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Old 02-24-2005, 07:08 PM   #1
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Right, time to stop spamming and start to use this forum for it's intended purpose - travel advice.

Well, i'm a 22 year old male from australia looking to have a mind blowing adventure around the world.

I've finally got my ass into gear and have come up with some rough dates and destinations for my travels. My previous plan was to go to the UK, work for a year, then go backpacking around for a bit. But, in the last week i have found out that i have 2 weddings that i must attend this year so i can't really go for an extended period of time anymore. . However, to make the best of this situation i've decided to go on a 4.5 month backpacking tour of the world, using my sisters wedding in Thailand on July 5 as my starting point. After the wedding i'll hang around for 2 weeks and see some sights. I was thinking of going to Vietnam and hiking some of the Ho Chi Minh trails, has anybody alse done this?? Is there anything i should be wary of? What is the public transport like?? Does anyone have any recommendations for things to see and do around Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam??? Does anyone have any idea of a rough budget per week for these areas??

Next i'll be going to Europe for 2 - 3 weeks. Architecture and partying are the things i'm most interested in so I was thinking of going to Spain, Italy and maybe Greece. Are these good choices for my interests?? What would be a rough budget per week for these areas??

After this i'll be going to South America for 3 - 3.5 months to be back by November 12 for wedding number 2. I've already done a fair bit of research on South America so i think that i'm all good for info at the moment, but no doubt i'll have more questions about it in the near future.

Oh, one more thing - how accurate are the budget astimates in the Lonely Planet??

ummmm....that's about all for now, signing out...
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Old 02-24-2005, 08:26 PM   #2
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Hello LostFarmboy ! Nice project you have going, but too bad it had to be shortened ! Take this journey as a good practice for some more later...

Ok, so I was in Asia last year for a few months, in Laos, Vietnam and Nepal,with a two day stop in Thailand to buy a air ticket. I may be able to help you.

If you still haven't bought your plane ticket, I suggest you call STA Travel. They might have a great deal for you for around-the-world fare. That's where I finally bought my one year open ticket with stopovers, after months or research.

Since you start in Thailand, why don't you simply travel up the country to Laos, or East to Cambodia ? Those countries are better preserved, culturewise, than Vietnam. But I haven't done the Ho Chi Minh trail, so I can't comment on that one. I just loved Laos, and highly recommend it, and I've met several people who had been to Cambodia and the inner Thailand and enjoyed it highly. It's gorgeous, people are genuine, moments you'll never forget. More than Vietnam I must say...

Vientiane, the capital is worth spending time, as for Luang Prapang, and the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don) south of the country, on the Mekong at the border with Cambodia. If you do go there, try Don Khong island for a full day bike ride taking you to tiny untouched villages. But there are more to do around the Don Det island, and you live in the middle of the Mekong for one dollar a night, in a bamboo bungalow. Only problem on this island, it's mainly tourists you'll encounter.

I travelled on a very tight budget. If you have more money, you'll enjoy more comfort.
My average budget per day in Laos :
accomodation (cheap hotels and hostels)- $5
food - $6
intercity bus (from capital to the south, local bus)- $5
misc. (internet-souvenirs) - $3
activities (beers...) - $2

Yes, the Lonely Planet digits were of a good help. And please read the dangers and annoyances section.

Public transport ? Hmmm... be prepared... bring a walkman or something with you... and pray... Walkwan because they honk instead of slowing down, and prayers, well... you'll see. I hope your heart is strong.

Have fun !
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Old 02-24-2005, 11:56 PM   #3
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I would HIGHLY recommend converting some your south america time into Europe time. I don't know why you'd go to SA for 3.5 months and Europe for only three weeks but I'm sure you have yer reasons. That being said I think you should sacrifice and see more of Europe. Figure on a 40-50euro per day budget since you'll be there during summer and partying. That's after transport is covered by the way, like a railpass.

Have fun there, if you have any more specific questions about Europe, I was there this past summer and will be happy to help.

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Old 02-25-2005, 09:38 AM   #4
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Spain, Italy and Greece are great choices for european architecture. However, Jason is right-- why give Europe the short end of the time stick when you're planning on 3.5 months in South America?? Not that South America isn't worth that amount of time, but I think you'll be really sorry if you only spent 3 weeks of all that time in Europe. Seriously.

I would guess anywhere between 40-70 euros per day (yes, AFTER transpo is taken care of) would be a good range. With 70 per day you could do some pretty serious partying, haha. And some cities are going to be more expensive than others. Have a great time!
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Old 02-25-2005, 08:01 PM   #5
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thanks for the help guys and girls. I would love to spend more time in europe but i don't think my budget would allow for it cause $1AUD = 0.59 euros. i'm gonna have to sit down and do some maths so i can figure out how long i can afford to stay there. Plus, i really wanna see south america .
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Old 02-25-2005, 08:31 PM   #6
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I'm with you. SA rocks. You could definitly spend 3.5 months there and still not have seen half of it. my 2 months flew by and I missed out on alot.

Keep in mind that there are not trains (to speak of anyway) in south america and you have to bus it everywhere. While the busses are exceptionally nice (especially in chile and argentina (some serve steak and wine)) they do get pretty expensive pretty quick. I would look into buying air passes of some kind for the different countries. I dont know about the rest of them but I do know that they are offered *click here* I am sure you can get them cheaper than that by going to the airlines main pages. Keep in mind that airpasses, as with euro rail passes, can only be bought BEFORE your arrival in that country.

Let me know if you have any other questions!
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Old 02-26-2005, 12:48 AM   #7
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hmmm, thanks for that jake, hadn't really thought much about how i was gonna get around in SA. I didn't know that they didn't have trains!!
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Old 02-27-2005, 08:42 AM   #8
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Well, if you like architecture, you've GOTTA see Angkor Wat, in Cambodia. There are even direct flights there (Siem Reap is the nearby town's name) from Bangkok. And while in Thailand, check out Ayyuthaya (spelled various ways). Medieval SE Asian architecture is very otherworldly, and it you're into architecture, you'll really get into this. And if you can squeeze in Pagan in Myanmar (Burma), that'll be a nice complement to the other two sites.

Thailand itself is a great place...friendly people, relatively cheap. I think you'll enjoy the heck out of it. Check out my travelogs below, if you want some pics and stories of my (admittedly brief) visits to these places...

And I feel your pain on Europe's expenses! I say you have a good idea -- see S. America while it's cheap and come back to Europe when the prices get more reasonable. Or you get more money!!!

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Old 02-27-2005, 05:09 PM   #9
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holy crap!!! Angkor Wat looks absolutely amazing!!! And so do all the other places you went to in Burma and Thailand. I had no idea about any of that stuff (i'm very uneducated when it comes to the rest of the world). Well, looks like i might be spending a little more time in Asia than i thought. Thanks WWM, i'd have just been sitting on some beach in Thailand for 2 weeks if u hadn't posted that stuff.
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Old 02-28-2005, 05:43 PM   #10
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well, after doing a bit of research, i've decided that i'm gonna go with what u said WWM and go to all three - Angkor Wat, The temples of Bagan, and Ayuthaya. I'll be starting in Thailand, so i'll have to get from Thailand to Cambodia, then from Cambodia to Burma. What would be the best and cheapest way to do this?? I'm a bit worried about security in these places, here's a nice piece from the Lonely Planet:

"Thailand's borders with both Cambodia and Myanmar contain a volatile mixture of land mines, bandits, smugglers and rebels, and are the scene of occasional low-level military stoushes"

Is this anything to be too concerened about?? Do i need a tour gide to go around the temples in Cambodia or Burma??
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Old 02-28-2005, 05:45 PM   #11
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Oh, and how long should i set aside to see these three places?? I was thinking somewhere along the lines of 2 - 3 weeks, so i can get a bit of partying in along the way.
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Old 03-01-2005, 09:37 AM   #12
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Wow, I talked somebody into going somewhere...whoopie!

Seriously, give Angkor Wat several days. There are direct flights there, as I said. Honestly, Bangkok is pretty much going to be your travel hub...to get to Myanmar from Cambodia, you may have to go through Bangkok anyway! At least if you go by air. There are some small air carriers whose prices aren't too bad, if time becomes an issue.

I did Ayuthaya as a (long) day trip from Bangkok. I took the train back and forth (1-2 hours each way? Don't remember...). Once there, I hooked up with the local version of the tuk-tuk and hired his services for the day. I saw pretty much all the major temples in one day, but I WAS pretty beat at the end of the day.

Bagan was three days...it's easily as big as Angkor Wat, but more compact. I rented a bicycle and just peddaled around from temple to temple. I learned on day two that pacing yourself is the way to go. It's hot, and if I took my time, stopped for water breaks, picture breaks, admire the view breaks, it wasn't too hard to go pretty much all day.

I'm pumped for you to see these places, Farm Boy. Or should I call you the dread pirate Robert? (Hope SOMEBODY gets the movie reference!). Feel free to ask any other questions...and if you need, I can go back and dig and find the airlines and such I used. I know for Cambodia I used a Thai travel agency to set up the whole thing to Angkor Wat -- flight, hotel and guide (you HAVE to have a guide to get in, even if it's just some kid with a motorcycle that you hire).

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Old 03-01-2005, 11:32 PM   #13
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Have you recently seen any rodents of unusual size Mike?

By the way to anyone who stops by this post. MIKE IS MY IDOL!!!!

I sooo hope to have a resume like yers Mike. My Grandparents gave me this bug because they had a huge 5 foot map of the world in their house with pins in all the places they'd been(a good portion of the world) and my step grandpa has been to all but 7 or 8 countries I think. But you definitely not only travel but travel the way I want to. Keep on rockin'!
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Old 03-02-2005, 09:09 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally posted by ChasinJason1313@Mar 2 2005, 01:32 AM
Have you recently seen any rodents of unusual size Mike?
ROUSes

Quote:
By the way to anyone who stops by this post.* MIKE IS MY IDOL!!!! *
Oh, was that why you asked for all those pics of Mike?
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Old 03-02-2005, 09:28 AM   #15
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My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.





*ahem* sorry, I got a little caught up in the moment.

Hey man, if it's money you're worried about, SE Asia will be the way to go! You can travel far cheaper there than in Europe, that's for sure. Have a fantastic time!
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Old 03-02-2005, 06:36 PM   #16
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It's settled, 5 days at Ko Samui for my sister's wedding and hanging out with the family, 3 days at Angkor Wat, 3 days at Bagan, and ummm 4 days in Bangkok so i can check it and Ayuthaya out. I'm having trouble finding prices for flights/buses/trains between these places. I might take you up on that offer of digging around and finding what airlines you used WWM.

Right, so that's a total of 15 days in Asia. Hmmm, might spend a couple more days in Bangkok to go out to the pubs/clubs. What's the nightlife like in Bangkok??

Now onto my next destination - Europe, or more specifically Greece, Italy and Spain. OK, what is the best way to get to these countries, and the best way to get around them once i'm there. There is a lot of talk of those Eurail passes. The prices i've found on the net say $451US for a 10 day/2 month Eurailpass Youth Flexi pass (http://www.eurail.com/). Is this about as cheap as they come? What about buses?? Or flying?? Oh, and what are the best party places in Greece??

ummm....that's all i can think of for now, but i have no doubt there'll be many more questions in the not too distant. Thanks heaps for your help guys
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Old 03-03-2005, 03:22 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally posted by ChasinJason1313@Mar 2 2005, 07:32 AM
Have you recently seen any rodents of unusual size Mike?
ROUS's...? I don't think they exist..."

Hey Farm Boy, sounds like you have a definite plan going. With those extra days in Thailand, you could always check out Chang Mai. I didn't get up there, but it's supposed to be nice. Or, if you feel like beaching it, there is always the famous beaches in Phuket. By the way, the "Ph" sound in Thai, I believe, is a hard sound. So, it's poo-ket rather than foo-ket.

Anyway, as far as Mediterranean Europe goes, you can easily take ferries from Greece to Italy, or vice versa. Otherwise, take a look at the low cost carriers that serve those countries. Might be the best way to get from one to the other. Or, if you want to go by land, a stop in Croatia and Slovenia between Greece and Italy would be gorgeous. They're both on my to-do list. And it definitely WOULDN'T suck to have to swing through Provence while cutting from Italy to Spain.

You're an architecture buff, definitely check out the Venetian palazzo buildings everywhere they've influenced -- 3-4 story, pastel-colored...lovely. Chania on Crete is one of their former colonies, plus all along the Adriatic coast.

I'll get back to you on those local SE Asian airlines...

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Old 03-03-2005, 11:43 AM   #18
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I have only heard great things about Croatia, beaches are supposed to be awesome.
so that would be a nice place to see.
possible get a ferry from croatia to Italy??
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Old 03-08-2005, 03:24 PM   #19
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Sounds like an awsome idea to go by land and have a few short stops in other countries along the way, it would be a good way to experience as much of Europe as possible but still see the big sites that i wanna see. Sounds like it could be a quick way to rack up the costs though. And you can't get to some of those countries (Croatia, Slovenia) on a Eurail pass, but surely there's other affordable ways to get around the place, right??

Another question, what cards do the ATMs around the world accept?? Can i just take my standard bank card, or do i need something like a global bank card that will be accepted everywhere?? Can i use my bank card or do i need a credit card??

Also, what about ID at pubs/clubs. Will my aussie drivers license do, or do i need some other form of ID??

Thanks for your time
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Old 03-08-2005, 03:37 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally posted by LostFarmboy@Mar 8 2005, 11:23 PM
what cards do the ATMs around the world accept?? Can i just take my standard bank card, or do i need something like a global bank card that will be accepted everywhere?? Can i use my bank card or do i need a credit card??

Also, what about ID at pubs/clubs. Will my aussie drivers license do, or do i need some other form of ID??
Your bank card should be fine especially if it has a visa or mastercard logo on it, and look at some of the symbols on the back-- I think there are a few (Plus, Interlink, Star, etc) that are compatible all over the world. Someone else may know more about this than I do...

Your Aussie drivers license or passport will work fine.
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