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Tron_fdc · 11-26-2005, 11:24 AM

My $.02

It really depends what you're looking for. Oz is a good first choice for the novice traveller, for a lot of reasons. Language is the same, a lot of the same religion/customs, food is the same for the most part, and it's relatively safe. However, Canadians, Europeans (and a few Americans) all go there for those same reasons. The beaches are awesome and it's quite tourist/backpacker friendly, so if you're going somewhere to get away from it all I would suggest looking somewhere else. If you want to go abuse your liver for a month and meet people from all over Canada and Europe then Oz is PERFECT! I spent some time working (drinking) down under, and had a great time chasing women, barfing in gutters and attempting to steal inflatable Night Owls over the course of a year. Ohhhh the memories

Central America is pretty cool, but as a first time traveller I would suggest Costa Rica. My friend has a condo in Nosara, and we try to get down every year and unfortunately it's not as cheap as it used to be. Be prepared to spend some money on decent hotels/meals unless you want to try and sniff out ultra cheap accomodation. It can still be done, but it's getting harder and harder to do, especially in the popular areas (Jaco beach, etc). Check out the lesser known areas (like Mal Pais) if you want to find places a little more off the beaten track. Crime is a little more of a concern here than Oz, but not much more. Lot's of petty theft (stolen wallets and pick pockets, etc) but for the most part no violent crime. Nicaragua might be a thought, but there is a lot more crime there than Costa Rica, less English speaking locals, but budget wise can make up for the negatives.

China is OK if you want to see the Great Wall, Tianamen Square, etc, but beyond the history/culture it doesn't stack up too well against the beaches found little further south in say Vietnam. It's cheap though, and the shopping alone in the "knock off" market is worth the trip. I buy all my socks and underwear there.....$.50 per piece! I've also picked up Callaway clubs, North Face gear, Hugo Boss/Versace shirts/ties etc etc so it's pretty neat to see. Food issomewhat of a concern here, as the pallet is quite different than what is found at home. If you want to get away from the crowds in China be prepared to travel to remote areas (like Mongolia) but the food is TERRIBLE and no one will speak english. PASS!

Korea is kinda neat, but quite populated and polluted. The food is really good, has a really low crime rate, and has a big American influence so a lot of people speak English. Neat to see, but only on a stopover IMO.

Africa is one of the coolest places I've been. If it wasn't for all the violent crime over there it would be a HUGE tourist destination for people from all over the world. I've spent some time in J-burg, which while is a neat city and quite eye opening I wouldn't want to venture there without a guide. Too much crime for this guy. About 6 hours north I went on a safari in Botswana, which was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I saw everything from cheetahs to lions to zebra to wld dogs, and hearing a male lion roar from about 50 feet away while sitting in an open top jeep was breathtaking. I would STRONGLY STRONGLY suggest someone do this at least once in their life. It was cheap too.....5 star hotel, all inclusive, on a private game reserve for $100 US a night. Soooooo worth the money.

I can't really comment on Euorope, the only places I've been are Scotland and England. Scotland was nice and the people were friendly, but the food kinda sucked and it rained all the time. I was on a rugby tour so I spent most of my time in the local pub or on the training pitch, and only had time for sightseeing in Loch Ness. Alas, Nessie was nowhere to be seen. I got robbed in England so FEKOFF to that place.

Give some thought to Bali. The incidents there were pretty isolated, and right now it's REALLY cheap to go and stay on some of th nicest beaches in the world. The people are amazing,the culture is super cool, and there are all kinds of remote areas you can get into to get away from the crowds. I'm considering going back in January for about a month, as the las time I was there it was a 2 week jaunt that was waaay to short and kinda restricted by an arm injury I had that required medical attention.

Never been to Malaysia (Singapore, but that doesn't really count) so I can't comment on it. I hear it's amazing and cheap though. I work with a guy from Vietnam that is always trying to get me to go, and he talks it up quite well, so it might be worth having a look at.

Hope that helps a little!!

11-26-2005, 11:24 AM	#17
Tron_fdc In Your MCP Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Watching Hot Dog Hans Exp:	My $.02 It really depends what you're looking for. Oz is a good first choice for the novice traveller, for a lot of reasons. Language is the same, a lot of the same religion/customs, food is the same for the most part, and it's relatively safe. However, Canadians, Europeans (and a few Americans) all go there for those same reasons. The beaches are awesome and it's quite tourist/backpacker friendly, so if you're going somewhere to get away from it all I would suggest looking somewhere else. If you want to go abuse your liver for a month and meet people from all over Canada and Europe then Oz is PERFECT! I spent some time working (drinking) down under, and had a great time chasing women, barfing in gutters and attempting to steal inflatable Night Owls over the course of a year. Ohhhh the memories Central America is pretty cool, but as a first time traveller I would suggest Costa Rica. My friend has a condo in Nosara, and we try to get down every year and unfortunately it's not as cheap as it used to be. Be prepared to spend some money on decent hotels/meals unless you want to try and sniff out ultra cheap accomodation. It can still be done, but it's getting harder and harder to do, especially in the popular areas (Jaco beach, etc). Check out the lesser known areas (like Mal Pais) if you want to find places a little more off the beaten track. Crime is a little more of a concern here than Oz, but not much more. Lot's of petty theft (stolen wallets and pick pockets, etc) but for the most part no violent crime. Nicaragua might be a thought, but there is a lot more crime there than Costa Rica, less English speaking locals, but budget wise can make up for the negatives. China is OK if you want to see the Great Wall, Tianamen Square, etc, but beyond the history/culture it doesn't stack up too well against the beaches found little further south in say Vietnam. It's cheap though, and the shopping alone in the "knock off" market is worth the trip. I buy all my socks and underwear there.....$.50 per piece! I've also picked up Callaway clubs, North Face gear, Hugo Boss/Versace shirts/ties etc etc so it's pretty neat to see. Food issomewhat of a concern here, as the pallet is quite different than what is found at home. If you want to get away from the crowds in China be prepared to travel to remote areas (like Mongolia) but the food is TERRIBLE and no one will speak english. PASS! Korea is kinda neat, but quite populated and polluted. The food is really good, has a really low crime rate, and has a big American influence so a lot of people speak English. Neat to see, but only on a stopover IMO. Africa is one of the coolest places I've been. If it wasn't for all the violent crime over there it would be a HUGE tourist destination for people from all over the world. I've spent some time in J-burg, which while is a neat city and quite eye opening I wouldn't want to venture there without a guide. Too much crime for this guy. About 6 hours north I went on a safari in Botswana, which was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I saw everything from cheetahs to lions to zebra to wld dogs, and hearing a male lion roar from about 50 feet away while sitting in an open top jeep was breathtaking. I would STRONGLY STRONGLY suggest someone do this at least once in their life. It was cheap too.....5 star hotel, all inclusive, on a private game reserve for $100 US a night. Soooooo worth the money. I can't really comment on Euorope, the only places I've been are Scotland and England. Scotland was nice and the people were friendly, but the food kinda sucked and it rained all the time. I was on a rugby tour so I spent most of my time in the local pub or on the training pitch, and only had time for sightseeing in Loch Ness. Alas, Nessie was nowhere to be seen. I got robbed in England so FEKOFF to that place. Give some thought to Bali. The incidents there were pretty isolated, and right now it's REALLY cheap to go and stay on some of th nicest beaches in the world. The people are amazing,the culture is super cool, and there are all kinds of remote areas you can get into to get away from the crowds. I'm considering going back in January for about a month, as the las time I was there it was a 2 week jaunt that was waaay to short and kinda restricted by an arm injury I had that required medical attention. Never been to Malaysia (Singapore, but that doesn't really count) so I can't comment on it. I hear it's amazing and cheap though. I work with a guy from Vietnam that is always trying to get me to go, and he talks it up quite well, so it might be worth having a look at. Hope that helps a little!!