- Forums > Culture Shock > Tripping around the world
6/28/2008 2:35 AM Tripping around the world (29 Comments)
- haj
- 32, Suriname
Tripping around the world
I'm thinking of taking a trip, visiting countries around the world, which is a really good idea if i was rich, but im not, so i have to do it diferently.
Im planing on taking a train around europe, a cheap one, going around north europe, scandinavia or poland and the latvias, I'm not particularly worried or interested in visiting a specific country or monument, just to see diferent cultures and people.
Then i wanted to enter russia, i think theres a railroad conection all the way to china. Then entering china from the top i want to go down to hong kong(this is kinda a must)
then i wanted to find a way into thailand or vietnam and eventually make my way into singapore, or the other way round, boat or train, im kinda unsure about that part. Ive heard piracy is still doing damage in the malaca straights, even thought they hit the giant oil tankers, i guess a ferry boat wouldnt put much of a strugle.
Eventually i would like to pass in indonesia, Java island to visit some relatives again, and from there , i dont know. Idealy go to south america, and start from the bottom all the way to mexico and passing into puerto rico, but i also think that the South american continent needs another trip just to explore properly.
Now this trip isnt supposed to take too long, 6 to 12 months, spending as least as possible, as to be able to visit as many places as one can.
Bit of a problem getting visas in some countries.
Bit of a problem making sure transportation is valid and not getting stuck for a month in a siberian train station.
Not sure about the whole security measures, I want to avoid the middle east because of that, even though i would like to hit that place.
Any thoughts? ideas?
Im planing on taking a train around europe, a cheap one, going around north europe, scandinavia or poland and the latvias, I'm not particularly worried or interested in visiting a specific country or monument, just to see diferent cultures and people.
Then i wanted to enter russia, i think theres a railroad conection all the way to china. Then entering china from the top i want to go down to hong kong(this is kinda a must)
then i wanted to find a way into thailand or vietnam and eventually make my way into singapore, or the other way round, boat or train, im kinda unsure about that part. Ive heard piracy is still doing damage in the malaca straights, even thought they hit the giant oil tankers, i guess a ferry boat wouldnt put much of a strugle.
Eventually i would like to pass in indonesia, Java island to visit some relatives again, and from there , i dont know. Idealy go to south america, and start from the bottom all the way to mexico and passing into puerto rico, but i also think that the South american continent needs another trip just to explore properly.
Now this trip isnt supposed to take too long, 6 to 12 months, spending as least as possible, as to be able to visit as many places as one can.
Bit of a problem getting visas in some countries.
Bit of a problem making sure transportation is valid and not getting stuck for a month in a siberian train station.
Not sure about the whole security measures, I want to avoid the middle east because of that, even though i would like to hit that place.
Any thoughts? ideas?
6/28/2008 3:05 AMRe: Tripping around the world
Do you have any idea how much it costs? There is no "cheap one" train in europe. If you want to enter Russia through North, you can enter through Finland to St. petersburg, From Helsinki you can take a bus, But for Russia u need a visa. This whole plan implementation wil cost you loads of money.
6/28/2008 3:13 AMRe: Re: Tripping around the world
6/28/2008 3:18 AMRe: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
In europe there are some airlines that are cheaper than trains, instance Ryan Air. Train is mostly expensive. There are also options of travelling with people i-e some people travel from one country to the other through car, they ask for nominal amount and u can travel with them. Youth hostels are economical.
Anyways have fun. :)
Anyways have fun. :)
6/28/2008 3:27 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
Yeah you end up confirming some tips ive received. Not that im afraid of flying, but im scared shitless of airports, long lines, stupid waits, connect flights, lost lugage," must enter gate 45 on the other side of the terminal" argh, hate airports.
But europe is pretty simple i guess.
But europe is pretty simple i guess.
6/28/2008 3:30 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
6/28/2008 3:33 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
Good Luck. :)
6/28/2008 3:36 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
Thank you
6/28/2008 3:43 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
6/28/2008 3:48 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
lol. u gotta travel through all of Russia through this. Why dont u visit Kazakhstan as well¨?, Would be shorter as well and its a nice place, not exactly what Borat poses.
St. pburgh-->Moscow--->Almaty--->China
Ekaterinberg is also nice.
St. pburgh-->Moscow--->Almaty--->China
Ekaterinberg is also nice.
6/28/2008 6:29 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
I had a feel that most of the former republics were still dodgy, lending the support to chechenia they serve as a safe haven for the fighters.
Politics aside, russia sounds more stable than hitting all the "stans" in region.
Politics aside, russia sounds more stable than hitting all the "stans" in region.
6/28/2008 2:58 AMRe: Tripping around the world
Salam
22, Ras, Saudi Arabia
First about the Visas if ya get the Shinagen (sp?) visa then you can go to most of Europe, i dont know about Russia though. You can get a Visa at the airport in Thailand and China and most of the Asian countries i think.
And i heard that the train from Moscow to Beijing is the best train ride a man can ever take. for more info about the train go here
I dont know alot of boat rides cause i never bean to one but im guessing it safe but try to pick a well known boat and not a shady one and you will be fine.
And about the ME, dont worry about it, I suggest going to Dubai, Jordan and if you are going to Africa i suggest going to Morocco and Egypt. Hope this helps
And i heard that the train from Moscow to Beijing is the best train ride a man can ever take. for more info about the train go here
I dont know alot of boat rides cause i never bean to one but im guessing it safe but try to pick a well known boat and not a shady one and you will be fine.
And about the ME, dont worry about it, I suggest going to Dubai, Jordan and if you are going to Africa i suggest going to Morocco and Egypt. Hope this helps
6/28/2008 3:10 AMRe: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
Awesome, thanks!
Yeah im not too worried about the shengen part, european countries are alright, pretty safe, easy information, and to a large extent the language is english.
When you hit russia, thats when the worries come, I heard they can be a bit unorthodox with the visas, ie you have to play the guards to get a stamp.
China shouldnt be a big problem as long as its a tourist visa, from there on, down into SE asia, i dont know, Ive been told Indonesia imigration services arent too correct, and you have to bribe them aswell, now im not aware of how it works or not or to what extent this happens.
Thais get a lot of visitors so im guessing easy, but if i have to hit Vietnam or Laos, i dont know.
The north african visit would start in marocco, and cross the top countries, again i heard Algeria is a tad unsafe and Lybia isnt issuing visas.
After that it should be smooth saying until lebanon and Iran, again unsafe and whatnot.
I should imagine dubai and jordan are fairly ok.
Again this is in broad strokes. Some places are just no go, Theres no way in hell i would go to somalia or sierre leone, those places are just too unsafe, and the point is to travel all across the place and not take a plane into a specific country to see the sights and have to take a plane back out.
Yeah im not too worried about the shengen part, european countries are alright, pretty safe, easy information, and to a large extent the language is english.
When you hit russia, thats when the worries come, I heard they can be a bit unorthodox with the visas, ie you have to play the guards to get a stamp.
China shouldnt be a big problem as long as its a tourist visa, from there on, down into SE asia, i dont know, Ive been told Indonesia imigration services arent too correct, and you have to bribe them aswell, now im not aware of how it works or not or to what extent this happens.
Thais get a lot of visitors so im guessing easy, but if i have to hit Vietnam or Laos, i dont know.
The north african visit would start in marocco, and cross the top countries, again i heard Algeria is a tad unsafe and Lybia isnt issuing visas.
After that it should be smooth saying until lebanon and Iran, again unsafe and whatnot.
I should imagine dubai and jordan are fairly ok.
Again this is in broad strokes. Some places are just no go, Theres no way in hell i would go to somalia or sierre leone, those places are just too unsafe, and the point is to travel all across the place and not take a plane into a specific country to see the sights and have to take a plane back out.
6/28/2008 3:19 AMRe: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
Salam
22, Ras, Saudi Arabia
I really doubt that you have to bribr someone to go to Russia or Indonesia if thats the case then no one would be going there. I suggest getting the Visas before you go there. (cause sometimes you can get it at the airport)
You can easy find cheap plane tickets from the internet, the more stops the less expensive it is.
Also if ya want to go to Africa i suggest Kenya and South Africa are the best from my experience.
You can easy find cheap plane tickets from the internet, the more stops the less expensive it is.
Also if ya want to go to Africa i suggest Kenya and South Africa are the best from my experience.
6/28/2008 3:35 AMRe: Re: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
Well i've had family members enter both Indonesia and Russia, repeatedly and only get a 5 day clearance, and after adding some money to the passport, getting an extention for 3 months.
I mean corruption is a way of life around the world, some places small, some places big.
I wanted to go to South Africa, Namibia and Angola, but the violence in SA and Angola put me off.
I mean corruption is a way of life around the world, some places small, some places big.
I wanted to go to South Africa, Namibia and Angola, but the violence in SA and Angola put me off.
6/28/2008 3:21 AMRe: Re: Tripping around the world
6/28/2008 4:18 AMRe: Tripping around the world
LMAO! Funny topic. I've had 3 Russian visa's and never had to pay the people at passport control any extra money to get a stamp (too funny). A Russian tourist visa is only good for one month, good luck getting across the country by train in that amount of time. No offense, but you seem like the type of person who would have their pockets emptied by the militia in just a few days, educate yourself VERY WELL before going.
6/28/2008 6:19 AMRe: Re: Tripping around the world
haj
32, Suriname
I guess i could find a million other people that havent had any issues with the passport, but ive had one, so there are "black swans" i just want to know if anybody knows or if its at all frequent.
The trans siberian train takes about 7 days, that kinda has an on the go vibe, then again taking the wrong turn and getting shot up in chechenia makes the 7 deal day sound appealing.
So i was wondering what kind of militia are you talkin about?
The trans siberian train takes about 7 days, that kinda has an on the go vibe, then again taking the wrong turn and getting shot up in chechenia makes the 7 deal day sound appealing.
So i was wondering what kind of militia are you talkin about?
6/28/2008 1:08 PMRe: Re: Re: Tripping around the world
Having problems with your visa/passport in Russia, is not common... one guy does something stupid, like copping an attitude with the militia and then cries to the rest of the world about how bad he was treated in Russia. ***That is how stories of bad treatment in other countries usually get started***
The only time you might encounter any problems, is if the dates on your visa do not match the dates when you enter or exit the country. The only time I was ever asked to show my visa outside of the airport, was entering the Kremlin- because they charge foreigners more for things like that.
Russia does not have "regular" police, they have the militia. All males in Russia are required to serve 2 years in the militia when they reach the age of 18, they kind of act as the police force and military in the country... maybe someone else can explain better. BTW, these guys do take advantage of ignorant foreigners some times.
I can't imagine getting across Russia in 7 days, lol. It takes almost 18 hours just to go from Moscow to Volgograd by train.
Check out a website like gotorussia.com to get information on visiting the country.
The only time you might encounter any problems, is if the dates on your visa do not match the dates when you enter or exit the country. The only time I was ever asked to show my visa outside of the airport, was entering the Kremlin- because they charge foreigners more for things like that.
Russia does not have "regular" police, they have the militia. All males in Russia are required to serve 2 years in the militia when they reach the age of 18, they kind of act as the police force and military in the country... maybe someone else can explain better. BTW, these guys do take advantage of ignorant foreigners some times.
I can't imagine getting across Russia in 7 days, lol. It takes almost 18 hours just to go from Moscow to Volgograd by train.
Check out a website like gotorussia.com to get information on visiting the country.
6/28/2008 2:46 AMRe: Tripping around the world