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Seems I missed most of the Koh Tao talk, but I'm looking at heading out there in June. Do prices for rooms go down at all (I'm hoping to find something in the 500-1000baht range that doesn't involve me sleeping in a dorm)? And I assume the diving won't be quite as good then, but is it still decent?
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Feb 19, 2013 02:37
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Diving is fine all year except November. 500-1000 should get you at least a comfortable fan room in a guesthouse or even a lovely air con room, or an okay beachside (not beach facing) bungalow.
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Feb 19, 2013 10:51
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Fantastic, thanks for the info!
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Feb 19, 2013 17:23
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Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent hostel in BKK that's not on KSR, has a common room and is a generally all-round good place to keep my head down for a few days while I sort out a Burma visa?
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Feb 20, 2013 11:39
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lub d http://siamsquare.lubd.com/ http://silom.lubd.com/ It's like the nicest hostel I've ever seen.
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Feb 20, 2013 15:12
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Will ReindeerF make it back home? He is riding his bike drunk.
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Feb 20, 2013 17:53
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I made it to the Rama V Bridge. The rest is uncertain. https://www.dropbox.com/s/69dd55k1bx9e2ly/Photo%20Feb%2021%2C%200%2024%2050.jpg ReindeerF fucked around with this message at 20:10 on Feb 20, 2013 |
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Feb 20, 2013 18:29
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Rapsey posted:lub d Thank you. I know the general rules for SEA, but is Burma any different? In terms of anti-malaria and general health etc (malarone gives me nausea, so I wasn't going to bother with anything). Is my 2011 lonely planet out of date or do I still need to bring in all the crisp $$s that I'll need for the whole time? How much will I need for about two weeks? I'm leaving in a bit of a rush, so anything I might have forgotten would be appreciated.
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Feb 20, 2013 21:51
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Crivens posted:Thank you. The country has finally let their currency officially float and there are a *few* ATMs in Rangoon I believe. Keep in mind that a "few" may mean 1-2 in the airport. However, I am sure this is changing fast so there may be more. Bringing crisp bills will surely make your life easier.
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Feb 20, 2013 22:38
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So I'm juggling ideas a lot right now and I need you guy's opinion on what is or isn't do-able. I have absolutely no reference so bear with me. I'm looking at June-August, I got a US$8k budget for three months of traveling through SEA. I want to do Thailand and Myanmar absolutely. I would really like to do Viet-Nam also. I'm from Montreal so I would be leaving from and coming back here. I'm going there to do a tour of Buddhist locations (temples and shrines), trekking, beaches and meeting cool new people to do these things with. I'm not into getting drunk or sex tourism, but I enjoy a good party (full-moon sounds awesome). I don't mind a dormitory type room but if I get a private room for cheap I'd take that for sure. So here's my question: As a very rough estimate, can I do 3 months in these countries with 8k or is it way too low/plenty? If it's too low, ballpark, how much money would I need for 3 months? Finally, are there things to see or do in Myanmar for a full month? Any reply is much appreciated!  Edit: (I want to do the most I can do in each country, not stay at the same location for the whole month.) pastorrich fucked around with this message at 05:48 on Feb 21, 2013 |
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Feb 21, 2013 05:31
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pastorrich posted:So I'm juggling ideas a lot right now and I need you guy's opinion on what is or isn't do-able. I have absolutely no reference so bear with me. I did 3.5 months overland from St Petersburg to Singapore via Japan this past summer and spent about 4k US. I didn't go to Myanmar though. I roughed it pretty hard(urban camping in Japan, cheapest hostels) but SE Asia is super cheap and you will have a great time if you spend all your money.
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Feb 21, 2013 06:07
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I was spending about 600 USD per month in SE Asia (including visas). Only place that was pricey was Singapore where I spent about 45 per day. Myanmar visa is for 28 days and I stayed for 27. There is a ton to see there so don't worry about having too much time. I did Yangon (w/ Twante day drip), Inle Lake, slow train to Thazi, Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, slow train to Hsipaw, Mandalay, Bagan, Yangon. Check out Wikitravel/Wikivoyage and find other interesting places.
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Feb 21, 2013 06:25
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$8k is plenty for 3 months. Most hostels/guesthouses have private rooms available and they are still ridiculously cheap (although I'm not sure about Myanmar). Even if you're travelling around a lot the buses are not expensive, so you won't be spending much.
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Feb 21, 2013 06:37
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Yeah, with $8K, even after airfare, you should be able to last easily five or six months unless you fly a lot. Keep in mind our golden travel advice if expenses are a concern: the less you move around the less you spend. That's not to suggest that you shouldn't move around, just figure it in to your calculations. Every time you move, you have to pay for a bus, train, plane or other mode of transport, then get a new guesthouse or hotel and figure out transport options in the new locale. As well, you lose your ability to negotiate long-term stay discounts, which can save you a lot on accommodations (always ask for a discount if you're staying more than three days, I think that's a fair rule outside of high season/full moon party-type times). Of course staying in one place means not seeing other places, so it's a trade off and I'm not implying that you should stay in one place. I happen to like to do that, but I enjoy finding some random town and just sitting around figuring it out and exploring it.
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Feb 21, 2013 06:43
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Does anyone know if US customs check people's checked in luggage when they are flying out of US?
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Feb 21, 2013 07:34
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pastorrich posted:I would really like to do Viet-Nam also. I'm from Montreal so I would be leaving from and coming back here. I'm from Montreal and have been living in Saigon for almost two years, I'd have no problems showing you around if you ever come around here. 
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Feb 21, 2013 07:46
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lol internet. posted:Does anyone know if US customs check people's checked in luggage when they are flying out of US? What kind of dumb rear end question is that of course they do.
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Feb 21, 2013 07:46
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lol internet. posted:Does anyone know if US customs check people's checked in luggage when they are flying out of US?
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Feb 21, 2013 07:49
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Hey guys. I've got some questions about visas. My passport is running out of pages. I've got two full ones left, and I'm traveling to Cambodia and Vietnam. 1) This is my second time in Cambodia (last time was in January). Are they going to slap a whole new visa in there and take up another page, or will they use the original one somehow? 2) If I'm traveling overland from Cambodia, what kind of damage will the Thai border people do to my precious visa pages? I hear there's no visa required up to 15 days, which would be perfect. Is it just a stamp?
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Feb 21, 2013 08:15
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Why do city expats pay for sexual services?
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Feb 21, 2013 08:23
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big boi posted:Hey guys. I've got some questions about visas. You may run into some problems because yes you will get a new visa sticker and they will take up a whole page. I have heard some people getting knocked back for not having enough pages. Are you from the US? It might be in your best interest to pay for more pages. The Thai border will just stamp your passport. Edit: Yes its just a small stamp like the usual ones you get. imnotinsane fucked around with this message at 08:41 on Feb 21, 2013 |
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Feb 21, 2013 08:36
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Sheep-Goats posted:What kind of dumb rear end question is that of course they do. Rapsey posted:What are you planning on bringing that would be a problem? If you're thinking drugs, it is a horrible horrible idea. If I was flying out of Canada.. I probably wouldn't care but in general the US has gone rear end-backwards on their policies in the last decade.. was asking to be safe then sorry. lol internet. fucked around with this message at 08:40 on Feb 21, 2013 |
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Feb 21, 2013 08:36
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imnotinsane posted:You may run into some problems because yes you will get a new visa sticker and they will take up a whole page. I have heard some people getting knocked back for not having enough pages. Are you from the US? It might be in your best interest to pay for more pages. Ok, so with the Thai border it's just a run-of-the-mill stamp, not a full-page affair, right? I should be ok, actually. Edit: found an image. Not going to be a problem for me, thankfully. Thanks. big boi fucked around with this message at 08:47 on Feb 21, 2013 |
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Feb 21, 2013 08:39
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lol internet. posted:I don't fly internationally out of the US that much so I wouldn't know. Do they screen all international outbound mail that leaves the US? I'd imagine not. I wouldn't think that's a dumb question as you don't see what goes on behind the scenes. They screen suspicious outgoing mail plus probably some random ones. Leave your drugs at home.
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Feb 21, 2013 09:27
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Sheep-Goats posted:They screen suspicious outgoing mail plus probably some random ones. Leave your drugs at home. It's not drugs. I don't even do drugs lol. I said they were CDRs. I was using that as an analogy. You can't expect some fat guy sitting there scanning every single piece of luggage that goes on a plane that is destined to leave the US.
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Feb 21, 2013 09:34
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lol internet. posted:I don't fly internationally out of the US that much so I wouldn't know. Do they screen all international outbound mail that leaves the US? I'd imagine not. I wouldn't think that's a dumb question as you don't see what goes on behind the scenes. Put them in one of those big CD wallets that used to be everywhere in the 90s. Even a simple discreet one will carry 100 CDs and only set you back like $15 at the most, and really won't take up a lot of room. That should be fine.
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Feb 21, 2013 09:34
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big boi posted:Ok, so with the Thai border it's just a run-of-the-mill stamp, not a full-page affair, right? I should be ok, actually. If you've got some time left on your passport, it only takes about an hour to get them to add more pages at the US Embassy in Bangkok, rather than the several weeks it takes back in the US. Worth considering.
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Feb 21, 2013 12:02
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duralict posted:If you've got some time left on your passport, it only takes about an hour to get them to add more pages at the US Embassy in Bangkok, rather than the several weeks it takes back in the US. Worth considering. Oooh I hope the Canadian embassy can do that too. I have 3 pages left and they go out pretty fast, I'll ask them if they can add more pages.
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Feb 21, 2013 17:03
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Senso posted:I'm from Montreal and have been living in Saigon for almost two years, I'd have no problems showing you around if you ever come around here. I will definitely keep that in mind! Actually, I will put you on my friend list for future reference. Always nice to find a good old montrealer in the world. Thanks to everyone for the kind answers, I'm pretty excited to do this!
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Feb 21, 2013 17:36
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big boi posted:1) This is my second time in Cambodia (last time was in January). Are they going to slap a whole new visa in there and take up another page, or will they use the original one somehow? http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/ Also because, "E-Visa Make Your Trip Happen To The Kingdom Of Wonder!!" duralict posted:If you've got some time left on your passport, it only takes about an hour to get them to add more pages at the US Embassy in Bangkok, rather than the several weeks it takes back in the US. Worth considering.
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Feb 21, 2013 18:53
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Yeah, I remember when my passport didn't conspicuously stick out in my pocket. Now it's thicker than my cell phone. The other sad thing is, I had one of the classy old-style ones with the state seals, and the new pages have the tackiest bullshit printed on them. 
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Feb 21, 2013 21:14
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Is it safe to bring a tablet (nexus 7) or laptop to SEA? It would be great to have many books on a 7" tablet for long bus rides. Any general tips on how not to get robbed/murdered for it?
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Feb 21, 2013 23:36
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Don't bring it man, it's like the wild wild east over there, they rob/murder you as soon as you exit the airport.
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Feb 21, 2013 23:41
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It's fine no one cares. Unless it's an Apple whatever. Then it'll probably get stolen. They don't really do violent crime in SE Asia. They might filch it out of your bag when you're asleep or drunk off your tits on the beach, but no one is going to bust you over the head or knife you for it. I'd suggest just putting it away before you get out of the bus and keeping it put away when you're in the bus station. The latter mostly because the bus stations are kinda cool in SE Asia, so you shouldn't be reading some book while you're at one. I've got a Kindle now. I'd unhesitatingly bring it along wherever. It's the ads free 3g one too but even then it's only like 200 bucks and if they want to steal it OH WELL guess I get a brand new one when I go home with better features and poo poo.
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Feb 21, 2013 23:42
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Rojkir posted:Don't bring it man, it's like the wild wild east over there, they rob/murder you as soon as you exit the airport. Dude I've heard stories alright I'VE HEARD STORIES!!! Sheep-Goats posted:It's fine no one cares. Unless it's an Apple whatever. Then it'll probably get stolen. That's a very good way to look at it. If it gets stolen I'll get a similar one in china for a ridiculous price.
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Feb 21, 2013 23:49
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pastorrich posted:Dude I've heard stories alright I'VE HEARD STORIES!!! Yeah you'll run into a lot of cheap backpackers with tablets and netbooks. It's useful to be able to book your next stop online. I'd be more worried about someone else in the hostel taking it than I would be getting mugged for it.
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Feb 22, 2013 00:08
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Worst I have had happen in the last 6 months was someone taking $20 from my wallet when I got a massage. Still bitter about it because it was so obvious after it had happened. I even thought about it just before it happened but didn't trust my gut feeling. At least he left me $10 to pay for my massage. If anything it validates my belief that not carrying a lot of cash is a good thing,
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Feb 22, 2013 00:21
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Rain! yay?
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Feb 22, 2013 01:11
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Sheep-Goats posted:It's fine no one cares. Unless it's an Apple whatever. Then it'll probably get stolen. This thread is an amazing source of info, but I swear to god ReindeerF I can't believe how patient you are. We need to have a "wall of paranoid tourist goons" in the OP. If someone can make a silly photoshop avatar of "sheltered farang" I will definitely change the next person's avatar when they ask this question. I'm just bitter that I lost my cell phone in a cab and couldn't do Bangkok goon meet because I was over relying on technology instead of the old fashion "set a meet up point and time" 
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Feb 22, 2013 03:59
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Crivens posted:I'd be more worried about someone else in the hostel taking it than I would be getting mugged for it. caberham posted:This thread is an amazing source of info, but I swear to god ReindeerF I can't believe how patient you are. We need to have a "wall of paranoid tourist goons" in the OP. If someone can make a silly photoshop avatar of "sheltered farang" I will definitely change the next person's avatar when they ask this question. I'm just bitter that I lost my cell phone in a cab and couldn't do Bangkok goon meet because I was over relying on technology instead of the old fashion "set a meet up point and time" ReindeerF fucked around with this message at 04:09 on Feb 22, 2013 |
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Feb 22, 2013 04:05
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