PLAMO: Re-WiredWolf - Plastic Modelling, Share & Learn

Errr... me and my gf is planning to go overseas after our graduation (coming real soon) but I'm kinda new to all this stuff so I thought I'll ask for some advice from the globe-trotters here:

1. What are necessary preparations for going on a free-and-easy styled trip? Say, hotel reservations, medication, money, etc

2. I'm planning on either taiwan or hongkong. Is there any dangers I should avoid? I'm a pretty hot-tempered guy. BTW, go hongkong need to know cantonese izzit? I don't know any cantonese other than cursing...

3. What are the basic/important buildings I have to take note of? Say, ambassies, airports, etc? I once nearly wandered into the courthouse in cityhall thinking it's the national library...

4. Would it be actually cheaper if I take those packaged tours if I were to go hk or taiwan? No point going thru all the trouble, stress and possible dangers juz to save a bit of money.

5. Any other tips on free-easy trips that I should take note of?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated but most importantly I'll like to know most of the safety aspects involved..

Haizzz... actually I dont really want to go with just my gf only (she don't want to go as a group leh)... coz I'm worried it might be dangerous for both of us since I'm a directional retard and what happens if we get killed/kidnapped/raped/robbed? I was hoping for a guided tour package deal so that there's safety in numbers but she's pretty adament that it should be a two-person-only trip... arrgh! My OTHER choice is to go to either Russia with her friends (all females and dang chio too so it'll be akward + 10x stress and responsibility ) or bring her to my friends' hiking trip (but I'll probably end up carrying TWO packs and hearing her moans and groans the whole time)


EDIT: In case I sound really b!tchy, no, that's not the case. I'm just pretty nervous since I have to take responsibility for her well-being, plus this is my first time going overseas on a free leash...

I am no globe trotter but survived spain , london and India with a gal as a companion.

For me the most useful thing is a guide book ! get lonely planet or let's go. Both are good guide, gives you nearly all the info, transport, help etc. to plan your trip . And sometimes, buay hiao , you must keh kiang also haha. Act as though you are a seasoned traveller hehe. Dun look lost even when you are and ask reliable people, shop keeper , policemen etc.

- Get the airlines number , both Singapore and overseas , and dun cock up the date for your confirmation on your flight back home. ! I cocked up onces, wah lau damn alot of problem !

- Mah Hao lian ! Keep your big cameras at home, just those which you can slot into your jeans( I slotted a canon A80 b4) and keep all valuables out of sight. I keep money inside my shoes also haha kiasu, in case I am robbed , still got money to find my way back to the guest house. A money belt will be good to always keep lots of money out of sight and also you can keep your passports. and keep your wallets in your front pocket . Simple logic loh, back pocket , easy to pickpocket ,front pocket, your little bro is quite sensitive to touch

-Finally for me , avoid lonely areas and dark alleys when you walk around. At night if place is more dangerous , maybe Russia . Dun go out and chiong lah ! Stay in hotel room with a few chio bu so much better

just my thoughts , hope you find it useful.

U wanna be responsible for your gf's safety yet u are considering Russia. I think u all never do your research eh? Hahahah.

If you're going to Taiwan or HK, I'll say these are pretty safe places to go. For one thing, you'll be a part of the majority race there.

As for free and easy or tour, you'll be basically rushed from one location to another and you won't stop at each one for long if you join a tour. If free and easy, more than likely you'll end up doing much more shopping than sightseeing hehe. You'll be surprised how much more polite HKers are nowadays and how many can speak Mandarin and English.

There's no need to be so paranoid man. The idea after all, is to have fun. Of course, you will need to at least be aware of your surroundings when you're walking around.

Just buy a guidebook from Kino or Times. There are tons of stuff to consider taking a look at. Plus, there are suggestions in there with regards to food. Otherwise, you'll probably end up at MacDonald's everyday.

G-Man is right about Russia though. I think 'a safe Russia' is an oxymoron...

[edit: my engrish]

HK can buy model kits!!!!

most of the things had been mention by the rest.
my advice are....
1). make sure you know where 7-11 located near your hotel.... nyak! nyak! nyak! In case you need so urgent stuff like... food/drink/somethings else.
2). bring 1 or 2 foldable bag, you will need them after few trip of shopping.
3). don't trust so much @ air-port luggage service, get a small lock.

so far that's what i can think of

Thanks, guys! I meant that the Russia trip was planned by HER clique, not mine. Although the idea of really cheap vodka is quite appealing...   And all those long-legged russian blondes... Anyway what's the problem with Russia? Lidat I can at least warn her friends...

1. Think I misused a term. I should have used BACKPACKING instead? So which one is cheaper? A packaged tour or backpacking there? Either HK or taiwan... I mean if it's cheaper by 1~2 hundred bucks might as well take packaged tour.

2. I was considering HK since I can buy kits there but my impression is that it's not really THAT cheap, right? Is there any weight limit for airplane? Maybe can help to buy kits for all the khakis here...

3. Errr... me really mountain tortoise, , money belt is similar to those belts in kungfu shows that lets u slot in flexible swords and all that rite? Except I'll be shoving in money???

4. Do I use the international call service there or do I use auto-roaming? Paiseh... really don't know much about these things...

Hey, I'm also planning a trip to Tokyo free and easy myself. Start with all the guide books the guys suggested, go to those regional libraries (keyword regional) find lonely planet, DK, etc. den the internet (some government agencies have useful tourist websites), den think abt the costs, travelling, food, accomodation, etc etc.

Its all abt planning if u wanna make good use of ur time. For me i wanna cover as much ground as i can without spending too much time there, cos one day's costs can hit a few hundred in a place like tokyo.

If u dun wanna plan too much urself, some agencies have free & easy packages for u to book and follow. Its basically the air fare and hotel bookings, maybe transportation, and tickets to some popular attractions like Disneyland for HK. If the package doesn't appeal to u, you can still get the agency to make the hotel reservations for u (if they can).

I think language barrier should probably be the least of your worries, metropolitan areas are usually tourist friendly, with english street signs and stuff. I'm not worried abt not being able to speak japanese for one. Juz be sure to bring a map (and maybe a compass), if u can't speak cantonese, juz approach someone and point on the map.

And package tours are sometimes cheaper than free & easy. Cos agencies have all kinds of cost cutting measures and agreements with hotels and the tourist attractions.

Lastly, i think u really need to research the costs (the books will mention quite a bit), before u can work out how many days u want to spend there and how many places u want to visit.

With backpacking experience in more than 12+ countries
(Asia and Europe)

1. Set budget
2. Set destination
3. Read up on ALL info u need. Makes copies of Maps
4. Plan destination and highlights things u want to see
5. As for lodging, reserve on the internet or get a phonecard when u are at the country and call the guesthouse.
OR
Go door to door to find the guesthouse with avaliable rooms.
6. Transport, anything within budget.. train, bus whatever..

Backpacking is an experience itself.. go forth and do it.. SURE brings out the colours of our travelling companion.. That is why I usually travel alone when I backpack.. more mobile and can cover more grounds. NO NEED TO ASK..
want to eat this? want to eat that? today go where? here not nice one want to go other place............ how come havent reach.. etc etc etc

bottom line.. read the travel guide

maxwinamp Wrote:With backpacking experience in more than 12+ countries
(Asia and Europe)

1. Set budget
2. Set destination
3. Read up on ALL info u need. Makes copies of Maps
4. Plan destination and highlights things u want to see
5. As for lodging, reserve on the internet or get a phonecard when u are at the country and call the guesthouse.
OR
Go door to door to find the guesthouse with avaliable rooms.
6. Transport, anything within budget.. train, bus whatever..

Backpacking is an experience itself.. go forth and do it.. SURE brings out the colours of our travelling companion.. That is why I usually travel alone when I backpack.. more mobile and can cover more grounds. NO NEED TO ASK..
want to eat this? want to eat that? today go where? here not nice one want to go other place............ how come havent reach.. etc etc etc

bottom line.. read the travel guide

Haha,machiam Amazing Race