Notice Handed In, I'm off to S.E. Asia (in a few months) with a dream about craft beer...

Nitefly said:
I'm sure shooting a gun is good fun, but handling a tool of death at the site where great atrocities took place and unfathomable misery endured... pass. It's so unappealing to me, it makes me question the morality of those that willingly do.

Making fun and games out of war is everywhere in society, especially in video games, but I draw the line at the above.
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Atrocities have taken place in most countries on this planet... shooting a gun at paper targets is still just shooting a gun at paper targets...
 
Ahleckz said:
I have no idea how one would set up a brewery in SE Asia but it might be fun, or a very expensive waste of time... I'll hopefully be able to answer that question one day.
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probably involves bribing the right people, establishing the right connections... probably would be a waste of money if you only sold it locally - would likely need to export to more expensive locations in Asia at least - lots to go wrong potentially
 
So, my girlfriend has confirmed that she's also coming which is awesome as it makes things cheaper and there'll be someone there on those lonely days when you want to do nothing and can't be bothered making friends.

She's pretty different to me, and quite the girly girl. She's already asked if she can use some of my baggage allowance as she'll need more than the 30kg Emirates offer! I'm planning on taking 15kg TOPS (more like 10kg) and have no intention of taking any of her gear. I think she's in for quite the shock, but hopefully it makes her rather than breaks her.

She wants to get flights booked ASAP, I'm waiting until March at the earliest as they are still pretty pricey. We're thinking about leaving around the 7th of May. (I suppose a Glasgow meet ought to be organised! The last one was epic).

Work have asked me what I want to stay, I've told them. Chances of it happening? 1%, but you don't ask you don't get! Haha.

So yea, tl;dr - The plan is still very much happening, but I've now got a partner to do it all with! A partner that doesn't like humidity, needs to straighten her hair each day and likes to wear a fair bit of makeup... This'll be interesting!
 
The point about craft beer is that it's low volume, quality over quantity and fast moving. This week IPA might be in, next week Porter or Stout

Craft beers are VERY popular in South Korea just now - friend of mine moved there 2 weeks ago to run a specialist bar.

If demand is anywhere near the same in Thailand you've got the right idea - get going.
 
Was lying on my couch the other day, when it sudden dawned on me that I leave the country in six weeks. My notice has been given into work, and they are fine with me leaving and have offered me my job back when/if I come back.

However, I have six weeks to completely decorate my flat, install new kitchen appliances, replace carpet/flooring and get it on the market to be sold. Thankfully, there's no mortgage and I'm in a position where I'm not too fussed what I get for it but I don't think I've got much time to get it all sorted. Especially since I work 6 days week and on the 18th April I'll be carless. Eeek!

So, now the stress has kicked in before the adventure. Lots to do, but can't wait to get over to Asia and explore.
 
Good luck to you mate. Love your attitude towards life, wish I could be the same!

Couldn't imagine giving up everything I own to go start again in a completely different country. Kudos :)
 
You can get health insurance which lasts as long as you want really. As long as you're able to get to Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur/Singapore you'll be OK though. I've heard some interesting stories about Cambodia dentists... A lot of basic tools but thankfully a lot of narcotics which gives you a sense of calm!

As per giving everything up. I pretty much am. I've got a small Kangoo van 1/3rd full and that's pretty much everything I own bar a TV, computer and two Tannoy Speakers which will be distributed amongst my friends for 'safe keeping'. All my clothes will go to charity before I go, and once I leave my flat on the 7th of May that'll be the last I'll ever see of it.
 
oulton said:
Vietnam has had craft beer sewn up for yonks so good luck with that! http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bia_h%C6%A1i

Enjoyed it myself back in 06. But enjoy your hols and dont ever forget that Cambodia is a pretty seedy country
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They're disgusting, diluted beer :mad:

The most common beers everyone drink in Ho Chi Minh City is Heineken, Saigon Beer and Tiger.

I spent 3 months in Vietnam last year and there's this place around the corner from my house and boy it was pack every night. Beer is big business in Vietnam, if you ever thought about distributing your craft beer in Vietnam I might be able to help you out a bit.

A lot of you might not know in Vietnam, they serve your beer with a chunk of ice in your beer mug.
 
The thought of completely uprooting and wiping the slate clean with a fresh start is both exciting and daunting at the same time. Good luck.
 
So, I'm leaving on the 7th of May and decided to get organised and pack my bag.

This:

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Turned into this:

CQp6ybR.jpg

Girlfriend is still worried about how many pants she needs, tsk.
 
Great for you I think this is really good - takes balls and it will be something no one can ever take from you. To be honest I've noticed a big difference in your posting style recently - you come across as a happier person and if this is the reason then I definitely wish you the best of luck.
 
Things you really really need:

Lots of antibacterial hand wash things
Insect repellent with deet
A couple of torches
An array of plasters
Doxycycline - lots of it. This anti-malarial will nuke any other infections you get
Padlocks, mini and larger for different locks / holds you will encounter
A second wallet with petty cash (to hand over in emergencies)
Copies of passports / IDs etc sent to yourself via email
Imodium, but use cautiously!!!!
There is an epic prescription gut nuker... ciprofloxacin. Try and get that and explain you'll need it for when you're there
One book
You won't need dollars you can withdraw them whilst there (in Cambodia), although double check as it'll depend where you go first
A diary + pens
Swiss army knife
Carrier bags for segregating smelly clothes
Absolutely nothing heavy inc. coats or hoodies. Not worth it.
Wet wipes / tissues / loo roll
Sewing kit

I'm sure you have thought of most of that! Best of luck, let me know how you get on :)
 
Nitefly said:
Things you really really need:

Lots of antibacterial hand wash things
Insect repellent with deet
A couple of torches
An array of plasters
Doxycycline - lots of it. This anti-malarial will nuke any other infections you get
Padlocks, mini and larger for different locks / holds you will encounter
A second wallet with petty cash (to hand over in emergencies)
Copies of passports / IDs etc sent to yourself via email
Imodium, but use cautiously!!!!
There is an epic prescription gut nuker... ciprofloxacin. Try and get that and explain you'll need it for when you're there
One book
You won't need dollars you can withdraw them whilst there (in Cambodia), although double check as it'll depend where you go first
A diary + pens
Swiss army knife
Carrier bags for segregating smelly clothes
Absolutely nothing heavy inc. coats or hoodies. Not worth it.
Wet wipes / tissues / loo roll
Sewing kit


I'm sure you have thought of most of that!
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I'll take these one by one:

Not into hand sanitizers, overly clean + healthy people just get ill more often ;).
Got some repellent, and going to buy a plug-in once I get there. I hear that they are the most effective.
Got two LED torches today.
Got plasters, in my first aid bag. Nothing hardcore, just the usual over the counter stuff. If I need anything I'll be able to get it over the counter there.
Not taking anti-malarials. Not going to be in any high risk areas.
Got one padlock but going to need another couple. They are expensive!!
Thought about a second wallet, but I think it's just too much bother and hassle.
Passport & bank details are already emailed to me and my girlfriends email as well as copies of our insurance details.
Got a few sachets of immodium in the first aid bag, again can get more when we're there if needed.
I'll have a book or two in my carry-on. Obviously be planning on swapping them in hostels when I'm finished reading.
Whenever I travel outwith the UK I always take dollars anyway so will pick some up on Tuesday, the day before I leave.
Loads of pens in my carry on, as well as few rolling around in my bigger bag as well as some paper. But will pick up a cheap notebook from Tesco or somewhere before I go.
Don't need a knife, I can open a bottle of beer with pretty much anything ;).
Few Tesco bags & 2 binliners already in my bag. Great handy things! As well as some duct tape from a previous trip.
I'm taking one zip up hoodie. Those SE Asian buses can get pretty cold! They love their AC.
Wet wipes and tissues are in the fabric bag at the top left of the picture. That's the toiletry bag.

So looks like I've got pretty much everything you say, bar a few things which I don't think I need. Sounds good to me and quite reassuring.

At the end of the day, you can get anything you need over there anyway be it prescription drugs over the counter in Cambodia or simpler day to day things from a 7-11 or Tesco Lotus.

Xordium said:
Great for you I think this is really good - takes balls and it will be something no one can ever take from you. To be honest I've noticed a big difference in your posting style recently - you come across as a happier person and if this is the reason then I definitely wish you the best of luck.
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Cheers. I took a bit of a break from here as it just got boring to be honest and I was a bit down in the dumps I guess. But this has perked me up and can't wait to get away and try something new.
 
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