Basically I want to know the dangers travelling alone in a poor country that could easily rob you for what you have and never be seen again.
I have never travelled before but have spoken about it, I have chosen to go to south east asia, people say it is really cheap there! That can only be because people do not earn alot of money there etc. I am just concerned that a tourist turns up with a bulging back pack asking for directions is a temptation to be mugged? I mean from what I have heard I spend their weeks wage on a drink at home!! so in my pocket I could potentially have alot of money. I want to travel with someone but none of my friends seem to be up for it. I just don't want to go alone, never to return ha.
Reply to this Hi Lee
Welcome to travelblog!
SE Asia is jam packed full of backpackers from all over the world doing exactly what you are planning. It's really easy to meet people to travel with when you are over here. If you feel vunerable travelling alone, then you will feel happier in a group. However, the sheer number of tourists and backpackers over here means that you won't be the lone rich person with a backpack asking for directions.
As for safety, of course there is always a risk of being robbed or mugged. But there is at home too. I was burgled three times and mugged once while living in Liverpool and Leeds. Take precautions. Be sensible. Don't trust everyone who is friendly towards you. Keep your valuables with you at all times. Don't carry things that you will miss if you loose them. Don't carry too much cash. It's common sense really.
Have a read of the blogs on here from Asia. Reading about other people's trips, particularly those who left home alone, will probably reassure you.
Reply to this Welcome to travel blog Lee
Most of the things you need to do to stay pretty safe are similar to those you might do at home. Don't wander around empty streets late at night on your own, don't believe everything you hear from anyone and don't flash your cash around.
You can minimise the problem of being robbed by not carrying all of your money and cards in one place so that you normally have a fall back option. It is sensible to keep to a minimum the things you carry that you can't bear to lose. It may be a case of speaking too soon but the only thing we have ever had stolen after having been on the road this time for 2 years is a pair of sandals, good ones, on the Eurostar between Paris and London.
It is normally more of a problem getting away from other backpackers and tourists than finding them. We have met a lot of people who set out alone but picked up with others either for an extended period or just for a bus trip. That said, travel with someone else is normally more comfortable.
Enjoy S E Asia. Sure you will.
I
Reply to this Thanks guys I have a really good look round this forum and slowly but surely getting used to using it, took me a while to figure how to post my own thread.
I spose your right some simple things you allready know but just need someone to point it out to you for you to think oh yeah. . . if I'm going to be really honest south east asia can't be much worse than the streets of britian or anywhere else for that matter, I know manchester has it's horrible side and that's on my doorstep.
I just don't know what to expect and now I hear theres thousands of backpackers out there I feel better, but are there many backpackers during now and april..ish I mean going over the christmas period? That's when I am thinking of going?
My passport runs out in May so that needs renewing and I also need to find out where I need visa's for? I am making a list of things I need to have sorted before I try to find a reasonably priced flight.
Thanks Lee
Reply to this You will be fine and have a great time and really, if the absolute worse thing that happens to you is getting mugged, as long as you follow the advice of other travellers like not keeping all your money together, and even if that does happen theres embassys and consulates to support you, then its not the end of the world. Staying home because your too worried about what might happen or could happen wont give you any experiences other than regret. Hope you have a great time when you do hit the trails.
Reply to this There are backpackers here all the time. Over Christmas there are also loads of tourists on Christmas holidays.
You will definitely need a new passport because you can't get visas with less than 6 months on it. As for visas, you can pick them up en route if that's easier. You may need to get one for the first country you land in, depending on which one it is, how long you want to stay and whether you have a return ticket.
Have you seen the
Travelblog Beginners guide to independent travel? I also found the Rough Guide's First time Asia useful while I was planning our first trip, as well as the various Lonely Planets. You can borrow them from the library which saves some money while you decide where to go and which ones to buy.
Reply to this The world is generally a safe place as long as your watch your belongings, don't flaunt your wealth, avoid dark places at night, don't allow someone you don't know to share a taxi with you, and be cautious of accepting drinks from strangers.
All you need is a heightened sense of awareness, but there are so many people backpackers travelling through South East Asia is that you wont need to worry about being alone if that makes you feel more comfortable.
As for the Christmas period, not everyone has a homing instinct at that time, so you are sure to find other travellers on the road during December/January.
Reply to this Hi Lee,
Im new to this travel blog too and im facing the same questions that you are. Im 19 and also travelling to Thailand by myself. I have return flight into bangkok in february lasting 4 months, giving me plenty of time to look about the neighbouring countries.
Ive asked about to friends who have been travelling and they reiterate what these guys above are saying, its easy to find people, most hostels have single travellers anyway but whos to say you have to stick with the singles!
Reply to this Hello Joe, and welcome to the Forum!
You are correct that travellers are free to join as few or as many people as they want. Some people prefer to travel solo, but once on the travel trail, it is not difficult to hook up with one other person, or maybe join an already formed group if you wish. Sometimes you just might hang around other people for a day, but other times you might travel a few days together. There is no shortage of options.
Reply to this Asia is far safer than Manchester! I have travelled extensively throughout Asia Thailand Cambodia,Laos Malaysia China Mongolia etc, and never had any problems whatsoever. Th only thing you have to do is use common sense dont take all your money in one pocket and dont get too drunk lol. You should renew your passport before you go as Thailand Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam all require a minimum of 6months ledft on your passport before they will allow you entry. You will meet many many backpackers all year round in Asia and the vast majority will be just like yourself looking for a safe fu packed adventure and will be only too pleased to share there experiences (tips) good and bad with you as I am sure you will want to do once you have travelled the area. That said just jump on a plane Thai visa on arrival Cam visa on arrival Laos visa on arrival Vietnam is easily obtainable in Bangkok at a fraction of the cost from the UK same goes with a Chinese visa buy it in BKK. Buy your visa for Mongolia Russia in Beijing see its easy just use common sense and spend some time looking at websites here couchsurfing seat61 all great sources of information. I digress somewhat suffice to say get a flight to Bangkok on arrival go to the escalator downstairs and jump on a bus into Bangkok or Pattaya or wherever you are heading taxis from the official stand downstairs are cheap and safe but what I always do is when I am collecting my luggage I ask single travellers where they are heading and if they fancy sharing a cab because invariably after 10 20 hours travelling I do not always want the cheapest option just the quickest that will get me to my hotel and a shower lol. The point is Lee- Joe just go and enjoy the experience do your research have a rough plan of where you want to see and use common sense. REGARDS Bill
Reply to this as I have said traveling alone is safe, it's just a matter of how you take care of yourself and being more cautious.
Reply to this good advice is to stay with like minded people.this just doesnt have to be people who are backpacing.dont get drunk and dont be rude to thais as this will lead to you have problems,especially when if you are drunk.having fun is the most important part
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