Jan 31, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
^^ ya i was supposed to go to UK to visit with sal.. but its just not gonna happen this time around.. i have to save euro for another time... i think ill do greece/croatia/italy... basically the mediterainian in the summer of 2008 (eurocup!!!)
ur gonna go crazy in sweden.. so many hot people! 
|
|
Jan 31, 07
|
||||
|
||||
|
be sure to visit chaing mai up north. its only a days travel on the train.
juilies is the place to stay, its easy to find...its located within the walls of the old city. oh, and if your ever on ko-samui, be sure to stay on lamai beach rather then chaweng beach. chaweng is WAAAAY to noisy and congested, its like a little miami. niteclubs,starbucks,the hilton ect. its only a 10 min scooter ride from beach to beach. FULL MOON PARTY....unless your with a pack that you trust, stay away from the mushroom shakes. infact...just be weary of the whole 'had rinn' scene all together....somepeople never leave.... oh...and most important(cant beleive no one has said this yet).....DONT PACK ANYTHING WITH YOU!!!!! for real. you can buy anything and everything you need over there for a fraction of the price. that fav shirt of yours?....leave it. you can purchase one thats evan cooler when your over there and save the weight in your pack. travel light. Last edited by Revolver; Jan 31, 07 at 04:22 PM.
|
|
Jan 31, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
^^ wow thanks for the tips!
i do have to bring some stuff with me to japan though cause it will be colder.. and its too expensive to buy anything over there.. but ya i will be doing some major shopping over in thailand... were probably gonna head south first because we arrive on the 26th and the full moon party is on the 2nd... so ko pha ngan is one of our first stops... well probbaly just hop on the boat after full moon and head to ko samui and recover there for a day or 2.. haha... deffinatly gonna hit up chang mai and mabie even check out pai and some other little places in northern thailand...if we feel like it were gonna try and head over to laos and vietnam for a week and check it out... is there anywhere u can remeber that has mushroom shakes that arent going to massivley mess me up?... ive heard basically to stay away from anything at the full moon party.. even those buckets can be deadly...(hang over of death)... also... what do you suggest for securing my backpack?... combo locks? key padlocks?..travel locks?... what has worked best for you?... oh and one more thing.. i heard that you need to your hardcopy passport with u at all times! cause if some thai offical asks you for it and u only have a photocopy they give u a fine or some bullshit like that.. i dont feel very comfortable carrying around my passport..id rather leave it locked up... what did u do for that? sorry so many questions.. haha.. i appreciate the feedback! Last edited by Veni*C; Jan 31, 07 at 05:06 PM.
|
|
Feb 01, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
-i would recommend a few good quality small padlocks for your pack, plus on with long metal hoopy part for your door. they give you a lock and key, but of course they have doubles nd i have heard of people returning to their rooms/shacks to their stuff gone and no assistance...in the south at least.
-bring ziplocks for your valuables, boats do sink and rain comes out of nowhere. -i never had passport problems while on the islands. use the safe at the hostel if they have one, and try to get a paper record of what your putting in, $, documents, etc. -public transport is by far the best way to go. the buses and trains leave on time, they are not over sold and you meet some neat people. second class with a fan if your sleeping on a train is plenty, the open window will keep you more then cool. (i recommend taking the train over anything else....potty whenever you want it, snacks and beer at every stop plus the chance to meet lots of people. it is slower but i don't think your going abroad to rush around) -earplugs -hand sani -lanyard for keys -keychain maglight for drunken walks back to your shack -check out chatachuck weekend market when in BK, it is huge and the best place to buy fake stuff. MBK mall for the real stuff and sweet sweet AC. -don't stay on koh sahn road when you arrive. i would recommend saving it for the way home. - i recommend Chiang Mai as well, it is an amazing city. I doubt you would get the feel for it in any less then a week, and if you stay at Julie you won't want to leave anyways because on the environment and the staff. ask to stay on the roof, #33 is the best. i hope that helps, i'll add what i remember later.
|
|
Feb 01, 07
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
the buckets are ok. just be alert as to who you buy them from and inspect the bottles before they pour all the shit in to be sure it hasnt been open before. theres not really anyhangover.....the buckets arent like anything iv ever drank. its not like you feel as though your drunk in the normal sense.....just really mangeld. its hard to descibe. those who have drank buckets before know what i mean... when i first started backpacking i was reallly militant about bag security. my pack had one of those rain cover things. when i was in transit from city to city i ALWAYS had it over my pack at all times. i still do that. whenever i have my full load on and im on the road i always keep the cover on. i use bike lock wire and a couple pad locks. but to be honest with you...the more i travel(wich is alot) the more relaxed i am. In a private room my shit is just splayed out everywhere and only my vitials i keep hidden. same thing in the hostels. alot of the time my kit will be all over the place aside from my cameras and vitals wich ill keep stashed...somewhere. passports. LOL.....you dont need to keep it on you at all times. i travel with a cool sidebag thing wich holds all of that so i never worry. but sometimes if i go out knowing that im commming back heavilly intoxicated then i will leave the passport home. now, if any official gives you grief over your papers and tries to charge you a 'fine' 97% percent of the time its bullshit and they are just looking for a payout. say no or DEMAND to see some documents stating where a fine is in order. if they sense that your not falling for it they'll just leave you alone and look for another stupid,weak traveller to scam!....this happend to me a couple times in thailand, and more times then i can remember in Southamerica...infact im POSITIVE the entire columbian economy is based on payouts lol....
|
|
Feb 03, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
mojo- ya i was actually looking at waterproof pouches for our papers and stuf... my bf thought it was silly.. but u never know right?..
i think our inital plan when we get there because it is a week before full moon is to head down straight to to south from bangkok via plane.. then take the ferry over to ko pha ngan.. spend as much time as we want down in the south and then train up to the north.. any suggestions of where to stay when we first arrive in bangkok ? we will be gettin in at like 11pm.. so i dont wanna be searching all over downtown bangkok for rooms at that time of night (probably doesnt make a difference what time it is) but im pretty sure ill be tired from the travelling.... revolver-someone told me they put aphedrines in the buckets.. haha..that might have something to do with the weird feeling they give u.. im sure it'll be fine.. ill just be sure not to go overboard on em... with regards to the locks.. any particular ones u found better than another.. or it doesnt really matter?... i dont wanna buy some nice locks and then have airport security cut them off (im flying thru the states unfortuantly).. i saw these "special" ones in the luggage store that are "airport certified" or something so that if security wants to get into them they can without having to cut your lock off.. i dont know how much i trust that.. but ya... thats another option... the one thing im really worried about for this whole trip is getting scammed left right and center... im not gulible or stupid... im just way to nice to people and alway give them the benifit of the doubt.. im gonna have to step up my bitch or something...otherwise my money isnt gonna last me as long as i want it to...
|
|
Feb 03, 07
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
in bangkok it should be no more then 20bht(if i remember correctly) anywhere in the city core. in thailand the moral code of karma runs pretty deep. its one of the safest countries ive travelled in....just keep your travellers wits about you.
|
|
Feb 04, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Check with Chewy, he did the same thing last Oct. (BBK-Samui by plane, staying at the airport.)
|
|
Feb 07, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
ya that makes sence to do that mojo... i think we wanna hang out in bangkok for a couple days before we head down (i know i dont wanna spend a week on ko pha ngan)
also...looking for djs/preformers touring thru tokyo or bangkok during my stay.... been looking around on the net cant really find anything... suggestions? Last edited by Veni*C; Feb 07, 07 at 09:28 PM.
|
|
Feb 08, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
I don't trust the safes in the hotels for money or passports. Most are probably OK but I think a lot are inside jobs. What I usually do is put my money belt and passport under the matress, that way if someone breaks in your room they're unlikely to look under there. I never had a problem not even in India.
If I think an area is really prone to breakins, such as the full moon party. I use a pocket knife and slit a hole in the matress. No one will ever know it's there. Just make a slit big enough to fit your passport and cash. The buckets in SE Asia are mostly Rice Whiskey. Similar to the stuff the the homeless drink on Hastings. Really bad for you. Just check the seals of the liquor bottles and you'll be fine. It'll cost a bit more though. Don't drink from buckets that are premixed, such as those in Laos! In Laos in the city of Vang Vieng. (you gotta go inner tubing there with a beer Lao) on every menu of every restaraunt you can order Happy marijuana shakes, mushroom shakes and Opium Tea. Try the Opium Tea. It's great! Especially the night before you go on a long bus ride. If you'd like I can help yopu out with a route and advice on how to get from place to place, where to start etc. That way you won't make the same mistakes I did! haha
|
|
Feb 26, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
thx dave!! ill be emailing u sometime this week ive been busy bustin my ass at work to save for the trip....
t-2 1/2 weeks.... any other tips?.. ps. teatnus shots hurt like a bitch! pps. malaria pills? how much do they usually cost... should i bother?..comments?
|
|
Mar 01, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
I'm in Bangkok right (for the 6th time) now and bored so I decided to give you some random Thailand tips. Check this post on any internet cafe while you are travelling. Not sure what cities you're going to but here's some tips for random ones I've been to. If it all sounds confusing just read your lonley planet and it will make more sense.
For a quick conversion in you head times everything by three. And think in USD not Canadian. It's slightly off but give you an idea. For example 50 bhat is $1.50 USD. 35 bhat = $1.05......300 bhat = $9.00. A hotel room on average should be 300 bhat for something comfortable with a private bathroom and hot water. Sometimes half that and sometimes a bit more When you arrive at the new airport in Bangkok. Go outside, ignoring all the taxi and bus offers and catch the free shuttle to the bus station which is 1km away. Get on the bus that says Khao San Road on the side, just ask around if you don't see it. will cost you 35 bhat ($1.00) and should be running when you arrive at 11pm Take a tuk tuk once for the experience, but then after that take Meter Taxis because they're cheaper. Make sure they agree to turn on the metre or go to the next one. Don't believe any tuk tuks offering 5 bhat anywhere you wanna go, or lucky buddha etc. You'll end up in a Tailor or gem shop. it did it anyway. There's no danger I found it funny, but most will find it a hassle. No need to stay on Khao San Road. It's loud and chaotic. we prefer 1 block north on Soi Rambuttri. It's really quiet. Don't get stuck on Khao San Road. Explore the whole city and make sure you go to the Grand Palace. it's super touristy but amazing The train in 2nd class sleeper train is best for long distances to the south or North to Chiang Mai. If you must take a bus use government busses. They always leave on time, charge less money and aren't full of theft. 3 hours From Chinag Mai there's a really cool city called Pai. If you want to a hill tribe trek do it from here. You're less likely to have old people on your trek and it's cheaper. Make sure you catch the government bus tio Pai. It's a third the price from the advetized rates in Chaing Mai travel agencies. About $1.50 From there you could go back to Chiang Mai and then south. Or go to Mae Hong Son. There you could visit the long necked tribes. It was really interesting. From mae Hong Son there's a loop that will once again bring you back to Chiang Mai. There's two major cities with ancient ruins. Sukothai which is 7 hours south by bus from Chinag Mai. Or Ayutthaya which is 2 hours north of Bangkok. You should definatly check one of them out. Doing both is repetivie because it's so similar. If you fly use www.airasia.com it's the cheapest you'll find. We found a flight from krabi to Bangkok for 155 bhat! So times that by three is $4.65 USD Most are around $20 plus tax though. Still a really good deal. Your boat departure point to Koh Samui and Koh Phagnan is Surat Thani. During the full moon party prices triple. Don't stay on Haad Rin but close. Or you will NEVER sleep, not even during the day. if you're on Koh Samui and want to go to krabi. Instead of booking a "joint ticket" from a travel agency. Catch a local bus (Songthaew) to the peer) From there hop on the bus which will drive on a car ferry and on to JKrabi. You'll save $10+ each this way. Definatly go to krabi. Stay in Krabi town because it's so cheap it's silly. Book a room for $4.00 and eat for $2.00. During the day take a local bus (Songthaew) 20 bhat to Ao Nang Beach on one day and on another take a long tailed boat (100 bhat) to Railay Beach If you go to Phuket. Take the local bus to Phuket town from the governent bus station in Krabi (120 bhat) Ignore the taxis, look on your map in the lonely planet where to catch a songtheaw to either patong or Kata/Karon. You'll save $10.00 Stop by Patong for the crazy insane nightlife! It's a lot of fun, but sleezy. But that's Thailand I think everyone should see it. It's overdeverloped and the beach sucks because it's so crowded with umbreallas and fat old european people with young thai girlfriends. Kata and Karon beaches are beautiful and are worth a visit. Just 6km from Patong. Don't take a taxi to these beaches. Take a Songthaew back to Phuket town and then tranfer to another one to Karon/Kata. Once again you'll save $10.00 You say you wanna go to Thailand for 5 weeks. You're only stamped 30 days before you have to leave the country (even for 5 minutes called a visa run). No need to get a two month Visa and waste your money. 30 day stamps are free for Canadians I suggest going to Laos. You have time. Just do it for a week. You won't regret it. It's a super safe country and has all the culture you wish to see in Thailand but won't because it's so overrun by tourists it feels more like home. Everyone in laos still lives in Bamboo shacks and are the friendliest in the world. If you need tips I'll give em to ya! Anything else let me know!! P.S. don't midn my typo's I'm drinking Chang
|
|
Mar 04, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
^^ u must be bored :P ...thx for the book of tips!!!
seriously though.. lots of valuable info.. i apprecite it!! make things so much easier for me.... just got an email from oliver-san over in tokyo... soooooo excited to go and visit him and get to check out japan a little bit before heading down to thailand... it will be like going to 2 different worlds!! think im pretty much ready.. just gotta get my Japan Rail pass... and malaria pills.. i keep hearing mixed things about the pills though so i dont even know if i really need to get them... i called the pharmacy and theyre like 300 bucks for my perscription... so ya... any advice on that issue? i work with a girl who lived in thailand for a year and didnt take any malaria pills and she was fine.. im so paranoid though....i deffinatly dont wanna get malaria...
|
|
Mar 04, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
I did not take them either and i was fine, though i did score a fine strain of dengue fever in Lao. It is no fun being that sick on your own.
I think you will be fine without them Veni, unless you're going into some serious back country jungle. If you follow the regular backpacker route i doubt you will have to worry to much about malaria. Check the news or lonely planet forums for potential outbreaks maybe?
|
|
Mar 06, 07
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
im not doing any crazy outback jungle trekking... but we will be in chang mai and might do a hilltribe trek in pai... as well as possibly head over to laos.... i reaaaaally dont wanna take them... ive heard messed up stories about those pills... ugh.
|
