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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
12,324

Africa

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

1,421

Americas - Canada

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

1,211

Americas - Caribbean

Fun, sun and sand in your shorts

5,944

Americas - Central America

From the cloud forests to the blue holes

1,843

Americas - Cuba

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

2,401

Americas - Mexico

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

12,915

Americas - South America

Supplement your Shoestring with the word from the road

5,102

Americas - United States of America

From sea to shining sea

1,994

Asia - Central Asia

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

11,659

Asia - Indian Subcontinent

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

7,835

Asia - North-East Asia

From teaching in Tokyo to travelling through Tibet

9,111

Asia - South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula

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

9,536

Asia - South-East Asia Mainland

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

6,924

Asia - Thailand

The lowdown on the land of smiles

4,049

Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica

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

860

Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

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

9,117

Europe - Eastern Europe & the Caucasus

Czech out all the vital info

1,957

Europe - Scandinavia & the Nordics

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

2,496

Europe - UK & Ireland

Two islands, infinite opportunities, all on one branch

13,070

Europe - Western Europe

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

4,690

Middle East

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

Recent threads in this category:

Oct 9, 2012 2:06 AM
Boochoon

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:51 PM
Boochoon

4 replies
592 views
location: Spain

Accommodation in rural/semi rural regions in Andalucia Spain

This is my first post to this forum naturally i am feeling bit nervous. I am interested in renting a self contained accommodation i.e. a room with kitchen facilities and bathroom in family environment for 2-3 months starting in or around February 2013. Some access to public transport to nearest town or hub will be handy. Would anyone be kind enough to give me some contact details or ideas where to start in my pursuit to this venture. I know the post is bit vague at this stage but some encouraging comments will help me immensely. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Sep 11, 2012 8:53 PM
mrfukui

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:48 PM
samiye

3 replies
1,113 views
location: Eritrea

Job in Eritrea

It looks like I might be offered a job soon in Asmara (fingers crossed). Can anyone give me an update on the travel situation in the country? Is it easy to get permits to travel around on long weekends without too much difficulty?

Also what is the quality of life like in Asmara? It seems pleasant but not without its share of problems. Any answers and feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Forum: Africa

Apr 10, 2012 11:51 PM
cheryl7

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:33 PM
Zetan_Priest

8 replies
1,619 views


What to do with 10 days around ko lanta and krabi?

Hi, Wonder if you can help.

Am a solo traveller, looking for some help in making decisions which i am DREADFUL at!
Currently on Koh Lanta staying in a great cheap little hut (300Bh) on Nin beach.

Happy here for a few days (will rent a scooter and take a look around) then want to see elsewhere but am confused with so much info.
Do I do a day trio to Phi Phi and see what all the fuss is about? Stay on Phi Phi if there is somewhere cheap??

Do I go back to Krabi and spend some time on Railay beach and do some kayaking and see Hong Island etc?

Are there any 'tours' not to miss?

Don't have masses of money, but do want to make the most of my time here.

Thanks in advance for any help whatsoever :)

Oct 8, 2012 9:06 PM
Amynishiki

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:22 PM
0live

8 replies
829 views
location: Spain

Two weeks in Madrid and Andalusia--starting this Sunday

Hi, everyone!

I'm flying into/out of Madrid, and am planning a Madrid-to-Andalusia trip with Toledo thrown in at the very end if I have time. I have the Madrid to Granada portion already planned and reserved (I had to pick a concrete date to buy that Alhambra ticket!). So it's the middle chunk of my trip that I'm having trouble nailing down. As a solo traveler I tend to not have plans written in stone, but I certainly like to have a skeleton of a plan!

My question is this: After Madrid -> Granada, what is the best order to visit Seville and Cordoba, and one of the white towns? I'm on public transit.

I was thinking Granada -> Ronda -> Seville -> Cordoba, then back to Madrid, change platforms, head to Toledo. Then home :-(

Does that sequence make sense? Especially from a train/bus perspective.
Is Ronda a good town to visit, or is there a better alternative to experience a w... more »

Oct 6, 2012 12:27 AM
JasonInJapan

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:13 PM
JasonInJapan

8 replies
1,918 views
location: Indonesia

Amed and the northeast Bali coast

I'll be in Bali over Christmas/New Year's this year. I was there 2 years ago and spent most of my time in Ubud and Pemuteran (in the northwest), so this time I'd like to head northeast.

I've read a bit about Amed and it sounds like I'd enjoy it, but it seems to be pretty spread out and developing quite rapidly, so I'm just wondering if any of you have any suggestions of what area would be good for me. I'm hoping to just spend a few days snorkeling and maybe doing some short hikes up into the mountains. I don't want anywhere busy, and I don't need any nightlife. I just want somewhere relatively quiet and laid-back, but with at least a few restaurants around.

I'll probably do the wreck dive at Tulamben as a day trip, but are there any other must-do dives in that area?

I'm also wondering if there are any other beach areas worth checking out along the coast between Tulamben an... more »

Oct 7, 2012 3:25 PM
beth213

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:13 PM
manolodub

6 replies
1,165 views
location: France

Snail or/and frog legs

We will be in Paris for 4 nights at the begining of November staying near the Eiffel Tower.(Adagio Aparthotel Tour Hotel) My research has shown that its not easy to find frogs legs or snails to eat but 2 members of our group are very keen to try them. Could anyone please direct me to somewhere that we could try either or both?

Feb 2, 2012 3:32 PM
playablanca

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:07 PM
Wildnatureguy

1 replies
569 views


Recommendation for the jungle- Nicky Lodge- Cuyabeno Reserve

I did a 4 day trip to the Cuyabeno Reserve at Nicky Lodge recently and would really recommend it.

It cost $200 and included transport, food, drinks (not beer!), guide, activities, lodging.

The guide was knowledgable, the range of activities was good, the food was lovely, the staff and service good.

I thought it was very good value and a great jungle experience- it was my second time, have previously been to the jungle in Peru.

I booked via email and received prompt replies to any questions. I chose Nicky Lodge due to price and available tours, but also because someone I met had been and recommended it. I chose to go to the Cuyabeno Reserve as another traveller recommended it.

Sep 18, 2012 2:22 PM
neverstopmoving79

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 3:06 PM
kenken45

14 replies
1,201 views
location: India

road trip through india by neelam bicycle

hi there,

i will start a trip through central india by bicycle in nov. 2012.
my plan is to drive from bombay to calcutta by a traditional indian bike which calls neelam.

has anybody experience to drive from west to east by bike?
could somebody recommend a route (road-conditions, accommodation, etc.)?

looking forward to get some answer

cheers
timo

Oct 6, 2012 5:47 AM
Samytr

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:50 PM
beerfree

5 replies
332 views
location: Argentina

Help to Plan My Flights Pls

Hello

I need advice to plan my flights.
Want to give a visit to Brazil and Argentina. I will fly from Istanbul to Sao Paulo.

But want to give a visit to Rio, Foz De Iguacu and Buenos Aires too.
Don't know which order should I plan my flights.

Need to fly back from Saou Pulo too.

2 days in Sao Paulo
Fly to Buenos Aires, stay there 3 days, and fly to Foz De iguacu,
Spend 2 days in Foz de Iguacu,
Then fly back to Rio
and back to Sao Paulo.

Don't know if it is possible to fly between these destinations:

  • Buenos Aires-Foz De Iguacu
  • Foz De Iguacu -Rio

Thanks,

Samy

Oct 1, 2012 4:53 AM
giantcornishpasty

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:42 PM
moroccotraveler

5 replies
478 views
location: Morocco

Windsurf adventure trip!

Hey I've travelled a bit before but not for a while so you'll have to excuse the ignorance in my post lol.

Basically I've booked a one way flight to Morroco for Nov and am taking my windsurf kit with me to Essaouira (on my own). I plan to stay for at least a month and am going for windsurfing + to have an adventure (think that parts guaranteed!). I plan to live cheap since it will be a longish trip and I prefer to live basic anyway. Was thinking of staying at the hostel Essaouira to begin with as its super cheap and looks a great for meeting others and finding my feet. Interested to hear what others think of my plan & please critisize, it will prob help!

Just wanted to find out if anyone has any tips for me in terms of general travel there at this time of year and also maybe options for storing my kit (I fit everything into a 2.5 m bag).

Also been looking at how to get from M... more »

Forum: Africa

Aug 2, 2012 3:11 PM
Leeszechuin

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:38 PM
flumy

9 replies
868 views
location: Croatia

Transfer from Salzburg to Croatia (ZAgreb)?

Dear all,

I Am trying to figure out how to train over from Salzburg to Croatia(Zagreb)? But I don't seem to able to get info from OBB site.
Is there an overnight train as I believe the ride is more than 6hrs?

Thank you for any help!!

Oct 4, 2012 8:08 PM
brendt

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:34 PM
jiejie

8 replies
826 views
location: China

Soft sleeper from Pingyao (or Taiyuan) to Xi'an: impossible?

The standard advice on these forums is that it is difficult to obtain soft sleeper tickets from Pingyao to Xi'an, possibly making it necessary to depart from Taiyuan instead. Motivated by some very useful advice I received in response to a previous question here, I have been trying to determine if it possible to buy these tickets on the official Chinese railways website with the assistance of a Chinese colleague. We have checked every day for the past few days, and have not been able to find a single soft sleeper ticket for Pingyao to Xi'an available within the 12 day window for online sales. This suggests that it's actually impossible, and not just difficult, to buy the tickets from Pingyao to Xi'an. Even worse, though, the only soft sleeper tickets available from Taiyuan are on the two daytime trains, on which they're pretty pointless.

Does anyone... more »

Oct 9, 2012 10:38 AM
Baylonious

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:25 PM
Herbie47

3 replies
410 views


Have I got enough money???

Help needed please!!

In November I'm planning on heading north from Ho Chi Minh, taking in all the usual beaches and attractions up to Ha Long/Hanoi, then into Laos and down to Cambodia where I'd like to see the temples at Angkor and Phnom Penh. From there I'd ideally like to head south to Sihanoukville and then over the border back into Vietnam to Phu Quoc. Then back to Ho Chi Minh.

All flights are taken care of. I've got 1 month and about £1200. In terms of money and time, is this realistic?

Any advice you can give me, or recommendations, will be gratefully received. - Thanks.

Feb 19, 2012 8:18 PM
KoalasRule

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:24 PM
PoppyG

42 replies
5,017 views


Pages 1 2 3

FlightCentre ....

I haven't booked with them for years ... in fact have tried to avoid them wherever possible. But I'm in a mischievious mood today. I visited their website and they say that they can guarantee to beat any similar web-based airfare. So I'm putting them to the test. I want to fly to London in October. I have prices with Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific - directly from their websites. With the Malaysia Airlines fare particularly, FlightCentre came in about $450 more expensve. I just emailed them and told them I could get seats on the exact same flights for $1915, as opposed to their quote of $2374. Will be interesting to see what they say ...

Oct 9, 2012 7:42 AM
mandyjayne

last reply
Oct 9, 2012 2:23 PM
BangkokBoy

4 replies
1,028 views


Getting from Ayutthaya to kanchanaburi

Hi there. Can anyone please tell me if it is possible to get to kanchanaburi on the local buses (703 change suphburi 411 to kanchanaburi) as I was planning to leave tomorrow on this route but have been told by my guest house that these public buses have stopped running.

I am unsure if this is true as they are trying to sell me a private minibus ticket through the guest house. I have been told to avoid these due to the lack of luggage space and the crazy speeds at which they are driven. Have already had one horrid experience on a private minibus and did not wish to do it again!

Otherwise I could get the train to Bangkok and a bus or train from there bu this will take a while.

Thanks for the help!

 
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