Holidays

[Protein Junkie]

Hiya mate as you know I am all over Cape Town, the rates bouncing about 23/22 for weeks even if it drops to 20 which seems unlikely it’s still fantastic value.

My go to exchange rate mechanism at the moment even though I’ve never dined there is Nando’s
A full chicken in the Uk is £17.00 or so in SA it’s under a tenner! And don’t get me started on pints for £1.50 or a bottle of decent plonk for a ten spot.

The only ball ache price wise nowadays is flights but that’s the same for any long haul

Thank you @discopop
It’s not a given I’m going to cancel. Just looking at the option.
Love your exchange rate mechanism :-) my wife’s is a bottle of Sauvignon blanc.
Thanks again for the pick me up.

 

[Blue Hefner]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Bali. 1 week in the south and 1 in the north. An amazing holiday - it’s a long way but worth it. Also stopped in Singapore for a few days on the way back. Would do it all again in a heartbeat

 

[Wayneclarkemunchescarrots]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Bali. 1 week in the south and 1 in the north. An amazing holiday - it’s a long way but worth it. Also stopped in Singapore for a few days on the way back. Would do it all again in a heartbeat

Where abouts did you stay mate ?
Bali has had some shit press lately with an image of mass overcrowding rather than idyllic paradise .

 

[Blue Hefner]

Where abouts did you stay mate ?
Bali has had some shit press lately with an image of mass overcrowding rather than idyllic paradise .

North was in Lovina and the south was Changu - didn’t see any overcrowding less the local traffic in Changu

We stayed in villas, there were 7 of us. 4 adults and 3 kids but we went out quite a bit and experienced the opposite. It seemed quiet and the locals said the same. Their season is June - August then the Xmas/NY period apparently

 

[comiskey33]

Due to go to South Africa end of February. Flights paid for and accommodation booked but not paid yet.
Starting to think about this, the Rand is getting stronger and stronger so costs are starting to bounce up.
Anyone know how much I could expect back from Virgin Atlantic as a % if I did cancel now?

just go and enjoy yourself.

 

[Protein Junkie]

just go and enjoy yourself.

Cheers Bud :-)

 

[Blue Since 76]

Due to go to South Africa end of February. Flights paid for and accommodation booked but not paid yet.
Starting to think about this, the Rand is getting stronger and stronger so costs are starting to bounce up.
Anyone know how much I could expect back from Virgin Atlantic as a % if I did cancel now?

Presume rate is fixed for accomodation based on booking, although depends if paying in £ or rand.

If you're worried about a weakening £, why not do some of the exchange now - could do all of it, or say half to mitigate the exchange rate risk. If you can do it commission free, could even do 1/4 a month through to going.

 

[Protein Junkie]

Presume rate is fixed for accomodation based on booking, although depends if paying in £ or rand.

If you're worried about a weakening £, why not do some of the exchange now - could do all of it, or say half to mitigate the exchange rate risk. If you can do it commission free, could even do 1/4 a month through to going.

Unfortunately no, the rate is not fixed @Blue Since 76.
I have been following exchange.org almost daily and it keeps forecasting a stronger pound towards the end of the year.
I want in a position to exchange a couple of months but it seems a gamble to stick or twist.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Bluesince1979]

Hiya mate as you know I am all over Cape Town, the rates bouncing about 23/22 for weeks even if it drops to 20 which seems unlikely it’s still fantastic value.

My go to exchange rate mechanism at the moment even though I’ve never dined there is Nando’s
A full chicken in the Uk is £17.00 or so in SA it’s under a tenner! And don’t get me started on pints for £1.50 or a bottle of decent plonk for a ten spot.

The only ball ache price wise nowadays is flights but that’s the same for any long haul

I went SA in 96 and loved the place. Stayed largely in Port Elizabeth as played for a football team there tho travelled up and down the garden route many times.
Knysna, plettenburg bay, jeffreys bay, houte bay were all lovely to name a few and of course cape town is great.

Whats it like all these years later?

 

[comiskey33]

Cheers Bud :-)

lifes too short

 

[Macca3]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Bali. 1 week in the south and 1 in the north. An amazing holiday - it’s a long way but worth it. Also stopped in Singapore for a few days on the way back. Would do it all again in a heartbeat

Planning to book 4/5 nights in Singapore next Feb - any tips on best areas to stay & places/attractions not to miss? Any help appreciated!

 

[Stephen Ireland's pants]

I went SA in 96 and loved the place. Stayed largely in Port Elizabeth as played for a football team there tho travelled up and down the garden route many times.
Knysna, plettenburg bay, jeffreys bay, houte bay were all lovely to name a few and of course cape town is great.

Whats it like all these years later?

All top places them mate . Coffee bay and mussels bay also . The op would be mad to not go . I've been all over the world and knysna is a place I miss big time .

 

[hampshireblue]

Due to go to South Africa end of February. Flights paid for and accommodation booked but not paid yet.
Starting to think about this, the Rand is getting stronger and stronger so costs are starting to bounce up.
Anyone know how much I could expect back from Virgin Atlantic as a % if I did cancel now?

Go and enjoy it, it's a fabulous place. There's no way you'll get anywhere like the amount the exchange rate back for your flight unless you bought a very expensive flexible fare in the first place.

 

[discopop]

I went SA in 96 and loved the place. Stayed largely in Port Elizabeth as played for a football team there tho travelled up and down the garden route many times.
Knysna, plettenburg bay, jeffreys bay, houte bay were all lovely to name a few and of course cape town is great.

Whats it like all these years later?

It’s still fantastic mate, Cape Town still impresses me every visit always new eating and drinking places, I try and time a trip to take in some sport if possible, Camps Bay is where we normally stay but you can Uber into the city for a fiver or less the drive over to Cape Point really is stunning and you can take in Hout Bay and the likes of Fish Hoek and the stinking penguin colony :-))

I’m desperately trying to convince the wife into buying a holiday gaff over there.

 

[Bluesince1979]

Yep all those places ring bells from all those years ago.
Went into the wine region a few times too, and across the bay to the place where all the photos are taken of table mountain which name escapes me right now!

Camps bay was super posh back then.

As i said, i was based in PE as i was playing football out there, i took enough money over with me (along with the pittance i got for playing) not knowing how cheap it was , that i didnt really have to work so it was one long jolly.

PE was nice enough without being spectacular and back then felt safe enough.
Wasnt far from Ado elephant safari which i went to a couple of times

 

[Protein Junkie]

Go and enjoy it, it's a fabulous place. There's no way you'll get anywhere like the amount the exchange rate back for your flight unless you bought a very expensive flexible fare in the first place.

Thank you @hampshireblue.
Really helps with the decision making.

 

[Protein Junkie]

It’s still fantastic mate, Cape Town still impresses me every visit always new eating and drinking places, I try and time a trip to take in some sport if possible, Camps Bay is where we normally stay but you can Uber into the city for a fiver or less the drive over to Cape Point really is stunning and you can take in Hout Bay and the likes of Fish Hoek and the stinking penguin colony :-))

I’m desperately trying to convince the wife into buying a holiday gaff over there.

I have booked Camps Bay @discopop.
Think that Mrs PJ will explode if I mention sport. She still hasn’t forgiven me for taking her to watch Redskins v Patriots in Washington :-)