I am currently beginning to plan a trip around the world in 2012. I need tips, hints, details and advice.
Thanks dominick! Some great advice there. I havent tried diving but i must admit it is one of my goals while im away! I was considering doing the americas on a seperate trip as I ride a motor cycle so was planning on doing route 66! However I think Im just going to see how much money I have left after Oz and if its enough then go on. Not planning on rushing back! Incedently, dont suppose you know much about eating in S/E asia. Im veggie and this is a bit of a worry. Are you planning any more trips? x x x
Reply to this Sounds like a good plan, take it as it goes. I don't think you will have any problems getting by on a vegetarian diet there, rice and noodles are the staples.
I am going back to SE Asia again in September or October, for at least the winter. I am going to try to find a job teaching English in Indonesia (as there are no engineering jobs to be found in the US at the moment), and if that doesnt work I will try WWOOFing either there, the Philippines or India for a while. Or maybe just hang out in the islands, hopefully the job market will improve by next spring, going to play it by ear... I have been looking into Sri Lanka a little as well, there are some cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia - you should check their website out, its hard to believe how cheap it is to bounce around Asia with them -
Dominick
Reply to this Hi Nicola,
Just wanted to add my two cents worth regarding India- I agree that it's definitely the type of country that you either love or hate! I was in northern India for two weeks last year- so I can't claim that I've travelled extensively throughout the country. But it is a mad and crazy place and not always pleasant- very dirty, rubbish piled in the streets, animals everywhere (this is true throughout a lot of Asia though), and I didn't find the Indian people en masse as welcoming and friendly as they could be (huge generalisation, there were obviously many exceptions to this, but I'm just talking about an overall impression). The poverty is quite shocking. I was there for a fortnight and I was ready for a break! I crossed the border to Nepal (amazing country- please work it into your travel plans, you won't regret it, and if you're going to India and Tibet you may as well!) and was honestly quite relieved to have escaped the chaos and squalor of India. However, 8 months after returning home, I want to go back!! I've been looking through my photos again, and I really miss it and want to return one day! So, that just goes to show how hard a country it is to explain- you will definitely have conflicting emotions. However, you MUST go- it's an incredible experience and one you definitely won't regret whether you like the country or not.
Regarding being a vegetarian, you will have no problems in India- many Indians are vegetarian and I didn't eat meat while I was there. No worries. Thailand will also be fairly easy for you, and although I've never been to Vietnam I have a veggie friend who has, and he reckons that at times your meals become a bit repetitive (because they use chicken or beef stock in a lot of their food), but it's definitely possible. Not sure about anywhere else!
Happy travelling! Wish it were me!
Reply to this Hi,
Thats a long list of countries that you are planning to visit. I would suggest to visit as many asian countries as possible when u are in one of the asian countries since it will be cheaper and easier to move around.
You should also consider visiting BHUTAN. Bhutan is one of the must see country since it is still like the olden days countries. Culture, tradition, environment and people are so fascinating. I can suusre you that once you visit Bhutan, you will keep visiting. If you need further details and advise, write to me at
or
check this website: Reply to this I went to Bali and from there to the Gili Islands, was as easy as paying the tour agency, waking up at the time they said and then following directions of the taxi drivers that they arranged for you. Was brilliant, picked up from hotel and taken to ferry, picked up at other end of ferry and taken to boat to the island, once on the island it was easy to find somewhere to stay. a 3 day visit turned into 2 weeks it was such an amazing place.
Reply to this The only places I had trouble eating veggie were Malaysia, China, and the Philippines. Not so much that I had trouble, I just got REALLY sick of eating nothing but vegetable fried rice. Definitely seek out Indian restaurants whenever you can.
Reply to this DO NOT SKIP COLOMBIA!!!! THE HIDDEN GEM OF SOUTH AMERICA!
GOOD LUCK!
Reply to this Hi, I did very similar route - female solo traveller. Check my website for advice for those starting backpacking with travelblog: http://www.monika-szyszlowska.com/indexen.php
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