I'm traveling round the world next year and know my parents will worry and want to have an occasional call home and just wondered how easy it is to find internet cafes that have the ability for you to use skype?
I'm mainly concerned about staying in contact through South America and Malaysia/Thailand.
Am thinking of taking my own headset for ease.
Reply to this I bring my computer then I know that they have Skype. I don't know about South America but in Malaysia and Thailand cheap internet is everywhere. In Bangkok, KL and Singapore you can find free Wifi in many areas. My really cheap hotel in Bangkok has free broadband that is some of the fastest in Asia. In KL and I believe Singaopore the Starbucks have them . Free Wifi in Bangkok and Singapore airports. I wish I could remember for KL but for sure the Starbucks in KL have free wifi.
The new Mini computers can be as cheap as 500 USD and being small, light, with lots of battery time and as a bonus you can watch movies and listen to music, as well as store all your pictures, the best way to go in my opinion, I would get one of the mini computers before I would get a Ipod.
Submitted from the Gloria Jeans in Bali with Free Wifi.
Reply to this If you decide against a laptop - many internet cafe and hostel computers - throughout south-east asia and south america in my experience came preloaded with skype and had headsets - though not all.
Taking a lightweight set would be a good idea.
The main thing is let your family know when you are going to be offline for a while - they get used to those daily updates and worry when you don't send them...
FOUND - Geoff Tayner - Panama/Colombia - 19th Nov 2007 Reply to this If you are visiting New Zealand, then be aware that internet is harder to find there than in Thailand 😊
Really, in some places there are still dial-up connections, and internet time is expensive, and not all places provide internet, I mean the rural towns, holiday parks etc.
Reply to this I have found that if an iternet cafe does not have Skype and you ask them to load it, they will assist. The ones that offer international calling will not load it because it cuts into their profits. I'm staying at SK house in Chaing MAi right now and they have it loaded on every machine and have headsets. It is really hit and miss.
I chose to bring my laptop and when I can hit free WiFi I take full advantage of skype.
Reply to this I travelled South America for a year and found skype fairly easy to get. Some places are better than others but there are no set rules. At most places - as long as the connection is fast - you can download skype onto the computer and go from there.
I was easily able to call home at least every fortnight. Internet cafes are everywhere - I guess people can't afford to have a computer at home.
Have an amazing time!!
Ruth
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