So I totes want to travel impulsively

I don't really know why or what put the idea in my head (okay I'm lying it was an episode of How I Met Your Mother) but tonight I was struck with the urge to impulsively go somewhere. Start the year off with something I've never done before!

The only problem is: I don't have THAT much money in my savings, and I can't wipe out my savings either. I'm also going on a small trip just interstate with friends in early Feb -- only it doesn't satiate my wanderlust because it's not to somewhere that different.

So with it in mind that I don't want to go for too long and I want to travel on the cheaps, I was thinking somewhere awesome in Asia. Not a big city (though I could get free accom in Hong Kong depending on when I go -- thank you, relatives), but a Thailand or something. What do I do? What do I look at? What should I think about?

um

if you aren't coming to the us, why do I care?

Goto a village in Laos and stay there forever

Get on a plane that will crash.

Find somewhere that is known for being a tourist place and go off season. Things will be incredibly cheaper and you won't have to deal with all the annoying tourists.

go to bangkok phuket or dongsex and higher/become a tranny prostitute

hire

man up and go backpacking wherever you want

gotta be able to live off of pretty much nothing, though

Yeah that is good advice actually. My friend recently went round Europe with just a backpack. Just stay in camping sites, squats and bed and breakfasts.

Might not be the best nights sleep you've had, but it will be an experience for sure, which is what you're looking for, right?

I'm sorry I can't give you any good advice about backpacking, because it's something I want to do, but haven't got around to yet. It's tough to backpack when the snow is up to knees and winter has just started.

If you need backpacking advice, let me know. I've been on multiple backpacking trips in the last ten years, many 80-100 mile trips. Its not very hard, you just have to get used to carrying 60+ lbs. on your back at all times. Totally worth it though.

Yeah that's what my friend said, its not that bad apart from carrying a lot of shit on your back all the time lol.
I wouldn't do it, I'll just go on a normal holiday thanks. But that's me. It sounded like a lot of fun and interesting times though.

in b4 we see a video of jem being sodomized by a burmese pirate on youporn

on reflection posting this in flames was not a good idea

oh phew i didn't!

I guess I am not out to backpack, exactly, because I haven't the courage and traveller's savvy. I just want to stay on a beach somewhere for really cheap. It doesn't have to be that Asiaish area, but it's the closest to Australia and so the cheapest.

I guess I could consider NZ, but it's not different enough.

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Originally Posted by gwahir

on reflection posting this in flames was not a good idea

oh phew i didn't!

I guess I am not out to backpack, exactly, because I haven't the courage and traveller's savvy. I just want to stay on a beach somewhere for really cheap. It doesn't have to be that Asiaish area, but it's the closest to Australia and so the cheapest.

I guess I could consider NZ, but it's not different enough.

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If you're looking for a beach, there's amazing beaches everywhere depending on what you're looking for. Are you planning on doing anything special while you're there? Or are you just looking for a place to sit on the beach all day and chill?

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Originally Posted by gwahir

on reflection posting this in flames was not a good idea

oh phew i didn't!

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flames can't contain the fire :hobs:

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Originally Posted by gwahir

though I could get free accom in Hong Kong depending on when I go -- thank you, relatives

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hong kong life relies on public transportation so regardless of where you stay, you should be able to tour the whole city, including the more secluded areas, conveniently

not the season for beaches though

if your thinking thailand then deff. go to phuket. i went febuary of 06 and let me tell you it was fucking amazing, they literally have elephants INSIDE the hotel lobby. The hotel I stayed at was like, almost similar in layout to a school, except a lot of it was open on top. It had walls but no ceiling.

thailand is A++ if you ask me.

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Originally Posted by Sion

if your thinking thailand then deff. go to phuket. i went febuary of 06 and let me tell you it was fucking amazing, they literally have elephants INSIDE the hotel lobby. The hotel I stayed at was like, almost similar in layout to a school, except a lot of it was open on top. It had walls but no ceiling.

thailand is A++ if you ask me.

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giant animals in your hotel! no roof! the place you sleep seems institutionalized!

A++ would never vacation there again

Come to America.

Post on our uncensored internets.

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Originally Posted by Sion

thailand is A++ if you ask me.

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especially if you want to have sex with people that are at all points on the male-female spectrum.

Or all points of the 12-19 age range

Fly out of Sydney. May I recommend Oceanic Airlines flight 815? Preferably a seat in the midsection of the plane.


In all seriousness, you don't sound like someone that travels extensively. As much as I would recommend backpacking, I don't think just going out there into the wild on your first try is ever really the best course of action. Then again, you don't want to enter a country looking for all the same amenities you so enjoy at home. In your case I would or "hotel hop". In-country travel will be cheap if you can negotiate a price up front.

Personally I would recommend Thailand. It's a beautiful country, but the people are amazing too. I've heard some amazing Thailand stories like going to the religious ceremonies and eating larvae.

Mind you, you need to be off the beaten path. Which is, unfortunately, much of the beach land. Thailand can be a cesspool of tourists and pedophile men from all over the world. It can be the most disgusting dirty place you'll ever experience with the child pornography rackets and the yabaa, but it can inversely be stunning.

The beaches are beautiful but often overrun by tourists which in your case may help you adjust to your surroundings better than being in the middle of no where with no Thai language.

If you do head to Thailand you have to try the Dragonfruit and Mangosteen and tell me how they are. I've tried the dried and freeze-dried alternatives but I would love to hear what the real thing tasted like.

If you can manage getting from Bangkok to Suratthanni, Suratthanni to Nantong, Nantong to Chaweng for less than 400 baht, take the deal.

Traveling alone can be daunting but I trust you are a more than capable traveler.

In respect to what you should think about... it really depends if you want to backpack make sure you have the necessary items to do so. Otherwise look at hotels or hostels or couches in a given area.

In relation to this topic, I saw that Jem actually has friends tonight.

Don't be a puss. Blow your savings on an impulsive trip. That's why it's impulsive.

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Originally Posted by TheOriginalGrumpySpy

If you do head to Thailand you have to try the Dragonfruit and Mangosteen and tell me how they are. I've tried the dried and freeze-dried alternatives but I would love to hear what the real thing tasted like.

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i had some fresh mangosteen when i was in india years ago. honestly all i can remember is that it had the taste of a generic tropical pulpy fruit like jackfruit or lychee.

also, i've seen fresh dragonfruit here in the US grocery stores surprisingly often considering how unusual of a fruit it is. i have had that before as well, and i remember it having a bit of an almost citrus-y tang to it, surprising for the white colored flesh with little black seeds.

finally, there are some asian food stores here in the DC area that sell fresh mangosteen.

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Originally Posted by TheOriginalGrumpySpy

Traveling alone can be daunting but I trust you are a more than capable traveler.

In respect to what you should think about... it really depends if you want to backpack make sure you have the necessary items to do so. Otherwise look at hotels or hostels or couches in a given area.

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um... okay so wait. backpacking alone in a 3rd world country is simply NOT something you should attempt if you have not traveled before.

I'm not understanding why you can't blow your savings, either... You are 18 what the fuck are you saving for that you can't acquire through debt?

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Originally Posted by Atmosfear

I'm not understanding why you can't blow your savings, either... You are 18 what the fuck are you saving for that you can't acquire through debt?

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Really? Did you forget his nationality?

Go to Bali. Every bogan will be there to cheer you on!

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Originally Posted by sycld

um... okay so wait. backpacking alone in a 3rd world country is simply NOT something you should attempt if you have not traveled before.

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I think traveling alone in general is bad if it is your first time, but yeah backpacking especially in 3rd world is not something you should do at all.

I know I sorta went back on what I was saying, but if he really wants to do it he might as well be prepared.

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Originally Posted by captain castle

Really? Did you forget his nationality?

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I assume that Australians give money away cheaper than in America because they are dirty socialists.

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Originally Posted by Atmosfear

I assume that Australians give money away cheaper than in America because they are dirty socialists.

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Touche


But he's also jewish

double posting between here and facebook makes for some risky business

I hear Gaza is nice right now.

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Originally Posted by Atmosfear

I'm not understanding why you can't blow your savings, either... You are 18 what the fuck are you saving for that you can't acquire through debt?

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Because I have so little, and need to keep something for the big trip I do want to do.

I'll be leaving about a grand in the savings. Using that will bring my budget up for this trip, but not enough to be worth taking it away from the next trip, or getting my own place, or whatever it is I spend my money on next.

Also, my dad was bad with money his whole life and never saved very well, and now we're poor people. So I have a discomfort about spending my savings.

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Originally Posted by gwahir

Because I have so little, and need to keep something for the big trip I do want to do.

I'll be leaving about a grand in the savings. Using that will bring my budget up for this trip, but not enough to be worth taking it away from the next trip, or getting my own place, or whatever it is I spend my money on next.

Also, my dad was bad with money his whole life and never saved very well, and now we're poor people. So I have a discomfort about spending my savings.

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Act, don't think. You won't regret it while you're in Thailand or Azerbaijan.

Saving at 18 is stupid. Saving at 23 makes sense.

Take it from a 22 year old.

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Originally Posted by jack burden

Act, don't think. You won't regret it while you're in Thailand or Azerbaijan.

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he'll regret it when he comes back

start going to parts of your town and surrounding area where you've never been

My vote goes out to either the Philippines or Thailand. I've never been to thailand, but I've heard some pretty crazy stories come out of there. I've been the Philippines, Angeles city. I've got to tell you, it's like vegas, but cheaper and without the casinos and chapels. So basically it's just bars and brothels.

EDIT: Also, I'm interesting in going to AU. What are some good places to visit? As far and bars/clubs/nightlife? Also, what is the drinking age down under? I'm assuming 18, but I'd like to be sure.

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Originally Posted by hobitopia

EDIT: Also, I'm interesting in going to AU. What are some good places to visit? As far and bars/clubs/nightlife? Also, what is the drinking age down under? I'm assuming 18, but I'd like to be sure.

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Sydney is the big tourist thing, but Melbourne's nightlife makes Sydney's look paltry. The country's famous bars and clubs are here in Melbourne, as well as the best of the music scene.

Drinking age is 18, but it's so relaxed that if you're 17 and somewhere private or under supervision of an adult (over 18) then drinking is completely fine.

Also, you could come visit okinawa, although there's really not that much to do here. Unless of course you don't mind running into American service members EVERYWHERE.

hey you could come to nova scotia and be snowed into a house for a couple days while you wait for a snow plow to clear your driveway