Howdy Globetrekker,
Just a free comment, not an "answer" to your question.
Having been to SE Asia, I would expect that you will run into
Americans most places you go there, and if you are wanting to travel
in company for portions of your trip, you may find other singles who
also will be interested in company. It's a good idea, too: four eyes
see more than just two, and sharing impressions increases appreciation
and recollection.
Yes, get all the recommended shots: tetanus, typhoid, polio, malaria,
hepatitis, bird flu, etc. It may seem like overdoing things, but the
deceases can be life-time problems.
There are internet cafes all over SE Asia - some in places one
wouldn't think had a phone line.
Keep your passport, money, credit cards on you, in one of those neck-safes.
And then keep photocopies of the identification page of your passport
elsewhere in addition, along with credit card numbers and where to
call to cancel them.
Also have several additional passport photos for visas, etc., you need
one for the ticket to Ankor Wat, for example. Also have a sheet with
consulate addresses and phone nos. and those of persons to be notified
in an emergency.
Lonely Planet is great. There are probably books for each country as
well as one for SE Asia, but there are also other guide books they may
supplement LP (fun looking for and at them). Get good maps before
you start, either at a good store or here on the web. Do your
homework before you start, itinerary, etc., which can be flexible if
you join others. And keep a diary: after a few days, you lie in bed
and can't remember where you were and what you saw three days before.
Digital camera: there are photo shops there that can probably sell
you new "cards" for your pics, but they will surely be able to
download them to a CD for you so that you can continue to use the ones
you have.
And don't drink the water! :) Some seasoned travellers can - one's
system can learn to handle the local microbes or whatever - but it is
better not to. Bottled water is sold everywhere, a lot cheaper if you
bargain and find out what the natives pay.
Have a great trip, Myoarin |
