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Departure Lounge

Share your travel information, advice, hints and tips. Please choose from one of the countries or regions below.

Number of topics
Branches
38,453

Africa

Looking for a latte in Lesotho or a truckin' good transcontinental time

5,911

Americas - Canada

Dog sledding, Maple Leafs and more shoreline than the Caribbean

4,372

Americas - Caribbean

Fun, sun and sand in your shorts

20,141

Americas - Central America

From the cloud forests to the blue holes

6,584

Americas - Cuba

It's more than just cigars, rum and old cars

10,792

Americas - Mexico

Akumal to Zipolite, Aztecs to Zapatistas.. y tequila!

42,169

Americas - South America

Supplement your Shoestring with the word from the road

14,541

Americas - United States of America

From sea to shining sea

4,260

Asia - Central Asia

Here a 'stan, there a 'stan, everywhere a 'stan 'stan

32,051

Asia - Indian Subcontinent

Not only elephants, snake charmers, price rises, immodium and curry in a hurry

31,585

Asia - North-East Asia

From teaching in Tokyo to travelling through Tibet

22,960

Asia - South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula

Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore

26,296

Asia - South-East Asia Mainland

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

26,926

Asia - Thailand

The lowdown on the land of smiles

17,898

Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica

Do they speak English? Is there a bridge to NZ? Are kangaroos poisonous?

3,926

Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms, rising ocean levels...

23,295

Europe - Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

Czech out all the vital info

5,214

Europe - Scandinavia

Fjords and hiking, meet some Vikings - Nordic Europe will be to your likings!

9,853

Europe - UK & Ireland

Two islands, infinite opportunities, all on one branch

33,179

Europe - Western Europe

Bacalhau to bratwurst, frites to zabaglione - Also, there's art

14,209

Middle East

...and does anyone know about that Israeli passport stamp

Recent threads in this category:

Read

posted
23-Nov-2009 20:26
by: lamberthomas »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:10
by: HenningWessel »

12 replies , 256 views location: Indonesia

Robbers in the bus Parapat Medan

After 3 weeks travelling in Indonesia, my bag was cut into pieces by an indonesisian on my way to Medan.

I took the public bus at Parapat to Medan . The driver assistant asks me to put my bag behind the last row where I was sitting. At one stop around 60 Indonesians get on the bus. The bus was full. One teenager took the room near my bag. 16 years old well dressed. I wouldn’t suspect this teenager being a robber.

During the journey, every 5 minutes, I had a look on my bag. But having a look wasn’t enough. When I arrive in Medan on my bag, I found 4 deep cuts on it. (30 cm, 20cm, 25 cm, 2cm).

I had bought this bag 2 weeks ago because the bag I’d brought from France fell apart. I decided to buy something expensive. Something I could use at least during 10 years. But I made a mistake traveling in Indonesia with a new brand luggage.
Trying to explain why this Indonesian cut... more »

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posted
25-Nov-2009 14:25
by: angsta »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:10
by: losing_touch »

5 replies , 90 views

Reliable Travel Agent In Bangkok

Any suggestions gratefully received? I wish to purchase a flight from Bkk - Ldn .

Many Thanks

Angsta

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posted
19-Nov-2009 14:06
by: mighty_mo »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:07
by: BeerLao »

17 replies , 371 views

Pages 1 2

the latest info on full moon party in koh phangan?

hi there,
wondering if anyone knows the latest info on the full moon party at Haad rin. I'd heard that they were "cracking down" on the partying and making it a family friendly event?!
has this actually happened during any recent FMP?

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posted
25-Nov-2009 18:07
by: moonbug »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:07
by: moonbug »

0 replies , 3 views location: Egypt

donkey/camel rides in the Valley of the Kings and tours

I'm looking at spending 10 days in Egypt in April 2010 and was considering doing a tour of some sort. Normally I'd shy away from package tours but I have a short amount of time and have heard good reviews from friends about Travel Talk/Geckos/Intrepid etc.

It seems most tours include donkey rides in the Valley of the Kings and camel rides elsewhere. I work in animal welfare and am concerned about the conditions working animals are kept in so would not like to take part in this aspect. One tour has suggested that we walk instead.

Just wondering if walking for Valley of the Kings is feasable (particularly in April) and if there are other ways of accessing the area? Also any suggestions for seeing Egypt in a short amount of time not on a package tour, I'd be interested in any advice.

Forum: Africa
Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 08:04
by: sunshinetreker »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:06
by: swiftdesire »

3 replies , 55 views location: India

Looking for good resources to research trains/busses/flights (if needed)

Heading to India in March for a month. Originally planned on either north or south but....that didn't pan out once we figured out what we wanted to see.

Must see's so far are:
Darjeeling
Varanasi
Mumbai
Banagalore (friends there)
and possibly Udaipur

I know - all over the place. Was thinking of flying into Delhi, heading to Varanasi and heading up to Darjeeling, stopping in Calcutta on the way down to Banalore, seeing Goa and hitting Mumbai on the way out. Trying to figure out where to find the best resources are for planning travel times, so I can figure if it's worth doing a flight or two, or if trains and busses will be good enough.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.

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posted
25-Nov-2009 06:14
by: dave123456 »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:06
by: Tomkat »

4 replies , 73 views

Recommended short tours in thailand

I am arriving in Bangkok next week and as I will be travelling alone I thought I might go on a number of short tours. Can anyone recommend any good, sociable, fun tours to go on. I was thinking of a Kanchanaburi 2 or 3 day tour to start things off, does anyone know a good one to go on or are they all very similar. After that I am open to suggestions. I am willing to try any type of trip and don't mind travelling anywhere else in Thailand to go on them. Thanks in advance for your help

One more thing are these intrepid/gap tours any good, they seem expensive for what you get but if anyone has any opinions on them I would love to hear them

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posted
25-Nov-2009 07:17
by: scouser »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:05
by: scouser »

2 replies , 24 views

auckland to napier - fly or drive?

I've got a long weekend to visit a friend in Hawkes Bay during a trip to NZ for work. He is moving to HB at Xmas from the UK & said the easiest way to get there is a flight to Napier.
I could leave Thursday PM & return on Sunday PM & stop off somewhere on the way there taying in Napier Saturday night & having Saturday & Sunday PM there. That way I'd see a bit more of the country. But is there much to see or should I just fly to Napier? Thanks for any advice.

Read

posted
23-Nov-2009 17:14
by: remypauline »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:05
by: remypauline »

12 replies , 237 views location: Ethiopia

3 weeks in Ethiopia and Eritree

Hi everyone,

We are a couple planning a 3-wk trip from December 19 to january 9 and we are wondering whether there is any way to go from one country to the other.

Apart from that, any good advice on a program for a 3-wk trip in this beautiful country(ies)? Anything we shouldn't miss? Any fantastic experience someone would liketo share, which wouldn't be standing out in the guides (even if it is, it's always good to stress what's good)? Also, which hotel is recommended in Addis?

Well in short this is a message in a bottle to anyone who visited ethiopia and/or eritree and who liked it and is ready to share experience!

Cheers
Remy

Forum: Africa
Read

posted
22-Nov-2009 00:30
by: purpletree »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:05
by: nyamukhunter »

23 replies , 410 views location: Malaysia

Pages 1 2

Muslim country passport

Hi All,
I have a rather strange question. I know in Malaysia the laws for Muslims and non Muslims are different. What about for tourists who visit the country with a Muslim country passport?
I don’t wear any of the outfits that you might think one is Muslim so can I assume that I’ll be treated as any other non Muslim tourist?
I thought this forum would be the best place for accurate info!!
Thanks a lot!!

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 18:03
by: caspase »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:03
by: caspase »

0 replies , 4 views

2 quick Yucatan peninsula Q's

1. You are in Playa del Carmen & want to drive to Valladolid. It is 3 pm in December & you would prefer not to drive for too long in the dark, but also would like an enjoyable ride. Do you go via Tulum or Cancun?

2. You only have time to see Coba or Ek Balam, not both. Which one do you visit?

Thanks!

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 16:01
by: sarah_117 »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:01
by: Captain_Bob »

2 replies , 32 views location: Vietnam

SMS Australia

Hi,

I've been trying to send an sms from my mobifone sim to australia with no luck.
I tried with +614 and with 0061 and still didn't work. I've been around to a few different places asking how but so far no one has been able to succesfully help.
I've been either sending to +614 (minus 0 from mobile number) then the rest of it. OR 0061 (rest of # minus the first 0).
Can anyone help pls??

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 17:03
by: andybox »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:01
by: westwood »

10 replies , 81 views

Brisbane residents.

Do we have any posters from Brisbane? I need some advice regarding transportation, accommodation and good areas for eating, bars etc. Starting work (very short notice) next Monday at Brisbane airport, on the Pinkenbah side.
Very much appreciated, Andy ...

Read

posted
18-Oct-2005 13:20
by: Wordsmith »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:00
by: andybox »

687 replies , 10,474 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 46

How Many Airports Have You Been To?


Very bored at work... for fun, I just made a list of every airport I've been in, whether it was my destination or a layover... what's yours?

Charlottetown
Moncton
Toronto Pearson
Ottawa
Petawawa
Winnipeg
Calgary
Edmonton
Vancouver
Whitehorse
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Honolulu
Maui
Atlanta
Buffalo
Orlando
Miami
St. Petersburg, FLA
Chicago O'Hare
San Juan, PR
Manzanillo, Mexico
Las Vegas
Papeete
Moorea
Bora Bora
Huahine
Rarotonga
Aitutaki
Nadi
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
Cairns
Brisbane
Sydney
Perth
Melbourne
Adelaide

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 13:32
by: PJMccartney »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:00
by: boomuncle »

1 replies , 18 views location: India

North India

Hello all,

I`m currently in South America and three days after landing in The UK in January i will fly out to India for eleven weeks. I have been before but mostly to the south and central India with the exception of Agra, Delhi and Varanasi so it would be cool if people who have been to the north before could put down their top three things to do or see in there. I am thinking of going to the NE States, Amritsar and Haridwar for the Kumbh Mala so need some inspiration for the rest of the time but i do not currently have access to an Indian guidebook.

So let`s hear it then, people`s top three for the north of India!

Patrick

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 02:40
by: berchman »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 18:00
by: keirsek »

12 replies , 219 views

Bangkok's Chinatown Dangerous to Walk in at Night?

I will be staying at the Grand China Princess Hotel in Bangkok (215 Yaowarat Rd) and arriving at around 1AM. Would it be dangerous for me to wander around Chinatown at night taking pictures? I will be carrying two large Nikon cameras, one on each shoulder.

 

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