Karmacat: To Infinity And Beyond!

se999

Karmacat wrote: »

Sorry to be the cause of so much travel envy sprouting up - but it is nice to dream, isn't it - and with the positivity we have here nowadays, we *will* have our dreams :j:j:j

Sometimes dreams come true at low cost!!

OH had said time after time he loved pictures of Arches National Park in the US, I signed up with a home exchange company, and put in Arches in the search, only 1 hit (so the odds of them wanting to come to the UK pretty slim, let alone where we lived). But they wanted to . So holiday there for 2 weeks out of our three, in a super condo with shared swimming pool for free, so basic costs for the 2 weeks was flight plus the home exchange subscription plus holiday incidentals like an annual US National Parks subscription (cheaper than individual parks entry), and mega deal on car hire after shopping around. It was amazing. For the other week did some hospitality exchanging, plus cheap hotels via the internet, some whilst travelling, as not sure about schedules.

It's still the best holiday we ever had, although the next one using the same system, but also using hostels in Canada for Vancouver Island, Vancouver, the Rockies, hospitality exchanges and an overland trip back from the Rockies to Vancouver was nearly as good

OK it still cost money, but a fraction of what it would normally have costed.

We've also housesat a number of times, for friends and via home exchange sites, there are ways of getting very cheap holiday's/accomodation.

Need to up planning the next trip soon, the last was far too long ago

macgirl

Karmacat wrote: »

I'm glad everyone likes the travel ideas - I absolutely love them :j its not *painful* envy, its fun envy :j Japan - now there's a country to go to! A friend of mine went a few years ago, she got cheap travel while her daughter worked for BA, it was boggling.

I was lucky enough to go to Toyko once and I have to say it was mind-blowing. By far the most exciting place I've ever been to and the people were so lovely.

I love the idea of house swapping and would *love* to go to Vancouver (wasn't it voted the best city in the World for quality of life?) - even if I can't go I'm enjoying reading this thread and dreaming

EssexHebridean

A good friend of mine spent 6 months living in Vancouver a while ago and absolutely loved it!

Karmacat

Evening all! Actually, house swapping once this house is in order is a really good idea - its compact, but its nice enough to. And then you *can* choose where you want to go - thats really important to me now, as I've had such opportunistic holidays for the past decade (or none )

Vancouver - I'd love to go, the scenery looks fantastic. And, um, guess who lives in Vancouver? A certain actor .... Michael Shanks, anyone? His wife was in the UK last weekend telling lots of stories to fans about their house being overrun with raccoons, it sounded a hoot. As long as Michael doesn't think I'm a real live stalker _pale_:rotfl:

London was .... loud, actually, a *lot* of sirens today. Not enjoyable - travel, rest, work, travel. But I'm back! Thats the nice bit

se999

Macgirl & KC for homeswapping, my main advice is to look for people in a similar situation, so for KC look for singles, as your house is geared up for one. For Macgirl, look for a family with similarly aged children, ideally the same sexes as your own, then the house is geared up for safety and toys like yours is, also the people are more likely to know things in the area suitable for you & your children to do. You do tend to live halfway between being a tourist and a local, which is one of the perks of the system, well it is to me

Kittikins

I love Vancouver, would move there in a heartbeat - water, mountains, countryside, culture, city life, friendly people

Karmacat

se999 wrote: »

Macgirl & KC for homeswapping, my main advice is to look for people in a similar situation, so for KC look for singles, as your house is geared up for one. For Macgirl, look for a family with similarly aged children, ideally the same sexes as your own, then the house is geared up for safety and toys like yours is, also the people are more likely to know things in the area suitable for you & your children to do. You do tend to live halfway between being a tourist and a local, which is one of the perks of the system, well it is to me

Thats a good point, se - mine would do as well for a childless couple, actually, my bedroom is a good size (and my mattress is uber-good ).

Kittikins wrote: »

I love Vancouver, would move there in a heartbeat - water, mountains, countryside, culture, city life, friendly people

Ooh, KK, have you been? Give us a story, gwan, gwan!

Pippilongstocking

All this travel stuff is wonderful - house swapping/sitting always a great idea - mine always welcome always looking for housesitters - many people do!

We've used hostels alot and late rooms can be brilliant - can't beat local knowledge when exploring -

oh I'm all excited about travel - I love it - even a trip like this to Aberdeen - get really excited

I've always wanted to go to Newfoundland, Alaska and also on the Siberian straight railway....

And a billion other places!!!

Have lively - lovely weekend!

Karmacat

I'm glad to say I feel halfway human today - tho I'm fully prepared to have a nap this afternoon if need be. I *dragged* myself around yesterday, after the effort of getting to London.

So, this weekend - in no particular order:

- there's one shelf I have to cut down a little on the length, to finish off the pantry. Then I can get stuck in to setting it all up the way I want it.

- I'd really like to go into the town centre today - I haven't been for weeks and weeks, and I need to get a few Chrissie pressies - for most people, I had a brainwave yesterday - treats from a famous Sussex health food store, everybody downhere knows it and loves it, so they'll go down well. But I need bootee slippers from M&S for my sister, and I'd like to see what they've got anyway.

- also could order the flooring for the office - if I want it down before Christmas, it should be done today, otherwise we're getting a bit close to the wire.

- check out Iceland for anything **healthy** they have that I can eat.

- oh I nearly forgot - have a gloat at how well the decorator's done in the office! His work is looking wonderful!


Hi Pippi, I missed your post before - yes, I'm on track for some travel next year!

taxi73

sounds like you'll be having a nice day and glad you're starting to feel better