Is there anybody here who has backpacked in Asia who can share any tips and experiences? How much did it cost you, how long were you gone for, were did you go and did you feel it was worth going? I really wanna go on a trip myself, but I think it would take me years to accumulate enough money. Besides plane tickets, transport, food, guest room/hostels things like vaccines and visa and other stuff really would add the cost up over time.
Cool. Im looking to do the same thing in south east asia. Thailand, laos, cambodia, vietnam and then maybe go new zealand or figi or something. Its going to cost quite abit but your going to be making memories for life. Me and my bro are looking at around 1 year and we'll have
I had a scuba instructor who went backpacking in Asia once he told me. He is English, and speaks with what he called the Oxford accent, which is the most neutral and perfect English there is, and he went to Oxford, smartass. Anyways he says the people in Pakistan are the nicest people. They will invite total strangers into their home for food, and somethings shelter.
Asia is a huge place - where do you want to go specifically or do you want advice on specific countries?
I was thinking India - From Mumbai, to Goa, across the country, Into Burma, Laos and then Vietnam. Then Down to Thailand, Cambodia, and further down south to Malaysia and Indonesia. At that point I've already eliminated Nepal, Sri Lanka, and can't figure out if South Korea and Japan would be realistic. Those two countries seem much more expensive. I've heard that in Vietnam you can get a hostel and food and do activities for a month, for what it would cost for a few days in Tokyo. It's for that reason I thought about just not ordering no flights, but simply moving by train/bus when inland. So no flights after landing in India. The question then is what to do? Would this take half a year, or a year in it's whole to explore all these countries, try and learn some good thai boxing in a good camp in Thailand, see all the sights the countries have to see. I thought about the idea of taking a Gi with me, but I think the BJJ academys would be far and in between. It can be expensive to train at many of those BJJ academys out in the world. So I am not really sure. It really depends on my budget! A part of me thought after doing half the trip in Asia, then take a flight and explore south America (and Brazil) and buy a gi over there. But I'm not sure if it's really safe. One of my moms good friend was backpacking in Hondoruas and was stabbed and killed (she was pregnant)!!
I did 3 months by myself in the summer of 2007. Did Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore. It was very cheap. Paid a lot for my flight there and back ($2200) but my 3 months there I did all on under $3500, including accommodation, transportation, food, booze and activities (jungle treks, museums, diving etc.) I went alone but I was in a committed relationship with a girl back home (who eventually became my wife) so I didn't stick my peen anywhere, not in any women or Thai ladyboys. The best part about going alone is its easy to make short term friends for a day or a week then split up, never to see them again other than on Facebook.
I always wanted to backpack for 3months ~ 6 months. Never got the balls to commit to it. I'm a directional idiot. I barely recognise the place I lived in for 10 years. But more recently, I have considered WWOOF, check it out if you are interested. Basically volunteering for farm work to earn stay and food. Taiwan could be my destination. It's less backpacking because I won't really be traveling around, but just staying with a family and learning their culture I guess. I think it might be a good start for me, before I really embark into months long traveling.
Josh, is having a credit card along a must? Also, did you planned your stay before reaching or are every night stay a last minute thing?
fightingrabbit Unless you have a bigger budget. Humble opinion, other than city areas, Japanese people won't understand English in the slightest. And those are the areas that food/hostel are cheaper, but still more expensive than South East Asia countries. Getting directions could be a major fuss if they can't understand a single word out of your mouth. BUT Japanese are one of the most helpful people around the world. So, you never know.
Yeah, credit card is a must. A prepaid credit card would be fine. I only loosely planned, and often didn't know where I was staying until that evening.
Wow.. And you never had a night without roof over your head? Or were you okay with out-door/tent/whatever you experienced?
Pack light and leave room in your bag to expand into. Your going to be carrying your shit for along time. Two pairs of jeans weigh a lot, and realistically your going to be in flip flops/trainers and shorts most 99% of the time. Knock off of cloths cost nothing out their too if you do need something. Take a cell phone or iPad. A lot of Hostel's have wifi so it makes planning your next move easy. Also means you can skype back home. THE best tip I have is.... Carry an old wallet with expired bank cards, old costco cards, etc in your back pocket. Keep your money and real cards in a card holder in your front pocket or cargo shorts pockets. Transfer $40-$50 in to your back pocket wallet in the bathroom when you need to and use it as normal. If you get jacked or pick pocketed you hand them the wallet with $20 and a library card any laugh your ass off back at the hotel. And I usually keep my bank card separated from my credt card, one on me, one in my bag. Might be over cautious but better safe than sorry for me.
I would travel proper to Japan, not backpack. I can't imagine what their reaction would be if you showed up there looking like a scruffy hippie (no offense). I didn't see any backpackers in Japan, though there are some affordable hostels there (but those will be much more expensive than in other Asian countries.) The fast packers tend to stick to India, SE Asia, Tibet, Nepal, etc. route.
I backpacked through Australia for 6 months when I was 21. My parents gave me college graduation money, so I bought a plane ticket. I came back a new man. I went alone. Like the other guy said, you'll make daily friends. I surfed, got drunk, bought drugs, got a Japanese prostitute, gambled a lot(Australian casinos have different games than u.s. casinos). I will never forger that. One of the best experiences of my life. And thats what life is about, right? Experiences.
