Countries on the pool bucket list?

Singapore! No idea what the pool scene is like but it’s an extraordinary country. They care about their people in so many healthy ways and talk about safe. You screw up there and you will learn quickly you’re not in America anymore. English is the main language as well.
Singapore is on my list, but I will probably do a weekend there at some point in the year. I've heard the usual pros and cons. Good to hear positively about it, I'll look into cuesports related things there. I have a couple friends I can ask :)
 
Victoria, BC, Canada is a beautiful 2-hour ferry ride from Vancouver. Peacock Billiards is a colourful, culturally rich poolhall downtown. The one thousand square feet of murals - including 8’x10’ detailed reproductions of vanGogh & Gauguin - surround 21 different styes of luxury 9’ tables and 1 snooker with 13 different colours of cloth (very cheerful).

The restaurant is an installation of the text of James Joyce painted by my Finnegans Wake fanatic friend, Robert Amos. Ulyssess is my bag.

Not much action, my customers are overwhelmingly people having fun - so many are women - who have never imagined a four-ball run. Two tournaments a week draw 15-20 decent players.

My virtual tour can be found here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BGfaMcTKUY4xX6qr7

Yours, David Peacock
Saw you post about this before, and It looks like a fun space :)
 
Singapore is on my list, but I will probably do a weekend there at some point in the year. I've heard the usual pros and cons. Good to hear positively about it, I'll look into cuesports related things there. I have a couple friends I can ask :)
They are on another level when it concerns the health and well being of their citizens.

In America you can load up sugar in soda pop drinks. In Singapore they have mandated low level of sugar in drinks. They also have a grading system for restaurants that serve what they consider healthy food. Singapore is a blue zone of health like some other places in the world.

Costa Rica has a blue zone as well but it is now shrinking. The reason is American fast food restaurants have moved in and has reduced life expectancy. Most American fast food is incredibly unhealthy and it’s shameful nothing is done about it here. Singapore has taken a stance and I admire them greatly for that!
 
They are on another level when it concerns the health and well being of their citizens.

In America you can load up sugar in soda pop drinks. In Singapore they have mandated low level of sugar in drinks. They also have a grading system for restaurants that serve what they consider healthy food. Singapore is a blue zone of health like some other places in the world.

Costa Rica has a blue zone as well but it is now shrinking. The reason is American fast food restaurants have moved in and has reduced life expectancy. Most American fast food is incredibly unhealthy and it’s shameful nothing is done about it here. Singapore has taken a stance and I admire them greatly for that!
There is lots to like about Singapore, there is also lots to dislike. Not sure I could or would want to live there full time. It is however a lovely place to visit by the look of things :)
 
I'm wanting to travel a lot more this year. With travel being a more viable option where I am situated now (in life, work and most importantly country policy :ROFLMAO:), I have enjoyed visiting my hometown (a couple of times), and a few places close-by in Asia; Thailand, TW, Korea

So, I'd like to play in a few places and am wondering where you guys would recommend to travel?

Currently, I am planning a trip to Japan, as well as TW and Thailand again for the CNY holiday. I have a few more blocks of holiday to use up in the coming year, and I might even plan some of my holiday for the year after (given that I don't anticipate travel being restricted again in the near future 🤞). So, I'd like to compile some sort of travel compendium of places to go and play. It might even be a thread that's helpful for others, or for more international forum users to post what's great about where they live.

I have a good idea of some places I will play near where I will stay in Japan and TW, and I will probably play snooker in Thailand (Or Chinese-8), as there is a specific place there I know and enjoy visiting.

Really, I am curious about some other places that I will potentially visit, and would be very grateful of any advice or tips you could give on some of the following places. I am more likely to visit places where I also have friends, family or that I have had a particular interest in for a while. So would be hoping some of those places have well known bars or halls where I can go and enjoy the scene. Bigger halls, or top notch places to play to go along with the usual holiday vibes are what I am looking for.

Americas:

America:
If I was to go here, which state/area would you recommend that has a fun scene or accessible facilities? Last time I did 6months or so in the NW, didn't play pool seriously at the time (only went to a couple bars)

Canada: I have some friends in Toronto, and also in Vancouver. Know next to nothing about Canada.

Guatemala: Have a friend living there, and he's invited me to stay a couple times now.

Europe:

Ireland:
Dublin specifically. A couple of friends have moved there, so a place to play to go along with a couple of Guiness and the inevitable tattoo from my friend would be good (saves him meeting me in my hometown)

Germany: I played a little in Frankfurt on a layover not long ago and found a fun hall. Not sure if it's a place to 'holiday'. I wouldn't mind going to Berlin again, I keep seeing Eckhart post about Bata bar, and the nightlife in Berlin is always awesome.

Netherlands: Probably Amsterdam, I know the dutch like a bit of pool, didn't play last time I went there and I am curious if there's halls that are easy to find.

Denmark: Copenhagen is one of my favorite places on earth, not sure what the pool scene is like there or if there's many places to play

Estonia: I have friends (and family now my sister is married), so Tallinn is certainly on the cards, I know they have a well known player, but not sure if there's any halls.

Portugal: Have some friends, and my old tattoo artist in Porto, curious if there is anywhere to play there.

Hungary: Budapest is lovely, great food and an awesome city. Considered moving there once upon a time.

Asia:

Cambodia:
Had a lot of friends travel here recently, super cheap, super rugged and a lot of fun apparently.

Vietnam: Hanoi specifically (HCMC is one of those lackluster places I'll probably never go to again). The MR event did a good job of selling it.

Malaysia: Great food and I haven't been in a while, last time I found some awesome snooker rooms. Curious if there's any pool halls.

Indonesia: Bali...

Phillipines: Would love to go here and just watch people play, I am not down to empty my bank balance haha I helped Dennis O out a little when he was staying here, and he mentioned he could hook me up with some ideas/things to do (but there was a few beers drained at that point lol)

Nepal: I have a friend in Nepal, but know next to nothing about it besides great food and big mountains.

India: I'd love to go and watch some cricket at one of the huge stadiums, always been on my bucket list. I have a friend working in Delhi. I imagine there's a few snooker halls around, but not sure about pool.

New Zealand: I know there's a couple of players from there that I've seen playing in tournaments, would love to visit a few old friends there (who are pretty well off and happy to accommodate me and travel anywhere - so any particular city or place to play can easily be squeezed in)


These are all places I have considered, and have a few more on the list too... So, any and all help would be much appreciated. If you come from a lovely place that I haven't mentioned, or you have a scene that is open, friendly and enjoys a game. Please feel free to recommend and celebrate where you're from.

I have to say, Shanghai should be a place on your list if you're in China (Not many cities here do, but it's one of three or four cities that cater to American table based games, and in a pretty big way). Won't even mention my hometown, the UK scene is absolutely piss poor in my opinion... Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for sharing :) even if it's just a holiday that you yourself enjoyed.

I know I write a little too much in my posts for some people on here, so hopefully you get the gist, and fire away any suggestions :)

If you happen to travel to Estonia, I suggest taking the 2,5h ferry to Helsinki, Finland as well. A lot of pool available there, just shoot me a message and I can help you getting around.
Mikko
 
Just my $.02 here but i would NEVER plan a trip that revolved around whatever poolhalls were around. I might go in one on vacation but it wouldn't be a 'destination point'. There is one exception, maybe, and that's the old-school room in Oregon full of old anniversaries. Problem there is i have zero desire to go to Oregon.


The Cueball in Salem, I've been there a couple of times. They have 3C table also, cool place.
 
If you like snooker, when you visit Amsterdam, we can take a short train ride here, https://www.facebook.com/p/Westend-Snooker-100042693806745/ 9 tables kept in immaculate conditions in a beautiful room, house man is a former dutch snooker champion and they host some of the dutch championships there. Cant promise you i'll give you much of a game but im sure we can find someone there who can. They also have two matchroom style rassons with 3.9inch pockets.
 
If you happen to travel to Estonia, I suggest taking the 2,5h ferry to Helsinki, Finland as well. A lot of pool available there, just shoot me a message and I can help you getting around.
Mikko
That's interesting! I might be able to do that on my summer travel. I have friends in both Estonia and Helsinki. Both are actually en-route to 'home' - appreciate the offer Mikko.
 
If you like snooker, when you visit Amsterdam, we can take a short train ride here, https://www.facebook.com/p/Westend-Snooker-100042693806745/ 9 tables kept in immaculate conditions in a beautiful room, house man is a former dutch snooker champion and they host some of the dutch championships there. Cant promise you i'll give you much of a game but im sure we can find someone there who can. They also have two matchroom style rassons with 3.9inch pockets.
Good recommendation. Now that CNY holiday is over, I will get to planning summer!
 
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