Looking for ideas
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Oct 28, 2012 1:28 PM Last Post By: travelinstyle46
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Looking for ideas
Hello. I'm wanting to take off for 2 weeks in January and I want to keep it cheap so that I can go on an overseas next summer. Just wanted to see if anyone out there has any suggestions that I may have not thought of.A few things about me...
-27/f, and I'd be traveling alone. I have so far traveled alone to Iceland and Costa Rica (plus all over the US). But I can speak Spanish and English so those countries were not intimidating at all for me to visit alone.
-Photography is a major interest. I do like photographing cultural events, but nature is my main thing. Wildlife and landscapes.
-Hiking and swimming are pluses
-Because I'm traveling alone with expensive camera equipment, I think that safety is an important factor.
-Wanting to spend less than 500 on a plane ticket
-Would be flying out of Houston, probably
-I don't like a lot of snow! Or freezing cold weather. I only have equipment that would be comfy to 30 degrees or so.
-I am a backpacker, so have no problem with hostels and camping.
I am not necessarily aiming to leave the US.
Any suggestions out there? Thanks for your time!
2
I second the shout for Costa Rica.3
Borrego Springs, California. If you are interested in outdoor photography.http://www.google.ca/search?q=anza+borrego+state+park&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GIeAUOaWM-m2yAHlgYEw&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=687
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park
Fly to San Diego, you can get a bus from there.
http://www.borregospringschamber.com/Bus_Transportation.html
4
Along the lines of Borrego Springs, how about adding Death Valley & Central CA coast. You can get a cheap ticket to LA and rent a cheap car (the longer the rental the cheaper--example Fox Car Rental and Payless are $18 per day.)You could actual hit quite a few places including Borrego Springs (I have not been there) on a 2-week trip. Even though death valley sounds bleak, it is amazingly beautiful--sand dunes, the salt flats, the colors at sunset, etc.
There's a hostel in Cambria on the central coast and I think one in San Luis Obispo, too. The sea crashing against the rocks, sea lions, redwoods, vineyards, etc....very pretty!
6
Joshua Ttree is close also and worth a trip. The wildflowers are fickle--they only bloom for a short time and it depends on how much rain we've had during the winder. We really only know about a week or two in advance when they will be at full bloom, but it's really beautiful at all those places no matter when you go. We went to Death Valley at the end of November one year and got some great photos during the day and at sunset. Actually, we've never been to the desert during the short bloom time for wildflowers. My husband took a photography weekend workshop in Joshua Tree (at Jumbo Rocks Campground and Indian Cove) and his sunrise shots are worthy of a magazine!7
I've actually gone from LAX to Joshua Tree and back by Greyhound bus and misc. other public modes of transport--that is something you DO NOT want to do. In reality you can drive in 3 hours but by bus It took all day each way. Rent a car if you decide on a California trip.Edited by: Bohemiana
9
It was 12 years ago so I'm dusting out the cobwebs but as I recall the bus let us off on the main highway/road and we walked up to the campground--it didn't seem that long, maybe a mile. This was supposed to be a backpacking trip but it was harder than we expected so we only went out one night and came back to stay at the campground (where there was lots of water) for a few nights. Upon leaving the park, we hitched a ride with a couple back into town to catch the bus from some diner and took it to Palm Springs, and then switched to a bus to downtown LA, then the metro to LAX. It would have been so much better to rent a car!10
Since my frequent flyer miles will pay for half of the plane ticket, it seems like I will be able to rent a car no problem and try to visit all 3. Still gotta make sure work will let me do it, but it sounds like it will be feasible, especially since I have a friend in San Diego I could stay with for the beginning and end.I would love to visit Central America again, but don't feel very secure walking around with my DSLR and expensive lenses, based on past experiences (only in Costa Rica though....have not been to Guatemala or Mexico since I was a kid). Those who suggested that, maybe you have had no problem traveling with such equipment in those countries? If so, please share!
Thanks again everyone.
11
No problem at all.But if you didn't feel secure in Costa Rica then I doubt you will in the other countries of Central America....CR is usually considered the 'safest' part of the region.
13
That's what insurance is for leahsurfer. Just get a good insurance package specifically for your camera equipment. It will not be covered under most travel insurance packages. The $ limits are usually too low.Reminds me of the time my Brother and I were canoeing down a small river in Florida. He was busy snapping away with his SLR and didn't pay attention to a low (very) bridge coming up. By the time I realized he was not aware of it, it was too late. The bridge knocked him backwards in the canoe (told you it was low) and his camera went overboard. We pulled in to the shore and managed to fish it out of the clear, clear water using a fishing rod borrowed from a guy fishing off the bridge. It was ruined of course but his house insurance paid in full.
Expensive cameras, phones, laptops, etc. are all great but like everything else are subject to the law of 'unintended consequences'. Get yourself mugged because you are a walking, talking advertisement for a mugging and you discover just what that means. LOL
Alternative, point and shoot camera $89; old model phone $20; out of date laptop $99 and you are good to go. Steal them all, who cares.
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