Tribe.net. Local Connections Amanda http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#eea4e452-f1c3-4b21-9953-0b9e8b62ee59 2008-12-11T19:00:33Z 2008-12-11T19:00:33Z

Do you scuba dive? If it's something you already do or aren't afraid of, you'll be in a great place for it. Everyone knows about Thailand and there are a lot of amazing sites in Indonesia, but Vietnam and Phillipines are also great places to get wet. Diving is a sport to some but for me, it's about communion with nature. It's very meditative and exposes you to a whole world you've never seen before.

Amanda 2008-12-11T19:00:33Z Vanessa http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#86959db9-f7ab-4212-b626-2c9bb253caaf 2008-12-08T04:44:22Z 2008-12-08T04:44:22Z

Thank you, I really appreciate the input.

Vanessa 2008-12-08T04:44:22Z Sarah http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#b8fe6ec2-7aa1-4408-b149-78159561a91b 2008-12-07T19:40:04Z 2008-12-07T19:40:04Z

I second what Adam says about slowing down. Four weeks doesn't sound like nearly enough time to see all of those places, even if you do like a fast pace. You'll end up spending most of your time in transit. If you are in a hurry and leaning towards less party, more spiritual, you might skip most of Thailand(Chang Mai is worth visiting) and instead take short flights in to Laos and Cambodia from Bangkok. If I where you, id just skip Bangkok altogether and use it as a transit point. A flight to Chang Mai from Bangkok is like $50. There's a low cost airline called Nok Air. Ubud in Bali is wonderful, and there are many places to stay for many budgets. I had a nice room with hot water and breakfast for $6 a night. There's lots of little family run guesthouse type places, I just showed up and walked down a few streets and asked to see different rooms and then chose the one I liked the best. Many prices are negotiable in Bali, so some bargaining will be expected. Skip Kuta, its all nightclubs and such. Good luck, and have a great trip!

Sarah 2008-12-07T19:40:04Z Vanessa http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#8bed32a8-9e1a-40c8-bba2-9e28029fb91b 2008-11-26T14:34:00Z 2008-11-26T14:34:00Z

Thanks!

Vanessa 2008-11-26T14:34:00Z Adam http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#0a9db134-3262-4939-905e-ef6ef85efeb4 2008-11-25T05:02:30Z 2008-11-25T05:02:30Z

That should be: http://www.onebag.com Tribe doesn't like the ")" after the URL.

Adam 2008-11-25T05:02:30Z Adam http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#cc4aa727-d2b4-4f50-9824-1c4a700a23af 2008-11-25T05:01:39Z 2008-11-25T05:01:39Z

Vanessa: We travel at _very_ different paces. I spent several years in SE Asia. Your questions are too broad for me to give much advice. But I'll see what I can do. Also, some of my knowledge might be just a bit out of date. SE Asia is changing at an unbelievably fast rate. What was an unknown tourist destination might be _swamped_ with tourists just 2 years later. But with only a week per country, you're going to be going off the beaten path anyways. Thailand - try Chang Mai. Bali - try Ubud. Travel light! (http://www.onebag.com/) And, if you're looking for new healing experiences, try a traditional chinese "cupping" massage. The real thing is _quite_ an experience. http://people.tribe.net/mrcurtain/photos/689cdbef-0532-4a89-8f19-936f75500a26 As for accommodations, the question really is - what do you want? In Thailand or Bali, you can do luxury pretty cheap. But I've always preferred cheap backpackers guesthouses where you're more likely to meet people and make friends.

Adam 2008-11-25T05:01:39Z Vanessa http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#91ea9eb9-a3ec-4433-8dde-4be9a7d18b48 2008-11-25T03:39:16Z 2008-11-25T03:39:16Z

I appreciate that thought and understand the logic but, seeing as my last big trip that I was able to take was a decade ago, I'd like to make the most of this part of the world while I'm there. I'm also a fast-paced gemini, so I'm equipped for it!

Vanessa 2008-11-25T03:39:16Z Adam http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#48809b69-c219-45be-881b-5d9c2258319a 2008-11-24T22:34:46Z 2008-11-24T22:34:46Z

If you're looking for something more spiritual, I suggest you slow down a lot. I think you'd have a much better time if you cut your intended destinations by 1/2. 2 cents

Adam 2008-11-24T22:34:46Z Vanessa http://GoTravel.tribe.net/thread/baebe5ad-46ee-4a05-be08-94aac2340878#6fb6e2a1-417f-4a90-954e-d0bdedc7ae9c 2008-11-24T16:35:11Z 2008-11-24T16:35:11Z

Hey all - I'm starting the planning stages of my trip to Asia (my first time to that part of the world). I plan on leaving at the end of January and spending 4 weeks traveling to Thailand, Bali, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Beijing (at least that's the general plan for now). I would appreciate any pearls of wisdom, advice, tips, etc. on anything and everything, ranging from accommodations to airfare (especially multi-deatination travel passes) to must-see/must-do sites and activities. I also am seeking out a slightly more spiritual experience - this is not just some party vacation. Healing centers/experiences and exposure to new ways/methods are what I also seek. So please regale me with your tales of experience! Thanks.

Vanessa 2008-11-24T16:35:11Z