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Favourite hated towns

5acrefarmer

tout
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Anyone got a town they sort of hate but sort of love?

I remember ages ago when I first arrived in (then) Calcutta, I hated it but ended up being stuck there for several days and grew to like it.

Often the best travel stories to tell are the ones involving pain and misery and awful awful places!

#1 Posted: 21/9/2010 - 17:05

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MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Bangkok, aka Krung Thep, aka a name so long no one remembers it. First time I went I hated it. Dirty, hookers everywhere, traffic from hell, architecture is an abortion. Second time I loved. Go figure.

#2 Posted: 22/9/2010 - 00:51

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Victory in Pattani
svendj

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Posts: 180

indeed Bangkok, first time I hated it, second time it was ok, 3th time started loving it, 4th time loved it. 5th time still loved it, ...

#3 Posted: 22/9/2010 - 14:26
5acrefarmer

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I liked Bangkok the one and only time I've been there. I think this is because I got from the airport to my very pleasant accommodation without a problem so started there in a good mood.

#4 Posted: 22/9/2010 - 16:44

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Tilapia

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Like Mac, I also hated Bangkok when I first went there. It was my third major Asian city after Tokyo and Hong Kong. The air was filthy (tuk tuks still used diesel), the noise was deafening, it was hot and humid, and 5 days was more than enough. I headed straight for Kathmandu which, at the time, made Bangkok seem like a 5-star resort.

Now I consider it to be a second home and am constantly planning return trips.

Another one is Buffalo, New York. It was pretty rough a while back, but now I love the place ... even though it's a ghost town after 6:00 pm. Outstanding architecture, great food, great micro-breweries, cheap NHL tickets.

#5 Posted: 25/9/2010 - 00:49
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Buffalo? My sister lives in Toronto - not far away.

#6 Posted: 25/9/2010 - 17:25

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Victory in Pattani
Tilapia

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Buffalo is 100 miles from TO via the highway (QEW). Less than 40 as the raven flies. I don't think that you could find two major centres that are so close together, and so completely different from each other. Not around here, anyway.

Toronto is a good city. I like Montreal more, though.

#7 Posted: 25/9/2010 - 21:14
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

I prefer both Kingston and Quebec myself. I used to live in Chaumont, near Watertown. Long time ago now.

#8 Posted: 26/9/2010 - 19:19

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Victory in Pattani
Tilapia

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Kingston is very similar to the town where I live. Both were built, mostly, of limestone. Kingston has done a better job of preserving its buildings, though.

Quebec City is, of course, a one-of-a-kind place. Stunning! I think it's a must-see for any visitor to Canada. However, being one that enjoys nightlife, I would have thought that you'd prefer Montreal.

Chaumont??? Wow. Another very nice area. I know that part of NY a bit. Used to go to A. Bay once in a while with my cousin, and dated a girl whose family had a place on one of the islands.

#9 Posted: 30/9/2010 - 23:17
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Alex Bay is a nice area. I like nightlife, but it's not an obsession (although salsa is - I'm a confirmed salsaholic). I just don't like sleepy backwaters for more than a day. Nothing to do. I dined with officers of 10th Mountain Division (I'm retired US Army) at the citadel in Quebec City. Fantastic experience with great food and service.

#10 Posted: 2/10/2010 - 23:01

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Victory in Pattani
Tilapia

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Huge salsa scene in Montreal!

Dinner in the Citadel? You're lucky!

#11 Posted: 3/10/2010 - 10:00