how did the Siberian businessmen rest during the New Year holidays?
The Russians are actively exploring “friendly” countries, and there was almost no snow on Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi: representatives of the business regions were told what this year’s resort holiday was for the New Year holidays for Novosibirsk residents.
Ekaterina Terentyeva, CEO, AGT-Siberia Communications Agency:
My husband and I started planning New Year’s holidays in early November. We had a clear plan: a family meeting of the New Year, walks, watching films under Russian salad and tangerines, perhaps a short trip around Russia.
At the end of December, we came across a profitable offer to Sri Lanka with a direct flight from Novosibirsk. The tour was bought literally a week before departure, unexpectedly planned with friends.
It was our first experience of celebrating the New Year in the warmth. Despite the lack of useful properties, the feeling of the holiday was preserved.
The main argument in using the trip for me was an old dream – to see whales – the Sri Lankans are completing one-day expeditions to observe marine life. True, we were shown only dolphins and killer whales, while blue and humpback whales went unnoticed. I think my goal for 2023 is clear.
In terms of atmosphere and lifestyle, Sri Lanka, in my opinion, is very similar to the beloved Novosibirsk residents of Thailand. True, the variety, level of service and the development of food facilities in general still lag behind Tai.
Many come to Sri Lanka for surfing – such a marine analogue of Sheregesh. The best place for surfing seethes with the season. We, as beginners who mastered surfing for the first time, practiced on Devata Beach in January. There are high waves and a sandy beach, and there are many more surf shops that return both rentals and lessons with instructors.
I was also faced with the task of celebrating the anniversary, which just fell on our vacation. My friends and I took a traditional curry making class. We went to foreign markets to buy vegetables, spices, fish and seafood, and then, under the influence of the Sri Lankan aunt, we prepared dishes for four hours. I love such activities, they allow you to better plunge into local life and feel the flavor.
According to our culinary guru, such master classes are more interesting for the Germans and the British. But now more and more tourists from Russia have begun to come to Sri Lanka, which, in my opinion, is the development of the country’s economy. And can not but please the residents.
Alexander Dolgov, founder of the federal networks LaserLove and Cheburek.me:
– This year I was in the Maldives for the first time and once again in Thailand.
Thailand this year fell in love with the fact that there was some colossal number of Russians, including entrepreneurs. There was even a feeling that only our compatriots were resting there. We met many acquaintances later, with some of them we had dinner together, met again. Once on the beach I was approached by a friend whom I had not seen for 12 years.
The second observation in Thailand is that there is clearly a lack of staff: the pandemic has left its mark on local business, because of the difficulties of the employees, hotels have left. Therefore, the service there is now very noticeable. This manifests itself, for example, in anticipation of food, cleaning. And, perhaps, the resort has become very expensive. Accommodation prices have risen precisely due to the fact that there are a lot of tourists.
Thailand was also surprised by the fact that marijuana was legalized there, and it is sold at almost all borders. It’s wild!
In the Maldives, I was surprised by the Indians who filmed everything on the phone. For example, in the morning they visited the hotel restaurant and rented a table.
In general, the Maldives is probably not my vacation option. This is a small island, good for couples or for those who want to be alone. There you are limited to two to three restaurants and open spaces in hotels. Thailand is still much a large peninsula, there are many places, you can move around. There are monuments, parks, you can bathe elephants – there are many more places on the planet, what to do, where to go, and where to eat. True, in Thailand the sea is more dirty – the Maldives is cleaner. Even in the Maldives + 27-28 degrees, it’s nice, but in Thailand – over +30 – it’s already hot.
I went to the Maldives in December, and this is quite an active time. Therefore, during the day I had some calls, work for several hours. The rest of the time, I used to play sports in the gym, spent time at sea with children, and swam. And I was already in Thailand from January 1 to January 10, so I didn’t have to do anything special for work. There I participated in business events. We had several meetings with fellow entrepreneurs. There were cases when there were events at the villa – they barbecued, talked, and then I held a big meeting for 40 people. My wife at the end of the trip also gathered people for meetings for girls.
Basically we moved around the island. We always rent a car in Thailand, we look at different beaches, establishments. By the way, many good reviews have appeared in Thailand, including with the participation of European countries, which is not typical for this place.
Denis Krylov, head of the Siberian branch of RT-Invest Transport Systems (Platon system operator):
– My family and I tried the New Year holidays in Sochi. For us it has already become a good tradition.
For the fourth year in a row, we go to Krasnaya Polyana to go skiing. This is a medical resort built for the Olympics, and not dead, like many other Olympic villages, developed, filled, alive, with a chic climate, warmth and comfort.
This year was revealed by the fact that less snow fell in places, so some resorts in Krasnaya Polyana were closed altogether. The resort “Rosa Khutor”, where we rested, due to the lack of snow, not all slopes were opened, and they were sold to those who live only in the resort. This, of course, surprised and strained. But on the other hand, the skiing area was small, there were fewer skiers, so there were no queues.
In the first days there was a beautiful sun, warm weather. We rode so much that we did not have time to go to the sea or swim in water parks. But then the snow passed, such as is “required” in the mountains – a blizzard, a blizzard, a pile of fresh snow. After that, we managed to do some off-piste skiing for a couple of days. In addition, after the snowfall, the most “delicious” slopes were opened, and the skiing became absolutely wonderful.
We are faithful skiers, so our day was built simply. We get up in the dark, to the opening of the lift at 8:30. We are waiting for the first booths at the top so that we can be the first to ride on empty, ideally prepared tracks. Well, and then all sorts of restaurants, walks, drinking coffee in your favorite coffee at the Rozytora market. The owner of this coffee has already become famous, we are constantly spreading with him.
And in the near future I will meet that I am flying with my good friend. Already arriving in Sochi, we had a great time in joint tea parties and conversations. So it turned out to be a real holiday.
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