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Travelling...

Andrew C*** passing himself of as Haus

10:02 / 03.03.03

I'm planning my next world tour.

I leave October/November this year for one full year. Going to Europe, then the Middle East, then Africa, then Asia, then South America and then the US again. Here's the temporary plan:

Germany
Sweden
Russia
Turkey
Egyypt
Israel

Cape Town and Johannesburg
Ethiopia
Zimbabwe
Zaire

Japan
vietnam
India

Cuba
brazil
Colombia
Argentina (or possibly Chile)

Canada
Texas and phoenix
Indiana and chicago
Mexico
Colorado and Las Vegas and San Diego (Plus possibly that festiveal thats in San Fran in September - The one where everyone barters and doesn't use cash.)
Montana and minnesota

So, this is all early days. Subject to change. PLUS the places aren't in order.

(I definitely won't to go SOMEWHERE at the top of the USA.)

Any advice? Especially about Africa, South America and Middle East would be appreciated! Anywhere I shouldn't go? Anywhere I've missed out?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

doctorbeck

11:04 / 03.03.03

that is a lot of traveling in a short time, my guess is it is an invitation to see a lot but understand a lot less, i would cut it down, take more time in fewer places, relax, breath and stop. i mean, it's a holiday right?

a

Our Lady of The Two Towers

11:26 / 03.03.03

Well, as for the Middle East my advise would be to avoid most of it at the moment, what with the Iraq bombing due to start and the heightened tension in Israel, unless you like living suicidally.

I'd have a browse through the travel section of any bookshop or library near you now, might spark some ideas?

videodrome

12:25 / 03.03.03

Oh, I don't know. I think that the current political climate in the Middle East is way underrated as an environment in which a white English kid could score some ass. Rock on.

ONLY NICE THINGS

12:29 / 03.03.03

Notwithstanding the wisdom of the boy going anywhere with armed police and laws against alcohol, it does nonetheless behoove us all to remember that crude ethnic slurs are never acceptable. He's a white Welsh kid.

Baz Auckland

13:49 / 03.03.03

Suggestions: To get to Asia, take the train from Moscow. It's only $400 or so the last time I checked. And skip Colombia. Not a good idea safety-wise.

Tryphena Absent

15:40 / 03.03.03

Personally, no offence doctorbeck, I wouldn't slow down but it depends on whether you actually enjoy moving from place to place or spending time in those places. I always get terribly disappointed when I arrive in a foreign country because I love the actual journey- cars, planes, trains, coaches- any new journey and it's wonderful but new places are usually tedious after an hour of being there.

grant

15:51 / 03.03.03

South African advice: skip Johannesburg.

Land in Cape Town, drive the Garden Route to Durban, head up to Umfolozi/Hluhlue game reserve (to spend the night, get reservations first!) and on yer way back to CT, go here:

Malealea Lodge, Lesotho - through the Gates of Paradise.

It's easier to get there if you have a car. I think there may be a bus or something - check the site for more info.

If you're really into game & camping, you might want to go up to Kalahari Gemsbok Reserve - it's the world's first trans-national park, I think. Between South Africa and Botswana (or is it Namibia?).

The Kruger park is the famous one - it's huge, but it's also more expensive.

And Gauteng is just hairy. Lots of razor wire and people packing heat. There's charm there, but for me, it's not worth the hassle.

Whisky Priestess

20:48 / 22.05.09

So anyhoo, I am in India from Sunday May 31st to June 15th - the first week of that will be mostly taken up by a mate's big fat Indian wedding in Mumbai/Bombay - however, my second week is fancy free and ripe for touristing.

So what I need to know from y'all is:

1) Do you live in Mumbai? Fancy showing me around/meeting up?

2) Have you been there? Any recommendations for unmissable stuff to see and/or do in the Mumbai area?

Cheers all! Really looking forward to it as this is my first foray beyond Europe and North America. Pathetic innit?

Bump. Anyone?

Pathetic? I hope not. I haven´t been to America yet.

astrojax69

21:50 / 23.05.09

i only stopped at the airport in mumbai in '02, en route from london to hong kong - hilarious; in 40 degree heat at 2am we were treated to india's finest bureaucracy, with about nine different sets of people getting us to fill in forms after denying, initially, our entry to the transit lounge but making us line up with people who did have a visa, then getting our luggage to sight it to verify it was ours, then subjecting my then-partner's daughter to a strip search and taking a small soccer ball from her (which was, however, actually rerturned to her as she left the plane in HK).

happy trails wp, and do let us know what you got up to.

Tsuga

01:13 / 24.05.09

I've not been, so I'm no help. But it's not pathetic to not have globe-trotted. That shit's expensive. While I'd love to go just about anywhere, and I'd travel all the time if I could, well...I can't. I hope you have fun, anyway; it sounds great.

Whisky Priestess

13:18 / 24.05.09

I guess I'm just used to loads of people I know having "done" India, Thailand, Asia etc. in their gap years (I didn't have one), thus making me feel insular and under-travelled. Good to know I'm quite the jetsetter, comparatively speaking ...

Whisky Priestess

13:26 / 25.05.09

If anyone's got hints as to what I should pack that would be immensely useful. List so far:

Passport
Tickets
Sunscreen
Light clothes
Money I'll get out there I think
Camera
Phone (maybe)
Phone charger
Mini laptop to work/email on? How expensive/common are internet cafes in Mumbai?
International plug
Gifts for hosts
Rough Guide or similar
Walkable shoes
Posh shoes and dresses for wedding bit

Any more for any more?

grant

02:57 / 31.05.09

An empty suitcase. Or just buy one when you're there.

See if you can fly out carry-on only.

oryx

19:32 / 05.06.09

Pathetic? Hardly. I had my first long-haul trip in 2007, when I went to Australia for a month, aged 36.

You might want to think about:

1. getting an armpit and ladybits wax before you go. It'll keep you feeling a bit fresher in the heat. (I'm assuming you're a lady?)

2. Little hand-bag sized packets of wet wipes are useful.

3. Read the Lonely Planet guide to Mumbai before you go, so you've got at least some idea of what's what.

4. Check what injections you need, and get them in plenty of time.

5. Suncream - for face and bod.

6. A good camera - it'd be a shame to go to Mumbai and not record the trip.

Whisky Priestess

20:38 / 16.06.09

I have returned from the subcontinent, with much wisdom to impart, none of it spiritual, all of it practical. Hit me up for answers if you're tripping to Mumbai.

Did you enjoy it?

Yeah, mostly. I didn't get dysentery, and I did get a couple of bargains (well, they TOLD me they were rubies ...) although the first week - when accommodation was provided and paid for by my friend's family, and before my other mates flew back - was better, until I found the Mumbai Sally Army hostel and got to know my way around Colaba in the second week.

Lots of walking though, and getting my bearings. I feel as though I could now fruitfully guide strangers around downtown, and I stopped needing to take cabs everywhere by about day 9.

el d.

07:33 / 30.06.09

In South America: Venezuela's a jewel, best beaches ever, and very nice jungle as well.

Just don't go out in Caracas. Or Maracaibo.

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