Welcome to the Travel Forums


Why join TravelBlog?

  • Membership is Free and Easy
  • Your travel questions answered in minutes!
  • Become part of the friendliest online travel community.
Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums
Advertisement


Where to go on a 3 month Gap?

Advertisement
Trying to plan a 3 month gap but only have some ideas of where to go. (mainly S/E Asia, North America) But would love some details of what others have done to interest me in something specific.
11 years ago, September 17th 2012 No: 1 Msg: #161060  
Hi,
I want to go away for about three months, although I'm flexible. And I have a full-time job so money shouldn't be too much of an issue.

I'm struggling to decide where to go and what to do. In short, I really don't mind where or what, as long as I'm gonna love it. I would love to see S/E Asia or travel around the whole of North America. Whatever I do I just want to know that I'm gonna be busy and have some great experiences whilst the budget isn't too high.

I would like to perhaps do a few weeks of volunteering/working and then also travelling alone.

If anyone can discuss or point me to somewhere which details someone else's travel plans or ideas I will greatly appreciate it.

- Matt Reply to this

11 years ago, September 17th 2012 No: 2 Msg: #161061  
B Posts: 11.5K
Hi Matt,

Welcome to TravelBlog.

There's quite a difference both culturally and cost wise between SE Asia and North America. You'll be able to be as busy or as lazy as you choose, whichever direction you head in!
If you tell us a bit more about yourself, people will be able to suggest things which might interest you. Eg are you into hiking, lazing on beaches, wandering through temples? Have you travelled much before, and would you be comfortable somewhere English isn't spoken? Reply to this

11 years ago, September 17th 2012 No: 3 Msg: #161065  

In response to: Msg #161061
Thanks Jo,
I've been an Explorer Scout for the last 4 years so I'm looking for an adventure really! I really enjoy getting involved in different cultures as much as possible, by whatever means. Whether that means volunteering to teach or conservation projects, or walking through towns/temples and museums.
I enjoy hiking and will hike anywhere that makes a satisfying challenge and seeing something majestic. I'm not too fond of lazing about too much, but a warm, sandy beach with blue waters is always welcome!

I haven't travelled independantly before, but I've been quite afar. I've seen New York and Dubai, and also Hong Kong and Beijing. My experiences in Asia have taught me that I wouldn't hesitate to go back there!

I'm more than comfortable to go somewhere non-english speaking, obviously it would be a help but it just means further integration into the culture and maybe learning a bit of a new language! Reply to this

11 years ago, September 17th 2012 No: 4 Msg: #161082  
B Posts: 2,064

In response to: Msg #161065
Matt,
North America is more uniform culturally (given only two countries) and much more expensive than SE Asia. It's also far too large to spend only three months and see things in depth (despite what the travel companies say). On the plus side, the continent has first class infastructure, English language, and low culture shock.
For combining culture with world class scenery, nothing in the United States beats the southwest states of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. All three have ancient native american archeology sites; vibrant American west, Native American, and Hispanic cultures; and staggeringly beautiful hiking. Everyone heads for the National Parks, but I found the more obscure trails to be much more fun.
Reply to this

11 years ago, September 19th 2012 No: 5 Msg: #161152  
Hi Matt,

As Jo says, SE Asia will be a LOT cheaper than North America, and consequently you will be able to do more there.

You could explore Thailand: the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, trekking around Chiang Mai, old cities/temples at Ayutthaya, jungle trekking in one of the national parks (eg. Ko Sok) plus a couple of the islands. You could do a diving course on one of the islands if that interests you.

You could also take yourself off to Cambodia to see the temples at Angkor and learn some of the tragic history in Phnom Penh, and then into Vietnam and perhaps Laos. All these places have what you are looking for in a 3 month gap.

As for volunteering, you could do a project where you learn how to take care of elephants in Thailand. You could also volunteer in an orphanage or poor school. In Vietnam you could look at the Vietnam Volunteer Network . You could also look at Conversations with foreigners and other volunteer teaching projects in Cambodia.

Have a look at some of the blogs on here and see what others do to give you some inspiration.

Hope this helps Reply to this

11 years ago, September 30th 2012 No: 6 Msg: #161613  
Hi Matt,
...leaving home at 18 with a backpack is a great idea, I did it in the 60's when you could hitch-hike and find a job just about anywhere. Where are you leaving from? Are you ready for a real culture shock? or just a mild one?

For an exchange of work against free accomodation in English speaking families, I can advise the HelpExchange network.
See: https://helpx.net/index.asp

Good luck and come back here to tell us about it! Reply to this

11 years ago, October 10th 2012 No: 7 Msg: #161851  
Hi Matt,
You've come to the right place! Everyone on TravelBlog has been on some sort of trip in the last year or so and everyone is full of knowledge and information about different parts of the world.

SE Asia is definitely a budget backpacker destination with culture, delicious food, stunning scenery, wildlife, temples and beautiful beaches. As two people, we get by on $50/day. For one person sleeping in a hut/budget guesthouse, eating local food, travelling on cheap buses and having the odd beer or two, expect to spend about $30-$40/day.

North America is a completely different story! We can tell you that from experience...we're from Canada. Hostels are about $30/night, with your other options being a hotel ($80/night) or if it's summertime, you could do some camping...but that's not free either. A campsite for the night will be about $10. If that doesn't interest you, you could couchsurf.

The sights and wilderness of North America are stunning. The people hospitable and friendly, but it's quite expensive and is (obviously) very western. If you're looking for culture, look somewhere else...

Perhaps India, Nepal or Southeast Asia!

We've spent about 1.5 years in SE Asia and have lots of information. Check out our website for budget backpackers for information on what to pack for SE Asia, places off the beaten path, visa regulations, where to sleep and where to eat.

We highly recommend India for a cultural experience! It's very, very budget friendly (rooms from $5, meals from $0.80, transport on a train from $5) and the experiences and memories you'll take away from India will be priceless. Check out our India blogs.

Nepal is also a budget backpacker's dream. We would recommending trekking through the Himalayas. The people here are so friendly as well.

Hopefully this information helps you make a decision on where to go. But wherever you choose, you won't be disappointed.

Safe Travels.
Cheers,
Goats On The Road Reply to this

11 years ago, November 7th 2012 No: 8 Msg: #162898  
Hi @Matty,

It depends on your nature and your choice whether you like adventure tour, pilgrimage tour, nature tour or something entertaining. If you are adventure traveller you will like to go for Nepal Mountain trekking, rafting in New Zealand or skydiving in Florida.

For pilgrimage, cultural tour and to enjoy the natural beauty I will suggest you to go India <snip>

Your childish nature will take you to funplaces like Niagra Falls (New York), Disney World (Florida), PikePlace Market (Washington), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) or San Diego Zoo (California).

[Edited: 2012 Nov 08 03:00 - Rat on the Road:23681 - URL removed]
Reply to this

Tot: 0.045s; Tpl: 0.005s; cc: 7; qc: 18; dbt: 0.0119s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 997.4kb