Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[chaffaldhino]

Hi all,

My name is Andy im 31 year old from Leeds, UK and im about to start the begining of my world tour. I fly out of Manchester to Bangkok on the 20th October where i spend a couple of days before heading down to Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket then down to Singapore for my flight to Brisbane on November 8th

I am travelling alone and have never done anything like this before so if anyone has any tips/advice/hints/do's & donts then im all ears. I enjoy the party scene and luxury side of life but know that i cant do that everynight and i am looking forward to experiencing a totally different way of lifestyle and cultures for me.

Im so excited yet a little nervous to be doing this alone so if anyone else is doing a similiar kind of trip or route and wants to meet up then get in touch.

Cheers

Andy

[starlagurl]

Hi Andy, welcome to the forums.

There's a first time for everything so don't be nervous!

I guess you'll want to head out to a full moon party if you like the party scene.

As for luxury, I stayed in some pretty swanky accomodations out there, and I enjoyed a few really nice massages too: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...99140/tpod.html

[chaffaldhino]

Hi Starglagurl

Yes im sure i will be fine once im there and out and about meeting new people.

yes will no doubt be heading to a full moon party when i get there. will have a look at what you have suggested but im looking forward to experiencing doing traveling on a budget and getting to know new people rather than been stuck in a nice hotel by myself.

Thanks for the reply.

[starlagurl]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend the luxury option for yourself either, but of course it's there, and pretty affordable...

[chaffaldhino]

Sorry misspelt Starlagurl.....oops!!!

[starlagurl]

Ohhhhhhhhhh my god, BANNED! FOREVER!

[laorfamily]

Hi Andy,

here is a thread about "If you had to give a new traveler any advice and you could only choose ONE tip, what would it be"

http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=one+tip

[chaffaldhino]

Ha ha please dont ban me???

thanks laorfamily all advice welcome will take a look

cheers

[starlagurl]

*hug* no, no bans, don't worry.

[greekcypriot]

Hi Andy!
I am in Fuerteventura right now and was just checking on my emails, and saw that you are going to Bangkok for the first time and Koh Samui, as well as Phuket. - At least I have been to these three places, a couple of times.

Well, my favourite is Koh Samui. You don't want to spend much as you say, but have in mind that life is cheap there. I have forgot the name of the resort we stayed at the first week while we were there, but you can find everything including photos in my second blog if you check. It was a PARADISE. It is worth even if you spend one day there before doing anything else! Check that out pls. It was 3 min by taxi from the airport. And you can take a mini tuk tuk to carry you there for nothing believe me.

When we left this hotel, we wanted to go more centrally I booked another hotel for another week. The beach is much better centrally, but the spot I am telling you was a paradise. We got a taxi to take us there, but asked the taxi driver if he could take us around the island the next day and the cost, and believe me what he asked was not more than 3 euros then. Now it should have been something like 8 I am sure.
(I was in London some days ago, and we had to pay SO MUCH for buses and the tube)!!
Anyway, I had found every detail on the net, and knew exactly what was going on.
Study the map well and read about what every village offers. YOU WILL LOVE Koh Samui!
See pictures in my blog, and make comments or ask anything you wish to know.

Now about Bangkok, be sure to have some massage there. As Louise said it is very cheap and you will remember it forever! We have been down there 3 or 4 times!
Be sure to go to the float market and visit James Bond Island.
I did not visit Krambi so I can't help, but I plan a visit there probably next year as I have missed Asia and the smile of these beautiful people out there.

Do some search on the internet and enjoy every moment of this trip. It is worth it.

http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot
(New entry of Meteora and London sightseeing today)

[chaffaldhino]

Hiya

thanks for that info will definately check out your blog thanks. Ha yes London is VERY expensive eh?? you should get "up north" to places like Leeds & Manchester just as good if not better than London and a hell of a lot cheaper!!!

[shapoklyak]

Hi! Tailand is a really nice place. Wonderful nature, pleasent services. But have you seen how poor local people?

[chaffaldhino]

Hi

no i have never been to Thailand so im ging with no pre consepction of what it is like im just looking forward to experiencing new cultures & people be those good or bad experiences.

[starlagurl]

That's a great attitude. The poverty definitely is a shock though. I had a mental breakdown for real.

[chaffaldhino]

yes i have been told that it is a bit of an eye opener so will keep an open mind about it.

[shapoklyak]

I see you are quite sensitive person. I hope U'll like there, though there are sad pictures. But all in all trip will be nice:)

[chaffaldhino]

yes i assume that there will be some not "picture postcard" scenes but hopefully that will not spoil my trip

[greekcypriot]

Andy you will appreciate what you have, but still you will be amazed by the way treated there, the smiling faces, and friendliness.

People might be living in kiosks, but it is amazing how their attitude changes when they see tourists, and another amazing thing is, even though they sleep in the places you will see upon entering the city of Bangkok, they are always clean and tidy when working.
AMAZING PEOPLE!
http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot

[chaffaldhino]

yes im sure it will make me realise how lucky i am for what i have got.

[nealinthailand]

hey andy,

i wouldnt be too worried about the "poverty" thing. thailand is pretty modern and a little too westernized but nothing nearly as poor and dirty as parts of india. there is cell phone service everywhere, there are internet cafe's all over the place and if you feel like buying a new iphone then just head to the giant aircon mall.......just saying that thailand is not really that poor.

as for places to go......samui is ok but a lot of expenisve resorts with starbucks and mcdonalds dotted throughout. check out ko tao which is a couple of islands over. very small and quaint with some awesome beach bars. dont miss krabi which is beautiful (over by ao nang beach....not krabi town). if you do scuba diving, i work in khao lak (100 km north of phuket) and do 4 day dive trips to the similan islands.....very beautiful. try out phi phi...its a bit over crowded but absolutely beautiful also. khao sok national park is an amazing national park if you are interested in jungle treks and camping....they still have wild elephants in the forest and reports of tigers so there is an adventure for ya. check out my blog and it may give you some ideas....good luck