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John Milton
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Re: Holiday Thread

#1191 Post by John Milton » Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:05 pm

Beate wrote:What a fantastic choice. The Isle of Wight is wonderful and will not be so crowded in September. I know nothing about dog-friendly pubs but dogs are around everywhere so I wouldn't worry too much. We stayed in a hotel right next to the Shanklin Chine which is lovely and peaceful. There is so much to see! The Zoo is fantastic - say hi to Casper the white lion from us! There's another animal park (Amazon World), a donkey sanctuary and an owl & falconry centre at Appuldurcombe House. Robin Hill Park is worth a visit even if you are not a fan of adventure rides. You can see red squirrels there! The Needles are an absolute must - you take a chairlift down to the beach and a boat round the rocks. The multi-coloured sand is beautiful. That's just from memory. Osbourne House (Queen Victoria's residence) of course and Carisbrooke Castle! There's a Steam Railway as well.
Beate, thanks again for the recommendations! We had such a lovely time on the IoW and are keen to go back as there was so much to see and do, and we didn't do half of what we wanted to!

Everywhere we went was dog friendly, even sites such as Carisbrooke Castle.

I'm now off to Dusseldorf this coming weekend so if any FMUKers have any tips for what's good there, all comments are gratefully received! :)
2012 Free Films: John Carter, The Cabin in the Woods, Snow White and The Huntsman, Lawless.

Joined FMUK: March 2013

2013 Free Films: Robot & Frank, Olympus Has Fallen, Maniac, Evil Dead, Oblivion, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Behind the Candelabra, Everybody has a Plan, This is the End, The Internship, Citadel, Pain & Gain, We're the Millers, You're Next, Rush, How I Live Now.

2014 Free Films: Locke, Chef, The Hundred-Foot Journey, Fury, The Drop, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death.

2016 Free Films: Anthropoid, I,Daniel Blake.

2017 Free Films: Hacksaw Ridge.

Preferred Cinemas: Glasgow

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prettyxcool
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Re: Holiday Thread

#1192 Post by prettyxcool » Wed May 04, 2016 2:26 pm

It's a while since I have posted here!

Finally back down to "earth" well on land anyway! Had a such a superb time on a Thomson cruise, I can see why people love cruises, and will not do any other holidays now. You are totally waited on hand and foot, there's so much to do on board all day and all night, entertainment, spa, casinos, shopping, eat as much as you like (if on a full board package like we were and really good value as all tips included).

We cruised round the Canary Islands, and right up to Madeira, a pit stop on all the islands really, so a bit of a taster, and we were very lucky with the weather, sunny and warm (whereas the week before, those that were doing the two weeks' cruise said it had been quite wet and stormy!). Strange to do two weeks though, as the ship just goes round again!

One gripe is that if you can go at short notice, the price drops really low - at one point it was £135 cheaper than what I pa*d (although what I pa*d is still good value but still ;) ) and then it finally settled at £491 per person (based on two sharing) - all inclusive, full board, flights, 7 nights, outside cabin too! We pa*d more and got an inside cabin - I did complain and told sorry, the prices are fluid! :nono:
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2014 - 132 seen (26 premieres and 7 Gala Screenings). Also 18 misc. free events/concerts
2013 - 115 Seen (12 premieres). Also 6 theatres/shows, 5 concerts
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Re: Holiday Thread

#1193 Post by Yinster » Wed May 04, 2016 2:36 pm

prettyxcool wrote: One gripe is that if you can go at short notice, the price drops really low - at one point it was £135 cheaper than what I pa*d (although what I pa*d is still good value but still ;) ) and then it finally settled at £491 per person (based on two sharing) - all inclusive, full board, flights, 7 nights, outside cabin too! We pa*d more and got an inside cabin - I did complain and told sorry, the prices are fluid! :nono: ]
Whilst prices are fluid you can ask for an complimentary upgrade if your cruise is not full. They may give you a better stateroom or give you onboard credit. But only if you ask. After final payment they don't have to give you anything. However nothing to lose if you don't ask. It is all about supply and demand. Same with flight prices.

However I know that some cruise lines are now not lowering their prices in the last month and would rather sail with empty cabins. NCL for one.

We like cruises. Only been on two now. With the recent one in March with NCL on board their Morocco and Canary Islands. We pa*d significant more than you but we were in their Haven level which is well worth the money if you get the correct price. It was VIP treatment throughout the cruise from the moment we board till we left.

I also join cruisecritic and met many people who were on the same cruise. Some became friends and we had such a blast. We did private excursions which were so much cheaper and with small groups. Plus cruisecritic was a great place for asking any relevant cruise question.

Also thought one of our fmuk get together should be a cruise. You son't have to do everything together but can meet up whenever.
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Preference of cinemas:- 1. Glasgow Renfield Street Cineworld, 2. Glasgow Showcase, 3. Braehead Odeon, 4. Vue Fort, 5 Glasgow Springfield Quay, 5. any other cinema in Glasgow area including Hamilton
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Re: Holiday Thread

#1194 Post by prettyxcool » Thu May 05, 2016 12:43 am

That's good to know, about cruisecritic. Thanks Yinster. I can't fault the service on the Thomson Majesty, apparently they just won an award for the best family cruise. Yes, I did ask for an upgrade but they just said their prices are fluid. It seemed pretty full so may be they were fully booked.

We went with a group of friends, and did things together and did things separately. It was a lot of fun. We didn't book any of their excursions, as for a group it worked out too expensive. A lot of things we wanted to do was near the harbours anyway or we just took the local buses to go further a field. We found the time flew by. We met people on the cruise who have been cruising for many years, every year, one couple has been doing it for the last 12 years! They are planning their next cruise round the Far East.

This cruise was just right as an intro, price wise and location. As I am on a budget, I will look out for another bargain! o/

Yes, an FMUKCON on a cruise is a great idea, but only if I can get a deal :D :D
Member No. 17 of the "100 free films in 2019" club. 50 seen so far
My Movie Scores click here

2018 - 100 seen (9 premieres/Press) Also 2 Opera, 1 Netfix, 15 theatres, 2 concerts, 1 ballet)
2017 - 106 seen
2016 - 116 seen
2015 - 120 seen (16 premieres, 2 Gala Screenings). Also 3 theatres/shows, 2 concerts
2014 - 132 seen (26 premieres and 7 Gala Screenings). Also 18 misc. free events/concerts
2013 - 115 Seen (12 premieres). Also 6 theatres/shows, 5 concerts
2012 - 118 seen (23 premieres). Also 12 theatres/shows.
2011 - 133 seen
2010 - 105 seen


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Re: Holiday Thread

#1195 Post by Yinster » Thu May 05, 2016 9:52 am

CruiseCritic is brilliant. There is a forum bit which I religiously checked every day after we booked our cruise. My partner thought I was daft. However we joined our roll call and met some awesome people and after chatting online for almost a year it felt like seeing friends on board. It was great for planning things especially private excursions. Something we didn't do on our first cruise. But as it was with other people we only did private ones this time round. Cheaper and much better. Also being me we met other people once on board. If you ever do another cruise use it. You won't regret it. We are thinking of doing a baltic cruise for next year. Just watching for prices to drop.
Member 88 of 100 free films in 2017 - 2 seen
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Preference of cinemas:- 1. Glasgow Renfield Street Cineworld, 2. Glasgow Showcase, 3. Braehead Odeon, 4. Vue Fort, 5 Glasgow Springfield Quay, 5. any other cinema in Glasgow area including Hamilton
Also Falkirk, Dunfermline and Stirling but these are rarely used for free previews.

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Re: Holiday Thread

#1196 Post by Yinster » Tue Nov 22, 2016 9:06 pm

Me again. Just to say OH and I will be heading to Londontown next week (Wednesday 30th Nov) for four nights and leaving around teatime on Sunday evening. Suffice to say we kinda of hijack my friend who is going with his mom, stepdad and friend when he chatted about going down for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Harry Potter Tour. Anyhoo we thought it was a bargain (£265 per person) for first class return train fares from Edinburgh, four nights bed and breakfast at the hotel and Harry Potter Tour tickets which are booked already.

Up for suggestions and ideas whilst we are there.
Member 88 of 100 free films in 2017 - 2 seen
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Member 88 of 100 free films in 2015 - 27 seen
Member 88 of 100 free films in 2014 - 47 seen
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Member 88 of 100 free films in 2012 - 62 seen
Preference of cinemas:- 1. Glasgow Renfield Street Cineworld, 2. Glasgow Showcase, 3. Braehead Odeon, 4. Vue Fort, 5 Glasgow Springfield Quay, 5. any other cinema in Glasgow area including Hamilton
Also Falkirk, Dunfermline and Stirling but these are rarely used for free previews.

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Re: Holiday Thread

#1197 Post by Beate » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:56 am

Try to get tickets to the Sky Garden! The space is amazing, the views are incredible, and best - it's totally free! Tickets go quick though. https://skygarden.london/booking
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Re: Holiday Thread

#1198 Post by Macca30 » Sat Dec 03, 2016 4:37 pm

Sky garden is very good, you can turn up on the day but the wait time can be 45 mins

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Re: Holiday Thread

#1199 Post by John Milton » Sun Jan 15, 2017 1:01 pm

Hi all,

I'm on the move again! :D

My OH and I are getting married in August, and she managed to find an excellent deal on flights for our honeymoon. So, we're off to Bali! :)

We haven't booked a hotel yet and I was wondering if anyone has been to Bali and has any recommendations for accommodation, things to do, etc.

Thanks in advance! :)
2012 Free Films: John Carter, The Cabin in the Woods, Snow White and The Huntsman, Lawless.

Joined FMUK: March 2013

2013 Free Films: Robot & Frank, Olympus Has Fallen, Maniac, Evil Dead, Oblivion, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Behind the Candelabra, Everybody has a Plan, This is the End, The Internship, Citadel, Pain & Gain, We're the Millers, You're Next, Rush, How I Live Now.

2014 Free Films: Locke, Chef, The Hundred-Foot Journey, Fury, The Drop, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death.

2016 Free Films: Anthropoid, I,Daniel Blake.

2017 Free Films: Hacksaw Ridge.

Preferred Cinemas: Glasgow

Please check out my reviews on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/ ... _cr_dp_pdp

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Re: Holiday Thread

#1200 Post by prettyxcool » Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:13 pm

I have just returned from a trip to experience Chinese New Year in Hong Kong for the first time. This year is the Year of the Rooster

You really need to be there to learn of its culture and celebrations first hand. What an amazing experience. We went to the New Year's Eve Fair and the New Year's Day Parade and saw the fireworks over the Harbour on the second day of the New Year on a boat in the Harbour!

They really do celebrate it for seven days! It is their equivalent of Christmas, and offices and shops closes during that time. No presents given, but lots of lucky red packets with money are given instead. Red is believed to ward off bad luck and misfortune. For people born in a year of the Rooster, red underwear is a must for 2017!

Preparations start days before when they b*y flowers (like orchids, peonies, peach and plum blossoms to bring good luck, prosperity, abundance, love and fertility), and potted shrubs of kumquats and oranges to decorate the home. Fruits (like pomelos, oranges and kumquats) all to bring good luck, prosperity, family unity and happiness. They are round and "golden" in colour, symbolising fullness and wealth, but mostly when pronounced, they sound like good luck and fortune. Good wishes red posters and paper cuttings are also hang on doors, houses are cleaned, debts pa*d, new clothing purchased. Also on New Year's eve, wash or bathe with pomelo leaves to wash away the bad things from the previous year.

Food eaten to bring good luck for the coming year, based on their pronunciation or appearance:
Fish, sounds like surplus - means abundance and prosperity
Chinese dumplings - they look like Chinese ingots (not bars, but oval shaped) - means wealth.
Spring rolls - they look like gold bars - means wealth
New Year Cake - Niangao - sounds like getting higher year by year - thus meaning children's height, rise in business success, higher income, better grades in study, promotions at work, etc.
Sweet rice balls - the pronunciation and round shape of tangyuan are associated with reunion and being together, "happy family reunion"!
Long noodles - for longevity
New year snacks - red dates, peanuts, sweets, sunflower seeds, all for good wishes for the new year.
Member No. 17 of the "100 free films in 2019" club. 50 seen so far
My Movie Scores click here

2018 - 100 seen (9 premieres/Press) Also 2 Opera, 1 Netfix, 15 theatres, 2 concerts, 1 ballet)
2017 - 106 seen
2016 - 116 seen
2015 - 120 seen (16 premieres, 2 Gala Screenings). Also 3 theatres/shows, 2 concerts
2014 - 132 seen (26 premieres and 7 Gala Screenings). Also 18 misc. free events/concerts
2013 - 115 Seen (12 premieres). Also 6 theatres/shows, 5 concerts
2012 - 118 seen (23 premieres). Also 12 theatres/shows.
2011 - 133 seen
2010 - 105 seen


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