As I just turned 60 years old, I am afraid that my body will not hold out much longer and those 14 hour airline flights will be impossible.<BR><BR>So before it is to late I want to visit the most exotic place on earth. A place where people do not wear western clothes, know about western people places and things. Where the sights and sounds are so strange, that I will lie in bed all night thinking about my unique new environment.<BR><BR>Though I do not want to go to a place that is totally unsafe, where I would get sick immediately from the food, and there is so much poverty that I will be hassled every minute I am outside.

Years ago Burma fit that bill pretty well, but nowdays most such places are either more globally connected or in distress for one reason or another...

Bhutan. at $200/day for a visa, you can expect that not many tourists go there. the purpose of such a high fee I am sure is partly to preserve their culture. I believe there is also a very small number of visas issued each year. have a look:<BR>http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/visitor.html

Yes, Bhutan is $200 + a day (all inclusive with your own guide and transportation at your disposal), but there is no limit on the number of visas issued -- that is an urban legend that just refuses to die!<BR>Go, you won't regret it.

Look at the Tamarindtours.com web site. Individualized exotic tours throughout Southeast Asia. Very unusual sites that are not seen by the to8urist.

Rural Laos

Irian jays, indonesia and New Guinea are still clasics.. yet no Ritz Carlton for ya..<BR><BR>but your best bet would be too stay in a long house in Borneo, there are meny tours from Kutching. malaysia that go deep into the jungle where you can stay a night or two in a village.. <BR><BR>

First of all, give 'exotictraveler' a break! Good for him/her to make dreams come true. He didn't say he wanted utopia or the Ritz. He just doesn't want to be sick and in danger. What is so unreasonable about that?!<BR><BR>Secondly, Wayne, guess you have never been into the heart of Borneo. Even deep into the jungle the longhouses have generators, tin roofs, television, and T-shirts. And they aren't cannibals anymore, you idiot. <BR><BR>Unfortunately, I am not sure a place like you describes exists anymore, ET. Still I would agree with Org that East Malaysia would be a great place for you. There are tons of beautiful national parks and you can indeed go to a longhouse. It's quite worth it (loin clothes or not) and the food in E. M'sia is great. There are some nice websites of Sabah and Sarawak, the two states of East Malaysia. I just got back from my latest of several trips there and found it still very safe. Now, there are travel warnings about parts of Sabah (the resort islands on the eastern side of Borneo), but the rest of the places are fine. Do some research to make an informed decision about wherever you choose to go, but by all means, do it! <BR><BR>Have a great time!<BR>

P.S. You should also check out the Lonely Planet chat room (Thorn Tree). There is a page there just for &quot;Older&quot; Travelers. See where others have gone.

To: exotictraveler<BR>You didn't mention where you are from but I assume the States. I don't know that an exotic place you described exists without a long flight. Unfortunately, most everything around us has become very commercialized. <BR><BR>I agree with Alisa though, give exotictraveler a break. The long flights are never fun! We on this forum are supposed to be nothing but helpful. Perhaps John G. is new to this forum?

Exotic said he doesn't think the flights will be possible much longer, which is why he wants to go somewhere now....<BR>So before it is too late, I would recommend Mongolia. You can take pony treks with native guides, staying in native homes. like many exotic places, the locals may be familiar with some western things, but still live a traditional lifestyle. Borneo, Sulawesi(sp?), Laos, new guinea are alSO on my list of &quot;better go soon&quot; places.

On Lonley Planet, TV show, Justine (the traveler)went to a place in the mountains of Vietnam where many people had never seen a westerner. Looks like that is the place!

First of all, start visiting your local 24-hr Fitness or gym regularly. Especially if you feel old and rundown at the age of 60. I'm 68 and have been touring the globe since retirement at 59 and I don't intend to stop 'til I'm in my 80s. A daily exercise program of weights and walking have kept my mind and body &quot;young.&quot; Exotic places? I've just returned from Burma (aka Myanmar) and there are still places completely removed from the Internet and the BBC, CNN and ESPN. It was wonderful to get away from Bush for four weeks! The people are friendly and honest and helpful. A place like Nyaungshwe (Inle Lake) is great for chilling out for weeks on end. Just rent a bicycle and find places to drink beer (cheap at $1.10 US for 750ml)beer all day....Bhutan's another nice place albeit expensive. I also second Luang Prabang in Laos. New Guinea? Well...

I will disagree with the Luang Prabang advice.. I think it's a realy cool town I had a great time during the water festival.. but it is FAR from exotic. the boulding seem too be french calonial or something. and it has a well developed tourist infrastructure.