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Original poster

What has exceeded your expectations

228 replies

DenisetheMenace · 10/04/2021 19:32

On the back of another thread, what has exceeded your expectations.

If I may, I’ll kick off with The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Fagans Museum, Tokyo, Michelangelo’s David, Tintagel and Porthminster Beach Cafe in St. Ives.

OP posts:
Returnoftheowl · 10/04/2021 19:37

The Grand Canyon.

Crunchymum · 10/04/2021 19:39

Grand Canyon (and helicopter that took us there and bought us back). I knew it was going to be amazing but it was beyond words. The silence was profound. The colours, I've never seen such colours. Pure, natural beauty.

Swimming with dolphins. Had lots of welfare concerns (I know, why did I agree to go?) but it was in a nature reserve, in their own surroundings and the caveat was "if they don't come out and interact then you come back another day"

Both probably up there in terms of what you would expect to be 'moments of a lifetime' but both far exceeded my very high expectations.

goose1964 · 10/04/2021 19:39

The Ashmolean museum, Bolton,

MissPerfectlyFine · 10/04/2021 19:40

I really loved being in Rome. Hectic, grubby, gorgeous locals, lots of fun.

Coachee · 10/04/2021 19:56

Birmingham. I thought that moving here meant my life was over but I was willing to try it - DH had moved to the other side of the world for my career so happy to support him to take a job he wanted. A decade later and I love where I live - there are some lovely areas, great small businesses, made good friends and it is fantastic to be able to get to so many places easily - Peaks, Cotswolds, SW, London etc.

Aprilshowersandhail · 10/04/2021 19:57

Owning a Husky!! Everyone said she would be hard work with little return! She is very well behaved and very affectionate..and loves the dcat!!

Hellocatshome · 10/04/2021 19:59

Oh I was going to say Toblerone Ice Cream but that seems a bit superficial compared to these.

MrsPworkingmummy · 10/04/2021 19:59

After teaching in mainstream secondary schools for 14 years, I recently moved across to specialist SEMH education. It is the most amazing and rewarding job.

coronafiona · 10/04/2021 20:02

Being a mum to twins. Everyone says what a nightmare... yes it can be hard but seeing them together is just lovely

Original poster
DenisetheMenace · 10/04/2021 20:03

goose1964

The Ashmolean museum, Bolton

Had no idea it existed! Thanks, that’s on the summer list.

OP posts:
Chihuahuacat · 10/04/2021 20:03

It’s mainly places I’ve been to with zero expectations.

The British museum I just wandered into when I was 17 and killing time after university interview - amazed at how the grand the building was and saw the Rosetta Stone.

Similarly - Nuremberg in Germany and Thessaloniki in Greece. Both went because the flights were cheap and had the best time.

My chillys water bottle.

TheChosenTwo · 10/04/2021 20:04

I was going to say a type of body scrub for keratosis pilaris but erm, perhaps I’ll just agree with @MissPerfectlyFine that Rome exceeded my expectations too Grin

Original poster
DenisetheMenace · 10/04/2021 20:04

Hellocatshome

Oh I was going to say Toblerone Ice Cream but that seems a bit superficial compared to these“

There is NOTHING superficial about ice cream or Toblerone. Also added to list. 😁

OP posts:
CurlsandCurves · 10/04/2021 20:06

Returning to work in retail.

I know I’m very lucky in that I work in a ‘naice’ shop. But it’s frontline retail, it’s busy (fingers crossed for when we reopen on Monday), challenging, every day is different, colleagues and customers are fab and I absolutely love it.

weareallpassengers · 10/04/2021 20:06

seal sanctuary in Skegness. .we had a brilliant morning there

Xdecd · 10/04/2021 20:07

Russia, especially Moscow. Probably my favourite city.

Coachee · 10/04/2021 20:07

Also, the Canary Islands. Assumed for years that it was all just naff resorts. Of course, there is a lot of that but we also found beautiful villas in peaceful villages, amazing walks with no-one around, saw whales and dolphins, ate well at small, local places, including the most amazing Michelin-starred Japanese food. There really is a lovely side to both Tenerife and Lanzarote that took us by surprise!

CheerfulBunny · 10/04/2021 20:09

The Maldives. It really does look like the pictures in the brochures. Paradise.

BobBobBobbin · 10/04/2021 20:11

Taj Mahal and Great Wall of China - both absolutely jaw dropping and quite moving to behold.

Anoisagusaris · 10/04/2021 20:13

@TheChosenTwo I’d love to know the name of that scrub!

osbertthesyrianhamster · 10/04/2021 20:14

My SUV

DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo · 10/04/2021 20:16

The Greatest Showman - soooooo enjoyable, against all odds.

MrsSnarget · 10/04/2021 20:17

Liverpool - we had a long Easter weekend there a couple of years ago and had a brilliant time. So much to do and lovely locals. We loved it as much as the children.

cptartapp · 10/04/2021 20:18

Seville
Iceland
The Indian Ocean

HermitsLife · 10/04/2021 20:19

Rome, in particular the Pantheon. It started raining when we were in there and I felt so incredibly moved but at peace at the same time. I'm not a religious person but it felt like a very spiritual experience.

OTOH Aldi Chocolate is amazing! Moster Roth and Choceur, and I prefer the Titan bars to Mars bars. Altough I was gutted when they stopped doing the Toblerone knock offs, they were my secret treat and nicer that the new Toblerone.