Thorn Tree travel forum

The Lobby

Budget travel, health, working overseas, Gap Year, green travel, diving, biking and more.

Number of topics
Branches
2,596

Activities & Gear

Go outside, run around, get some stuff to help you do it

4,048

Travel Tech

Tune in to talk computers, cameras, phones and other travel tech

2,590

Travel on a shoestring

Times are tough, but the travel bug lives

2,573

Gap Year & Round the World Travel

Keep on going and you'll eventually make it back

1,545

Responsible Travel

For those that want to travel green, or discuss issues that affect responsible & sustainable travel.

2,249

Health

Things that give you the schistosomes

3,291

Speaking in Tongues

Wrap your laughing gear 'round the local lingo

2,264

The Long Haul - Living & Working Abroad

Don't know if you'll ever make it home? Step right in

1,530

Older Travellers

Spend the kids' inheritance and hit the road

792

Experimental Travel

Get lost and go

1,182

Like a Sore Thumb

Vive la différence!

2,014

Diving & Snorkelling

Because it's better underwater

1,267

Life on the Ocean

Want to catch a cargo ship, crew a yacht or jump on a ferry? Find your sea legs here!

4,504

On Your Bike

Vélo, Fahrrad, Bisikleta - get on a bicycle to see the world

4,941

Kids To Go

Lugging the littlies 'round the globe

280

Wildlife & Nature

The natural habitat for those crazy for critters and mother earth

108

Snow Business

There's no travel like snow travel

5,204

Trekking & Mountaineering

Go take a hike

499

Travellers With Disabilities

Ready, willing and able

3,071

Gay & Lesbian Travellers

Being out when you're getting about

Recent threads in this category:

Read

posted
27-Nov-2009 05:09
by: homeopathusa »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 20:31
by: micolett »

6 replies , 166 views

Balinese or Indonesian Translation

Can someone try to translate this for me?

"Sorry...,sya menulis cm untk mengatakan padanya untk menjelasan smuanya kepada anda.
Bkn sya yg tdk bs diprcy td suami anda sndr yg sehrs tdk bs anda prcya, smua kta2 anda i2 hanya untuk diri anda sndr bkn untk sy krn sy tdk prh mengganggu hub rmh tangga anda. Sy hanya bermksd bertmn sj dan smpai saat ini hubngan bertmn kami msh wajar2 saja tdk melanggkar etika peshbtan. Jd tlg sblm anda menjlek2 sya, anda cr tau dlu sft suami anda sndri bgmn?"

Read

posted
23-Nov-2009 12:33
by: VenessaP »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 20:03
by: chilekids »

8 replies , 250 views

What do you want to see?

Hi folks,

We've been talking lately about how to better serve our travelling parents and families. Our editorial teams already learn a lot from your terrific discussions, but we also wanted to give you a chance to specifically tell us what you might like to see us do differently, or improve.

What kind of information is most helpful to you when heading somewhere with kids in tow? What kind of advice isn't helpful? Would you like a child-friendly icon (to denote child-friendly cafes, hotels, entertainment, etc)? Anything else you'd like us to think about?

Many thanks for your continued feedback and insights!

Forum: Kids To Go
Read

posted
28-Nov-2009 19:55
by: Geak »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 19:55
by: Geak »

0 replies , 8 views

Spanish to English translation work

How easy is it to find Spanish to English translation work.
I will have an OK Humanities degree and speak fluent Spanish in a few years (cos Im studying it ).
Im prepared to go anywhere in the world and to do a post grad qualification (MA or chartered institiute of linguistics or a foreign equivilent).
I dont expect to find anything too exiting or glamorous. Just freelance and enough to get by on.

Read

posted
27-Nov-2009 21:15
by: eliza60 »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 19:50
by: eliza60 »

0 replies , 26 views

Cruise and tour asia

Hi,
I'm writing this to see what is available for my mum (73) and her friend who is a sprightly 83 year old. They would like to go on a cruise/ tour to an somewhere in Asia. They have both travelled all over Austraia, New Zealand and Singapore and parts of Europe. As my husband and I have been to Vietnam and Borneo and have raved about the wonderful things we saw, they also thought that somewhere like that would be interesting to see.
Is there a company that incorporates a cruise and also a tour, especially for their age group?

Thanks, Liz

Edited by: eliza60

Read

posted
25-Jun-2009 02:10
by: lonetrip »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 19:42
by: aspiyank »

3 replies , 426 views

Thailand

Hi you all!!
Off to Thailand next August...
BKK and Phuket for sure... but other suggestions are welcome!!!!
Already been at DJ Station, G.O.D.... new places to hang out at?? Updated tips for BKK and Patong??
Meet people??
What about Samui?? Krabi?? Are they worth a visit??
Btw, if anyone around for a drink, drop me a line!!
Thanks!!

Read

posted
02-Jul-2009 19:45
by: kidcamo »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 19:40
by: aspiyank »

3 replies , 449 views

Thailand

I will be traveling to Thailand from Indonesia on the 20th of July to the 3rd of August. I have no real plans. Any younger people want to catch up for a drink etc.
I am a 25 yo male from Australia.

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 09:07
by: first_rtw »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 19:20
by: westwood »

6 replies , 130 views

UK National Getting China & India Visas Abroad?

Hi everyone!

I've been trawling thorn tree and the internet all evening and can't seem to find the info I need! Please help!

I'm setting off on my RTW adventure at the beginning of Jan 2010. I'll be away for about 6 months. The last 2 months of my trip will be taking place in China (I'll be there from end of April to end of May) and then India (end of May until mid June) respectively. For China I will be taking part in an Intrepid tour for the month. My question is: what shall I do about visas?

-Is it best to apply for 1 year visas for each of these countries as 6 month ones will expire before I get there? (Can I get a one year visa for China even? From what I can work out the multiple entry one isn't quite what I need).
-Can I apply for visas in New Zealand or Australia (where I will be for the 2 months before I get to China)? How easy will that be as a non-residen... more »

Read

posted
28-Nov-2009 03:42
by: Will_1979 »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 19:14
by: westwood »

1 replies , 58 views

Leaving responsibilities behind...

I've not long turned 30, and whilst I've done a fair bit of travelling over the past few years I've never taken that time where it's just dedicated travelling. My longest time off away was Australia for 6 weeks a few years ago.

Now I have no issue with being 30 and thinking that I should be past that kind of thing. Far from it. Instead I'm looking at taking that year out and gettin git done with, heading East into Asia (especially Japan), Aus, NZ, South Pacific, and maybe finsihing off in Argentina.... Who knows, at this point it's just an idea. However, the idea does include trying to organise dates so that I can be in NZ come the next rugby world cup in 2011....

However, I'm looking at advice and some inspiration from others who have been in my position. Despite being so desperately over the hill at 30 (or so I'm told, though thankfully I can still pass for 26) I'm not yet ma... more »

Read

posted
28-Nov-2009 14:09
by: qingdao_aborigi... »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 18:22
by: zashibis »

1 replies , 28 views

How to write Chinese Character?

I want to make the new season of Bruce Shaw's Chinese, I have made some vides on Chinese Character

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnZE0pZiXmk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiwKXX6HlHw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rw8S9ahey8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rw8S9ahey8

I am not sure if they are useful for guys who want to learn Chinese. Or do you have any ideas to promote my videos? Thanks.

Bruce Shaw

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 08:22
by: docbrown »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 17:54
by: docbrown »

14 replies , 253 views

"Duh" around the world

I've always been fond of the word "duh", and I find myself using it rather too frequently (although never seriously, I hope). Its cousins "dur" and "doy" and the related phrase "no duh" are also acceptable, especially if you're 8 years old.

Do other languages have synonyms for "duh", or, as American Heritage defines it, and interjection "used to express disdain for something deemed stupid or obvious, especially a self-evident remark"? And has "duh" spread throughout the English-speaking world?

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Read

posted
29-Sep-2009 19:14
by: jasper007 »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 17:48
by: acstev »

38 replies , 8,282 views

Pages 1 2 3

Older travellers

As I get older I find I stick out more with other travellers, do other people find this? I travelled around Australia and stayed in backpackers and all the other people seemed really young, I am 34 so getting on a bit, and felt i did not fit in anymore.

Are there places where the age difference doesn't show up so much? I am off to Latin america soon, will i stick out there?


Travel Insurance

Read

posted
28-Nov-2009 04:25
by: bjd »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 17:27
by: DianaHaddad »

11 replies , 132 views

Translating place names

French compound place names are always written with a hyphen. For example, Trifoullis-les-Oies. This is not the case in English, as far as I know.

I just did a translation from French to English that contained names of churches and places. The museum curator whose text it is is complaining that I left out the hyphens, even though I kept the French name. For example, I said Saint Etienne Cathedral, instead of St Stephen's Cathedral, since I feel that whoever buys this book might look on a map to go to the cathedral and will find it written as Saint-Etienne and not Saint Stephen's. However, I did not include the hyphen of Saint-Etienne Cathedral.

Any opinions? She just called me and I said I was trying to get some expert opinion.

Read

posted
28-Nov-2009 02:03
by: keppiezbt »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 16:27
by: orangutan »

9 replies , 127 views

Don't learn the language

Learning a language overseas can be great but sometimes its better not to learn the language.

Here's why:

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/learn-a-foreign-language/

Thoughts?

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 18:57
by: apollo1977 »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 15:21
by: macca »

3 replies , 75 views

ISRAEL for new years eve

hi guys...I have planned a 10 days trip to Israel fron December 30th to January 8th...not already scheduled which places or what to do there!!!
I'm looking for one or more travelling companions, for a part or all the trip!!
i'm easy going, backpacking 32yo guy...love culture, roaming around, meet new people and experience local life!!

let me know if u r available for the same!!!

Read

posted
07-Nov-2009 22:50
by: glitteruk »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 14:20
by: RafikiYangu »

13 replies , 4,593 views

What Did It Cost You?

What Did It Cost You?

Hi All
I have already posted this thread but it died a while ago and was hoping to get some new responses. With it being buried no one ever responds anymore.

I have read many blogs and many forums on the subject of RTW trips and although I have come across some that talk about cost of hostels etc and forums asking 'how much should I take?' I have never seen one that asks 'What did it cost YOU? ' I think this will help alot of new travellers get a good idea. I have decided to save for 2 years, hoping to raise around £30k for 2 of us, but I would be very interested to know how others got on. So I would like to know.....

How much did you spend on your RTW trip in total? (flights, food, accom, backpak, trips, EVERYTHING ALL IN)

 

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07-Oct-2009 16:30

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