I am about to be laid off was considering a month in New Zealand how little can I comfortably get by on?
Sep 17th, 2002, 10:14 AM
#1
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I am about to be laid off was considering a month in New Zealand how little can I comfortably get by on?
I am willing to stay at hostels so long as other individuals my age stay there. I am in my 40's. Can I do New Zealand for $35-$50 a day without camping? I am concerned about camping alone. I will be traveling alone and using public transport. I don't drive. I am only looking to Kayak, hike, walk don't care about rafting or commercial activities.<BR><BR>Was thinking Thailand was a better bet but I am worried about traveling to an area with a significant Muslim population in current political climate. I am American. Funny I would not worry too much about Turkey but somehow that area in Asia has me concerned.
Sep 17th, 2002, 08:09 PM
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Hi Susan,<BR>I assume you are meaning $US when you say $35-$50. That will give you approx.<BR>$70-$100 a day NZ ( slightly more at todays exchange rate) and if staying at hostels, this should work out okay for you.<BR><BR>Hostels will be fine for your age, all age groups use these facilities and if you are lucky, you might meet up with like minded folk and travel together. A lot of travellers have cars and want people to join them to help share costs of fuel etc.<BR><BR>Motor camps are another low cost means of accom. You can rent cabins but require your own bedding (sleeping bag) and cooking facilities are provided but you need to supply pots and pans etc.<BR><BR><BR>Good luck and I'm sure you will have a good time.
Sep 18th, 2002, 04:41 AM
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Thanks for an answer I was not expecting one seems like the interesting travel forums don't get a lot of traffic.<BR><BR>Thanks Christa that is very helpful. I don't drive so that is problem for me in terms of getting around. GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT THE AGE VARIATIONS IN HOSTELS. I don't mind roughing it as long as I am not the Grandma of the group. Are New Zealand hostels ok? They don't attract substance abusers or homeless? Don't mean to sound paranoid I used hostels for years in Europe. But my beloved job kept me out of them the past few years. Sigh whimper .I remember there being on the edge types at one London hostel towards the tail end of my hostel days. What is the best guide book out there for New Zealand? Is there any kind of a consensus on this?<BR><BR><BR>HelpfulHarry I have traveled alone in Turkey and Eygpt. I also have Muslim friends here in the U.S. One has been a friend since childhood. I know that not all Muslims are terrorist but I worry about what could happen if we go to war with Iraq, if I bump into some sick and twisted kid wanting to be a hero for his cause. I am concerned about groups intimadating tourist in the Pacific in the past couple of years. I know it is not wide spread but I do worry about the potential. Phuket (sp) and island I wanted to see in Thailand is 35% Muslim just a bit nervous about the tourist. I am a NYC resident so perhaps I am more cautious than most.<BR><BR>I would go to Turkey probably even Egypt tomorrow but somehow what happen to those poor tourist a couple of years ago scares me about S.E Asia. I know it did not happen in Thailand but anyone can hop a boat, change locations of operations. Am I wrong? Tell me nicely, maybe I just have not taken any risks in travel lately?
Sep 19th, 2002, 02:28 AM
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Just returned from Thailand (alone), and never once felt like I was in any danger whatsoever. I can't recall seeing anything related to the Islamic religion in my entire time there. As already mentioned, Thailand is 95% Buddhist...Islam is not widespread at all. The Thais are some of the most peaceful people I have ever encountered.<BR><BR>As for the comment about Turkey, I have been there as well and it is vastly different than Thailand from a religious standpoint. The cities themselves are much the same (very hectic/polluted), but comparing an Islamic nation to a Buddhist nation simply cannot be done, at least in the context that you seem to be (particlarly saying that Turkey would be safer than Thailand).<BR><BR>In Bangkok, I was able to stay in air-con hotels for <$25/night (including bfast) and food was no more than $4-6 for a full meal at local restaurants...less in some cases. In general, everything was very cheap (it seems that most people on the Asia board like to spend alot of money on their trips there, but I was able to get by on $40/day while enjoying many of the creature comforts more upscale places offer). <BR><BR>IMHO, I would seriously reconsider Thailand...I am almost sure that you will get much more for your money and be able to do many of the outdoor/non-commercial activities you seek to do.
Sep 19th, 2002, 04:08 AM
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Hi Kevin/Helpful Harry I know Thailand is not largely Muslim but Lonely Planet says that Phuket is 35% Muslim. Did you visit Phuket? What was your sense here? I don't have these concerns in the rest of Thailand I am concerned about Phuket. I also was not comparing Turkey and Eygpt to Thailand I just wanted you to know that I was not generalizing about the Muslim world. If anything I am not concerned about people that are natives of a region I am more concerned about Muslims in hiding, would think shakey areas like the Cambodian border would attract this. Well aware of the dominate Buddhist pop but wondering about Phuket. Can you tell me at all what your sense was in Phuket?<BR><BR>Thanks for the money details. Did you make it up to Chang Mai? How was it. Did you do a trip report?<BR>Thanks again for all of your help.<BR>
Oct 2nd, 2002, 10:45 AM
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Susan, I have posted several comments on other N.Z. questions, and have not read all the anwers to yours so I hope I'm not repeating too much information. I think N.Z. hostels are fine. I spent 30 days in them traversing all the way around the S. Island. They do vary in quality depending on the management. But basically they were fine. The clerks would book ahead for your next stop and would even book transportation. I stayed in Youth Hostel Association hostels....did all the reservations ahead of time and always had a private room ($10-15 per person per night). I think the dorm style rooms were less. I am a retired person so was also wondering about the age thing. I was surprised, pleasantly, to find that many retired persons are using hostels because it is such a less expensive way to go. Good luck!
Oct 19th, 2002, 08:18 PM
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Hi Susan,<BR>I left NYC to travel Asia, 6 months ago. I'm in the middle of my trip right now but I am also re-routing to NZ instead of going to SE Asia at this time (just finished the Far East).<BR>Of course, there are 2 opinions on the response to terrorism and bombings but Im with you 100%. I saw the WTC attacks with my own eyes, I know that I dont want to be in a situation where something like that is happening again. I think for people that have seen this kind of thing, its a bit more real than for those that read of it in newspapers are the TV news. <BR>Fot the past few months, everyone in the hostels asked me to go to Bali with them cos it is cheap, and I would refuse quoting the warnings against travel to Indonesia and everyone would laugh and say, "yes, but Bali is safe".<BR>These SE Asian countries will always be there, even after all of this muslim mania has been quelled. I have more to do in life than get killed for a trip that I didnt really have to do now. Go somewhere that's peaceful or that at least doesnt give terrorists the freedom to run around and wreak havoc whenever they feel like it.<BR>Sorry this is a long message but many naive people seem to insist on encouraging other people to put themselves in risky situations.
Oct 19th, 2002, 08:26 PM
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I left out the most important reason that I currently feel this way.<BR>I was leaving Japan via ferry (to SK) the other day, travelling alone and I around 10 arabic men passed me. When they spotted me, they began walking up and down repeatedly. They were staring at my bags and at my clothes so hard that they didnt even notice that I had noticed them eyeing me up.<BR>I very loudly stood up and pointed out what they were doing to a japanese man and they walked away very very quickly.<BR>At that time, I chose to get out of the area very, very quickly myself.<BR>It shook me up and I went to a very small, quiet village in S. Korea to get my strength back and the guts to get back out on the road. I can only think that they were trying to figure out what country I am from. I had no labels on my bags and I was dressed like the average backpacker. I am not a white person so I think they were a bit confused, else I dont know what would have happened. <BR>They are not talking about it in the news but I think that western individuals are definitely a target when they are found alone in non-western countries.
Oct 21st, 2002, 05:25 PM
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Susan,<BR> four years ago, I spent 2 months travelling alone in NZ while I was in my early 40s. I did not feel too old in the hostles - especially in the YHA hostels. Met several families and middle aged couples. One time my roommate was a very spry 70 year old who was touring NZ before he returned to Italy to retire. <BR> I too did not drive. It was easy to find bus, train, local shuttle service or even newspaper delivery trucks to get from town to town. On the South Island, I travelled with the "Magic Bus" - a jump on jump off bus similar to the Kiwi Experience mentioned above. I preferred it over the "Kiwi" bus since on the Kiwi, the average age of passengers seemed to be in the low twenties, while on the Magic bus, the folks were a little older (upper 20s) and less inclined to party too much.
Oct 23rd, 2002, 12:02 PM
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Why, maybe they thought you were attracted to you? Some Arabs are very simple they don't think staring is inappropriate. Just remember that when you are away and alone as long as you have been it is easy to get spooked. Those guys probably would have been less obvious if they wanted to hurt you. Pair up with someone for a while maybe this will make you feel better.<BR><BR>Keep us posted on your adventures!!!<BR><BR>Love the hop on hop off idea everyone. Did this in Scotland, IT WAS GREAT!!! Can't read everyone's post in its entirety just yet but thanks everyone!
