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Flash Ipanema

Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:48 am Post subject: China, Southeast Asia and...? |
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I can't decide where to go and when. I get a week vacation in April, but I was also planning on traveling a couple weeks after my contract ends. As it stands I'll be leaving at the end of June, but I may extend a month or three.
I want to visit China, Vietnam and Cambodia and figure while I'm in the area I should toss in Laos and Chang Mai (since I missed it when I was in Thailand). I have no concept of how long it takes to travel around or how much I'll be able to see. Or even want to see since I haven't done enough research to know the must-see places yet. I was originally planning on going to China for the week in April and the other countries when my contract ends. Now I'm wondering if I should tack China onto the other trip and go somewhere else in April. Any advice? |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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I travel very slowly so I worked and did China in 3 years. I just laugh when I see someone with one week and a another two week holiday talking about seeing so many places.
My short two week breaks give me enough time to shoot to Thailand sit on the beach for a few days and come back.
Save up some cash and spend at least a month or two cruising around after your contract. |
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Flash Ipanema

Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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D.D. wrote: |
I travel very slowly so I worked and did China in 3 years. I just laugh when I see someone with one week and a another two week holiday talking about seeing so many places.
My short two week breaks give me enough time to shoot to Thailand sit on the beach for a few days and come back.
Save up some cash and spend at least a month or two cruising around after your contract. |
Well I don't have that luxury so I figure seeing a little is better than nothing. Anyone else? |
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cruisemonkey

Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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If you try and 'do' those five countries in a week, you won't see ANYTHING! |
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Flash Ipanema

Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:59 am Post subject: |
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I'm not trying to see them all in a week. I have a one week vacation in April and another couple weeks after my contract ends. |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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China for a week or two. Vietnam for a week or two. One week in China go to Beijing. Two weeks in China- Hk, Shenzhen, Guilin, Hainan, Macau. Gaundzhou. |
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Flash Ipanema

Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:43 am Post subject: |
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What are the can't-miss sights in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos? How easy is it to travel between them? |
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curiousaboutkorea

Joined: 21 Jan 2009
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:25 am Post subject: |
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Flash Ipanema wrote: |
What are the can't-miss sights in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos? How easy is it to travel between them? |
You can't miss the crushing and depressing poverty in Cambodia, it's everywhere .
Seriously though, the can't-miss, big tourist sights are pretty standard.
Laos-Luang Prabang is the most popular, and is pretty interesting. But please, don't fall into the blackhole of Vang Viang, that place is horrible.
Cambodia-Angkor Wat of course. But honestly, I don't know much about Cambodia (or Laos).
Vietnam- It seems to be a love it or hate it kind of place. Well, I'm sure there's a number of people in between the 2 extremes. But, it does seem like a lot of people walk away hating the country.
That being said, I love Vietnam. I had the great opportunity of being there about 2 months. I really didn't enjoy Hoi An, it seemed like such a museum. I wasn't particularly fond of Hue either. Saigon is awesome, especially if you love street food. Hanoi is great, too. I like the Mekong Delta a lot. Don't do one of those quick tours out of Saigon (they're usually only 1,2 or maybe 3 days at most). Take it easy and slowly bounce around the region. My favorite region was the Northwest. Don't just go to Sapa. It's still a relatively undeveloped area, and relatively untouristed. The roads can be pretty gnarly, and local bus is the only plausible way of getting around. They're uncomfortable and very crowded. The scenery is fantastic though, and the hospitality and friendliness rival any of the other "friendliest countries". You'll be offered to drink tea, do shots of moonshine, and smoke the tobacco bong countless times. Go.
Hope I helped in maybe shedding some light. Good luck with your trip! |
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curiousaboutkorea

Joined: 21 Jan 2009
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:27 am Post subject: |
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D.D. wrote: |
I travel very slowly so I worked and did China in 3 years. I just laugh when I see someone with one week and a another two week holiday talking about seeing so many places.
My short two week breaks give me enough time to shoot to Thailand sit on the beach for a few days and come back.
Save up some cash and spend at least a month or two cruising around after your contract. |
Well aren't you just the coolest traveler on the block? You're such a globe trotter. How can I be as cool as you are? |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:36 am Post subject: |
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curiousaboutkorea wrote: |
D.D. wrote: |
I travel very slowly so I worked and did China in 3 years. I just laugh when I see someone with one week and a another two week holiday talking about seeing so many places.
My short two week breaks give me enough time to shoot to Thailand sit on the beach for a few days and come back.
Save up some cash and spend at least a month or two cruising around after your contract. |
Well aren't you just the coolest traveler on the block? You're such a globe trotter. How can I be as cool as you are? |
Wasn't trying to be cool , was just sharing the idea that seeing too many places in a short amount of time might not be ideal.
Man you got the cool thing down with talking about drinking moonshine and having bong hits. I bet you think smoking up is still cool and you brag about how many drinks you have.
I can imagine your trips sitting around in the cheapest dirty hostel smoking in the smokers room after you get up at 12. Your conversation would be " man I smoked so much last night and was so wasted can't even remember getting home"
I just think it's a shame that people travel too fast and was sharing my experience, sorry if I sounded too cool wasn't meant to be that way. |
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