Asian Virgin!

Tuser

I figured a catchy title would insure plenty of replies . Im going travelling Asia for the first time. I intend to go to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 2 months but im a little green about the whole experience. Iv never been to a non westernised country and just dont know what to expect. Is it enough to land at bankok airport with just a travel guide under my arm. Start pointing and hope to find hostels and trips/treks this way or does it require more thought/preparation and booking. Any advice or previous experiences welcome, thanks!!

adrian522

Yeah, I think the best way is just to arrive without any definite plan and see how you go!

Youll have a great time. How long are you going for?

ferdi

a few things to remember:

1)EVERYONE is trying to rip you off. they're not assholes, its just you are a rich westerner and the vast majority of them are dirt poor.

2)always haggle, dont be embarrased, its expected. appart from restaurants, bars, hotels etc

3)Read up on EVERYTHING before you leave but dont rely totally on your lonley planet guide book or you will miss out alot on authenticity. it really isnt enough to arrive without a clue, you will end up loosing alot of money and time. Inform yourself completely about society, culture, dangers, customs etc.

4)give yourself a daily budget and stick to it rigidly. things are very very cheap over there and its very easy to start splurging wildly.

5)you cannot really imagine what poverty is until you go there, the ecomomic gap between you and the locals is so unbelievably vast...you wont really understand til you get there.

6) in relation to point '1'. most people will come across as extremely friendly, from my experience, this is mainly because they want your money, be cautious but polite.

7) plan your time. you could easily spend 2 months in thialand alone and not realise it. but dont stretch it, make sure you have a decent amount of time in each place.

8)Vice. you will be offered everything in south east asia. everything. there are hookers, pimps, touts and dealers everywhere and they will come up to you in the street constantly. if its not your thing just avoid eye contact, keep walking and keep saying 'no'. if you are looking for this kind of stuff, seek it out yourself. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION.

i'll ad more as i think of it

PunyHuman

Ease yourself into the experience! You don't want it to hurt the first time *ahem*

So in contrast to adrian522, I would absolutely recommend sorting out somewhere to stay in Bangkok before you arrive. Maybe splurge a bit on a decent hotel - because it's your first experience, and you're just off a long flight, you don't want the additional stress of trying to sort out accomodation on spec and maybe ending up in some rotten fleapit down the Khao San Road.

And in contrast to ferdi, I always found that eye contact coupled with smiles and laughs and a great deal of 'no thank yous' while walking away were the best policies when dealing with touts.

And I would recommend Cambodia and Laos over Thailand or Vietnam any day.

nj23

Just been to thailand once but my advice would be to book a hotel in bangkok for the first night or two depending how long you are intending to stay there and after that wing it.
It is the easiest place to move around no matter what way you want to travel. just ask in your hotel or at tourist information but again haggle and try to make sure you not being ripped off.

dublinication

I agree with Punyhuman about dealing with touts. Smile, make eye contact and say no. These people are trying to make a living like everyone else and a little politeness goes a long way. The only people I'm not polite to are the pimps. If you ever stop to chat with a tout/street seller and listen to their story you look at them in a different light

Other travelers are the best soure of information ; often travelers on the road have the best and most up to date info on places to go, places to stay and avoid. The Lonely Planets are all right but they leave a whole lot out, especially the S.E. Asia on a shoestring one. You can pick up photocopied copies of all the LPs for a few $ in Bangkok/PP/HCMC etc.

Thailand is both a good place and a bad place to start. Its the capital of the backpacker world and everything there is easier than other countries but at the same time its lost something of its authenticity. I'd reccomend spending more time in Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam and even Yunnan/Guizhou/Guangxi in China and less time in Thailand. Better yet the Philippines where there are very few tourists, everyone speaks English, the people are amongst the friendliest in the world and there are thousands of tropical islands.

jdc78

I think it really all depends on how you're travelling - are you thinking backpacking and hostels or hotels and organised travel?

I worked in Bangkok for 18 months in 1999-2000 and had a brilliant time however South East Asia is a place you either love or hate, especially the cities. If you've never been to a non western country you are in for a real culture shock that takes some time to getting used to, for some their patience quickly wear thin and they pass judgment all too soon having not given, what I consider to be one of the most interesting and exciting places in the world, a fair chance.

As mentioned, you will be haggled for everything from taxis taking you places you don’t want to go, to girls pimping themselves on to you (in that respect, just make sure they’re in fact women) but this is all part of the experience. Be on your guard but take everything with a grain of salt. This is Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar…thus, leave your misconceptions and western attitudes at the door and try and immerse yourself into the culture.

Depending on your age and your preferences in travel I would suggest going to Khao San Road. Although I despise everything about it, I do think it is an excellent place for the solo traveler to meet other likeminded people and possibly people you may carry on your travels throughout S.E. Asia with – hence, why I wouldn’t necessarily have a set itinerary. Go with the flow. You’re going to meet all sorts of people and hooking up with others is all part of traveling.

A few things I would recommend in Bangkok is to only use Khao San Road as a place to sleep. Get your food from one of the many road side stalls – don’t be shy, the Thais are only too happy to interact with you and sometimes, especially when away from the tourist areas, get a good laugh from farangs (foreigners) trying their dishes. Also, if you’re into night clubs, search out the Thai clubs. There is a strip in Bangkok called RCA (Radio City A? – I forgot what the A stood for). This is where the Thai kids all go for nights out and is usually a good laugh as are super clubs Hollywood not far away. If you’re into a more posh Expat and local bar club, try Q Bar, Narcissus and Bed. One of my favorites is actually the Hard Rock Café in Siam Square which is a local haunt to 20 something thai’s and some great live bands. I recall one night there with my girlfriend (not a thai girl lol!) and dancing on the bar with the bar tenders.

If you’re into shopping, their shopping centre’s are massive and have everything you can imagine. I would also suggest heading to the weekend market which is the last stop on the new Skytrain – everything from football shirts to monkeys!

Outside of Bangkok there are so many places to go and see, from local tours to watch elephant football matches to the islands on the coast and gulf i.e. Koh Samui, etc. Years ago I thought Koh Samui was the be all and end all but having recently visited and seen a Starbucks, Lacoste outlet, etc. I was completely turned off, especially by the majority thinking they were reliving scenes from the movie The Beach. Fortunately I found Koh Samet which is about an hour outside of Pattaya and although it only has 3 or 4 bars, is probably one of my favorite places in Thailand.

Cambodia now is a whole different story to the point that at times, I was scared. Cambodia is new to tourism and as such there are still a number of instances of violent crime and corruption. The scenery is more or less the same as Thailand but the people are not as accommodating or welcoming. I think in time however, it will be a choice destination for anyone traveling in the area the one thing I did like about Cambodia is how cheap it was, unlike Thailand. Anyone who tells you Thailand is cheap, cheap, cheap is full of it.

Vietnam I’d say falls between Cambodia and Thailand in terms of being not as commercial as Thailand but not as primitive as Cambodia. The Vietnamese are extremely nice and if the Asia food is getting to you, then Vietnam will give you a nice change because of their French influence – Ho Chi Minh City has a number of French expats running some at par with Europe style cafes and bistros which I found stood out as being odd in Asia.

Vietnam has a lot of recent history which I found to be interesting from touring the Mekong delta to the kuching tunnels.

Laos and Myanmar …. Well, if you want more info on them, send me a PM.

Either way, go with an open mind, lots of street smarts and common sense and you’ll have a brilliant time.

TiwstaSista

Excellent info Jdc, you should seriously consider writing a book!

empirix

With no offence intended to jdc - Cambodia is now more expensive than Thailand for general living for a backpacker/tourist, accomodation and food is a lot more expensive now, i think jdc was there around 2000, i just got back from my second stint on Xmas eve, new hotels are going up in the main cities(if you call em that) especially Angkor, the Japanese have moved in and are promoting the ancient temples of Angkor big time in Japan, plane loads come in everyday, there are of course the small guesthouses but you will be paying at least US$6 a nite for a very basic room + shower, whilst in Thailand there a quite decent rooms around for this price. Cambodia is pretty safe now, of course there is a chance of getting robbed, especially in the capital Pnomh Penh(or however you spell it) but all in all i felt fine there.

I personally stayed around Khoa San rd in Bangkok because its the main backpacker hub, as i said you'll get a pretty decent place for around €4 a night. Around the Sukhumvit area/Siam square(where jdc was staying i imagine) you can find a decent guesthouse for around €10 a night right through to top hotels where you pay top dollar. Sukhumvit is the main area where all the decent shopping emporiums are (non counterfit, although those emporiums are there too) designer goods in the shop will be just over half the price you'd pay here, but if your a backpacker you probably won't be hitting these kinda places except maybe for a look)
Jdc was spot on about the night scene in Bangkok, you'll figure it out. Stop in and have a pint in the Dubliner on a saturday afternoon in the Sukhumvit, just off Soi 11, can meet some good folks there and have a good laugh, i don't really like the layout of the place but the people make up for it though.

JDC was right also about Vietnam, so i'll leave that. But the jewel in the crown is LAOS - class and not much tourism around yet, this is a peaceful, friendly and truly wonderful place - gotta check it out.

Make sure you have medical vaccinations and travel insurance, Thailand has good medical facilities, probably better than here(for the people that can afford it), Vietnam is okish, but Cambodia and LAOS are not so good,Cambodia probably being the worst, but don't let that put you off, just be wise and look after yourself well, common sense simple common sense

Enjoy - i might even see you there

BTW A great way to meet people is to hit the pool table

gary the great

That is some of the best advice ive heard, thanks.

Got some questions, 3 of us going (lads) planning on flying to bangkok (cheapest flights 930euro thought i cud get cheaper?), staying in a hotel for 3 nights to get over the get lag and settle in. Then were moving down towards the islands, we were think about going by bus and just stopping off at various places along the way until we get to the islands. then we planned on staying in beachuts which i heard are very cheap (a few euro a night). Then we wanted to travel to loas and vietnam (anyone recommed a route) again by bus.We have about 9 or 10 weeks.

Anyone give a rough guide on how much money we would need? Will accom be cheaper cos there is 3 of us sharing a room. What are experiences of taking the buses to places? we are totally open to ideas as this is in the very early planning stage and other advice etc will be appreciated.

Ps we are planning on going in July/august which is apparently monsoon season...is this such a good idea?

Thanks

jdc78

GtG,

Sounds like a great trip however, I'd suggest jumping a Bangkok Airways flight to the islands - not too expensive and you'll save a load of time, plus in my experience, I think the drive will take ages, if anything, take the train (overnight) and then a ferry. However, if you are planning Laos and Cambodia, you'll have a lot of backtracking if you go South to the islands first. I am a big fan of Koh Samet but for 3 guys, I'd suggest Samui, Pattaya, and Koh Phangan. As for the beach huts, they're not as cheap as you may think. I think it 2003 for a beach hut I paid about €25 a night and that was basic.

As for the Cambodia/ Laos route, I'd go into Cambodia first tavel down to Shinoukeville (south Cambodia) then head up to Phenom Penh, Angkor Wat and then jump a cheap flight or train to Laos. I'm sure there are number of other routes and I think the Lonely Planet guides will probably give you the best ideas!

Have fun. If you want some good clubs in BKK, let me know.

John

gary the great

Just checked out bangkok airlines and the flights are only 166euro, so will be availing of that option

So would it be better for us to stay in hostels rather than the beach huts? How much will they cost? Anyone got any answers on going in July/August with ergardss to monsoon or how much money we are likely to need?

Thanks again to those who reply.

Loco

jdc78 wrote:

I recall one night there with my girlfriend (not a thai girl lol!) and dancing on the bar with the bar tenders.

a hint of racism?!

whats sihanoukville like? i wanted to go there when i was in cambodia but never made it

jdc78

Shinookeville (sp?) was okay... very quiet and relaxing. Only one or two night spots but the Cambodians still were weary of foreigners so didn't feel the warmest of welcomes. If you are in Cambodia, I'd say check it out - things may have changed in the past couple of years.

Racism? I think not - years living down there, I certainly had my share of Asian.... delights? :rolleyes:

gary the great

Bumpty bump, anyone able to answer my questions

empirix

Phi Phi island is by far the best - my personal opinion. Phuket is good for a few days, Samui is ok too, Phangnan - personally i'd avoid it, the full moon party is only good in the summer months over there and then you still have to put up with the corruption from the police/locals and travel agents, not worth it, hit the other side i.e. PHI PHi and Phuket and then from there go into Laos.
You can get beach huts for around €4 -6 euro a night on these islands and add €2 on for high season, €24 a night will get you a damn fine place anywhere in Thailand, the "poster" above must of lived it up

Also, its damn hard to get to Vietnam without going through Cambodia overland, of course flying vercomes this, but if your going overland its gonna be a great adventure but i'd imagine quite tiring unless your doing it over a couple of months

anyways, enjoy

empirix

Phi Phi island is by far the best - my personal opinion. Phuket is good for a few days, Samui is ok too, Phangnan - personally i'd avoid it, the full moon party is only good in the summer months over there and then you still have to put up with the corruption from the police/locals and travel agents, not worth it, hit the other side i.e. PHI PHi and Phuket and then from there go into Laos.
You can get beach huts for around €4 -6 euro a night on these islands and add €2 on for high season, €24 a night will get you a damn fine place anywhere in Thailand, the "poster" above must of lived it up

Also, its damn hard to get to Vietnam without going through Cambodia overland, of course flying vercomes this, but if your going overland its gonna be a great adventure but i'd imagine quite tiring unless your doing it over a couple of months

Theres a hostel on Phi Phi which is quite cheap plus you'll meet a lot of people, Phuket not sure but i know there is at least one but a guesthouse would be fine here.
Monsoons, wouldnt worry about em.
As for flights, wait til you get to Bangkok and book em, i take it your hanging out there for a couple of days, you' should get a better deal there

anyways, enjoy

jdc78

http://www.kohsamui.org/hotels.html

If you do decide on Samui - stick to Lamai or Chaweng beaches.

As for the Thailand - Cambodia - Vietnam crossing... keep a heads up at the Vietnam/ Cambodia border. There will be guys in blue boiler suits that take your bags and you end up paying them a dollar or something. I refused and was yelled at by the bag guy and some official in what was either Cambodia or Vietnamese. I saw everyone else letting them take their bags so I let mine go.

When we got out exit stamps from Cambodia and were in 'no mans land' crossing into Vietnam, we went to grab out bags - that's when these guys asked for the money. I refused, grabbed my bag and started walking as did the other 5 that I was with. These guys grabbed one of the girls by the wrist and went for a swing at my friend (he's 6'4 and about 230lbs), sort of funny watching a 5 foot nothing take a swing but it was obvious we weren't getting out of the situation without paying - this I took was the norm.

Also expect long waits (3 hours) once in Vietnam to get your VISA stamped, which by the way you will need to get done in Thailand (easiest place -takes a day or so). There will be a few buses around that will take you into Ho Chi Minh City - a few hour journey if I remember correctly. Or if you meet some people, you can split an airconditioned mini bus for about 10 USD each. It was worth it after the border waits.