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Frustrations about the backpacker scene



 
 
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  #12  
Old January 25th, 2004, 01:23 PM
Michael Christoffersen
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene


"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message
om...
Being in my mid 30s and travelling around the world on a budget I
can't help to feel very old and "different" from the usual backpacker
crowd.


I thought backpacking was all about exploring and travelling -being a
"traveller" as opposed to "tourist" where everything is risk free and
pre-planned.


I never figured out what is the difference between a "traveller" and a
"tourist". Surely a "traveller" is a tourist too?


I get these package tour deals shoved in my face wherever I go, and
it's very hard to do something different as there's just so little
information available for anything else.


Actually I find that many backpackers are on the biggest package tour of
them all - the Lonely Planet Tour.
Let me give you an example: Isarn - the NE region of Thailand is not on the
general Lonely Planet Tour and thus you virtually never see any backpackers
in this area except for in Nong Khai, where they congregate to get visas for
Laos.
I have spent more than a year in this region and the backpackers are few and
far between.


Cheers
Michael Christoffersen


  #14  
Old January 29th, 2004, 06:46 PM
Markku Grönroos
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene


"Michael Christoffersen" wrote in message
...


I never figured out what is the difference between a "traveller" and a
"tourist". Surely a "traveller" is a tourist too?

No, the opposite holds. When I travel to my job, I don't do so as a tourist.
"Leisure traveller" and "tourist" is about the same.


  #16  
Old February 10th, 2004, 04:54 AM
None
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

In article .net,
"Tim Kroesen" wrote:

I'm in my late Forties and am about to book some hostels myself for the
first time...

I think the *key* to avoiding the Animal Houses might be:

A: No Bar onsite.
B: A strict and enforced curfew.

Tim K


How would you know if a curfew will be enforced?
  #17  
Old February 10th, 2004, 05:30 AM
maldoror
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

Hi Hallvard,

I also have same interest.. travelling and actually travelling ie
exploring things for myself even if some packaged tour might it easier
for me. I have not travelled a lot but I am hoping to go for it. You
can think of me as a starter.
Can you give me some advice about low cost travelling.. I am a student
(under 25, not old ) and I dont have huge sums to spend on it. I am
located in southern usa and for starting I will confine myself to us
only.. although your expertise is in asia and australia (as you
mentioned) but still you must be having general tips and advices.
Thanks,

~maldoror



(Hallvard Tangeraas) wrote in message . com...
Being in my mid 30s and travelling around the world on a budget I
can't help to feel very old and "different" from the usual backpacker
crowd.

Just about everybody staying at these hostels are in their early 20s,
fresh out of school, and it's really all about partying, getting drunk
and going on organized package tours. Not my kind of thing any of that
-am I the only one feeling/being "different"?
I'd like to get some sleep during the night so I can get up in the
morning and get the most out of each day, but with all the partying
that's pretty hard. Banging doors, turning on the lights, talking
loud, raving around drunk and acting like idiots in the middle of the
night when staying in a dorm....
A complete circus if you ask me!


I thought backpacking was all about exploring and travelling -being a
"traveller" as opposed to "tourist" where everything is risk free and
pre-planned. Isn't that what an adventure is about? Taking chances,
plunging into the unknown, doing different things from back home?
Well, it is to me anyway, and so far I've travelled for almost 3
months through Asia (Hong Kong, Beijing, Thailand, Malaysia,
Singapore) and now currently on the east coast of Australia.


I get these package tour deals shoved in my face wherever I go, and
it's very hard to do something different as there's just so little
information available for anything else. (hehe... that's what's good
about newsgroups where you can get tips from people having been here
before!).


Anyone sharing my frustrations/experience?
Are there alternatives around for the more serious traveller who's NOT
willing to pay hotel prices?


Hallvard

  #18  
Old February 10th, 2004, 05:58 AM
Tim Kroesen
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Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

Better still; how do I know the toilets and showers work!?! You don't;
but when you read 'kids' griping about curfews at hostel review sites
(and BBS's) you get a good indication they mean what they say... I've
even read some hostels own plugs; saying basically that if you want to
*party* book another hostel...

Tim K

"None" wrote in message
...
In article .net,
"Tim Kroesen" wrote:

I'm in my late Forties and am about to book some hostels myself for

the
first time...

I think the *key* to avoiding the Animal Houses might be:

A: No Bar onsite.
B: A strict and enforced curfew.

Tim K


How would you know if a curfew will be enforced?



  #19  
Old February 10th, 2004, 06:49 AM
None
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

In article k.net,
"Tim Kroesen" wrote:

Better still; how do I know the toilets and showers work!?! You don't;
but when you read 'kids' griping about curfews at hostel review sites
(and BBS's) you get a good indication they mean what they say... I've
even read some hostels own plugs; saying basically that if you want to
*party* book another hostel...

Tim K


Thanks for the tips!

Can you recommend a good hostel review site?
  #20  
Old February 10th, 2004, 07:18 AM
Tim Kroesen
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Posts: n/a
Default Frustrations about the backpacker scene

http://www.chatarea.com/backpackers BBS Forum

http://www.bookmeahostel.com/ Reviews

http://www.bugeurope.com/ Reviews

http://www.eurocheapo.com/ Evaluations

http://www.kasbah.com/ Reviews

http://www.hostels.com/ Ratings

http://www.guideforeurope.com/ Reviews

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/ Travel Advice

http://www.virtualtourist.com/vt/ A bit of everything

http://www.seat61.com/ Travel Advice

There's enough to keep you bleary eyed for a Month...g
(Like me)

Tim K

"None" wrote in message
...
In article k.net,
"Tim Kroesen" wrote:

Better still; how do I know the toilets and showers work!?! You

don't;
but when you read 'kids' griping about curfews at hostel review

sites
(and BBS's) you get a good indication they mean what they say...

I've
even read some hostels own plugs; saying basically that if you want

to
*party* book another hostel...

Tim K


Thanks for the tips!

Can you recommend a good hostel review site?


 




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