h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

George Mallory, when asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, responded "because it's there". I have a similar reason for my upcoming holiday to Raleigh, North Carolina. Perusing the Manchester Airport website, I had a look to see what destinations it had in the US. Several i had already been to- Chicago, New York, Philadelphia- and some I have no interest in going to- Orlando, Las Vegas, and at least one I had never even heard of. Raleigh-Durham international airport, North Carolina.

A bit of research showed Raleigh to have the main things I look for in a holiday destination:

ie. cheap flights and hotels;
A bit of history
A few museums and art galleries
A major league sports franchise (NHL's Carolina Hurricanes)
A decent selection of bars and restaurants

So, on the 7th March, I fly to Raleigh for four nights. Because it's there.

If I was still there I would take you out to the bar. If you want to know any places to go to in that area, let me know. It's been a while since I lived there but I dare say that I can remember a few places to go to.

Do your best to grab decent tickets for the Rangers game on the 9th. Some good hockey there! (Oh, OK- ICE hockey)

I have already bought my rangers tickets.

Marv, I'm staying downtown on North Dawson St, if you can recommend any good bars around there.

The best place on Dawson that I used to go to is gone now. It was torn down shortly after I moved.

Right down town there is quite a lot to do. The Flying Saucer is a favorite of mine. http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/raleigh Also you can try the Pour House Music Hall, they have a lot of live music. A common hangout for me was East Village on glendale. There are plenty of places to go for music and drinks, so you should be good there.

I like the sound (or certainly the beer list) of the Flying Saucer

egon, if Raleigh is your Everest, then the Ozarks would by your moon landing.

Have a great trip.

"like the moon landing"- What, cold, bleak and no atmosphere

I'm sure I will enjoy it.

That about sums it up. Except when it's oppressively hot and humid, bleak and no atmosphere. But the airports here are more of a challenge. Especially when you have to taxi around the herds of deer on the runway. That plane in New York may have been downed by birds, but I'll bet they've never had one taken out by a 12 point buck.

What I'm saying is if you're ever up for a ~real~ vacation challenge...

Are you going to be in England late April/early May? I'll be at the Birmingham Meet April 25 and the London Meet May 9. And I'm having a little birthday do on the 6th.

I'm not planning to leave the country between march and september, so expect I'll be available for one or both of those meets- There are direct trains to both birmingham and London from my hometown Warrington, so we may meet at last

Great. I'll be the short pudgy one with wrinkles and the American accent.

And I'll be the tall skinny chap with wonky glasses and an unkempt beard.

I leave for Raleigh in the morning (flight leaves in around 12 hours time), so, being as organised as usual, I've just finished packing. Clothes, check. Tennessee Williams and Ken Kesey books for the plane, check. Camera, check. Emails confirming hotel and flight bookings, check. Passport, check. sponge bag, check.

i shall now reward myself for this hard work with a beer, a bath, and a bed. And look forward to sunny North Carolina.

(Weather forecast for my hometown tomorrow: 8c, rain and hail. Weather forecast for Raleigh: 22c, sunny)

Egon have fun in Raleigh. Wish I could be there to show you around a bit. When you go to the Saucer, have a Unibroue for me will you?

will do.

Egon, Philadelphia airport departure lounge

*Waves from across the Delaware.*

Have a great time!

I am now waiting for a bus in raleigh and taking advantage of free airport wifi. Holy shut, it's hot here

Welcome to Raleigh. Word of warning, the airport bar cannot serve alcohol before noon on Sunday if you fly out on a Sunday.

Earlier today, I went to the flying saucer for a quick drink. Six beers and a meal later I can confirm marv was right to recommend it. And thank the iPhone has spellcheck

Glad you went there. I was going to recommend the cheese soup. It's served in a bread bowl and it goes incredibly well with a crisp beer.

I am a few beers away from my plate there, but unless I move back....