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Asia Truly...a different world. Kazakhstan, Japan, and everything in between. Mekong River, Central Asia deserts, sticky rice, ancient traditions, temples, tuk-tuk...

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Old 04-20-2005, 11:57 PM   #1
Lamirands
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Hey. We (my beautiful wife and my rotten old self) have July 1st to 24th to spend backpacking in Asia where should we go. Some thoughts: as we live in Taiwan it would be cheaper to stay out of India this year as there is much that is closer.

We had thought backpack, train, bus, Calcutta to Singapore but Burma makes us hesitate. Also had thought Ho Chi Minh to Bali in a big counter clockwise circle but that's a long way. Any other thoughts?

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Old 04-21-2005, 07:43 AM   #2
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:P Welcome to travelpunk.com !!!

Backpacking with your beloved in Asia is probably the best place. It is hot and romantic , and there is also plenty to see and do. No matter what you decide, you'll have a wonderful time there.

Your ideas are good, but I think 3 weeks wouldn't be enough to enjoy your trip. It would be a race. Transportation is very very slow in Asia. You have to include in your schedule lots of time to change places. It becomes part of the adventure ! It took 24 hours from Savannaketh (Laos) to Huê (Vietnam), for a distance of around 200 km. The mountains, transits, and customs were among the difficulties I encountered on that road (plus road stops for construction, and even hidden opium stock unloaded from one bus in the middle of a forest !!!). So the simpler, the better.

Exploring Vietnam North to South ; looping in Cambodia-Thailand-Laos or Thailand-Burma; Malaysia-Bali ; South of India-Sri Lanka ; North of India-Nepal; excursion on the Mekong (Laos-Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam) etc. Those are more realistic examples based on your suggestions.

From what I know, to enter Burma, you either fly there or take the long boat run from Thailand up. Worldwidemike has been there and could give you more hints than I.

Hope it has helped you a bit. Don't hesitate if you have more questions. We'll do our best for you.
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Old 04-21-2005, 08:47 AM   #3
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Just wanted to give a shout out to the Lamirands. I'm from North Delta.

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Old 04-21-2005, 09:05 AM   #4
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I was just thinking... one good point to base your itinerary on, is the moonsoon, the rain season. Unless you love beeing wet all day long, spot where it is in July, and avoid that area !
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Old 04-24-2005, 03:13 AM   #5
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I agree with Atchoum...definitely check the guidebooks for the countries and see what monsoon time is for the different regions. And she's right...transportation takes longer than you'd guess in the more off the beaten track areas of SE Asia.

Maybe think less of a circuit A to Z type thing and plan a "loop" instead? Thailand will be one of your more accessible, backpacker-friendly places to go. There are loads and loads of things to see. Maybe, fly in to Bangkok, travel north to Chang Mai, zip over to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, then return to Bangkok? I know...less adventurous and ambitious than your original plan, but you'll be able to see that area more thoroughly...

Feel free to ask specifics...

Seeya!
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Old 04-27-2005, 09:39 PM   #6
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Lamirands,

Reading through your question I thought I would add my two bobs worth.

I have recently begun working in Malaysia as a dive master on an Island off the south east coast called Sibu Island (Pulau Sibu). It is a truly bueatful place off the beaten track in the region, and by beaten track I mean touristy places like Tioman (which is two hours from us by boat).

If your after a buetiful place for you and your other half, check it out.

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Best of luck with your travels,

Tom Grennan
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