Where should I go on Vacation

[thekremlin]

I'm talking about a weeklong thing, as opposed to the weekend trips around europe I have been enjoying since moving to London. The last time I took a vacation was almost two years ago, was to Hanoi, and I loved it. I would go again but it seems silly to visit the same place twice when there are SO many places I haven't been. I would prefer to travel in Asia again though, so maybe Mr. Blonde can help. I would like someplace with beaches and good food, also opportunity to backpack and explore. I will prob be travelling solo so someplace with at least some culture of tourism, which will make it safer and easier to meet people. I was almost sold on Indonesia, except it is a Muslim country and they frown on/mug tourists who are drunk in public.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Mr. Blonde]

Depends on what you want. If it's beaches, good food, exploration you went, Thailand. Hands down, motherfucking Thailand (and it's not just cause i've recently been.) Thailand was the shit and there are cool as fuck people everywhere you go, and not just Americans--(i assume you're American working in England like FC?). I barely met any Americans at all when I was there, and it was a perfect mix of people from all over the world, esp. in Bangkok.

Bangkok you have the city experience, with badass temples and palaces peppered throughout.

Up north you have awesome, chilled out mountain towns. Weed, while still highly illegal, is super fucking easy to get up here. I would highly recommend Pai -- It was my favorite place on the trip.

But if it's beaches you want, fly into Bangkok and head south. There are shitloads of islands and beach towns in the south -- Phuket (touristy), Krabi, and the island Koh Phi Phi (good for diving I think) are all very popular. Those are on the west coast, and I didn't get a chance to go them--will try again next year. East coast, Koh Samui, Phangan, Koh Tao, are all also great. If you are in Thailand during a Full Moon Party, I would highly suggest checking it out. Tons of drugs and hot women, and mushroom shakes. Ko Tao has really good diving too I guess.




While i'm very partial to the northern mountainous areas, I can definitely see the appeal the southern beachy areas have for a lot of people. You could definitely do either the east coast or west coast (choose one) in one week, or both in two weeks, but you'd constantly be on the move every couple days. If you only have a week, i'd recommend Bangkok for a night or two, then the East coast island hopping trip. Or, if you're strapped for time, you can get a connecting flight (enter and departure) from Bangkok to Surat Thani, which is right down by the southeast Islands.


EDIT: Also apparently it's super fucking easy to hook up in Thailand but as i've already said I have the worst luck in the world with that. If you do go to Bangkok area, I have tons of friends I could hook you up for couchsurfing so you could stay for free. There is this one place, called N6, run by two Thai/American women who live there but consistently host couchsurfers, but it's a great community house for travelers. Like a more personal hostel, I guess. If you decide to go, lemme know.

[Beebs]

The Adriatic coast of Croatia and Montenegro. Explore the rest of the Balkans if you are so inclined.

[ninjaface]

[DJ FC]

Originally Posted by Beebs

The Adriatic coast of Croatia and Montenegro. Explore the rest of the Balkans if you are so inclined.

Agree with Croatia. I did Italy > Croatia > Greece in May and I think that has some SERIOUS potential if done right.

[zebrazebrazebraSHAFT]

I've always wanted to visit Portugal, anyone ever been?

[ninjaface]

Didn't they legalize all drugs 4 years ago?

[zebrazebrazebraSHAFT]

Originally Posted by ninjaface

Didn't they legalize all drugs 4 years ago?

Yes, well technically speaking, they decriminalized possession of 10 days worth of drugs.

[DJ FC]

Originally Posted by zebrazebrazebraSHAFT

I've always wanted to visit Portugal, anyone ever been?

I was in Lisbon in late March. Pretty cool place. Very cheap.

[Beebs]

Originally Posted by zebrazebrazebraSHAFT

Yes, well technically speaking, they decriminalized possession of 10 days worth of drugs.

You better have experience before you try to buy drugs on the street as a tourist though.

[DJ FC]

Originally Posted by Beebs

You better have experience before you try to buy drugs on the street as a tourist though.

Buying hash in Lisbon = extremely easy.

[Mr. Blonde]

Originally Posted by Beebs

You better have experience before you try to buy drugs on the street as a tourist though.

I have next to no experience, but with what limited I have, best strat for buying drugs overseas has been to talk up bartenders and locals over drinks....although I can't help but getting the mental image of this guy walking around town:

"EXCUSE ME SIR --- do you know where I can buy some drugs?"

[DJ FC]

Go to where the students are. That's where the drugs'll be.