etc.

I'll start:

I've been to Hong Kong and Macau. That was just about the coolest holiday I've been on (in my short, short life). The others were New Zealand (doesn't really count), and South Africa, but I don't remember it (3 yr olds don't remember much). Besides that it's all been within Australia.

But I think one of the most spiritual(?) experiences I've had was at the Tian Tan Buddha in HK. My friend and I got noodles and Guiness and walked through a side entrance to the main shopping village area. It was amazing walking out from the tacky, expensive, touristy street and into this rural, poor setting - just seperated by a tall, white concrete wall. Dogs running past and a goat and stuff; a guy pushing a wheelbarrow. We just sat on the side of the cobbled path and ate and looked up at the Buddha. I could've sat there all day.

Who's next?

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Nick · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:25 am Post subject:

bump!
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Janny · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

I've never been abroad, so my fave holiday place would be my home Razz

I can't afford to go anywhere anyway at the moment. But I'd love to visit Japan or the USA.
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Junpei · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:02 am Post subject:

I'd love to visit Italy in the future. And of course, Japan.

gleowine · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

Like Janny, I've never been abroad. As far as inspiration, well I've been to a number of other places in the USA, but there's no place like home. I once spent 3 years living in Ohio: different people, different climate, different way of life. Then, when I came back to Louisiana, I developed a whole new appreciation for my home state, even despite its hurricanes, corrupt politics and shortage of anime fans (though zitch assures me that there are more around here).

Janny · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

Well then it's settled! Nick, next time you go traveling all of us will be coming too XD How do you feel about having a bunch of anime geeks chanting along the Naruto anime song at the back of your car? Very Happy

Seriously now, it's so cool that you got to go to Hong Kong, but how did you manage to get by in there, I doubt people there speak much English...
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Nick · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:43 pm Post subject:

Hmm. You guys can come - as long as you don't mind getting by on the minimum amount of cash, staying in hostels and cheap hotels. And we won't have a car - it's all train, bus and boat. But the Naruto thing is fine - I mean I'm not a fan of the show, but at least it'll keep the pickpockets away while we sleep Laughing

In HK almost all younger people, say, below 40, speak at least a bit of english. Students were the most reliable for that. Old people like old market stall owners and most of the taxi drivers didn't speak it at all, which was a bit of a problem sometimes - but it rarely came up as an issue. My uncle taught us a couple of words for the taxis, like receipt, thankyou, etc. And we had a card with his address in Cantonese on it. Prices were always marked in the numerals we're used to. So yeah it wasn't a big deal, surprisingly.
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Junpei · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:25 am Post subject:

I went to Hong Kong twice; first as a stop before migrating to Australia 10 years ago and a short holiday 3-4 years back. There's a lot to do, especially for entertainment if you know where to go. It's a very modernised place.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people (younger peopler anyway) can speak English quite well over there. From what I know, I think Hong Kong used to be a British colony.

Nick · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:26 am Post subject:

Yeah, until 1997. So yeah language barrier not really an issue.
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IsUa · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject:

So...I must say, my favorit travel was last year to Peru (we stay for 3 weeks and visit almost the all country), first we visit lake Titicaca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Titicaca), after by train (I love trains), across the Andes we went to Cusco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco_Region), and after Machu Picchu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu)....really amazing... Very Happy

I used to make one trip by year, now we are four, it´s very expensive so one trip 2/2 years or 3/3 y.

We went to: of course Portugal, Spain, France (Paris is my favorie city), England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden. This is all in Europe, outside; Morocco, Tunisia, Angola and Mozambique (my wife's country, a former portuguese colony). (Africa). Peru (South America)

the next one (one of this): Kruger Park / Russia /Italy / Croatia / Australia / China / Japan. In two years, I hope...

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