Asia

[Dutchy]

Keen to get up there, apart from a short stopover at Singapore airport Ive never been.

Looking to go early next year sometime, I go to Darwin for work regularly and the airfares from there are cheap as, or might just use some of the FF points Ive accrued over the years. Looking at making it a no kids trip also, so just the wife and me.

Nothing really stands out for me apart from Vietnam. Probably only have a week so probably only 2 places in that time frame.

Give me your experiences, Ive only ever heard good things about Vietnam.

[AFLflyer]

Asia is a mighty big place!!

if you talkin Sth East Asia,
Definitely recomments Vietnam and Laos, for something different try the Perentian islands in Malaysia - magic.

[Q.]

I've heard good things about Kazakhstan

[Il Duce]

If your after a cheap trip dont worry bout thailand, go to the Philippines with 39 peso to the dollar = extremley cheap

[Q.]

What are you after exactly, Dutchy? Beaches, adventure, shopping, eating?

[Footy Chick]

Everyone wants to go to Vietnam.

What's the big deal? I don't get it...

[Q.]

Would you suggest Myanmar instead?

[Footy Chick]

Would you suggest Myanmar instead?

Where?

[Q.]

Would you suggest Myanmar instead?

Where?

AKA Burma - the military-led State between Thailand and India. "No photo for you!"

[AFLflyer]

Would you suggest Myanmar instead?

Where?

AKA Burma - the military-led State between Thailand and India. "No photo for you!"

will be an awesome tourist dest one day when its safer!

[Q.]

Would you suggest Myanmar instead?

Where?

AKA Burma - the military-led State between Thailand and India. "No photo for you!"

will be an awesome tourist dest one day when its safer!

Actually, IMO it would be no less safer than Thailand ATM and no less corrupt than Laos, it's just that the tourist infrastructure would be almost non-existent - probably why I find it's drawing my attention at the moment.

[Footy Chick]

Am I going to end up seeing your face on the news in some home video surrounded by dudes with guns telling you to read a script requesting a million dollars for your release one day?

[Q.]

Am I going to end up seeing your face on the news in some home video surrounded by dudes with guns telling you to read a script requesting a million dollars for your release one day?

I'll be sure to post the exclusive story on SAFooty first!

[redandblack]

Other alternatives are China or Nepal, both fascinating places.

[Q.]

Hmmm, this Myanmar idea is gathering momentum. Seems it's dirt cheap to fly in from Bangkok and the Visa on arrival is trouble free

[AFLflyer]

Hmmm, this Myanmar idea is gathering momentum. Seems it's dirt cheap to fly in from Bangkok and the Visa on arrival is trouble free

sounds good mate, i havent looked into it too closely, is there a backpacker trail already, much like the Laos and Cambodia trail which started about 15 years ago..? it's gonna happen at some point.

[Q.]

Hmmm, this Myanmar idea is gathering momentum. Seems it's dirt cheap to fly in from Bangkok and the Visa on arrival is trouble free

sounds good mate, i havent looked into it too closely, is there a backpacker trail already, much like the Laos and Cambodia trail which started about 15 years ago..? it's gonna happen at some point.

Yeah, there seems to be some well defined routes, which is mainly due to most of the country being a no-go zone. A couple of weeks would be enough to head north from Yangon and circle back down, taking in the main attractions on the way.

[devilsadvocate]

This is probably more of a politics post, but on Myanmar/Burma - this country has possibly the single worst current human rights record on earth.

The military Juanta forces up to a million residents into slave labour. This includes a very large sex trafficking trade, largely revolving around the Juanta. Rape is commonly used as an intimidation and oppression tool.

Private enterprise is allowed, but on a profit sharing basis with the government. Tourists are allowed in, but highly restricted to prevent the extent of continuing human rights abuses being reported internationally. Locals are not permitted to discus any internal affairs with tourists. Imprisonment is the lenient penalty for breaching this rule - execution is cheaper.

Democraticly elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been imprisoned for the vast majority of her life since being elected in 1990. She discourages tourism because all tourist dollars eventually end up supporting the Juanta and effectively funds human rights abuses.

Sorry for sounding like a spoil sport, but the human right abuses and illegal government are preventing this country from becoming a fantastic tourist destination. Having said that, I can see the attraction of going before it does (hopefully) drag itself out from under oppressive rule and a McDicks, Holiday Inn and Starbucks is put on every corner.

[Q.]

Actually, many of those who advocated the tourism boycott in the 90's have reversed their stance and even gone as far as saying it was a completely wrong move.

It all depends on how and where you spend your money. Given I'm the sort of person who travels independently, buys food from locals, uses local transport and stays in locally owned guesthouses I'm quite happy in the knowledge that my money mostly will go to people who earn less than a dollar a day, rather than to the junta.

[devilsadvocate]

Actually, many of those who advocated the tourism boycott in the 90's have reversed their stance and even gone as far as saying it was a completely wrong move.

It all depends on how and where you spend your money. Given I'm the sort of person who travels independently, buys food from locals, uses local transport and stays in locally owned guesthouses I'm quite happy in the knowledge that my money mostly will go to people who earn less than a dollar a day, rather than to the junta.

Yeah, fair enough mate.