Frustrations about the backpacker scene

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

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
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.

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

In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

(Miguel Cruz) wrote in message ...

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:

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

In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

Yes, I think they still have dorms there. At least in Malaysia they
did, but with prices so low for a single room, there's just no need to
share.

But here in Australia it's a different matter -single rooms are too
expensive. At least for one person. If I'd be travelling with a friend
or spouse I'd get a double room which would be fine costwise, but just
me -no chance if I want my money to last!


I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!
And is there such a thing as a backpacker over age 25? I haven't come
across any so far.

Just had to get that out of the system.....
Now I'm off to yet another place here on the east coast of Australia.
Hopefully with a hostel housing some more considerate and mature
people.
One can always hope....

Hallvard

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!

Depends on the town, neighborhood, and hostel you're in. Usually there's
somewhere with a slightly older/quieter crowd around. Look for vegetarian
menus, prices a couple $$ more than the rest, and so on.

And is there such a thing as a backpacker over age 25? I haven't come
across any so far.

I'm one, and I know plenty of others. Are you going to New Zealand? I met a
comparatively high number there, including some retired folk.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

In article ,
(Miguel Cruz) wrote:

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!

Depends on the town, neighborhood, and hostel you're in. Usually there's
somewhere with a slightly older/quieter crowd around. Look for vegetarian
menus, prices a couple $$ more than the rest, and so on.

curious as to the "and so on."

None wrote:
(Miguel Cruz) wrote:
Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!

Depends on the town, neighborhood, and hostel you're in. Usually there's
somewhere with a slightly older/quieter crowd around. Look for vegetarian
menus, prices a couple $$ more than the rest, and so on.

curious as to the "and so on."

Flowerpots, hand-painted signs, funky buildings... and so on.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

On 22 Jan 2004 14:13:51 -0800, (Hallvard
Tangeraas) wrote:

(Miguel Cruz) wrote in message ...

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:

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

In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

Yes, I think they still have dorms there. At least in Malaysia they
did, but with prices so low for a single room, there's just no need to
share.

But here in Australia it's a different matter -single rooms are too
expensive. At least for one person. If I'd be travelling with a friend
or spouse I'd get a double room which would be fine costwise, but just
me -no chance if I want my money to last!


I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!
And is there such a thing as a backpacker over age 25? I haven't come
across any so far.

Just had to get that out of the system.....
Now I'm off to yet another place here on the east coast of Australia.
Hopefully with a hostel housing some more considerate and mature
people.
One can always hope....


Camp.

I've met plenty of backpackers over 25. I myself was over that age when
I was in Australia... right now it is summer there and school's out!
Backpacking is all about living it rough and exploring... if you are
adventurous, try camping, etc..

Yes, I think they still have dorms there. At least in Malaysia they
did, but with prices so low for a single room, there's just no need to
share.

But here in Australia it's a different matter -single rooms are too
expensive. At least for one person. If I'd be travelling with a friend
or spouse I'd get a double room which would be fine costwise, but just
me -no chance if I want my money to last!


I'm REALLY frustrated this morning. I'm moving on and need the sleep,
but did I get any? Hardly.
Snotnosed kids turning the place into a children's summercamp helped
wake me up again and again, so I got 4 hours or something of sleep.
Mature young adults? haha!!!
And is there such a thing as a backpacker over age 25? I haven't come
across any so far.

Just had to get that out of the system.....
Now I'm off to yet another place here on the east coast of Australia.
Hopefully with a hostel housing some more considerate and mature
people.
One can always hope....

Hallvard

"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

Hi Miguel,

Yep, stayed at a dorm in both bkk and Hat Yai.
Not because I wanted to but there were no other rooms available.

cheers
Michael Christoffersen

no rooms available in BKK???

Kris


On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 09:39:05 +0100, "Michael Christoffersen"
wrote:


"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
In Thailand and Malaysia "hotel prices" aren't very high. Are there even
places with dorms in Thailand?

Hi Miguel,

Yep, stayed at a dorm in both bkk and Hat Yai.
Not because I wanted to but there were no other rooms available.

cheers
Michael Christoffersen