Departure Lounge
Share your travel information, advice, hints and tips. Please choose from one of the countries or regions below.
Americas - Canada
Maple leaves and Mounties, Tim Hortons' and hockey, Hollywood North and more shoreline than the Caribbean
Asia - Indian Subcontinent
Not only elephants, snake charmers, price rises, immodium and curry in a hurry
Asia - South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula
Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore
Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica
Do they speak English? Is there a bridge to NZ? Are kangaroos poisonous?
Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
Sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms, rising ocean levels...
Europe - Scandinavia & the Nordics
Fjords and hiking, meet some Vikings - Nordic Europe will be to your likings!
Recent threads in this category:
bicycles in mexico city
Hello. Looks like ecobici is still for residents, only. Anyone know of a good place to rent bikes for a few days? (We'll be staying near the U.S. Embassy.) Thanks.
Whalesharks - is Holbox the only option?
Hey fellow travellers.
I am going to Mexico for four weeks in July and want to see whalesharks. I arrive and depart from Mexico city and not so keen on taking the journey yo Holbox.
Is there any other place closer to Mexico City where I could see the whalesharks as well?
All the best,
Mikkel
Copper Canyon
We plan to travel the Copper Canyon next April. I've always travelled budget and always felt that I'd not enjoy more expensive travel any more. Ok I'm now 60 years old but still physically very active (still think I'm 25) so I want to get off the train here and there at any place that takes my fancy when I'm there and stay for as long as I feel and do what seems a good idea at the time.
Going through some websites suggest that doing that sort of thing wouldn't be wise there, but others give me the idea that it'd be fine. That's what I want to hear but am I being realistic? I did a lot of "shoestring" travelling in Asia back in the seventies and to some extent I actually did that in Russia (Siberia) in 2005 although somewhat restricted by the visa.
I guess I want to know from younger more recently experienced travellers what is available to suit my tastes in the Copper Canyon of M...
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Jun 18, 2013 3:40 AM
shakeitupguy
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:36 PM
GaryD
1 replies
62 views
location:
Indonesia
Ramadan & Idul Fitri
I will be travelling in august during Idul Fitri.
Thursday, 08 August 2013 is Islamic national holiday so I guess thay day everything will be closed in Indonesia?.
Is that also true in Bali (mainly Hindu)?
I was planning to go from Bali to Kalimantan and arrive on August 9th in Banjarmasin. Will the flower market take place during the days just after Idul Fitri? And can tours then be arranged? I wouldn't like to plan my schedule as such to arrive in a city where the highlight of the place is not being held during those days and waste time.
Besides traffic because people visit family, will this also affect finding hotel accomodation?
With Idul Fitri, are there any festivities setup interesting for non-muslims?
Any other advice for travelling during those days is more than welcome.
Jun 17, 2013 1:58 PM
robonrome
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:35 PM
2010shanti
2 replies
95 views
location:
Nepal
Khopra Ridge from Ghorepani?
Doing a short trek with my son in November.
I was thinking about the Ghorepani - Ghandruk loop, but have been interested in the Khopraridge route and community lodges since reading about them in LP.
Khopra ridge seems to a a 4 day loop from either Ghorapani or off the route between Tadopani and Deurali.
Looking at my map for the area, Khopra looks a lot closer (aware this doesn't mean much in Nepal) to Ghorepani coming off the trail down to Tatopani peeling off at Chitre and heading up via Swanta. Just wondering if I could do Khopra as a side trip then that way and back from Khopra to join the Ghorepani.Tatopani trail at CHitre or further down the hill?
Any one done this and have an idea of the times involved? I was considering this and instead of looping back to Pokhara via Ghandruk just heading on down to Tatopani and either busing back to Pok from there or jeeping up ...
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Jun 7, 2013 6:49 PM
HopefulTraveler12
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:35 PM
regards
32 replies
1,071 views
Indan guy traveling to Western Europe, can I expect issues?
I am an American guy but my heritage is Indian. Born and raised in Arizona and right now I am 22 years old. So far I have been reading about Europe and heard that there are some problems with North African and Middle Eastern immigrants there. Due to my complexion (olive skin) and facial features, I do get mistaken for Middle Eastern a lot. The countries I will be traveling to are France and Norway.
If I go out to bar craws, try to talk to strangers and locals (I speak a bit of French), and do all that, could I expect some serious issues?
I really need to know this.
cheap resort on the beach in Cancun?
Hi, I am on the tail end of my RTW trip and just arrived in Mexico. I am looking for a hotel suggestion in the Cancun area for next week. I have a few criteria -- it has to be on the beach with lounge chairs, the room needs to have AC and it has to be under 100USD a night. A pool would also be nice. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Michael
Aeromexico flights direct from Asia to Mexico?
Hello all,
I am in Laos at the moment and planning to go from here to Mexico in late August. I am having some trouble getting convenient and cheap flights.
I am looking at the Aeromexico flights from shanghai to Mexico City (via Tijuana) or the Aeromexico flights from Tokyo to Mexico City. There seems to be a huge difference between the flights prices though, and I'm wondering if anyone could tell me why. I would prefer the shanghai flight but it is $2500 (one way)! The Tokyo flight is much more reasonably priced, at $1083. Is there some reason why these flights have such a price difference, or do I just have to keep searching different search engines to try to get a better china - Mexico flight?
Thanks!
Jun 17, 2013 10:13 PM
Mike410
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:32 PM
Hanguk
6 replies
116 views
location:
South Korea
ESL - better job prospects with a CELTA
Hello,
I am looking to teach English in S. Korea, and was wondering if having a CELTA qualification gives you better job prospects, higher pay etc.
I have a BAA from a Canadian Uni and an MA from England.
I don't have any teaching experience.
I do have an online 120 hr 'advanced' TEFL certificate.
Would the job prospects be better if I did the CELTA?
Thanks
Honeymoon in Mexico - Playa del carmen and Los Cabos
Hi, My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon for February next year. We will fly from Melbourne Australia direct to LA and then fly from LA to Mexico.
Friends have recommended we visit Playa del Carmen? Does anymore recommend a 4 to 5 star resort, all inclusive, perfect for honeymooners? We are both 30 and love good food and fine and beautiful beaches and pools. We would love to stay at a modern resort with beautiful pools and restaurants.
We were also looking to spend a week in Los Cabos...does anyone recommend some amazing resorts for honeymooners in the area?
If anyone can recommend some great places to stay and activities to do that would be fantastic.
Thank you so much!
Cheers,
Em
Edited by: EmFox83
Jun 18, 2013 6:00 PM
estrelladanoche
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:30 PM
hazzdawg
2 replies
64 views
location:
Bolivia
Bus Strikes in Bolivia
Hi all,
I've seen many of the posts on this forum about the blockades in Bolivia, so I hope this post isn't redundant, I'm just hoping to clarify a couple of things.
We are going to be entering Bolivia from Argentina in a little over a week. I'm a little bit anxious about the blockades, because we are on a tight schedule- a little over a month to get to Cuzco (2 weeks in Bolivia, 2 weeks in Peru).
So, my question is: on what roads are there usually blockades? We will be coming from the northwest of Argentina->Sucre->Potosi->La Paz->Puno. How long does the delay caused by a blockade usually last? I've never experienced a blockade in Bolivia.. I've heard that typically a ton of taxis come to "save" the stranded passengers, and that often the blockades are expensive/ traps for tourists. Can anyone advise me, or offer just general information about the situation right now with the blo...
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Jun 18, 2013 4:54 AM
drifterjoe
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:27 PM
missninja
3 replies
93 views
Does travel insurance count at healthinsurance?
I'm from New Zealand and I'm trying to apply for a working holiday visa for Sweden. They tell me I need valid health Insurance to get the visa. But I'm now in Germany so I can not get Insurance from New Zealand!!
Will my Nomads travel insurance be enough?
If not how do I get health insurance for Sweden?
Thanks a lot for the help!
Aug 13, 2012 3:40 PM
gululv
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:26 PM
irenereverte
17 replies
1,817 views
location:
India
Mumbai - Bangalore- Kolkata: Places to see
I'm thinking about doing a trip to India in a few months time. I have never been there before. Mumbai seems more interesting than Delhi, though flying in there is slightly more expensive. I also wanna go see a friend who lives in Bangalore. Maybe go to Kolkata too. I'm thinking about something like 3 weeks. What would you recommend me along this route? As I will go alone, do you think I will manage fine without much solo traveling experience? I'm not interested in going to Goa or other party places, or just spend time in the big cities. So recommendations for regions of India (not too far from this route) would be appreciated.
Jun 18, 2013 4:21 AM
reneehagen
last reply
Jun 18, 2013 10:24 PM
2010shanti
6 replies
144 views
location:
Nepal
Advice on trekking Gokyo Ri
Hi there!
I'm a 22 year solo female traveler and I'm planning on trekking to the Gokyo lakes and EBC in september/october. I have not made a detailed itinerary yet, but I'm not in a hurry so I can take my time. The plan is to find a group to walk with in Kathmandu or along the way. It's my first time in the himalaya and I'd love some advise (I've read past threads about this trek).
1. First of all, what is the weather like at the end of september? What kind of clothes are necessary to stay warm?
2. Do i need to bring a sleeping bag for staying in teahouses? (i will bring a sheet)
3. Do I need a porter? I'm in very good physical condition but have no experience with long treks.
4. This trek will be part of a much bigger trip, so I will have some luggage with me that I don't need in the mountains. Is it possible to leave some of my stuff locked up safely in Kathmandu?
Also,...
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Bali or not ?
I'm traveling around Southeast Asia from Thailand heading south to ko Tao and ko pha ngan then to Malaysia, over to Medan in Indonesia for Bukit Lawang Ourangutans. Back to George Town in Malasia and up to Krabi and Phuket.
Now from here we were going to go back to Bangkok and through Angkor wat, south Vietnam to the north through Lao into North Thailand, Myanmar and back to Bangkok.
We have an option after Phuket (new year) to do a flight to Singapore to see Family for a few days, then a retun trip to Bali then a flight up to Cambodia form Singapore and continue our trip.
The detour would cost £400 in flights and would eat into 7 days of our trip (which should be fine) and we have always wanted to visit Bali, BUT THE BIG QUESTION IS AFTER SEEING SO MUCH OF THE REST OF SE ASIA IS THE TRIP TO BALI WORTH IT ?????
I'm sure it's beautiful but is it so different to the rest of ...
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