Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bobbyhanlon]

hi,
i don't have huge money (or really any money), and i would like to go somewhere pretty quiet and idyllic for maybe 3 months, where i can work on a novel. my ideal place would have a bed, a shower, an internet connection and preferably no nasty insects, and my ideal location would have sunshine, sea, and a lack of violent crime. i don't want to live like a hermit exactly, but i'm definitely not looking for somewhere to get wasted or laid every night.

so: travel experts, if you were in this situation, where would you go? and how much do you think it would cost you?
thanks very much!

[tfunk]

Don't know about insects, but Luang Prabang in Laos is very laid back and has a good(IMHO) bookstore where you can rent books.

3 months is a long time to stay in one place, but if you want to knock out a novel then Luang Prabang doesn't have a lot of distractions.

If you enter from Thailand via the river then I advise bringing a comfy seat cushion.

It doesn't have the sea, but it has the river.

If you're hooked on the sea, then the islands around Koh Samui (Thailand) have a lot to offer. It's coming into hot, sweaty and sticky season soon in both places.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYck1-duuWA

Cat Ba island in Vietnam is also idyllic and Hanoi (Hannoying) is nearby (I didn't like Hanoi).

Regarding price

Luang Prabang can be quite expensive to get to, compared with Thailand.

If you're looking for a cheap overall package then flying into Bangkok and then getting a bus to Koh Samui is relatively inexpensive. You can also read on the bus! You can get to Luang Prabang by plane (usually expensive), bus or a bus/boat combination. The bus would be cheapest, but also longest.

If you aren't going to be going wild, then 15 dollars a day will get you comfortable board, local style food and a bit to spend on tickets etc.

I've heard of people living off $4 dollars a day, so I guess it depends on what type of person you are.

I'm not sure how the recent economical situation has affected the relative mileage of the dollar/won in the region, so hopefully somebody with recent experience can give you some advice.

Excluding airfare, 1,200 dollars is enough to get by comfortably for three months in Luang Prabang. Things may have changed since I was last there.

[dmbfan]

OP,


You should consider Koh Chang in Thailand......or, the few islands near it It is on the East side of Thailand, near Cambodia.


Perfect place, man.


dmbfan

[Bibbitybop]

Bali. Do your research to see if it suits you. Head to the rain forests, mountains or remote coasts.

[bobbyhanlon]

all great suggestions so far, thanks a lot guys!

[itaewonguy]

some of the places suggest are over run with Back packers! so if thats your scene then great. rememeber those places are tourist areas so expect to pay prices for a single hotel suite!

best best is visit either laos or thailand but travel down the coast to some sleepy village not on the tourist map.. there you will find VERY cheap lodgings, cheap food and quiet beaches with super friendly people..

about Crime! well just have your wits about yourself.
remember to keep your laptop locked at the front desk safe when not in the room, remember to back up all your work by emailing the docs to yourself or making cd back ups and not keeping it in your PC bag hahahaha

most crime in thailand, or laos etc is usually theft! they break into your hotel rooms and steal what is lying around!

but apart from that.. I think you can live on 3 grand for 3 months...
but as I said, you wont be able to do that undisturbed in the tourist areas
on that budget...