Some say I'm crazy ... I've just decided to sell up, quit the job and travel to Asia and Australia/New Zealand for 6-9months. Having never travelled for any other reason than a holiday I need some help, please! <BR> <BR>I'm thinking about making Thailand my first stop (for about 2/3 months) from Oct/Nov. I was then thinking about going to Vietnam but just heard tonight there is quite a bit of North/South tension - should this deter me? Then, I only briefly considered India as thought it would not be a safe place for a single female to travel in - any thoughts? I also thought about popping in on Laos and China. Any thoughts about China? I admit that I know next to nothing! Then onto Australia and New Zealand where I'm sure I'll have no problems as a single person. <BR>Can you advise also re vacinations for all of this and about obtaining visas for on-ward travel - e.g. from Thailand to Vietnam - i.e. should I sort out a Vietnam visa before I go or can I sort it out from Thailand and, if so would that only be possible from Bankok? I've been advised by several people that I won't need to find travelling companion before I go - that it's possible to meet people to chek into hostels with etc together. Not really worried about being on my own during the day - more worried about staying in hostels on my own. <BR> <BR>I realise I've rambled on a bit - but if you could help..... <BR>Thanks and maybe meet you on my travels <BR> <BR>Elizabeth

sorry can't help but wish I could do the same!!!Good luck!!

Hi Elizabeth, I’m Sean <BR> <BR>Wow, your situation sounds quite like mine! My story is this: On the 26 June I quit my job, vacated my apartment, and cut all my strings to the City. (Vancouver Canada) I am now spending the summer with my Parents in Powell River. However, on Sep 4 I will blast off for South East Asia/ Australia/New Zealand, and who knows where else. I may be gone for 1 year, who knows. I have a rough plan to be in Thailand, in Sep/Oct, Malaysia, in Nov/Dec, and then further afield after that. Some possibilities include, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Bali/Lombok,and Sumatra. After that, money Permitting I will go to Australia and New Zealand. I Can’t wait <BR> I have to say having never been to Asia I can’t say how safe it is for a single girl. Oddly enough though,the photographer who took my passport photos has a daughter who is currently backpacking in India, (not sure if she is by herself though). Perhaps if you are alone at night and feeling unsafe you could stay in dorm style guest houses. That way you wouldn’t be by yourself, who knows perhaps having other people near you, might make you feel better; I guess it’s a question of safety verses privacy. In my opinion India sounds risky going it alone. <BR> As for vaccinations, I’ll be getting my second Hep A/B shot next week, as well I’ll be inoculated for Denge Fever, and Japanese encephalitis. I will also be taking Malaria pills with me. These diseases occur in all Asian countries, (except Singapore and Japan)and can be found in any part of them, although they are more common in the more rural areas. My policy is better safe then sorry,mostly because my plans are open and I could end up in more then a few rural areas. As well I think a solid travel health insurance pan is money well spent. <BR>Check out http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/ <BR> Now according to my Travel Guide a 30 day Visa to Vietnam costs 40 to 60 dollars US when bought in Bangkok and takes 4 days to get. It goes on to say that there are quite a few stipulations as to where you can enter the country and where you can go. Judging by what was said,I think Vietnam can be a bit tricky to travel in;further research is required. <BR> On the whole Visas to anywhere in the region can be had in Bangkok. I wonder if you are aware that visitors from most western countries can stay in the majority of South Asian countries for a period of time without a visa. For example, being Canadian I can stay in Malaysia for 3 months without a visa, 1 month in Thailand, and so fourth; it’s probably the same for you so I just thought I’d through that out. <BR> Anyway that’s what I can think of right now, hope it helps! Do e-mail me if you have some more questions,I’ve been researching my trip for a while now,perhaps I might have an answer or two for you I’d also I’d love to hear about your travel plans! Who knows perhaps we’ll bump into each other in Thailand. <BR> <BR>Ps: Forgive my grammer, it’s past midnight where I am! <BR> <BR> <BR>Sean <BR> <BR> <BR>

First of all, congratulations on your travel plans and life change! Very adventurous, very exciting and very brave. <BR> <BR>I'm going to Vietnam and Cambodia next month, and I would suggest getting the visas before rather than after. Both seem to be quite a production -- I have to mail my passport to DC for the Cambodian one -- and are quite expensive (over $100). Check out the www.cdc.org site for travelers; you'll find that you'll need malarial meds (which need to be taken in advance of the trip), tetanus boosters, hep a/b, typhoid and yellow fever (Japanese encephalitis incoculation is recommended by Canadian doctors, whereas US docs say it's not necessary. Go figure. Since each of these shots costs around $30, your call). <BR> <BR>I've been to northern India and Nepal and thought that northern India would be somewhat difficult to do as a single female. I was (I am a woman) in many situations in which I felt extremely uncomfortable. In contrast, in China, I was fine and thought it was one of the best trips I have ever taken. You will not regret it. I'll know from personal experience re: Vietnam in a month and a half! Good luck.

I've traveled through Hong Kong, Beijing, Xi'an and Macua and can honestly say that I would feel safe traveling alone as a single woman in any of these places. Just use common sense and don't necessarily let everyone know that you're alone. The Chinese government is very stern on crime, so there isn't much to talk about.

This must be a trend! We are planning to take off for Thailand next year and spend at least a year there. <BR> <BR>Our doctor (in the US) had us take the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, but she didn't mention one for Dengue, which I know has been a problem in Thailand lately. Yellow fever has not been mentioned because it's only required if you are coming from a place that has it, and I don't know of any place that we will be visiting in which it can be contracted. We've also done the hep a/b, typhoid, measles/rubella, tetanus, plus rabies pre-exposure. She's giving us a couple of different antibiotics for various things as well as malaria pills. <BR> <BR>As for visas, we'll get our 90 day Thai visa before we go but will wait until we actually make travel plans to other countries and get the necessary visas in Bangkok. I think timing has a lot to do with when you should get your visa. I won't be applying for any visa at all until shortly before our departure. Some visas, such as those for Laos, can be applied for at the border when you enter a country. Check out a Rough Guide or a Lonely Planet book for that kind of info - at least to get you started. Hope you have a safe journey!

Thanks everyone for the advise. It's reassuring to know other people have done similar things and its turned out ok for them. I'm looking to have an amazing 9 months-one I won't regret. Maybe see some of you on my way 'round <BR> <BR>Best wishes <BR> <BR>Elizabeth

You should be fine during your solo in thailand. The antimalarial pills would not work here, because most of them are resistant, so you have to protect yourself well enough, and i think anti-repellent agents would be a good idea. From bangkok, you can fly to Hanoi, Ho chi minh, and Danang. <BR>I haven't seen Cambodia on your lists. <BR>I did know any madarin at all, but can survive China, I think Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Beijing are very international, and you will feel like you are walking in the western world. <BR> <BR>Good luck and welcome to asia.

elizabeth, e.mail me at [email protected]

You can do it. I've been to all of Asia and the only advise I can give you is use your COMMON SENSE. Avoid those who are too friendly. Talk to other travellers, you will get the best and up to date info. Good luck and most important thing is have fun. One more thing, always carry a roll of toilet paper.

I have to second the advice that you try to get ALL visas before you leave. China's is fairly tricky to get (although I have heard it's easy to get if you go through HK), and I've heard Vietnam's is as well. Far better to be safe than sorry. <BR> <BR>I live in China and can second the opinions that you will be very safe travelling here alone.

Get Lonely Planet's <BR>Read This First: Asia & India <BR>"If you're planning a trip to Asia or the Indian subcontinent then this is the book for you." <BR>Quite useful although the edition available is as of Nov 1999. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>