Dom's Travelling thread!

domthecondom · 21 May 2013 at 10:37

tres said:
Do you really need a laptop? Internet cafe's are found throughout the countries, usually with card readers etc for you to do your bits.

I would only want to take a laptop for Lightroom photo editing.

I don't fancy coming back to the UK with 6 months worth of photos to edit

.

So Passport is sorted, just need to wait 5-6 weeks....as it gets Printed in Berlin. Then when I get an E-mail, I need to send my current passport away and wait for the London Embassy to send my new one.

Also created a Spec me a laptop thread.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24314460#post24314460 feel free to SPEC away

RD123 · 21 May 2013 at 11:10

I traveled from Thailand to Laos in the cheapest way possible, I went from Chiang Mai but there may be a closer destination depending on your route around Thailand, as I went to Laos to return to the south islands of Thailand. But needless to say as it was cheap, it took a long time, something like 23 hours, swapping from an air conditioned minibus to an OLD bus, with no toilet, which broke down in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere..but all part of the all part of the adventure right? Thailand can be done very easily without flying from place to place, getting a train or a boat for around £10-£20. New Zealand will be expensive but Asia will be cheap and your money should go far.

domthecondom · 21 May 2013 at 17:42

Once I get to Thailand....i don't want to fly for a VERY long time

I will show you the route i plan to take soon from thailand that is

TommyV · 21 May 2013 at 17:56

domthecondom said:
Good times, that is what I like to hear which "tour" did you take? I have booked the Funky Chicken but upgrading to a "The Whole Kit & Caboodle" for an extra $314.00

Honestly don't remember, but I did the bay of islands, and a huge loop of the north island, then all the stops down to queenstown. Finished my tour there to party for the week and a half and skipped kaikora/christchurch and flew straight from qtown > auckland so I could get to bangkok!

TommyV · 21 May 2013 at 17:59

RD123 said:
I traveled from Thailand to Laos in the cheapest way possible, I went from Chiang Mai but there may be a closer destination depending on your route around Thailand, as I went to Laos to return to the south islands of Thailand. But needless to say as it was cheap, it took a long time, something like 23 hours, swapping from an air conditioned minibus to an OLD bus, with no toilet, which broke down in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere..but all part of the all part of the adventure right? Thailand can be done very easily without flying from place to place, getting a train or a boat for around £10-£20. New Zealand will be expensive but Asia will be cheap and your money should go far.

Amen to that, the dirty, dinjy and almost worrying journeys around SEA are what makes it all part of the experience

New Zealand - Expect to pay the same going rates for things as in the UK. It's Australia where you'll spend some serious dosh.

I got through 4k GBP in 9 weeks in OZ, and 3k in 4 weeks in NZ, BUT that was completely smashing it!

Only spent 2k or so in SEA over the 7 weeks I was there (although some may deem that as a lot cause you certainly can do it on the cheap!), again that was completely smashing it some more and drinking most, if not every evening with friends made.

Damn, reading the above makes you realise how much money I spent, but there is not a single regret, you'll have the time of your life!

RD123 · 24 May 2013 at 11:06

Sounds good! There's something about Traveling that makes you suddenly change and not care about certain things! That 23 hour bus journey was disgusting, but at the time we laughed about it, here in England I probably would not find it so funny! A lot of people in NZ do the Kiwi Tours, as a cheaper alternative to see and explore NZ. 4K seems a lot but then it's all part of the experience, with priceless memories!

domthecondom · 25 May 2013 at 11:40

Argh guy...you lot are hyping me up

Ant84 · 25 May 2013 at 22:40

I'm thinking of doing SE Asia in a few months time. I'm looking to visit a few places in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Kuala Lumpur and possibly Tokyo if I can stretch the budget that far.

Found some cheap(ish) return flights with Lufthansa on the A380 from Manchester>Singapore. Is that a good starting point for the trip? How long would you seasoned travellers recommend spending on the entire trip? I thought 6-7 weeks maybe but didn't know if that'd be too short.

domthecondom · 25 Jun 2013 at 22:22

Well booked my hostel in Auckland for 2 nights until the KIWI bus picks me up

domthecondom · 18 Aug 2013 at 14:32

finally sorted my Australian Visa. Still need my jabs, laptop, travel bag and new camera bag....leaving it all last minute. DOH

[TW]Fox · 18 Aug 2013 at 15:07

domthecondom said:
finally sorted my Australian Visa.

I bet that was an ordeal, it takes 4 minutes online and you get accepted 20 seconds later

How long until you go?

ahar · 18 Aug 2013 at 18:16

Very jealous. 10 years ago me and the missus did the same and went off to south america for 6 months (with a little time in NZ as well).

Now have house, kids etc. May do it again when we pack them off to uni!

domthecondom · 4 Sep 2013 at 18:36

I go in 6 weeks sorry for the reply....and yes I am to lazy to spend 4 minutes filling out an online form haha

I leave work in 3 weeks today.....first time I will be unemployed since i was 18.

domthecondom · 26 Sep 2013 at 14:54

Left work

2.5 weeks to go

domthecondom · 13 Oct 2013 at 19:13

Leaving Tomorrow at 3am

. Nearly packed, ready to go

Flying Bristol to Amsterdam
5 hour wait
Amsterdam to Taipei (overnight stay as the moved one flight back)
Taipei to Auckland (will arrive on the 17th there)

Raymond Lin · 13 Oct 2013 at 19:17

Good luck!

Don't forget your passport!

Shicky · 13 Oct 2013 at 21:47

bah my travelling to NZ has been delayed as the missus is too ill right now, dying to get out there though, well jealous! Enjoy yourself mate and make the most of it

ikillbears · 14 Oct 2013 at 00:02

best of luck

domthecondom · 14 Oct 2013 at 08:52

Flight 1 done, I am in Amsterdam, but no time for a special coffee

. Well i got time but I don't want to get tired and lazy and miss my flight. I have slept about 5 hours since friday.....god knows how i am still awake.

domthecondom · 15 Oct 2013 at 14:55

After 29 hours in Transit I made it to Taipei.

As China-air moved my flight from Taipei to Auckland back by 24 hours, I got a free 2 bedroom Room in the Novotel and 3 x Free food (2 x dinner 1 x lunch).

Took a Taxi ride to Taipei City and went up the 101 Tower. Stunning view at night, 2 bad that all the pictures show the reflection from the dirty window

.

I didn't get much time to do anything other than that, Its about 21:20 and i am trying to stay up to fight the jet lag ( and the sleep deprivation I had since going out for 1 to many on Friday)

I will upload some photos later......