Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Howdo Next month I'm off to go travelling for 5-7 years to various places which will include Asia, Australasia and North America/Canada, unless of course I settle somewhere permanently... Anyone done anything similar and have any advice? Has anyone on here got any plans in the future to do something similar? Am pretty much covered for Australia and New Zealand now, and know a lot about Thailand and Laos but would like to know more about Malaysia and Canada in particular? But would welcome any tips... Also, if you have been, how did you organise your money? Prepaid cards? Travellers cheques? Cheers
Jackirius Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 5-7 years, **** me. Hopefully i will be going for a year or so in around a year or so. Need to get planning in a few months.
Nick Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Howdo Next month I'm off to go travelling for 5-7 years to various places which will include Asia, Australasia and North America/Canada, unless of course I settle somewhere permanently... Anyone done anything similar and have any advice? Has anyone on here got any plans in the future to do something similar? Am pretty much covered for Australia and New Zealand now, and know a lot about Thailand and Laos but would like to know more about Malaysia and Canada in particular? But would welcome any tips... Also, if you have been, how did you organise your money? Prepaid cards? Travellers cheques? Cheers 5-7 years or months? I always kept my Travellers Cheques on me with some cash and my passport - all in a concealed holster strapped flat to my back - I never lost it or even gave it over while at knifepoint in Africa as nobody needed to know it was there. You can buy various money belts and stuff - I have always carried what looks like a wallet with my cards and a note or two in a zipped pocket - then carried my most valuable item in the world when abroad (British passport) & bulk of TC's somewhere concealed. Hope this helps, N. http://shop.packyour..._Belt_Bank.html The above link is to a belt - not the height of fashion but you can stuff it full of cash and be confident unless your trousers get nicked - it'll all be fine... also at the bottom of the page there is a wallet for passport and cash that can be attached to a belt or jean loop and hangs against boxers inside your jeans/shorts - get a water proof one though as it's too late when cliff jumping and thinking "balls phone and passport are still attached to me" whilst plummeting toward water.
Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Author Posted 27 July 2011 Yep years not a typo... its viewed as a minimum as I dont particularly want to come back to the UK so will try and get sponsored out in Oz or NZ... got working visas etc... Cheers for the tip Nick will deffo look into that!
Monk Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 For travel money I use FairFX, who do extremely good rates on pre paid mastercards. Travellers cheques are pretty dated these days IMO, just make sure you have a range of cards, almost all countries have pretty good ATM networks. I've been all over and never needed a money belt as such, though if you're crossing borders on foot it could be useful, also anywhere in Africa. Malaysia - spent a couple of weeks there earlier this year. KL is worth a couple of days but is choking in humidity and smog. Melaka/Melacca is a very cool place, lots of colonial history. Georgetown/Penang is also very cool. Spent a few days in the highlands too, where there's a pseudo british culture, tea farms etc. My blog posts on this: Melaka KL KL Highlands Canada is incredible, can't even begin to cover it all off. I did a rail trip from west to east. The only cities really worth seeing are Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec. When I was last there I did a trip up to the hudson bay to see polar bears. Highly recommended. Vancouver island is beautiful, and extremely chilled out. More blog posts: Vancouver Jasper some photos Train to the hudson bay Polar bears USA west coast & Vancouver island When are you off, and will you be doing a blog? Would be interested to follow your travels. Lots of other posts on my blog on the US, Bali, Singapore if you're interested. Also in terms of organisation, highly recommend you get TripIt pro, very good for keeping track of schedules etc. For staying in one place for a while, check out flipkey.com for house rentals. Lots of other good travel resources here: thrilling heroics One last point, if you will be flying a lot, make the most of mileage earning capabilities. No time to go into detail, but further reading on http://www.flyertalk.com/ and http://travelhacking.org/
purpleronnie Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Yep years not a typo... its viewed as a minimum as I dont particularly want to come back to the UK why?
Daggers Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 All of the countries mentioned have cashpoints. I cant believe that anyone would carry around enough money on them to cover them for 5 years. Many countries require evidence of money in a bank account in order to grant a visa.
Guest MattP Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 why? Because most of it is pretty vile now. I used to love it here but the more travelling I have done I have realised how awful it is. The west of the country is quite nice but as soon as you go past Gloucester there is nothing I really enjoy. The shires are ok but most town centres and surrounding areas are absolute dumps now. Just wish I could get a permamnent working visa for Australia as after going there I wouldnt want to live anywhere else but family stops me doing this for the time being. Deffo set up a blog if you do this, can;t see it lasting 7 years, you will fall in love with a place/person before the end of that and that will be your home, enjoy it, I only did Oz, US and europe but I would love to be able to do it all over again.
Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Author Posted 27 July 2011 Couple of useful replies and a typical reply from Daggers, expected no less really Yeah the 5-7 years is pretty much the ''worst case scenario'' as like MattP says, I really want to emigrate to OZ or NZ, if it happens it happens... As for why I dont want to come back, nothing against the UK, just better places out there
Daggers Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 As for why I dont want to come back, nothing against the UK, just better places out there Missing you already.
purpleronnie Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Because most of it is pretty vile now. I used to love it here but the more travelling I have done I have realised how awful it is. The west of the country is quite nice but as soon as you go past Gloucester there is nothing I really enjoy. The shires are ok but most town centres and surrounding areas are absolute dumps now. Just wish I could get a permamnent working visa for Australia as after going there I wouldnt want to live anywhere else but family stops me doing this for the time being. Deffo set up a blog if you do this, can;t see it lasting 7 years, you will fall in love with a place/person before the end of that and that will be your home, enjoy it, I only did Oz, US and europe but I would love to be able to do it all over again. You crazy, most of it is beautiful, believe me I have travelled and lived throughout the world and britain for me is the best place to live, there are bad areas in every country I've lived, but when it comes to the countryside, the people, you cant beat these isles. Don't believe the hype, we're only too quick to knock this country unaware that practically every country has the same problems. The only downside...the weather, but having lived in houston give me our climate anyday. Plus I couldn't imagine permanently living away from my family.
Houdini Logic Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Go to the Malaysian highlands but avoid KL and the major cities - I found them disappointing and unfriendly compared to the rest of Asia. The highlands are amazing though. Make sure you go to Indonesia - it's something else. Whatever you do, don't take Malaria tablets - they mess your head up. Get a taxi price before you go anywhere, if they say the meter isn't working then get out (though they usually magically start working before you get out completely). Take the underground/overground city trains everywhere - they're pennies and way above the standard we're used to. If someone comes up to your chalet/hostel and asks if you want drugs tell them to fook off - all over Asia they work with the dodgy police who will come round straight away, fine you a ridiculous amount and split the profits. Full moon party in Ko Phangan is about the only safe place, if you're into that In Asia you can buy Yakult in most places and one a day pretty much keeps your stomach ticking over. Imodium instants are a godsend but too many reverse the effects! Also, make sre you take pictures of the LCFC merchandise in the Thai airport
Houdini Logic Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Because most of it is pretty vile now. I used to love it here but the more travelling I have done I have realised how awful it is. The UK includes the highlands of Scotland, so you're technically wrong Never been to a more beautiful place
Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Author Posted 27 July 2011 Go to the Malaysian highlands but avoid KL and the major cities - I found them disappointing and unfriendly compared to the rest of Asia. The highlands are amazing though. Make sure you go to Indonesia - it's something else. Whatever you do, don't take Malaria tablets - they mess your head up. Get a taxi price before you go anywhere, if they say the meter isn't working then get out (though they usually magically start working before you get out completely). Take the underground/overground city trains everywhere - they're pennies and way above the standard we're used to. If someone comes up to your chalet/hostel and asks if you want drugs tell them to fook off - all over Asia they work with the dodgy police who will come round straight away, fine you a ridiculous amount and split the profits. Full moon party in Ko Phangan is about the only safe place, if you're into that In Asia you can buy Yakult in most places and one a day pretty much keeps your stomach ticking over. Imodium instants are a godsend but too many reverse the effects! Also, make sre you take pictures of the LCFC merchandise in the Thai airport Cool cheers for the advice some useful tips... yeah going FMP, I rarely drink so i'll be the only half-sober person there out of 20-000 people! Unfortunately wont be able to get to Indonesia this time round but hopefully in the future at some point! Will try and find some bars with the leicester games on whilst in Thai
Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Author Posted 27 July 2011 You crazy, most of it is beautiful, believe me I have travelled and lived throughout the world and britain for me is the best place to live, there are bad areas in every country I've lived, but when it comes to the countryside, the people, you cant beat these isles. Don't believe the hype, we're only too quick to knock this country unaware that practically every country has the same problems. The only downside...the weather, but having lived in houston give me our climate anyday. Plus I couldn't imagine permanently living away from my family. Its upto personal experiences and opinions really... dont gte me wrong I love the UK, its a great place, but its not the lifestyle I want to live... and to be fair the weather isn;'t a reason why im going, I love NZ and thats very similar in some parts its tough leaving the family and friends but i dont want a life of regrets... Good post though!
dave the caveman Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 What are you looking for that you think might take you seven years to find? Once you get past the surface differences (which takes a few hours), UK/Oz/NZ/US/Canada is all pretty much the same gravy. The only reason I'd move away from the UK to any of those places is for the weather or if I was offered a substantial pay rise. Asia is more interesting but you'll struggle to earn a living there unless you are a very savvy entrepreneur or you have the credentials and/or contacts to get a work permit.
Guest MattP Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 You crazy, most of it is beautiful, believe me I have travelled and lived throughout the world and britain for me is the best place to live, there are bad areas in every country I've lived, but when it comes to the countryside, the people, you cant beat these isles. Don't believe the hype, we're only too quick to knock this country unaware that practically every country has the same problems. The only downside...the weather, but having lived in houston give me our climate anyday. Plus I couldn't imagine permanently living away from my family. Same boat on the last line. All about personal preference but I just seem to enjoy myself far more when I am in Germany than England, I find it far more relaxed and the people just seem far happier. Agree with you on the countryside, ours is wonderful. The UK includes the highlands of Scotland, so you're technically wrong Never been to a more beautiful place Been meaning to go for years and never got round to it, it looks absolutely stunning from the pictures I have seen.
Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Author Posted 27 July 2011 What are you looking for that you think might take you seven years to find? Once you get past the surface differences (which takes a few hours), UK/Oz/NZ/US/Canada is all pretty much the same gravy. The only reason I'd move away from the UK to any of those places is for the weather or if I was offered a substantial pay rise. Asia is more interesting but you'll struggle to earn a living there unless you are a very savvy entrepreneur or you have the credentials and/or contacts to get a work permit. Im not looking for anything in particular... yes I want to see a bit of the world, and those places mentioned in particular but im not doing it for love nor money... you cant take possessions with you when you die... nothing ventured nothing gained and all that!
dave the caveman Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 you cant take possessions with you when you die... nothing ventured nothing gained and all that! Definitely mate. Good luck, you'll have an awesome time.
themotivator Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 Just when things are starting to look up? good luck to you though mate. sounds like an adventure to me
Tomassi Posted 27 July 2011 Author Posted 27 July 2011 thanks guys and yeah gutted to be missing citys promotion push but maybe i could sneak in a quick return flight to the playoff final
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 27 July 2011 Posted 27 July 2011 If you need any advice on OZ (the country not the poster) give us a buzz on here. You travelling alone or with mates or Girlfriend?
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