Travel advice

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eMadman
So, I just submitted my two weeks notice to my job of three years. Without going into details, I've basically decided I'm not a suitable fit here and it's started getting to my head and has had a severe impact on my work ethic. Might as well move on to greener pastures. Before doing that, I want to 'reboot' my mind and body. Explore a part of the world that I'd normally never get to see during a normal work schedule, and basically have my first real adventure - ever.

So, I've decided to spend the month of June traveling. My original plan for the past year was to visit Thailand and do a tour (with GAP Adventures) of the neighboring countries, then spend a week or two on my own exploring the beaches of thailand, then maybe a few days in Tokyo and San Francisco before heading home to start planning my future.

Unfortunately, the political and social situation in Thailand has been pretty hairy lately and most governments have issued travel advisories against travel in that region. Many using the terms "Avoid all non-essential travel"

So, I need an alternative - GAP has a tour of south America from Santiago, Chile to Rio de Janeiro that I'm looking at. I'm not sure what the weather will be like, but I'd imagine that Chile will be quite chilly. Rio will probably pretty moderate or warm, but I haven't checked the details fully.

Southeast Asia has been a dream of mine for a long time, but so has South America. I'd kill to go to Thailand and the neighboring countries over Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, but the travel advisories advise against it. In my head, I definitely have to make one of these two trips happen in the next month, else my quitting this job will all be for nothing.

Both options are appealing, but I strongly prefer Thailand. Based on what you guys know about the region, and current events, what would you suggest? Based on what I've seen in the news, Bangkok is currently about as 'dangerous' as Karachi, meaning you just need to avoid the 'danger zones'. Problem is, it's hard to say what a 'danger zone' is when you're talking about crazed terrorists lobbing grenades in public places. The odds of me being caught in that situation are slim, but they exist. More importantly, the riots and protests are causing many neighborhoods and streets to be cordoned off or blockaded by the military and police in the region, making travel slow or inconvenient.
 
If a country is having issues like Thailand is I wouldn't put myself in that situation. There is a good chance you would be fine and nothing bad would happen, but political climates can change pretty quick and it would be awful to be stuck in a bad situation. Going anywhere that isn't your homeland is well worth it and travelling to South America would be cool for sure.

If you want to know what the weather is going to be like and just about anything else you could possibly want to know, go to www.wikitravel.org.
 
Here's an idea. What if instead, you took a trip around North America. See what this great continent has to offer. It's alot safer than Southeast Asia or South America. Just a thought.
 
Not trying to talk you into it... But my parents live in Bangkok and are there as we speak... The political unrest is ONLY present in Bangkok... and seeing that you want to travel around you wont have any encounter with it. I say this because I frequently visit Thailand as well having family in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. All I can say is that that country is GREAT for doing things you normally cant do becuase of the currency difference.... ;) Things are cheap and so is getting around. Although now with the present political situation I believe that the Euro is not strong at this moment compared to the Baht... which it usually is in different situations.... Thailand and the neighboring countries are definitely worth the effort and when you are there you really do feel like youre on an adventure.... The islands and beaches near and around Phuket are also BEAUTIFUL... I went to that spot "The Beach" was filmed at and it was just amazing.... 👍 I definitely recommend Thailand if you can get over the current situation there...
 
astrosdude91
See what this great continent has to offer. It's alot safer than Southeast Asia or South America. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Just don't go to Alabama if you have slogans painted on your car.
 
Thailand is a land of Buddhists. It is against their culture to do harm.

I experienced the level when a manager in a company I was working in (in the outbacks) picked up a cockroach of about 8 cm long to take it outside and release it in nature.

On the other hand:
* Not all Buddhists have the same level of religious practices.
* I experienced myself that when going of the beaten path in Bangkok, you end up quite quickly in strange places.
* When you end up in the rumble, you are in the rumble.
* We might see a very limited and spectacular part of the trouble, but there is certainly trouble.

You could PM pete7868, Blitz187, Night_Drifter, ... that seem to have links with Thailand.

There is a lot to see in Asia and South America, I bet you'll find your pleasure.

P.S.: start working on the next job now, I understand you are not in optimal shape concerning working, but it something I recommend to all, even the people that like the job they are in.
 
Vince_Fiero
Thailand is a land of Buddhists. It is against their culture to do harm.

I experienced the level when a manager in a company I was working in (in the outbacks) picked up a cockroach of about 8 cm long to take it outside and release it in nature.

On the other hand:
* Not all Buddhists have the same level of religious practices.
* I experienced myself that when going of the beaten path in Bangkok, you end up quite quickly in strange places.
* When you end up in the rumble, you are in the rumble.
* We might see a very limited and spectacular part of the trouble, but there is certainly trouble.

You could PM pete7868, Blitz187, Night_Drifter, ... that seem to have links with Thailand.
Click to expand...

I agree with your points... I shouldve been more clear and said if you are going to go there just avoid Bangkok at the moment, the other parts of Thailand should be just fine.

To the OP if you do decide to go that way, feel free to shoot me a PM if you would like some detailed info on what to do and what not to do when youre there... ;) Ive been going there since I was a baby and in the last five years I've gone every year in January usually to visit the family... I speak the language and know how things work there, so I can definitely give you some useful advice.
 
The difficulty I'm having with the Thailand tours is that all the tour groups start and end in Bangkok. Which is sort of where the bulk of the political unrest lies. My plan for post-tour would be to spend time exploring beaches and just doing the standard chilled out resort sort of thing for a few days. If I do South America, I'd end the trip in Rio de Janeiro, if I do Thailand, the trip would end in Bangkok, so I'd bus it to Phuket (unless the flights to Pattaya are cheap)

With regards to traveling in North America, well... it's my home and back yard. I can _always_ go on a small and quick trip over a few days and explore random places. For me, a North America adventure is best experienced in the national/state/provincial parks and smaller chunks - next weekend, I'm going on a road trip to West Virginia to learn rock climbing. Earlier this year, I was in the Rockies, and I have a trip to San Francisco planned for sometime in the coming year.
 
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daan
Just don't go to Alabama if you have slogans painted on your car.
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I was so embarrased when I first saw that episode. As soon as that woman came out and said "Are you fella's tryin ta see how long it takes ta git beat up in a hick town?" I knew it would not look good for us. Yes, just stay out of the south, or at least don't stop at any gas stations along I-10 in Alabama.
 
Public'sTwin
One word: Monaco.
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Or St. Tropez, Marbella maybe even Ibiza??? :p But can you really class that as an adventure? More like a playground for the Jet Set isnt it?
 

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