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Experienced travellers gimmie some suggestions!

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14.
Posts: 974 - Karma: 48
\ so I'm thinkin of just getting outta dodge, saved up some money and i wanna just go.
looking at places online but it doesn't really do it justice every websites tailored to someone who wants everything pre planned. Im looking for the raw experience of going some place cool, meeting other cool people and just playing it day by day, any suggestions would help

budget - cheap as poss but probably around 4 g's
preferably nothing in the middle eastern areas, again, just scenery and trails and crazymotherfuckers who aren't afraid to get naked

THANKS
Aug 9 2013 12:07AM
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SterlingArcher
Posts: 2200 - Karma: 2,456
Latvia
Aug 9 2013 12:26AM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1833 - Karma: 1,880
Backpack through Europe? Or go to Nicaragua. Belize. New Zealand? Do some skiing? Chile
Aug 9 2013 12:28AM
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StickDonkey
Posts: 284 - Karma: 2,456
Kazahkstan. They party every night and pretty much let you stay over for free if you bang a family member.
Aug 9 2013 12:29AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
thailand. live for 7 dollars a day. loads of young fit birds. after about 3 months u will get bored.
have fun
Aug 9 2013 12:30AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
Belize, for sure. One of the most amazing places I've ever been. Tropical paradise without all of the mega resort bullshit.
Aug 9 2013 12:37AM
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7-3instacall
Posts: 999 - Karma: 1,005
friend went to bali, pricey plane tickets but living after that is cheap

Aug 9 2013 12:46AM
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coolflash8
Posts: 3171 - Karma: 2,046
Thailand. Granada Nicaragua is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. If you go to Thailand hit up pattaya, koh phi phi, phuket and Bangkok. If u go to Nicaragua stay the the hostel called the oasis, its fuckin Rad
Aug 9 2013 12:53AM
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LoathesRaisins
Posts: 3612 - Karma: 4,735
Click for larger image
Aug 9 2013 12:59AM
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LiquorLanch
Posts: 1909 - Karma: 1,046
Zambia and Botswana were incredible when I went. Loads to do, awesome culture and new experiwnces
Aug 9 2013 1:01AM
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
south america on that budget will be perfect. Fairly cheap to get there (compared to europe, asia, and africa). Try backpacking around peru and ecuador. Argentina is pretty amazing. Brazil would be awesome too.
Aug 9 2013 3:36AM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 675
Fiji, Costa Rica, Nepal, Bali

Lots of places are feasible on a budget if your willing to put in a little work. I just spent 7 months in New Zealand and took part in a 7000 km road trip for some of it. I met lots of people traveling on a budget and NZ is not a cheap place. Go to hostels and ask if you can work for accommodation (woofing). It's like two hours of work a day for a free place to stay. Depending on where you go, hitch hiking is pretty easy and buses are always a cheap way of transport. I would always travel with a buddy though just incase shit goes south.

Traveling is easy (if you're willing to sacrifice luxuries), getting to your destination is the biggest battle.
Aug 9 2013 6:27AM
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Elg
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 3,880
Bali is awesome! I was there for 6 weeks 2 years ago. You can surf pretty much everywhere, meet a bunch of cool people, great night life and everything is dirt cheap. Except plane tickets, maybe.
Aug 9 2013 8:13AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
I just did a 2 month trip around Europe and of all the places I went the only one I really want to go back to is Ireland. Honestly if you go take a trip to Ireland you can have a raw experience, meet new people everyday (everyone there is the nicest person). Just rent a car and go see everything. Of the European countries it is one of the cheaper ones so staying at hostels and all that will be cheap. Ireland is awesome, I recommend it to everyone.
Aug 9 2013 9:00AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
And forgot to mention from there you can go pretty much anywhere for pretty cheap.

Aug 9 2013 9:04AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
At work right now but I studied abroad for 4 months in Europe. PM me if you want recommendations in europe
Aug 9 2013 9:11AM
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088
These suggestions are almost all absolutely terrible. Sure, Botswana and Zambia are amazing. Will you have any fun there at all on 4K, on your own, and not speaking any of the languages? I'm sorry, do you speak Swahili? Afrikaans? No? Then what the hell are you going to do? The "safe" places for a Westerner will go through your budget very, very quickly. Not to mention the 2K in airfare to get there.

Other suggestions like Ireland are also terrible. The airfare costs a great deal, and Ireland (well, most of Europe) is outrageously expensive. Have you checked how the US currency is doing against the Euro recently? Not too hot. Groceries in Ireland will come as a huge surprise. Figure on one and a half to two times as much as anything costs here in the US, at a minimum. Petrol (that's gas for you Americans) will cost a small fortune. Hostels are alright, but you're still going to be spending a premium. Your 4K will not last long at all.

Chile and go skiing? Seriously?? I'm sorry, but the last time I checked 4K doesn't work for $1,200 in airfare, $75-$100 per day for lift tickets, $30-$50 per day for resort food, and the large expense of staying at or near a resort.

To stretch your 4K and have a good time, you need to go somewhere economical, and somewhere that English is a primary language. This limits you to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. Don't even get me started on how expensive Australia is. If you want more than a one week trip, rule this out on a 4K budget. The same goes for New Zealand and Europe.

Well now, we are left with North America. This is not a problem. North America is a vast and VERY varied place. Have you fully explored even our own country? Have you seen the Southwest, run through the saguaros, explored forgotten canyons, and ran with the wild horses? Have you been above treeline in the High Sierra, at a crystal clear mountain lake eating the trout you just caught for dinner? Have you heard the elk bugling in an alpine meadow in Wyoming? What about the charm of a small Southern town? The relaxed and earthy customs of rural Oregon?

If the US bores you, visit Canada. Montreal will feel like a foreign country, and has more clubs than you could visit. British Columbia, specifically the Sea to Sky corridor, is a wonderful place. It stays light until 10:00 PM during the summer. Go earn your turns up toward Whistler on a glacier.

If you stay in North America you can explore our wonderful country and Canada. You will be familiar with the languages and customs. Your money will last for a few months if you're frugal. Go see what makes America great.
Aug 9 2013 12:34PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
So much wat. Literally anywhere you want to go people will speak English. You could easily hit south east Asia for a month on 4grand. 2 months if you push it. I'd highly recommend Indonesia Cambodia Vietnam and Thailand op. Everywhere you go is an adventure and the locals are amazing (but don't trust them with anything that matters). Your dollar goes a hell of a long way as well, you'll have the time of your life. I'll be there from sep-jan and would be stoked to help a nser in whatever way I can no homo
Aug 9 2013 1:50PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
This this this. Snorkeling and scuba diving there is absoultely stunning. Its very low key, making it much cheaper than other places. Its an english speaking country as well. If you do travel there, ambergris caye is the most happening place to be. Mainland blows. Trick tip: take a taxi from Belize City to the Belize municipal airport and have a connecting flight from there to the caye. Its about 50% cheaper. PM me if you would like more info, Ive been there many times.
Aug 9 2013 1:56PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
haven't been a ton of places in the world but this area in particular is breathtaking. i am so fortunate to live within a few hours drive. i've made this drive ~20 times and just when you think it can't get any better - you're in whistler.
Aug 9 2013 1:57PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Went on an amazing trip across Europe this summer. Visited 7 countries in 3 weeks and got a nice feel for the areas I was in. If you're interested to know more about it PM me.

Of all the places, I enjoyed Netherlands the most of all. That and Rhine River valley in Germany. Some super chill people there and awesome stuff to do and things to see.
Aug 9 2013 2:15PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088
Did you really just say that? Easily one of the most self-centered ignorant-American holier-than-thou statements I have heard recently.
Aug 9 2013 2:41PM
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SterlingArcher
Posts: 2200 - Karma: 2,456
He's not American. Thanks for playing stereotypes.
Aug 9 2013 3:07PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
No. Any place trying to attract tourists will speak enough english for him.
Aug 9 2013 3:33PM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,180
yeah ur an asshole bro.
and the dollar is doing fucking great versus the euro

1.33/1 against 2.2/1 a few years ago. you try to sound smart, but you're really just being unrealistically critical in most aspects.
i bet you've traveled too, and now you're an all-knowing culture-king dick because of it. maybe you're the one who needs to be brought back to earth
Aug 9 2013 3:49PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
^damn bro better get some ice for that burn
Aug 9 2013 4:05PM
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LiquorLanch
Posts: 1909 - Karma: 1,046
They speak English fluently in those areas. Have you been? no. I have. The people are easy to get along with and everything is very cheap. I was there for 3.5 weeks for just over 3k last year.



Aug 9 2013 4:11PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
If you're looking for more than a month and have $4000... I wouldn't recommend europe unless you are heading down to the adriatic coast. However, tourism isn't their focus and it's a bit more difficult to find English speakers. But the touristy spots are pretty sweet. Monte Negro is beautiful. Albania is putting a bit more effort into tourism. Greece is cheap since the Euro is crashing there.

Thailand/region is ridiculously cheap, as is Polynesia, Micronesia. Thailand is a tourism based economy and they love you long time.
Seriously though. After your flight, it's dirt cheap.

Another interesting place that is cheap once you are there is India. They are up to 1/7 speaking English which is pretty damn good.

To the guy who said you need to go to a place that speaks English. Like hell you do. It makes things easier of course, but as long as you learn "hello" and "I don't speak whatever language" people are willing to work with you. Also, it's so easy to pick up a month long data plan in whatever country that you can translate on the spot and have your phone do all the talking if you really want.

South America would provide a similar experience in that it's cheap in most places once you get there. The only thing is that you need to pay a little bit more attention so that you aren't being taken for a ride by the locals. They like to have regular prices and gringo prices.. gringo is still cheaper, but if you know spanish and can argue... worth it.

Also, check out couchsurfer.com even if you don't end up staying with the people you talk to, you can generally get a lot of really great information from locals on the area. I deny requests all the time, but always have advice included.

Also, don't be afraid of one way tickets. They hassle you a bit more at immigration, but at a cost of about $100 more you have a lot more flexibility with when you return. Sometimes it's even cheaper. Bought a 1 way ticket home from Paris for $450 1.5 weeks before leaving.
Aug 9 2013 4:34PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
He's from New York.
Aug 9 2013 4:40PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Shit my bad, I'm actually not sure. Maybe Australia or some shit, read that he rides Hunter.
Aug 9 2013 4:46PM
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gusestomp
Posts: 1377 - Karma: 746
Try going on a cruise to exotic places, just travel the world!


fuck it just do it.
Aug 9 2013 4:47PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 19,088
Have I been? Yes. I actually spent a significant amount of time in those areas, not just Joburg, Cape Town, and Durban. I was actually in small-town Africa, and in the bush. Between South Africa and Botswana, I spent enough time to learn the customs, habits, and little bits of the languages. Expecting people to speak English just because you are there is incredibly pretentious. Just because you went to the World Cup or some other shitshow does not make you qualified to speak to the culture.
Aug 9 2013 5:32PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
Wait African bush tribes don't speak English??

You're a moron.
Aug 9 2013 11:48PM
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masterhatin
Posts: 630 - Karma: 53
I did a little WOOFing in Maui for a month, it stands for Worldwide opportunities of Organic farming, basically work trade but it was super tight. id work like 3-4 hrs 5 days a week in exchange for housing and food, met people from all over the us and Europe, and the only money i spent was on PBR and marijuana, just hitchhike anywhere and do whatever you want!
Aug 9 2013 11:53PM
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Billiards.
Posts: 6853 - Karma: 816
Go to Southeast Asia. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Crazy awesome backpacking scene with a LOT of cool people living day by day. Ridiculously cheap and very safe and VERY beautiful (especially Vietnam).
Aug 10 2013 1:28AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10622 - Karma: 7,396
for 4k excluding travel airfare, phillipines could be done, thailand, could always do the backpacking through europe thing of course, mexico/ any central south american area as well.
Aug 10 2013 6:27AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10622 - Karma: 7,396
also japan could be done if you buy a rail pass in the states before you go, the real push over is the airfare.
Aug 10 2013 6:29AM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,100
go to shanghai/beijing if you want to party. it can def be done for 4k, excluding airfare(or not even)
or travel all over se asia like thailand, vietnam etc
Aug 10 2013 7:38AM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
Right cause he wants to go travel to small towns in the middle of nowhere in fucking Africa. It's not an expectation for people to speak English in popularly visited areas, it's a fucking reality.

Thinking you're culutured because you think you understand the culture and learned "little bits" of their language is fucking retarded. It's far more insulting to the locals when people like you walk up like you own the place and butcher their language trying to be cool. Tourism is a huge part of their economy/lives, they understand this.

If a Chinese guy meets a French guy travelling, do you know what language they will use to communicate 90% of the time? Fucking English. It's the universal language bro, get over yourself.

I can guarantee you understand the locals English better than they understand your pathetic attempt.
Aug 10 2013 1:09PM
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LiquorLanch
Posts: 1909 - Karma: 1,046
Maybe you are so full of yourself you failed to notice that in Zambia all the signs for everything were English! There are 7 dialects of bemba and everyone speaks English because its not offensive unlike greeting someone in the wrong dialect.

Get your facts straight. He can fly into Lusaka, go to Livingston, see the falls. Head over to Botswana, take a dope ass safari at Chobe game preserve and then head off somewhere else!

Chill you arrogant little shit
Aug 10 2013 2:03PM
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HentaiHero
Posts: 298 - Karma: 1,099
Some of what you're saying is true but the budget is simply wrong. I went and travelled across Europe by train all for 4200. I did a shit ton too (rafting, hiking, camping, shopping, experiencing each culture w different foods and tours) I went to Iceland, Austria, Germany, Denmark Czech Rep and Norway. Keep I mind I didn't stay in Norway or Denmark becaus they are sooooo expensive. The trick is to budget yourself and stay in hostels or camp. It's really not that hard.
Aug 10 2013 4:00PM
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