Life takes many interesting and perplexing turns. Like for instance, how we decided to spend our second winter away since retiring. On or about May 20th, 2012, after spending a wonderful three months in southern California, and returning to a somewhat disappointing spring in Richmond, we easily set our minds to contemplating what our next winter destination was to be. We love Richmond and the Vancouver area except in the winter (and in some years, like this one, summer too!) when it is dark, grey, wet and depressing. Since we like golf (nice to have) and warmth our thoughts turned to either Mexico, Thailand or Palm Springs.
Mexico. We had been considering Mexico when we decided on southern California for the winter of 2011/2012. Although this has been a particularly newsworthy year relative to gang killings (49 beheaded bodies found in the centre of Guadalajara, the city we were thinking about going to) this was not necessarily a deterrent to us. We do like warmth and the idea that we would be caught in the crossfire of this type of activity was remote in our minds. What did bother us was what we would do to fill our time. We wouldn't have a pool and golf would not be readily available. Also, being foodies but ones who enjoy home cooked meals (a thousand bows and hallelujahs that Henry loves to cook and I love to eat = a match made in heaven) we (me) had some concerns about what we would be able to buy in the supermarkets in Mexico. I know the eggs aren't kept under refrigeration (salmonella anyone?) and the cuts of meat are suspect or at least there are many cuts that I don't recognize. Aside from the food and golf issues, accommodation is expensive particularly in peak season. Still....., a possiblity.
Thailand. We've been there, we loved it. Golf was particularly good on our previous trip which was mostly a golfing holiday. We loved Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The courses are beautiful and reasonable. However, Bangkok for me is not an option. I really dislike the pace of the city and quite frankly do not feel really really safe. Pace is hectic and getting around involves harry scary forms of transport (tuk tuk or taxi). Besides can't golf there. That leaves Chiang Mai (small - mid-size) and Chiang Rai (smaller still) or the touristy spots (HaHin, Puket etc.). Accommodations are really reasonable (check) which would offset some of the costs of getting there however as we are not everyday golfers - what would we do on our off days. Sight seeing is limited in the remote areas and shopping - you can only do so much of that. Also - what would it be like grocery shopping? Cockroaches anyone? Very nicely done coated with bread crumbs and deep fried in sesame seed oil. Yes, we could eat out a lot and not break the budget. Hmmmmm, another possiblity.
Palm Springs - we've also been there before. Short visits (10 days). Weather - perfect. Golf - perfect. Food and shopping - Perfect, just like home. Yes, perhaps that was it "just like home". What do we do in the off days - not much. Swimming limited if it's coolish and not too many culteral events going on. Shopping - borrrrriiiiing (unless of course you're extremely wealthy). There are a large assortment of vacation rentals available. We're not excited about it though.... what could be the problem? Another possiblity though.
After much much discussion on the pros and cons of each option, going in circles we resorted to the ultimate decision maker - drawing names from a hat. In went Thailand, Mexico and Palm Springs. Henry drew. It was Thailand. No, no, no I protested (notwithstanding drawing names was my idea). Such a big decision with just one draw would never do. It would have to be best out of three! Henry drew. Thailand again! I drew - Thailand. What. Not even a tie breaker. It must be fate. Back to the computer. Flights and accommodation to be dealt with. More discussion.
There must have been niggling issues in both our minds because neither of us heartily embraced the Thailand idea. More discussion then out of the blue Henry said "Let's go to ROME!"...... Case closed, decision made. We couldn't be happier. Wonder what the golf will be like in February.
Mexico. We had been considering Mexico when we decided on southern California for the winter of 2011/2012. Although this has been a particularly newsworthy year relative to gang killings (49 beheaded bodies found in the centre of Guadalajara, the city we were thinking about going to) this was not necessarily a deterrent to us. We do like warmth and the idea that we would be caught in the crossfire of this type of activity was remote in our minds. What did bother us was what we would do to fill our time. We wouldn't have a pool and golf would not be readily available. Also, being foodies but ones who enjoy home cooked meals (a thousand bows and hallelujahs that Henry loves to cook and I love to eat = a match made in heaven) we (me) had some concerns about what we would be able to buy in the supermarkets in Mexico. I know the eggs aren't kept under refrigeration (salmonella anyone?) and the cuts of meat are suspect or at least there are many cuts that I don't recognize. Aside from the food and golf issues, accommodation is expensive particularly in peak season. Still....., a possiblity.
Thailand. We've been there, we loved it. Golf was particularly good on our previous trip which was mostly a golfing holiday. We loved Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The courses are beautiful and reasonable. However, Bangkok for me is not an option. I really dislike the pace of the city and quite frankly do not feel really really safe. Pace is hectic and getting around involves harry scary forms of transport (tuk tuk or taxi). Besides can't golf there. That leaves Chiang Mai (small - mid-size) and Chiang Rai (smaller still) or the touristy spots (HaHin, Puket etc.). Accommodations are really reasonable (check) which would offset some of the costs of getting there however as we are not everyday golfers - what would we do on our off days. Sight seeing is limited in the remote areas and shopping - you can only do so much of that. Also - what would it be like grocery shopping? Cockroaches anyone? Very nicely done coated with bread crumbs and deep fried in sesame seed oil. Yes, we could eat out a lot and not break the budget. Hmmmmm, another possiblity.
Palm Springs - we've also been there before. Short visits (10 days). Weather - perfect. Golf - perfect. Food and shopping - Perfect, just like home. Yes, perhaps that was it "just like home". What do we do in the off days - not much. Swimming limited if it's coolish and not too many culteral events going on. Shopping - borrrrriiiiing (unless of course you're extremely wealthy). There are a large assortment of vacation rentals available. We're not excited about it though.... what could be the problem? Another possiblity though.
After much much discussion on the pros and cons of each option, going in circles we resorted to the ultimate decision maker - drawing names from a hat. In went Thailand, Mexico and Palm Springs. Henry drew. It was Thailand. No, no, no I protested (notwithstanding drawing names was my idea). Such a big decision with just one draw would never do. It would have to be best out of three! Henry drew. Thailand again! I drew - Thailand. What. Not even a tie breaker. It must be fate. Back to the computer. Flights and accommodation to be dealt with. More discussion.
There must have been niggling issues in both our minds because neither of us heartily embraced the Thailand idea. More discussion then out of the blue Henry said "Let's go to ROME!"...... Case closed, decision made. We couldn't be happier. Wonder what the golf will be like in February.
