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Thorn Tree Forum

Departure Lounge

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

Number of topics
Branches
12,360

Africa

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

1,424

Americas - Canada

Maple leaves and Mounties, Tim Hortons' and hockey, Hollywood North and more shoreline than the Caribbean

1,213

Americas - Caribbean

Fun, sun and sand in your shorts

5,955

Americas - Central America

From the cloud forests to the blue holes

1,847

Americas - Cuba

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

2,404

Americas - Mexico

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

12,950

Americas - South America

Supplement your Shoestring with the word from the road

5,121

Americas - United States of America

From sea to shining sea

1,779

Asia - Central Asia

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

11,685

Asia - Indian Subcontinent

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

7,855

Asia - North-East Asia

From teaching in Tokyo to travelling through Tibet

9,135

Asia - South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula

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

9,550

Asia - South-East Asia Mainland

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

6,939

Asia - Thailand

The lowdown on the land of smiles

4,059

Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica

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

861

Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

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

9,164

Europe - Eastern Europe & the Caucasus

Czech out all the vital info

1,965

Europe - Scandinavia & the Nordics

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

2,504

Europe - UK & Ireland

Two islands, infinite opportunities, all on one branch

13,103

Europe - Western Europe

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

4,119

Middle East

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

Recent threads in this category:

May 18, 2013 10:52 PM
juliegar

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:35 PM
montyman

2 replies
126 views
location: Myanmar

Boat journey from Bagan to Mandalay

Hi am hoping someone can give some advice please. We are wanting to take a boat from Bagan to Mandalay at the start of July. One is / do you think possible? Two, how long would it take? it looks like there are many boats that go the other way ie from Mandalay to Bagan. I look forward to some advice.

May 18, 2013 10:38 PM
snowflakes100

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:34 PM
Keithent

2 replies
90 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Current price for climbing volcanoes

In August 2011 I climbed Cotopaxi with a company from Latacunga. The price for one person (with one guide) was at that time $280 and that included all equipment, sleeping bag and extra clothes that I needed.

I just looked at the webpage of a travel agent in Quito for prices to climb Cayambe. Their price for going alone with a guide is $676 (they have the same price for Cotopaxi) and this price doesn't include sleeping bag, gaiters and any extra clothes that you need.
It is so much more money than what I paid for the climb in 2011.

So now I wonder what you have paid recently for climbing Cayambe, Cotopaxi or Chimborazo (or any other volcano).

May 19, 2013 8:45 AM
runyon

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:33 PM
montyman

1 replies
39 views
location: Cambodia

Stung Treng-guest house

can somebody recommend a nice budget guest house in Stung Treng?
thanks.

May 19, 2013 9:13 AM
andiv

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:30 PM
montyman

1 replies
41 views
location: Laos

Rent/buy a motorbike in Laos

Hi fellow travelers,

I'm planning a three weeks trip through Laos (begin of next year) and thinking about traveling by motorbike. The route would be Huay Xai - Luang Namtha - Luang Prabang - Phonsavan - Vientiane - Pakse.

I'm having a few questions regarding the motorbike part (which I hope you will be able to answer):

  • Is it easier to rent or to buy/sell a bike for the tour? What costs should I calculate?
  • In which of the cities will I be able to buy/rent a bike to start the tour?
  • Is there a speed limit in Laos?
  • What's road conditions can I expect on this route?
  • Does any of you know (trusted) bike rentals/sales (where I can pickup and return the bike in different cities)?

Many thanks in advance :).

May 19, 2013 2:12 PM
travelbfun

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:29 PM
hopefulist

3 replies
51 views


Any Off-The-Beaten path suggestions

I leave for Guatemala/Belize on Thursday and going to Semuc Champay-Rio Dulce-Finca de Paraiso-Livingston-PG-Caye Caulker-Tulum-Cancun. I will be trying to see most of the major sites and activities along the way. But if anyone has any suggestions they really enjoyed that are not in the travel guides I'd love to know about them. Thanks

May 19, 2013 1:51 PM
DelmarWilliams

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:27 PM
Keithent

1 replies
36 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

May 21, 2013 1:11 PM
cbg015

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:26 PM
cbg015

2 replies
53 views


Overnight Bus from Oaxaca to San Cristobal sold out?

Greetings,

I wish to travel overnight by bus from Oaxaca to San Cristobal de Las Casas on Wednesday, July 3. I notice that tickets aren't available for this night on the ADO website. I get an message that reads: "NO EXISTEN CORRIDAS DE SALIDA DISPONIBLES....POR FAVOR REALICE OTRA CONSULTA ¡GRACIAS!" This means there aren't tickets available please use another query.

I was planning on purchasing tickets only a few days beforehand - upon arriving in Oaxaca. However, I am guessing that this is a popular night/route and tickets aren't available.

Does anybody have any other suggestions on how to get to San Cristobal from Oaxaca? Are there any second-class buses that are non-ADO/OCC?

Thanks in advance.

Mar 26, 2012 2:18 PM
22wanderlust

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:26 PM
22wanderlust

11 replies
1,072 views
location: Costa Rica

how do i active an unlocked cell phone when i arrive in SJ

Hello all-
We will be arriving at SJ airport at 5 am on a Sunday morning. I plan to purchase an unlocked cell phone prior to my trip, and I know I will need to purchase a SIM card as well as a card for minutes. My question is about how to do this on a Sunday morning. Is the shop going to be open at that hour or at any time on a Sunday for that matter.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

May 21, 2013 1:25 PM
Hawaiianne

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:25 PM
Hawaiianne

0 replies
13 views
location: Myanmar

View of shores going Bagan to Mandalay by "fast" boat

1. We will be coming to Myanmar in Nov and thought to take the "fast"boat from Bagan to Mandalay. Is the Irrewaddy too wide to enjoy the views as you go along? And does this "fast" boat operate daily or only some days?
2. If possible going by bus from Inle Lake to Bagan during the day, despite the distance is the countryside worth seeing along the way?
3. And what would prices be in mid range hotels/guest houses in the main tourist places for two people?

May 19, 2013 10:19 AM
ronocronoc

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:22 PM
montyman

1 replies
33 views


ATMs that are guaranteed to work.

Hello all
I am off to Myanmar for the whole of July. I am slightly worried about having to bring cash to keep me going for a whole month. Do you know of any ATMs that are definitely working? I can’t really take a change and then find they are broken and I am out of cash.
I am going to all the usual places Yangon
Inle
Mandlay
Bagan
Thanks loads.

May 18, 2013 10:06 PM
nkbennett

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:21 PM
gawkabout

6 replies
163 views
location: Germany

Going to Oktoberfest 2014! Any suggestions for itinerary?

HI!

I am planning a girls trip to Munich for Oktoberfest in 2014. We will be staying in Germany for about 14 days. What are the must do for this region? Does anyone have any suggestions for other areas to visit? Is the public transportation pretty good or should we plan on renting a car? We are really excited- I went on my first European vacation last May and am hooked! I loved the history and the culture of the area and can't wait to experience more:-) Any help is greatly appreciated-thanks!!

Nicki
Anchorage, Alaska

May 19, 2013 5:12 AM
girlfromnewtown

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:19 PM
westwood

3 replies
81 views


Itinerary - Thailand Laos Cambodia and back to Thailand

Hi

Hopefully seek some useful advice from you with regards to my trip to three above south east asian countries next month.
so to be exact 29 days all together.

My plan is as follows

Chiangmai (straight away after BKK arrival date) 4 days - Chiangrai 5days -Luang Namtha (cross to border to Laos) 4 days - Luang Pranbang ( 4 days) - Cross border to Cambodia (I would like to visit Siem Reap 3 days) - then back to Thailand BKK or preferably beach Krabi or Ko Samui island there 5days - BKK 4 days.

1. I wonder whether this is too much for a month??
have to come up with the travel plan that lets me reset enough days (15 days) by land as I need to go back to Thailand from Cambodia.

2. Is there any bus/boat trip from Luang Prangbang (Laos) to Siem Reap (cambodia)? it might be a little big jump though. what do you recommend? How long should I expect its travelling ti... more »

May 21, 2013 1:01 PM
Splash105

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:19 PM
ambarush

1 replies
18 views
location: Tunisia

Dress codes for western women

Hi

I have been trying to work out what is acceptable dress for western women in Tunisia. I've read LP on Tunisia and various forums and am now quite confused as it seems quite contradictory.

We are staying in Tunis and near Sousse and travelling during the day to various Roman sites by private minibus.

My big question is how much of my arms should be covered. I am trying to balance respect for local customs, with the fact that it will be hot for me, and that it's hard to buy summer clothing in the UK that have full sleeves. So at the moment I have lots of modest tshirts, that cover the shoulders but cut off mid upper arm. I'm starting to think that that's not enough coverage, but would be interested for any useful advice.

Forum: Africa

May 14, 2013 3:22 AM
awehring

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:18 PM
awehring

11 replies
284 views
location: Brazil

4 weeks trip - some suggestions ?

I'm planning a 4 weeks trip to Brazil, July / August.

I have been there 12 years ago (Cuiaba / Pantanal, Salvador (during Carnival), Rio, Florianopolis). Now I will go with my girlfriend, who was never there.

We will visit someone in Sao Paulo and want to include Rio and the Amazonas jungle. We do NOT want to "rush thru" but stay a few days at every place. So we have time left for one or maximum two spots. Large distances we will fly.

My questions are:

(1) Salvador de Bahia was beautiful, but is there an alternative, that I don't know yet?

(2) Is it worth to visit Iguazu Falls? Sounds like a silly question, but we have seen the Niagara Falls and the Victioria Falls in Africa. If Iguazu is not SO much different, we might skip it.

(3) We are considering two or three days at Ilha Grande / Paraty, seems like a nice stop between Sao Paulo and Rio. How is the weather in ... more »

May 21, 2013 1:18 PM
SarahW89

last reply
May 21, 2013 1:18 PM
SarahW89

0 replies
12 views


Advice or Orlando itinerary and theme parks

Hey everyone

I have just booked my first holiday to Florida - 8 nights International Drive followed by 3 nights Clearwater February 2014.

There will be 3 Adults aged between 21-40.

I am looking for some advice on my itinerary - we are all big thrill ride/theme park seekers but want to also ensure that we don't cram to much in and go into overkill within a few days!

Orginally I was going to scrap WDW altogether but from the research I have done so far, most posts seem to recommend going to at least one WDW park on first trip.

Also we are not planning on hiring a car until day 9 (for the trip and time at Clearwater).

So here is what I am thinking so far:

Monday Arrive Orlando (pm)
Tuesday Universal Studios
Wednesday Magic Kingdom
Thursday Free day (break from parks)
Friday Island of Adventures
Saturday A water pak - Blizzard Beach or Wet and Wild
Sunday Free ... more »

 
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