Where to go . . . . ? - Page 2 - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**LostFarmboy** · 10-31-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by florencia9699@Oct 31 2005, 01:04 PM
Yeah, that could be cool... though I'm in the middle of exam weeks, so its a bit crazy for me right now but we could meet for a beer before you head out to try the BA night life.

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Cool, sounds good to me. I leave on saturday or sunday so it will have to be this weekend.

I look forward to it.

**Esterina** · 10-31-2005, 05:32 PM

Hi again,

Here is what I've found to answer your question about the weather :

"Mid-February to mid-May 2005 forecast

General situation

This summer season will start around mid-February. The weather is generally dry with hot and very hot weather mostly in March and April. The expected rainfall during this summer will be little and infrequently, resulting in drought condition in various areas, especially in the lower portion of northern, the west side of northeastern, central, the upper portion of eastern and southern Thailand. People should beware of this situation. The end of this summer season is around mid-May and then starting on rainy season of the year 2005." So...

And yes, you should probably figure out now if you'll be able to handle a cultural shock, given what you're going through right now (I salute your courage by the way...). But if you start with Bankok, the shock won't be that hard. I ended my travel in SE Asia there (started in Vientiane, capitale of Laos -that was a shock !) and thought this city would be the perfect entrance to a world that is so different from the western countries. This city is as westernized as Asia can get, which is still very different. And the number of travellers is also impressive, so this help too not feel astranged. And when you're ready, when the shock is gone, then exotism and beauty and difference is just a few kilometers away.

And people are great.

But the rest of the world is also appealing...

**Legitikick** · 10-31-2005, 06:39 PM

Sounds good, I can handle the culture shock. It sucks that I'll be going from one sweltering hot place to another, but oh well.

Damn I can't wait.

**Legitikick** · 10-31-2005, 06:50 PM

And I appreciate your words of support. I don't agree with this war either, and I'm here in it, for the second time. Funny how that works. I sure can't wait to get outta the Army, start my crazy three, four, five, whatever month backpacking trip, then get back to college.

But I'm not trying to end this thread, keep the comments coming, I need to soak up this travel info.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-31-2005, 08:58 PM

The last thing I will say about Thailand and culture shock is that I think, to some degree, you can control the amount of culture shock by where you go. If you go to Khao San Rd, for example, and only hang out there - you will find plenty of other westerners to hang out with and party with, even see the sites with, and the culture shock will be minimal. Not that I recommend that, as I think trying to explore around and get away from the tourist areas a bit are good to do, but its totally up to you. If you journey off into areas of Thailand that are less exposed to tourism, then there will certainly be more culture shock. You really can control what levels of exposure you get. All in all its a great place, if you just want to relax and chill out, party, sleep to 2pm every day and sit on the beach, swim, etc you can do that with minimum hassle. If you want to be active, hike, trek, see temples, climb mountains, etc you can do that too.

I will recommend you do as much research as possible into the different islands, the North of Thailand as well as Bangkok. There is a huge degree of difference between different regions, different islands, etc. and having a good idea of what you are looking for and then researching the best parts of the country to match your ideals is important. For example, if you want a totally quiet, chill out island, and you decide to go to Koh Samui or Phuket, you will be very disappointed as those islands are very touristy and developed with lots of bars, shops and other tourists. Koh Tao, on the other hand is a lot more chilled out and relaxed. Anyway.... enjoy your trip!

**worldwidemike** · 11-01-2005, 09:09 AM

Since you seem to have decided upon Thailand, might I recommend a train day trip to Ayyuthaya for some history?

Lots of monuments from the Medieval capital of Thailand...

worldwidemike

**LostFarmboy** · 11-01-2005, 11:52 AM

You know, you could go to Cusco and do the Inca trail. You would get your hiking fix and cusco is a pretty crazy party town. And you could go to lake titicaca from there for a few days, its beautiful there. And theres heaps of hiking and adventure things you can do from Cusco, a lot of people were doing 4 day hiking trips and white water rafting as well as the inca trail while i was there.

.....just another idea

**Legitikick** · 11-01-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by worldwidemike@Nov 1 2005, 05:09 PM
Since you seem to have decided upon Thailand, might I recommend a train day trip to Ayyuthaya for some history?

Lots of monuments from the Medieval capital of Thailand...

worldwidemike

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awesome

onlinetravelzone · 11-01-2005, 06:27 PM

WOW! Free ticket! nice idea!

I can offer New Zealand. There you can find some wild tours! It worth to visit thier places!

What about me... I have just returned from Bali (Indonesia! And balinese also have plenty tours for travellers.

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**bellelass** · 11-01-2005, 07:37 PM

I'd go to Gold Coast. For sure. And travel around a bit once i was Down Under.

**MissChick** · 11-01-2005, 07:41 PM

Thailand loooks gorgeous

**The Monsignor** · 11-02-2005, 02:10 AM

ahh... spam... that glorious (alleged) pork (also unproven) product.

Looks like the decision's been made... One advantage of Southeast Asia over the Western hemisphere is that the jet lag will be much easier to get over than if you returned to the states! (it took me almost a week to get over mine)