Last night I slept on the couch of a complete stranger after she picked me up from the city centre, we downed a glass of red and stayed up for the next 4 hours listening to music talking about books and travelling the world.
This may seem like a weird encounter and in a way it was…but it was one we both had volunteered for. I had only just heard about couch surfing a week earlier after reading an article about the ups and downs of the web site. Some reports say that travellers have just stepped foot in the door and not before long their shirts are ripped off and they find themselves in the hots bed rather than on the couch. Other reports are being stranded in small towns by those that flake out at the last minute.
Filed under: Travel | Tags: Backpack, Backpacker, Embassy, Haggle, hostel, hotel, Pack, Tour, Travel
Just thought I would list some of the little tips I have picked up along my travels around this great earth.
Travel off-peak and weather wise.
If you’re not constrained by school holidays, kids or any work issues, traveling during off-peak periods can save you a lot of money. Flights, accommodation and attractions all drop in price during off peak times. Do your research though – some destinations have low seasons and religious holidays can mean everything’s closed once you get there.
Won’t Haggle!?!
The price you are quoted for your flights isn’t what you have to pay; it’s what they think they can get you to pay. Play hardball. Also whilst on the street trying to buy some souvenirs or catch a cyclo down a few blocks, don’t pay the first offer. However in retrospect don’t expect to pay the same as locals. Be generous, but not a sucker. (more…)
Filed under: Life, Music, Travel | Tags: Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Concert, Music, Sandbag, Sigur Ros, Travel, Vietnam
Well my tour in Vietnam was cancelled, Apparently Gecko’s were two people short of the minimal traveller requirement…but in a way I am kind of glad. Sure it means I will see less of the country but it gives me more freedom. Hell, I’m even thinking about taking a quick flight over to Cambodia to check out Angkor Wat and eat some deep fried spiders.
I don’t think money is going to be an issue seeing as I am very happy with my savings. On top of that, I have my tour refund and tax refund money. Things are looking up and I think I may be travelling very comfortable indeed.
Still waiting for my Sigur Ros tickets though, it will be a great concert to watch in Melbourne before I leave. I booked the tickets through “Sandbag” a UK based company, but it looks like they have been having lots of problems, so I would avoid them if I were you. Intially I was told I would be mailed the tickets a month before the concert (its in less then 3 weeks now), so I sent an email enquiring were they were. They have given me a tracking number but said “Your tickerts have been dispatched and the tracking number is XXXXXX…We’re just waiting to find out how/where you can track them“
So in other words, SAndbag are pretty useless and I’m hoping I can get my over priced tickets at all, let alone on time.
Filed under: Travel | Tags: Adapters, Baby Wipes, Back Pack, Backpack, backpacking, Dawn of the dead, Douglas Adams, Duct Tape, Ear Plugs, Eye Mask, hostel, hotel, iShuffle, list, Lonely Planet, Luggage, plane, Pncho, Towel, Travel, Vietnam
As I prepare to head off to Vietnam, I have scoured handfuls of lists of what to pack. So I decided to combine the lists I found and add some of my personal recommendations for what your back pack should contain.
Pack light. No, lighter!
If you are back packing, or planning on doing a lot of shopping whilst traveling – You must pack light! You will pick up trinkets here and there along the way and most countries have kitchen sinks so there is no need to bring your own. You should travel with your pack only half full if you intend to spend over one month abroad. Everything you need for your new climate will most likely be available at local markets and in most cases, a lot cheaper. (more…)
Filed under: Travel | Tags: America, Australia, British, Bug, California, England, Escape, Flight, Lonely, new years resolution, Passport, Planet, Travel, U.K., Vegas, Vietnam, Visa
I’ve caught the travel bug… No, I don’t mean in the sense I had some bad street food and I’m spending more hours in my bathroom then I am in bed. I feel the need to escape.
Last year I flew to the USA for 3 weeks and travel through California and finished it off with a week long trip to Vegas. (more…)
