The Swamp

sancarlos wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:28 pm We are leaving in a couple weeks on a two-week trip to Bilbao/St. Sebastian, Bordeaux, and the Loire valley. Given recent geopolitical events, one of the key components of my wardrobe will be this cap:

sancarlos wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:28 pm We are leaving in a couple weeks on a two-week trip to Bilbao/St. Sebastian, Bordeaux, and the Loire valley. Given recent geopolitical events, one of the key components of my wardrobe will be this cap:

Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:01 pm Are you going to bother bringing your US passport? I don't think I would.

DaveInSeattle wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:01 pm
We're going to Mexico (a resort outside of Playa Del Carmen) in 3 weeks. As long as our money spends, I don't think we'll have much issue dealing with the fine Mexican community.

sancarlos wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:33 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:01 pm Are you going to bother bringing your US passport? I don't think I would.

When we booked the trip last year (it’s a Viking small ship river cruise), I gave them my US passport info. So, I think I’ll bring both of them along.

sancarlos wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:28 pm We are leaving in a couple weeks on a two-week trip to Bilbao/St. Sebastian, Bordeaux, and the Loire valley. Given recent geopolitical events, one of the key components of my wardrobe will be this cap:

garyclark wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 11:10 am If there's a Savannah coffee shop/restaurant I should hit up, please let me know.

Quick trip, so not much time for anything else.

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 11:28 am I could use an editor...or maybe that courtyard was really something.

Giff wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 2:35 pm

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 11:28 am I could use an editor...or maybe that courtyard was really something.

I jinxed myself. Just sent an e-mail with this "but the vast majority of those come directly from the
law firms directly. " and i want to die.

The Sybian wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 2:44 pm

Giff wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 2:35 pm

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 11:28 am I could use an editor...or maybe that courtyard was really something.

I jinxed myself. Just sent an e-mail with this "but the vast majority of those come directly from the
law firms directly. " and i want to die.

I know a coffee shop with a courtyard where you can hide.

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 5:14 pm Missed the restaurant part of that question first time around. If you can get in, I hear The Grey is great. There's a really great Chef's Table episode about it. It's in an old Greyhound station.

Starland Yard is a food truck type place, a decent way out of the main part of town (i.e. not really walkable) but it's a lot of fun.

Husk is supposed to be fantastic.

We had a really nice meal at Rhett.

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 5:14 pm Missed the restaurant part of that question first time around. If you can get in, I hear The Grey is great. There's a really great Chef's Table episode about it. It's in an old Greyhound station.

Starland Yard is a food truck type place, a decent way out of the main part of town (i.e. not really walkable) but it's a lot of fun.

Husk is supposed to be fantastic.

We had a really nice meal at Rhett.

elflaco2 wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 1:51 pm favorite spot in Pune (Maharashtra)?? spending next saturday through Wednesday before flying elsewhere in the country

A_B wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 10:56 am Maybe next time you can be more comprehensive.

phxgators wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 11:04 pm Just booked a trip to Madrid/Barcelona for a few days each this summer. We connect through Montreal, maybe we can pick up a couple of those hats on the way out.

A_B wrote: Sun Mar 09, 2025 12:15 am

phxgators wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 11:04 pm Just booked a trip to Madrid/Barcelona for a few days each this summer. We connect through Montreal, maybe we can pick up a couple of those hats on the way out.

Are you sure you have an adequate amount of info?

Sabo wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 9:21 am

elflaco2 wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 1:51 pm favorite spot in Pune (Maharashtra)?? spending next saturday through Wednesday before flying elsewhere in the country

A friend of mine spent about a month in Pune about five years ago. Let me ask him if he has any recommendations.

ETA: My friend wants to know if you've been to India before because that would steer him toward or away from any "first-time visitors'" stuff.

Sabo wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 10:36 am My friend sent me the following. He works with a lot of Indians and will ask his co-workers for additional recommendations this coming Monday.

- Pune airport is pretty basic and is a shared civilian/military airport; very serviceable though.

- Taxi to the city proper takes about 20-40 mins depending on time of day; arranging in advance with your hotel makes things easier.

- If you don't have Indian Rupees you can exchange at most hotels for a relatively decent rate; I recommend carrying at least $100 equivalent in small bills as many smaller businesses don't take credit cards and many won't want to take large bills. Hotels, most restaurants, larger stores will generally accept Visa/MC.

- Most Indians speak English well enough for basic communication; depends on education but I never had trouble dealing in English exclusively; Google Translate to the rescue if needed!

- Recommend making sure you have an international cell phone plan for your time in India - I also downloaded local copies of the maps of the cities I'd be in so I could use them offline; came in very handy when Wifi was not available and I didn't want to use a lot of data.

- In the city auto-rickshaws are the way to go; easy to find, thrilling and cheap; carry cash for these rides as almost none take CC's.

- Traffic is insane as in all Indian cities; the sooner you realize that drivers and motorcycle riders are very skilled the sooner you'll relax and realize you'll survive the chaos!

- Weather varies but is usually quite warm (80s-90s) a lot of the year but a bit cooler than some cities in India due to its topography; if you happen to be travelling during monsoon season (July-October) the temps will be down a bit but it's still very wet and humid. It seems that January-March and the late fall/winter months are the prime weather months.

- I enjoyed the street markets around town; I think there are two and they operate on particular evenings; fun to go and haggle for trinkets, clothing and such; check Google for the nights/location/specialties of the various markets.

- A lot of the fun shopping/dining was near MG Road or Laxmi Road - interesting areas to wander around.

- I enjoyed visiting Aga Khan Palace - a very beautiful and historic location tied to India's independence movement; Gandhi was actually imprisoned here.

- I love craft beer and visitied Independence Brewing Co. when I was there; a very cool brewpub with good food; an IPA hits different when you're actually in India!

- There are some very popular bakeries around who sell excellent sweets and baked goods; Kayani Bakery sells the well-known Shrewsberry biscuits (cookies) that are really good; expect lines but it's worth a visit.

- Trekking/hiking in the hills near Pune is very popular; there are tours that will assist with setting that up; some beautiful hill stations nearby.

- I never did this but there are organized tours of Pune that might be fun (check Viator); if you have a local contact/friend that might be even better.

- The Western-branded hotels are usually very nice and typically have rooftop bars/dining and are a hotspot for wealthier locals too; my company books the JW Marriott for our employees and it's a very nice hotel with great amenities.

- I love Indian cuisine and am not afraid of trying street food but I recommend starting a regimen of gut-boosting probiotics at least a week before traveling; don't drink tap water and try to avoid ice outside of the very nice hotels (who filter their own water) but coffee/tea is fine. Bottled water is plentiful and available most everywhere. Bring some meds for 'Delhi Belly' as even with precautions you might have a short bout of GI distress - even Indians who moved to the US experience some mild issues as their gut gets reacclimated upon their return.

- I have many coworkers who have become friends over the years and will ask them for any additional tips. Have fun! I loved Pune though it was a constant sensory overload!

govmentchedda wrote: Tue Mar 11, 2025 8:03 pm Highly recommend Joe Beef and Liverpool House.

Get rezzies ahead of time.

cerranoredux wrote: Tue Mar 11, 2025 7:58 pm What do we gotta see/eat/experience in Montreal this summer? I know about bagels and smoked meat, what other reccos you fools got?

govmentchedda wrote: Tue Mar 11, 2025 8:12 pm Remind her that Everton is in Liverpool.