there were cases where women get raped in DR resorts, wrote on tripadvisor, and the post got removed... I've heard of such cases a lot of times beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 17:35
I do want a travel partner. But only for those "dangerous" places, like Libya, Iraq, Namibia, etc beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 18:59
I don’t want a travel partner either. For “evil” countries, I will probably either not go or join a group tour, which I dislike but I can put up with it once or twice.
I only been to turkey for 4,5 days, and only stayed in Istanbul. I have to say, all the attractions in Istanbul are shit. Maybe other tourist towns in Turkey maybe better. Oman is actually a very beautiful country. You should post a selfie and let people here decide if you would be harrassed at all. I've been to all these places, and never been once harrassed. But I am ugly. so if you are ugly like me, you are pretty safe. Plus, ME countries actually prefer blondes..
这个话题我可以连着说一整天not running out of things to say LOL 分享一个小tip, 在国外跟陌生人都是说我老公来开会，我自己出来玩一下。有时是真的有时it's just a line。毕竟安全最重要，因为我的to do list很长。 RedCrayon 发表于 2021-07-14 18:50
我很喜欢中东海湾国。主要是去的人少网上信息也少，基本被洗脑是邪恶国，然后自己figure out the truth以后觉得好有趣。 土耳其治安一般但是female solo也没有问题。 冷漠脸我只是generally speaking, 真碰上serial killer没用。但是我想他们也要挑一下easy victim, 我能做的是尽量don’t look like one。
I don’t want a travel partner either. For “evil” countries, I will probably either not go or join a group tour, which I dislike but I can put up with it once or twice. RedCrayon 发表于 2021-07-14 19:02
what kind of tour company do you use? I've only used A&K a couple times, but beginning to not being 100% satisfied.
what kind of tour company do you use? I've only used A&K a couple times, but beginning to not being 100% satisfied. beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:07
highly suggest Alila Jabal resort. I love hiking in those ME mountains. there's no obvious trails, you just by yourself... and they also take you to neighboring town, visit the old castle, and the goat market. I looooooved the goat market, seeing goats running in circles, kinda like the spanish bull run
I only been to turkey for 4,5 days, and only stayed in Istanbul. I have to say, all the attractions in Istanbul are shit. Maybe other tourist towns in Turkey maybe better. Oman is actually a very beautiful country. You should post a selfie and let people here decide if you would be harrassed at all. I've been to all these places, and never been once harrassed. But I am ugly. so if you are ugly like me, you are pretty safe. Plus, ME countries actually prefer blondes.. beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:04
真的么。。。对伊斯坦布尔向往好多年了，历史名城应该很有看头啊 你太幽默了，I think appearance wise I shall be safe then, nevertheless being a lone foreigner might attract unwanted attention still, and possibly becoming an easy target
我很喜欢中东海湾国。主要是去的人少网上信息也少，基本被洗脑是邪恶国，然后自己figure out the truth以后觉得好有趣。 土耳其治安一般但是female solo也没有问题。 冷漠脸我只是generally speaking, 真碰上serial killer没用。但是我想他们也要挑一下easy victim, 我能做的是尽量don’t look like one。
真的么。。。对伊斯坦布尔向往好多年了，历史名城应该很有看头啊 你太幽默了，I think appearance wise I shall be safe then, nevertheless being a lone foreigner might attract unwanted attention still, and possibly becoming an easy target sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 19:18
在赞比亚某个地方感觉有点危险，当时跟队友一起。我们马上快走几步凑上一大家美国人搭讪，好像很熟似的，“坏人”就走掉了。 我自己也一样，如果perceive danger就马上抓个身边的couple or group
真的么。。。对伊斯坦布尔向往好多年了，历史名城应该很有看头啊 你太幽默了，I think appearance wise I shall be safe then, nevertheless being a lone foreigner might attract unwanted attention still, and possibly becoming an easy target sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 19:18
I think if you haven't traveled a lot, then istanbul is ok. But honestly, the palaces, and the hagia sohia/mosque are just shit plain and ugly. if you are into castle, go to those baltic states, croatia, albania, montenegro.. Even the castles/palaces in Venice is so much better than Tokapi palace...
highly suggest Alila Jabal resort. I love hiking in those ME mountains. there's no obvious trails, you just by yourself... and they also take you to neighboring town, visit the old castle, and the goat market. I looooooved the goat market, seeing goats running in circles, kinda like the spanish bull run beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:11
highly suggest Alila Jabal resort. I love hiking in those ME mountains. there''s no obvious trails, you just by yourself... and they also take you to neighboring town, visit the old castle, and the goat market. I looooooved the goat market, seeing goats running in circles, kinda like the spanish bull run beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:11
Old castle and goat market are exactly the kinda place I love to visit.....no wild animals at all in the ME mountains?
I think if you haven't traveled a lot, then istanbul is ok. But honestly, the palaces, and the hagia sohia/mosque are just shit plain and ugly. if you are into castle, go to those baltic states, croatia, albania, montenegro.. Even the castles/palaces in Venice is so much better than Tokapi palace... beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:24
Yes I've been to most Europe countries including the baltic states, love all of them! Every place I go I have to visit the castle/palace there, I know a lot of people think the churches/castles/palaces are all more or less the same but I never get tired of visiting them. Sounds like I should lower my expectation for the Sophia mosque though hoho...
Yes I've been to most Europe countries including the baltic states, love all of them! Every place I go I have to visit the castle/palace there, I know a lot of people think the churches/castles/palaces are all more or less the same but I never get tired of visiting them. Sounds like I should lower my expectation for the Sophia mosque though hoho... sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 19:37
I agree with the other girl. For me Istanbul was meh. 我攒了十几本旅行笔记，给自己老了走不动了看的哈哈。
Yes I've been to most Europe countries including the baltic states, love all of them! Every place I go I have to visit the castle/palace there, I know a lot of people think the churches/castles/palaces are all more or less the same but I never get tired of visiting them. Sounds like I should lower my expectation for the Sophia mosque though hoho... sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 19:37
sophia hagia?! man, what a dump. They covered up all the beautiful non muslim mosaics. Basically, it's just a dark building with a dirty green carpet...
sophia hagia?! man, what a dump. They covered up all the beautiful non muslim mosaics. Basically, it's just a dark building with a dirty green carpet... beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:55
Did you go recently? I read somewhere last year that they will cover it during prayers but will uncover it outside prayers for the tourists to see, so sounded like before last year it was not covered?
I only been to turkey for 4,5 days, and only stayed in Istanbul. I have to say, all the attractions in Istanbul are shit. Maybe other tourist towns in Turkey maybe better. Oman is actually a very beautiful country. You should post a selfie and let people here decide if you would be harrassed at all. I''ve been to all these places, and never been once harrassed. But I am ugly. so if you are ugly like me, you are pretty safe. Plus, ME countries actually prefer blondes.. beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 19:04
I still want to go back to Turkey. The other cities outside of Istanbul are much nicer. Turkey is quite safe I think, only if you can stand those oily man. :). they didn''t do much any way
Did you go recently? I read somewhere last year that they will cover it during prayers but will uncover it outside prayers for the tourists to see, so sounded like before last year it was not covered? sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 20:29
yes, during covid. and I went to a non prayer time
They have eaten their words then, what a shame sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 20:47
but even the two palaces, topaki and one other palace (i forgot the name), basically it's just a big house with individual rooms. I don't see anything special. Even the Harem Quarters.. I was having more fun with Ottoman houses in Albania..
Istanbul is super boring! Glad I am not the only one who thinks it that way. And Istanbul man is very oily. They think they are attractive. elly 发表于 2021-07-14 20:31
but even the two palaces, topaki and one other palace (i forgot the name), basically it's just a big house with individual rooms. I don't see anything special. Even the Harem Quarters.. I was having more fun with Ottoman houses in Albania.. beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 20:50
how is Albania over all? Compare to Montenegro? I've been to Montenegro and above but not Albania, is it really poor?
how is Albania over all? Compare to Montenegro? I've been to Montenegro and above but not Albania, is it really poor? sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 20:59
i love love albania. It's not that poor. But it's very reasonably priced. a lot of 4,5 star hotels are very reasonably priced, 60, 50 euros. And they are pretty good decent 5 star hotels. Highly recommend Gjirokaster and Berat. Those two towns are beautiful. the med sea side like Sarande, is just meh. Croatia is the best medditerrean sea i've seen. But I've never been to Malta. Always wanted to go, then covid hit, then malta got crazy and required masks outside, and they would fine people for not wearing a mask. Hard pass
btw, anyone have any suggestions where I can go right now? want to pick like 2,3 adjacent countries where i can spend a month or two. Been looking at Estonia, Latvia.. but it's summer peak time, and hotels especially in estonia is darn expensive. looked at Ukraine too. Looked at Iceland, need a CDC vaccine card.. Preferrably somewhere cooler and not too expensive
i love love albania. It's not that poor. But it's very reasonably priced. a lot of 4,5 star hotels are very reasonably priced, 60, 50 euros. And they are pretty good decent 5 star hotels. Highly recommend Gjirokaster and Berat. Those two towns are beautiful. the med sea side like Sarande, is just meh. Croatia is the best medditerrean sea i've seen. But I've never been to Malta. Always wanted to go, then covid hit, then malta got crazy and required masks outside, and they would fine people for not wearing a mask. Hard pass beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 21:04
Taking notes....and you went alone and felt perfectly save?
真的么。。。对伊斯坦布尔向往好多年了，历史名城应该很有看头啊 你太幽默了，I think appearance wise I shall be safe then, nevertheless being a lone foreigner might attract unwanted attention still, and possibly becoming an easy target sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 19:18
i love love albania. It's not that poor. But it's very reasonably priced. a lot of 4,5 star hotels are very reasonably priced, 60, 50 euros. And they are pretty good decent 5 star hotels. Highly recommend Gjirokaster and Berat. Those two towns are beautiful. the med sea side like Sarande, is just meh. Croatia is the best medditerrean sea i've seen. But I've never been to Malta. Always wanted to go, then covid hit, then malta got crazy and required masks outside, and they would fine people for not wearing a mask. Hard pass beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 21:04
Mark! I have been to Albania but it was just a day trip. Wanting to go back. How did you get around? Rent a car?
Mark! I have been to Albania but it was just a day trip. Wanting to go back. How did you get around? Rent a car? RedCrayon 发表于 2021-07-14 21:22
yes. and the road scenary is great. Perfectly idyllic. mountains, with red roofed houses dotted among the mountains, and then small farm land in front of those houses. Then you drive the winding roads in the mountains. really great
yes. and the road scenary is great. Perfectly idyllic. mountains, with red roofed houses dotted among the mountains, and then small farm land in front of those houses. Then you drive the winding roads in the mountains. really great beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 21:33
Car renting convenient and driving around the country all no problem? Road signs clear google map reliable etc? sketch 发表于 2021-07-14 21:33
bookings, expedia rent a car. no problem driving at all. I have the tmobile plan, which gives u internet all over the world. The internet speed was perfectly ok in albania. I was able to stream youtube music to my car through bluetooth. I was staying at a B&B, and overheard a backstreet boy song, and brought me back to my BSB fan days. I started streaming BSB songs in my car, driving in the country road.
bookings, expedia rent a car. no problem driving at all. I have the tmobile plan, which gives u internet all over the world. The internet speed was perfectly ok in albania. I was able to stream youtube music to my car through bluetooth. I was staying at a B&B, and overheard a backstreet boy song, and brought me back to my BSB fan days. I started streaming BSB songs in my car, driving in the country road. beefcuurtain98 发表于 2021-07-14 21:45
have you traveled to Libya, or Caucasus, or maybe Namibia?
did you do them solo or joined a group tour?
利比亚暂时没安排。
纳米比亚我去过，not solo，也不建议solo。
高加索安全的，可以solo。
我从来不跟团！day tour是有的。
did you join a group tour on Namibia or just traveled with friends? self drive? why don't you think Namibia shouldn't solo?
纳米比亚跟队友俩人。不太安全，交通也不太方便。我们请了司机，自驾感觉不安全。
FB有很多female solo travel group, 全是白女好吧。
前几年微信上转得很多的一个女孩在巴黎还是哪的五星级大酒店被盯上，半夜被电话叫下楼差点被绑架的事，不知道到底是真是假。
穆斯林国家以前肯定是没问题，不知道最近几年是不是乱了很多啊。有朋友是丰满大美女去土耳其说到哪都被当地男人盯着看还搭讪。。。
there were cases where women get raped in DR resorts, wrote on tripadvisor, and the post got removed...
I've heard of such cases a lot of times
土耳其治安一般般。我一般在陌生不靠谱国脸上表情大概是别惹我leave me alone~~~~~~
倒是UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi等等，感觉很安全。
拍照如果请拿单反相机的人帮忙，一般效果还不错。
分享一个小tip, 在国外跟陌生人都是说我老公来开会，我自己出来玩一下。有时是真的有时it's just a line。毕竟安全最重要，因为我的to do list很长。
DR Resort 是哪里？
dominican republic
I do want a travel partner. But only for those "dangerous" places, like Libya, Iraq, Namibia, etc
这些安全的阿拉伯国家是不是没有土耳其好玩？我做过一点功课感觉没啥吸引力，土耳其却一直想去一直不敢去。
真被盯上的话我觉得一个单身女子拉长脸也没用的。
相信我，两个都舍得花钱也未必玩得到一起，背景爱好不同想看的东西绝对不一样。
I don’t want a travel partner either.
For “evil” countries, I will probably either not go or join a group tour, which I dislike but I can put up with it once or twice.
哦，中南美是乱的，曾经有老美总结出一堆在Cancun resort各种莫名死掉的美国游客的例子，结论是Cancun也很危险，虽然我没觉得。
I only been to turkey for 4,5 days, and only stayed in Istanbul. I have to say, all the attractions in Istanbul are shit. Maybe other tourist towns in Turkey maybe better.
Oman is actually a very beautiful country.
You should post a selfie and let people here decide if you would be harrassed at all. I've been to all these places, and never been once harrassed. But I am ugly. so if you are ugly like me, you are pretty safe. Plus, ME countries actually prefer blondes..
开贴吧，最喜欢看游记见闻了
的确，感觉跟开盲盒一样，之前在网上找过一些女生同行，就在目的地集合，有的很玩得来有的很糟糕😅
我很喜欢中东海湾国。主要是去的人少网上信息也少，基本被洗脑是邪恶国，然后自己figure out the truth以后觉得好有趣。
土耳其治安一般但是female solo也没有问题。
冷漠脸我只是generally speaking, 真碰上serial killer没用。但是我想他们也要挑一下easy victim, 我能做的是尽量don’t look like one。
what kind of tour company do you use? I've only used A&K a couple times, but beginning to not being 100% satisfied.
Agree! Oman is beautiful!
I have not used a tour company yet
highly suggest Alila Jabal resort. I love hiking in those ME mountains. there's no obvious trails, you just by yourself... and they also take you to neighboring town, visit the old castle, and the goat market. I looooooved the goat market, seeing goats running in circles, kinda like the spanish bull run
成家以后基本都是拖家带口出门了，最多就是约几个女生一起旅行。现在看到吃到好的东西，更享受与人分享的感觉。
真的么。。。对伊斯坦布尔向往好多年了，历史名城应该很有看头啊
你太幽默了，I think appearance wise I shall be safe then, nevertheless being a lone foreigner might attract unwanted attention still, and possibly becoming an easy target
动心了。。。现在去是不是热死应该冬天去？等我做功课时要来请教你
在赞比亚某个地方感觉有点危险，当时跟队友一起。我们马上快走几步凑上一大家美国人搭讪，好像很熟似的，“坏人”就走掉了。
我自己也一样，如果perceive danger就马上抓个身边的couple or group
I think if you haven't traveled a lot, then istanbul is ok. But honestly, the palaces, and the hagia sohia/mosque are just shit plain and ugly.
if you are into castle, go to those baltic states, croatia, albania, montenegro.. Even the castles/palaces in Venice is so much better than Tokapi palace...
对，我去过三次都是冬天。
Mark
Old castle and goat market are exactly the kinda place I love to visit.....no wild animals at all in the ME mountains?
你有写游记的习惯么? 感觉写出来很有趣可以出书啊
Yes I've been to most Europe countries including the baltic states, love all of them! Every place I go I have to visit the castle/palace there, I know a lot of people think the churches/castles/palaces are all more or less the same but I never get tired of visiting them. Sounds like I should lower my expectation for the Sophia mosque though hoho...
I agree with the other girl. For me Istanbul was meh.
我攒了十几本旅行笔记，给自己老了走不动了看的哈哈。
在吴哥窟我请两个中国小姑娘给我拍一张，结果她俩折腾我十五分钟，我都快被拍哭了。 另外我出门经常有人拜托我拍照—但我不是正常的中日韩女生啊！不会拍啊。 另外我在法国租车没有翻译驾照。在意大利带了AAA的所谓国际驾照，车行的人说没必要，除非 驾照本身不是英文，可能会需要。
关于拍照，总结自己体会，其中一些其他层主也有提到：
自己带辅助工具拍 找拿单反的拍 找look like into Insta的年轻姑娘拍 提前网上找摄影师约个session。比如柬埔寨吴哥窟，摄影师也是司机导游，很耐心，会照顾人，不贵。再比如巴黎摄影师是个国男小伙，很会指导pose, 技术不错也不贵。
曾经在千岛湖IC, 抓random老白男帮拍合影。他拿起手机kua飞快一张，我还说要不要再按按，人家一副你offend me表情~~~~~~ 后来看了OMG神作! 白男一定是个摄影师说不定大牌。。。。。。
sophia hagia?! man, what a dump. They covered up all the beautiful non muslim mosaics. Basically, it's just a dark building with a dirty green carpet...
好羡慕，我白天总是玩太累，晚上没啥力气写了，然后当天没及时记下来的细节很快就忘了。感谢微信，有了它总算能抽空记一些但还是太少了，大部分都因为行程满来不及写
Did you go recently? I read somewhere last year that they will cover it during prayers but will uncover it outside prayers for the tourists to see, so sounded like before last year it was not covered?
And Istanbul man is very oily. They think they are attractive.
I still want to go back to Turkey.
The other cities outside of Istanbul are much nicer.
Turkey is quite safe I think, only if you can stand those oily man. :). they didn''t do much any way
good idea. I was tired of answering china or US. sometimes i say china. sometimes i say US.. I was gonna start with Vietnam...
yes, during covid. and I went to a non prayer time
They have eaten their words then, what a shame
but even the two palaces, topaki and one other palace (i forgot the name), basically it's just a big house with individual rooms. I don't see anything special. Even the Harem Quarters.. I was having more fun with Ottoman houses in Albania..
被你们成功拔草了lol....当然去还是要去一下的
i was told that other tourist towns in turkey were more interesting
how is Albania over all? Compare to Montenegro? I've been to Montenegro and above but not Albania, is it really poor?
i love love albania. It's not that poor. But it's very reasonably priced. a lot of 4,5 star hotels are very reasonably priced, 60, 50 euros. And they are pretty good decent 5 star hotels. Highly recommend Gjirokaster and Berat. Those two towns are beautiful.
the med sea side like Sarande, is just meh. Croatia is the best medditerrean sea i've seen. But I've never been to Malta. Always wanted to go, then covid hit, then malta got crazy and required masks outside, and they would fine people for not wearing a mask. Hard pass
want to pick like 2,3 adjacent countries where i can spend a month or two. Been looking at Estonia, Latvia.. but it's summer peak time, and hotels especially in estonia is darn expensive. looked at Ukraine too.
Looked at Iceland, need a CDC vaccine card..
Preferrably somewhere cooler and not too expensive
层主的旅行笔记是真带者日记本写的？还是电子版？好习惯，时间久了，脑子还是记不过笔头
I liked Malta a lot. Plus factor: no language barrier.
笔记本随时写，我不太相信电子版哈哈。而且physical notebook读起来比较爽，也可以摆放。
如果不马上写，细节我很快会忘掉。
Taking notes....and you went alone and felt perfectly save?
yeah. perfectly safe.
我觉得中东男崇拜白女而且是看脸不看身材，在埃及同行的美国白女虽然胖脸长得不错。真的好几次街上男的为了看她撞到电线杆或其他什么的。然后各种献殷勤的那叫个络绎不绝。另外那边的harass更主要是有很多男的想结婚离开那里，所以不管好不好看总会有一堆，也确实有很多欧洲女的嫁了中东男人。我们都开玩笑说哪天我们老了没有自信就来这些地方boost self esteem.
Mark! I have been to Albania but it was just a day trip. Wanting to go back.
How did you get around? Rent a car?
Car renting convenient and driving around the country all no problem? Road signs clear google map reliable etc?
yes. and the road scenary is great. Perfectly idyllic. mountains, with red roofed houses dotted among the mountains, and then small farm land in front of those houses. Then you drive the winding roads in the mountains. really great
Great. Thx!
哈哈哈那个美国白女有没好开心？
本来还想自己去墨西哥，想想真是不知者无畏。
同谢！唉要是没把大疆留在国内就好了，这地方听着应该到处都能飞
美国白人能够attract attention阿！如果是为钱，美国政府有可能会pay up
黄脸一般没人kidnap~~~~~~
bookings, expedia rent a car. no problem driving at all. I have the tmobile plan, which gives u internet all over the world. The internet speed was perfectly ok in albania. I was able to stream youtube music to my car through bluetooth.
I was staying at a B&B, and overheard a backstreet boy song, and brought me back to my BSB fan days. I started streaming BSB songs in my car, driving in the country road.
必须要猛夸T-Mobile! Free data太赞了! 有一次在galapalos某岛去某岛船上居然还顽强的有信号。
除非呆很久，我懒得花时间买当地手机卡。
并不觉得有什么安全问题
plus, a lot of sign in these days require a phone/text verification...
true
很久以前自己出去国内南方城市游玩过，路上也碰到好几个自己出来玩的女孩子。 但是，也的确遇到类似人贩子的危险。
从此，不敢自己去陌生城市旅行了。
Hiking 倒是的，一个人不安全。万一碰到 Mountain Lion 呢？
孩子稍微大点以后我独自带他们在中国和欧洲都旅行过，挺好的。我做全部的计划和付钱，儿子们负责拿全部的行李。
想过。从来没找到机会。