Most memorable holiday - what's yours?

What was your most memorable holiday? (Whether spent at home, locally, interstate or overseas.) And what made it memorable? (Include anecdotes if you want.)

Though I have had many memorable holidays in the past (still smiling), there is one particular incident in Greece that even now makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on edge.

When doing "a solo", I missed a connecting flight from Athens to Rhodes. Due to extended delays that took over 5 hours, I got into conversation with a Turkish gentleman. Having organised my own itinerary with lots of activities including some sailing, he gave me tips while I voiced my plans. Next to me were two young (17yr – first timers) Australian girls, who after listening to my plans got excited and asked if they could join me on my travels – that was fine with me.

Apart from the girls’ panic on arrival in Rhodes if accommodation was still available, everything got smoothed out and I organised taxis for us both – then the “gentleman” came over waving bus tickets for all of us. I initially declined, but when the girls were keen (trying to save money) and insisted we all accept I had an uncomfortable gut feeling of leaving them alone with a stranger. I wanted to ensure their safe arrival, so I also accepted.

On the bus trip to our sites, I noted travel time seemed excess and upon querying him, he said there was still a boat trip. Now I was really on alert and when I looked behind me and saw those two sweet girls sleeping soundly I felt rage at him. I had forgotten my map but had memorised locations, distances and times. Spotting an American backpacker down the front of the bus, I borrowed the Yank’s map and he confirmed that we had gone past our destination 15 minutes ago!

When I challenged the Turkish man, he insisted there was still a boat to catch. That was it for me. I then insisted with the bus driver to drop us off at the next stop (not scheduled) to catch taxis.

When the bus stopped at some unknown village, I literally dragged those sleepy girls out (they thought I had gone mad) with the man chasing us. Spotting a guard I pointed out the deception and asked assistance. After some going back and forth between us, the guard finally asked, “Are you and the girls with him?” When I replied a negative, he nodded and said the man was known to take girls (willingly) by boat to Turkey and he has never known them to come back.

Taxis were organised, the girls never knew what was going on and I preferred they think me mad then the real danger that had been presented. Never did see them or the man again.

The rest of that Grecian holiday and its islands was fantastic with many long lasting friends made. I still took risks then, calculated ones as I do now – good lesson to remain alert.


Okay, now share some of your stories – what was memorable for you?

 

I packed a small case and went on a 2 week holiday from Edinburgh to Auckland, New Zealand to visit my uncle in 1986 and didnt come home until 1990!
Cannot believe the authorities wouldn't let me stay there! How was I to know I needed a work permit and a visa! LOL
Beautiful country, great people and :drool beer !!

 

Still having mine, currently on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria!

Imagine my dissapointment when I look at the "Internet" suite in the hotel to see a bunch of empty desks OK, whip out the laptop and find free wireless out here! Always wanted to do work while sat by the pool!

Best thing out here, apart from the weather and the sea, is the prices. Bulgaria hasn't taken the Euro yet, using the Lev instead. Packet of ciggies comes to about 70p, a 3 course steak meal for 5 adults and three children, including 3 bottles of wine and many beers came to less than £35!

Funny story: On one of our first trips out, me and the wife stopped for some drinks in a bar on the seafront. Two beers and three cokes late, the bill came to 12lev (£3) and I was convinced the waiter had forgotton some of the drinks. I tried to tell him the bill was wrong and he thought I was bartering and starting bringing the price down. Eventually I gave him 20lev and told him to keep the change. We had a good laugh after we left when I realised my mistake. Went back to them same bar a few days later and the waiter was buying me beers!

Gotta go home on Monday, but don't go back to work for another week after that! Will post photo's when I get back, the connection here isn't that fast!

 

Never had one, thinking might be lovely to try someday.

 

I think I'd have to say any of our families yearly visits to presthaven caravan park or similar in north wales during my single digit years and into my teens as they were all magical like christmas,

Heres how they'd go we'd pack the car roof rack and my dad would service the his pride and joy 15 year old 1.3 100 000 mile morris mariner,half of the fun was just getting there, me and my bro's would be bouncing on the backseat tryna keep the car going and begging it to get up the hillsAs we got closer caravan parks started popping up and we new we were close then-

"Presthaven holiday park next turn" :celebrate

We'd go to central desk get our caravan keys and then spend 30 mins hunting for the caravan, my dad was close friends with a caravan owner so we got a really good deal £200 I think for a week TV,shower,full kitchen, it one of the most expensive there 11-13 person but there were only five of us,first thing cup of tea Half unpack then our first explore of the park as I said we mostly went to presthaven but there was always new stuff to find.First on route was the indoor and outdoor pools,they were only 2m deep but had a 40foot water slide which was FREE!the the pool,snooker and air hockey hall with the mini arcade 'outrun 2,alien,moonpatrol and space invaders'This is how my dad teased us I think, we'd get all excited but wernt allowed to play or swim then on to the go carts and the main arcade this was a bigger tease than the pool hall next the beach and then back for tea

Back at the caravan there was a monopoly board this was the first and only time we played monopoly as a family and and it was the greatest game everThe nights entertainment would start around 8.00pm we'd put our evening clothes on and walk down first we begged for a go of the go karts,then into the pool hall buy a white ball and wait for a table to be free,that was it for the next three hours this was the first and only time me,my brother and dad could play pool together

Next into the show area we'd get a drink, clock where my mum and dad were sitting then off we went to the main arcadewe'd start slow but eventually we'd be running back and forth to my dad asking for another pound coin which we'd change for 10p's,then fish and chips on the way home and the best sleep in what seemed like the comfiest bed in the world the anticipation of the next day was just like christmas for a full week,sooooo happppyyyyyy

First thing the next day we'd go for a walk along the beach with my dad sometimes I'd take a Driver and fire a few golf balls there was no one there it was too early then we'd head to the sea to skim some pebbles,there was also an 18hole mini gold we'd play on,sometimes I'd get a morning burger and shake from a burger bar I remember perfectly the an old lady worked there every year its still today one of the greatest burgers I'v ever had its was an amazing mixture of ham and beef I think?

During the day we'd often go on a day trips to various tourist locations castles ect,we often went to ryle and visited the Sun centre which had a massive water shoot called the dragon 50p a ride it also had an indoor wave machine, evey so often a man would shout over the speakers "WAVES IN THE BIG POOL" the place would turn into a riot everyone would run and dive into it

While in Ryle we'd tour the sea front there was always one game I was looking for and my dad new it 'he loved it too' he'd point I'd look and screem "MOONSHINE!".For anyone that doesnt know the game was about the size of two rooms it was a full size cowbow western style animatronic scene, you'd put your money in and pick up a gun that looked like an old rifle it would fire a beem of light and if you hit the target whatever gizmo was there would operate for example there was a guy in in an outdoor toilet if you hit him he shout "cant you see I'm busy" or an owl would fall off its perch ect it was the greatest thing ever

I cant find any pictures of moonshine on the web I'll keep looking but if you know what I mean please let me know,I NEED TO SEE IT

The last day is always the most depressing day but not for us because it was present day! we could choose a small toy to take home.After making the caravan absolutely spotless 'which my mum did mostly' we'd go of to the arcade for one last flurry and game of pool,after that we said goodbye to the park packed the car and off we went into Ryle and spent the day there,I'd always buy one of those massive toffee dummies and we'd get the gift rock 'candy' to take back,in the afternoon we'd end up at a toy shop called lighfoots the most amazing toy shop in the world I usually get a gun or small model car of some sort only about £10 or whatever holiday money we had left to
put towards it,then back in the mariner and pray it got us home

Thats about it, well done for reading and thanks for the thread its brought back some awsome

memories

 

My most memorable holiday would be at Sharbot Lake Ontario... I am a city girl, and it shows... I never went camping. My first time was with a friend who dared me to rough it in the woods. Well I do like a challenge so I went. The first day we got there twas around 6 pm.. at the camp grounds it was customary to see a truck spewing a fog like mist in the air to kill mosquitoes.. ewwww.... The next day, we went to the lake where we were met by giant horse flies that takes chunks outta your skin... I never seen that before... I was horrified and scared to leave the tent. On the third day it was cooler [twas June] and huge hails stones [size of golfballs] decended upon our tent and flattened it. I was furious... I yelled" I'm going HOME !" It was my first time camping and my last time... I guess I will remain the city girl forever..

 

You poor thing Lousy first experience...but don't give up too quickly. Camping can be fun. My first was camping in the snow with a langlaufing (cross country skiing) group, when I was awoken with a start when I felt a wet nose on my face - no, not my partner, but a curious wallaby who wandered in!

 

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What fabulous reading Rikky...thanks for sharing your memories. We never had family holidays because mum and dad were struggling just raising 3 kids, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your family holidays.

Thanks again!

Cheers

LS

 

After reading Rikky's memoirs, it's a good recommendation for family sharing....

Cheers

LS

 

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Liked your story. Sounds like you hit a nice guy of a waiter...pretty country Bulgaria. Enjoy!

Cheers:wine

LS

 

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So you were just a hop, skip away from Aussie land and you didn't drop in for a cuppa! Hummnph! What a snob!

(By the way, sounds like some extended holiday! LOL)

Cheers

LS

 

Most memorable holiday for me was by far this past New Years. I was in Aruba with a bunch of friends and it was amazing. They set off so many fireworks around the island it made the 4th of july in the states look like a sparkler show.

 

Wow! Sounds great - must have been quite a show. Never been to the Caribbean (wonder how different it is to our islands up North Queensland - scenically that is).

 

Work, not holiday, but the trip I just came back from to Istanbul, where I went with a group of students, was quite remarkable!

Piccies and story will follow shortly!

 

Hmmm. "Aruba." "Ten nights." "No kids." "Woohoo". Now I understand why you didn't elaborate.

 

Don't forget....interested in seein' pics and hearing about it

Cheers

LS