Grinder backpacking Asia round 2
RE: People are curious about China but even when traveling first class I've heard from many friends it's boring. The Chinese I interact with here in Thailand are more or less "blue collar" defined as those on group tours staying in cheap rooms and raiding buffet lines as if there is no line and same will run out of food. Their attire is right out of an old Sears catalog. The single women are very stand offish and well, it's group. Such is life. Up to them.
In the morning I packed up all my belongings and headed out to find breakfast. I managed to find fried chicken similar to the crispy chicken I was eating in Savannakhet. I had this with rice and the soup they gave me. I headed back to find Thilo (German guy), we ate the dragon fruit and called an Uber. Now for the fun part... countless hours stuck in planes and airports! On the plane to Seoul I watched Thor Ragnarok and the new season of Suits which everyone should watch by the way. In Seoul I grabbed squid and shrimp rings with fries, not great but it's airport food, what can you expect? Next flight was to Vancouver, I watched Pitch Perfect 3 (not good), Downsizing with Matt Damon (not great either), then amazingly I actually fell asleep for 30 minutes. For some reason I have never been able to sleep on planes, I need to be able lay down to sleep sadly. When I woke up I watched Justice League (very meh, not many good movies were available), the 2 episodes of Friends they had, 2 episodes of Big Bang and an episode of How I Met Your Mother. Finally we arrived back in the land of maple syrup and hockey!
At this point in the journey I was dead tired and stuck in the airport for a 6.5 hour layover. I decided to rent a car ($27 USD) instead of sitting around for the layover. Parq Casino opened about two weeks after I left Vancouver in September so I figured I would pay them a visit and collect a chip, I know I know I am insane. I won $60 vulturing slot machines and then $45 playing (gambling is in CAD) $15 minimum BJ while collecting my chip. On the way back to the airport I stopped for dinner at Chipotle because I will never turn down an opportunity for Chipotle. I got back to the airport, put $4 of gas into the car and returned it in time to check in for my flight. The flight home wasn't too bad despite the exhaustion. I kept watching Suits and I even managed to grab 30 more minutes of sleep.
I arrived home (in shorts and a t-shirt) in -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit) weather which was quite painful but it was good to be back home after so long away. Thanks to everyone who followed along with me even when I fell insanely behind on my updates. I am heading to Europe for a month on September 5 and I will try and stay on track this time (no promises).
EXPENSES - (USD)
RT flight $ 800
I spent about 1850 cash while I was in Asia
Sister owed me $278 when we got home
Travel Insurance, Malaria pills, pre trip expenses and incidentals charged
to my credit card throughout the trip - $1100
Grand total expenses = $3472 USD (within a few dollars)
Gambling -
Poker +$1039
Sides +1157
The chips that I collected in all of the different currencies came to $130 USD $158 (I missed a bag) worth of chips. Obviously my gambling winnings were part of my cash flow so they got spent. This means that if I hadn`t gambled at all my expenses would have been $5668 USD. That number includes my round trip flight to Bangkok, every dollar I spent during my 3.5 months in Asia and any pre trip expenses.
With gambling you often had free meals, so but for the gambling you would probably have spent more money if you were merely viewing endless temples or touristy sites.
Without gambling you would not have had any transportation costs to casinos.
If you add a chip to your collection does that come from 'winnings'?
Quote: FleaStiffAs usual I do not follow your math.
With gambling you often had free meals, so but for the gambling you would probably have spent more money if you were merely viewing endless temples or touristy sites.
Without gambling you would not have had any transportation costs to casinos.
If you add a chip to your collection does that come from 'winnings'?
Ok so I calculated the “extra” transportation costs to get to all these casinos amounted to $72 USD plus another $20 if you want to include the hotel in Haiphong but we would have needed a hotel in Ha Long anyways so I don’t include that. I figure all the free meals that I received offset that cost for the most part.
The $158 in chips that I collected get pulled off the table as I play so if I didn’t keep them that $158 would be added to my winnings.
Quote: SOOPOOSo happy for you that you got to experience all those countries. There are so few people with the means and balls to do what you did!
Thanks Soopoo! It’s really not as hard as it may seem. Sometimes you just have to take a leap out of your comfort zone to experience something amazing.
Speaking about 'comfort zone' and the temperatures that you describe, I know I could never do it. You seem to survive such extreme temperature and humidity and a day/night phase shift. Obviously you find the food to be adventuresome and worth an occasional disappointment.Quote: PokerGrinderSometimes you just have to take a leap out of your comfort zone to experience something amazing.
I think I would be more the type for Soopoo's trip to Amsterdam. Better climate, literate, transportation infrastructure in place and less of a need to haggle.
Quote: PokerGrinder
EXPENSES - (USD)
RT flight $ 800
I spent about 1850 cash while I was in Asia
Sister owed me $278 when we got home
Travel Insurance, Malaria pills, pre trip expenses and incidentals charged
to my credit card throughout the trip - $1100
Grand total expenses = $3472 USD (within a few dollars)
Thanks again for the reports, I enjoyed them, (even though it's been so long since you were there that I suspect one or two of the countries now have different names ;) )
One thing I am curious about the above. You say you had a RT flight for $800, but surely that didn't include the other flights you took. Were those flights included with the 1850 cash?
Quote: PokerGrinderWell my next trip will be to London, Liverpool, the south of France and Italy so I will be experiencing a very different type of travel in septemer.
And a lot more expense I presume. Can you find cheap hostels and food in these countries.
Oh yes, hostels are often centrally located and often serve good food as well. its a style of travel there then is not in any way frowned upon as being too cheap.Quote: GWAEAnd a lot more expense I presume. Can you find cheap hostels and food in these countries.
Maybe the German girls from your previous trip will be home when you visit the Continent.
Quote: GWAEAnd a lot more expense I presume. Can you find cheap hostels and food in these countries.
Hostels will run me about $25 usd a night from my research. Food is whatever you want it to be, I’ll go to markets and pick up bread, cheese, veggies, fruit etc so that I’m not eating at restaurants every meal.
Quote: AyecarumbaAwesome trip report PG! I feel like we all went for the ride with you. I also appreciate your patience answering all my questions.
Maybe the German girls from your previous trip will be home when you visit the Continent.
I enjoy your questions Aye. Haha I hope so, which ones though? I met a lot of German girls.
Quote: PokerGrinderHostels will run me about $25 usd a night from my research. Food is whatever you want it to be, I’ll go to markets and pick up bread, cheese, veggies, fruit etc so that I’m not eating at restaurants every meal.
Here's a cheap way to eat in France. Almost every cafe or eatery has a sandwich called a croque monsieur. It's ham and cheese with a coating, either baked or fried. Most don't even list it on the menu, but they'll serve it. A lot of places it's cheaper than anything else they serve.
A related sandwich, same price range is a croque madame. They add a fried egg to a monsieur, sometimes on top, sometimes inside.
My brother lived on those for a couple months over there. It's one of those things the French know, but don't really advertise.
Quote: AyecarumbaMaybe the German girls from your previous trip will be home when you visit the Continent.
Quote: PokerGrinderI enjoy your questions Aye. Haha I hope so, which ones though? I met a lot of German girls.
These are just some of my own notions about precautions I've picked up from accounts I've seen/read of some of the bad things that can happen to you when traveling the third world. In fact I didn't find much online about it. I'd like to know your thoughts.
*Good advice from you about making sure the locals are also eating from the same street vendors. However, it is a terrible mistake to eat any uncooked vegetables or fruit, including lettuce; there are many accounts of picking up terrible parasites that way.
*you can randomly run into dogs, and rabies is a big problem in many of these countries. Never take getting bit lightly. I seem to remember you encountered dogs, but were you concerned?
*never eat raw fish unless you are absolutely sure it is prepared right, and this probably would mean don't eat it at all in most countries.
*any situation where you don't have much protection from mosquitoes should be corrected immediately.
The lack of sewage treatment causes many problems many places. The life cycle of many parasites is interrupted by sewage treatment and takes many forms when there is none.
*never walk barefoot or with just sandals in villages and such. I think there were pictures of you wearing sandals, perhaps not where it mattered though.
*even swimming can be a big mistake. You had some great pictures doing that around the waterfalls. Was there no reason to be concerned about what was upstream?
Quote: odiousgambitPGrinder, you give the impression you weren't much concerned with what "could happen" and seldom mention precautions.
These are just some of my own notions about precautions I've picked up from accounts I've seen/read of some of the bad things that can happen to you when traveling the third world. In fact I didn't find much online about it. I'd like to know your thoughts.
*Good advice from you about making sure the locals are also eating from the same street vendors. However, it is a terrible mistake to eat any uncooked vegetables or fruit, including lettuce; there are many accounts of picking up terrible parasites that way.
*you can randomly run into dogs, and rabies is a big problem in many of these countries. Never take getting bit lightly. I seem to remember you encountered dogs, but were you concerned?
*never eat raw fish unless you are absolutely sure it is prepared right, and this probably would mean don't eat it at all in most countries.
*any situation where you don't have much protection from mosquitoes should be corrected immediately.
The lack of sewage treatment causes many problems many places. The life cycle of many parasites is interrupted by sewage treatment and takes many forms when there is none.
*never walk barefoot or with just sandals in villages and such. I think there were pictures of you wearing sandals, perhaps not where it mattered though.
*even swimming can be a big mistake. You had some great pictures doing that around the waterfalls. Was there no reason to be concerned about what was upstream?
I might not talk about it but I'm a pretty cautious person and I take the necessary precautions when I'm traveling.
I never eat raw veggies overseas and I only eat fruits with a skin. The only time I strayed from this was at a 4 star hotel in Haiphong when I was given the fruit plate.
The dogs didn't bother you if you didn't bother them. I didn't get a rabies shot because I didn't plan on playing with any strays. The only dog that I played with was a brand new puppy in Udaipur, India because I knew 100% that it was safe.
I didn't eat any raw fish.
Mosquitoes weren't an issue for most of my trip as I was in the city and not in the forest. I did however take Malaria pills in India as suggested by my doctor. The doctor said I didn't need them for the rest of my trip.
I don't see a problem with wearing sandals although other than at the beach I always wear shoes as it is more comfortable when walking long distances.
The water at the waterfalls was very clean, some of the clearest water I have ever seen. I didn't see any issue in swimming in it.
Overall some of your concerns are justified but I think some is just paranoia from a lack of experience in the 3rd world (I assume). I like to think after all these years that I am a smart traveler and that I am quite careful with most things that I do. Obviously from time to time I take a risk but those are more things like renting a scooter in India when I haven't ever been on one before.
Quote: GWAEI wouldnt think to not eat raw fish since asia is where sushi came from.
I wouldn’t get sushi with raw fish in a 3rd world country lol. I had sashimi (raw fish) in Hong Kong last year.
Quote: PokerGrinderOverall some of your concerns are justified but I think some is just paranoia from a lack of experience in the 3rd world (I assume).
yes
you are a smart traveler and I am familiar with horror stories from not so smart ones
as for barefeet, hookworm is the main thing, but googling also mentions Strongyloidiasis, Cutaneous Larva Migrans ( Creeping Eruption) , Tungiasis. ... didn't look them up yet but additional diseases from the village dirt used as toilet I presume
there is a worm that will burrow into your skin while you swim, this is where sewage is dumped untreated upstream
I suggest that we just let PokerGrinder serve as our travel guinea pig for these 3rd World locations. Then, if he suddenly stops posting here, we can search for a way to contact his sister, ask her where his most recent travels took him, and then stay well away from there (as both you and I likely will anyway.)
;-)
That is one reason the area near waterfalls is often safe. So much aeration will at least take care of the anaerobic microorganisms.Quote: odiousgambit
there is a worm that will burrow into your skin while you swim, this is where sewage is dumped untreated upstream
I posted about that Florida guy who was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and decided to give chase when a monkey in Bali stole his steelers cap. Last I heard he was still in a coma and trying to get to a better hospital. It only takes a moment of foolishness to come a cropper in some foreign land.
Fishing with cyanide may be good for the fisherman but not for the people who eat in the public markets.
Quote: PokerGrinderI can’t imagine what you guys will think when you read that I’m going to backpack around Colombia in the new year lol.
Obviously hookers and blow
Quote: PokerGrinderLmao anyone who knows me knows that is not my cup of tea at all.
That's right, you're into touring sausage factories with billryan😜👀😳
Quote: MaxPenThat's right, you're into touring sausage factories with billryan😜👀😳
Do I want to know??
Quote: PokerGrinderI can’t imagine what you guys will think when you read that I’m going to backpack around Colombia in the new year lol.
I’m thinking “How can I get PG to make me a beneficiary on a life insurance policy?”
Hehe... no seriously...
I'd like that too, although I would feel guilty about spending the money. I'd be sure to spend it on Guinness and maybe some of that Thai beer that doesn't make you drunk (forget the brand name though).Quote: AyecarumbaI’m thinking “How can I get PG to make me a beneficiary on a life insurance policy?”
In all serious though; Please contact your Sister about blowflies and if you have psoriasis or any open cuts .,,, don't go. They got a parasite down there what works its way into your blood and swims to your brain and then starts eating voraciously. If you make it back to a Canadian dermatologist he will actually be able to hear them munching on your brain cells. No more poker, or anything else, after that.
Quote: FleaStiffI'd like that too, although I would feel guilty about spending the money. I'd be sure to spend it on Guinness and maybe some of that Thai beer that doesn't make you drunk (forget the brand name though).
Grinder would ONLY approve of you spending it on this drink.....
https://dawsoncity.ca/attraction/sourtoe-cocktail-club/
Coilman I’m glad I did it but that sourtoe was gross!
Quote: PokerGrinderI can’t imagine what you guys will think when you read that I’m going to backpack around Colombia in the new year lol.
My first thought is that you believe it would be an adventure to be kidnapped. Here's a link to a former CIA agent who worked in Bogota, Columbia. Ignore his advice at your own peril.
I checked the Rough Guide for Columbia. The second sentence of the introduction starts by saying, "Problems remain of course, but despite the stereotypes Colombia is far safer today than many other Latin American countries." Yeah, like Paraguay, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, I expect.
FWIW, my brother went to Columbia in the 1970s to work with his major professor on a geology project. Pocket was picked before he could get from the airport to his hotel. Went to American Express to get replacement traveler checks. While there, an American came in holding in one hand his other hand that had been cut off. Some youngster had stopped him on the street and pointed to the guy's wristwatch. The American was about a foot taller than the "punk," and refused. The punk whipped out a previously hidden monster knife and cut the guy's hand off. Then, the punk reached down, took the watch, and walked away.
Not sure whether travelers going to Columbia are "brave" or "dumb," however I wouldn't think of "smart" as my first descriptor. But, you probably know what you're doing, so go ahead and enjoy yourself. I'm sure your trip reports will be incredibly fascinating, as always.
Supposedly it is much safer than the rest of the country. The people were very friendly. At least a dozen strangers asked me if I could bring a package for a cousin or friend back with me.
Quote: LuckyPhowMy first thought is that you believe it would be an adventure to be kidnapped. Here's a link to a former CIA agent who worked in Bogota, Columbia. Ignore his advice at your own peril.
I checked the Rough Guide for Columbia. The second sentence of the introduction starts by saying, "Problems remain of course, but despite the stereotypes Colombia is far safer today than many other Latin American countries." Yeah, like Paraguay, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, I expect.
FWIW, my brother went to Columbia in the 1970s to work with his major professor on a geology project. Pocket was picked before he could get from the airport to his hotel. Went to American Express to get replacement traveler checks. While there, an American came in holding in one hand his other hand that had been cut off. Some youngster had stopped him on the street and pointed to the guy's wristwatch. The American was about a foot taller than the "punk," and refused. The punk whipped out a previously hidden monster knife and cut the guy's hand off. Then, the punk reached down, took the watch, and walked away.
Not sure whether travelers going to Columbia are "brave" or "dumb," however I wouldn't think of "smart" as my first descriptor. But, you probably know what you're doing, so go ahead and enjoy yourself. I'm sure your trip reports will be incredibly fascinating, as always.
I have a Canadian friend who lives in Medellin with his wife. A couple years ago he spent 2 months traveling around Colombia with no issues. Colombia is supposed to be quite safe nowadays, obviously being careful is a must but that is the same with anywhere I travel.
You obviously have a much better source down there than anything I could say. Which is also good that someone you can trust is in-country and could help if needed.
I think it's worth noting that all major cruise lines make stops in Colombia out of the US, while only 2 (Star and Holland America) are making them to Venezuela currently. 20 years ago, even 10, it was the opposite.
Given that cruise lines do not want the average idiot American under their care to be placed into a tourist-threatening port, I would guess your friend is right. (We do well enough causing trouble for ourselves in civil ports of call without looking for bad environments).
We/I do expect, or at least hope for, continued TRs, even hiking in the jungle or whatever! :)
If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do for work that allows you to leave for months at a time?
Good choice, as well all know, only the good die young.Quote: PokerGrinderI’m 27 with no wife or kids, do you really think I have life insurance lol?
Coilman I’m glad I did it but that sourtoe was gross!
The narrative of being kidnapped by gorillas or whatev sounds really scary even though the chances of it happening are tiny. But we are not afraid of the little day to day things that are far more dangerous.
I guess it's about control. We think we can handle driving like a retard because we are in control and we are special. But if some bad guy tied us up we'd be powerless.
Yes. There was a time when wearing ANY jewelry such as rings or watches, no matter how cheap in South America could mean loss of a hand. Now it seems less likely and hotel managers no longer rush into the lobby to tell Americans to take that cheapie watch off.
street urchins got so bad in some countries that it was obvious the police were rounding them up and driving them to some mass grave.
Things like this see saw back and forth. The head of organized crime in one Favella has a Ph D in mathematics. Things are not always as one might think.
Crime does not always strike in the worst areas of town nor does it always strike bad people. Look at Naked and Afraid. Some very skilled, strong and experienced people flunk out near the end while ignorant jerks persevere. Some things happen.
Look at that Concordia disaster. A cruise ship within a few miles of the coast and people died because a very experienced captain forgot his eyeglasses and was paying more attention to his girl friend's anatomy than the navigation instruments as he pulled a publicity stunt that had gone just fine dozens of times before.
Someone trains a monkey to steal various items so its owner can make a few pennies and a guy from Florida gets a notion to retrieve his Steeler's cap and winds up in a coma.
You poker players know all the 'outs' and all the 'odds' and all the 'tells' ... but just how many fish in that market are tainted? You want to predict safety much less do it with any reasonable precision?
Quote: gamerfreakJust read this thread from beginning to end. The fact that you can do this all for ~$650 makes me regret having a house, girlfriend, a dog, and work that keep me tied down in Pennsylvania.
If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do for work that allows you to leave for months at a time?
I’m not sure where you got $650?? Total trip cost was about $3500 USD.
Not at all, it’s been mentioned all over this site for years. I play poker for a living.
Quote: LuckyPhowMy first thought is that you believe it would be an adventure to be kidnapped. Here's a link to a former CIA agent who worked in Bogota, Columbia. Ignore his advice at your own peril.
I checked the Rough Guide for Columbia. The second sentence of the introduction starts by saying, "Problems remain of course, but despite the stereotypes Colombia is far safer today than many other Latin American countries." Yeah, like Paraguay, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, I expect.
FWIW, my brother went to Columbia in the 1970s to work with his major professor on a geology project. Pocket was picked before he could get from the airport to his hotel. Went to American Express to get replacement traveler checks. While there, an American came in holding in one hand his other hand that had been cut off. Some youngster had stopped him on the street and pointed to the guy's wristwatch. The American was about a foot taller than the "punk," and refused. The punk whipped out a previously hidden monster knife and cut the guy's hand off. Then, the punk reached down, took the watch, and walked away.
Not sure whether travelers going to Columbia are "brave" or "dumb," however I wouldn't think of "smart" as my first descriptor. But, you probably know what you're doing, so go ahead and enjoy yourself. I'm sure your trip reports will be incredibly fascinating, as always.
I call bullshit,like really a guy is going to go to an American Express office carrying his chopped off hand.
Quote: HunterhillI call bullshit,like really a guy is going to go to an American Express office carrying his chopped off hand.
What would you do with your chopped-off hand? Bullshit like this really happens.
I'm pretty close to my brother, and I saw how the incident traumatized him. You are welcome to believe it or not, but you are clearly no bullshit expert IMHO.
Quote: LuckyPhowWhat would you do with your chopped-off hand? Bullshit like this really happens.
I'm pretty close to my brother, and I saw how the incident traumatized him. You are welcome to believe it or not, but you are clearly no bullshit expert IMHO.
Well I would try to find a hospital.
I suspect they might at least have bandages,or maybe try a post office so I could mail my hand home:)
Quote: Hunterhill
I call BS, like really a guy is going to go to an American Express office carrying his chopped off hand.
I don't think it was someone chopped his hand off and he wandered around town with it looking for an American Express office, I think it is more likely than he was enroute there and the incident took place either immediately outside it or a few steps away that it was indeed the most sensible place for someone who spoke English to seek assistance.
I have absolutely no reason whatsoever to disbelieve the poster and can certainly state with no doubt whatsoever that there were dozens and dozens of such incidents of mutilation in order to obtain cheap jewelry, some of them taking place on sidewalks but most taking place with the machete wielder being the second man on a motor scooter which allows him to make a quick getaway. I can also state that major tourist oriented hotels did indeed have large warning signs posted in the lobby and did indeed have their employees approach any guest they saw leaving the hotel wearing any watches, rings, ear rings or broaches and the like.
So BS.... I would say nope, not one bit of it is BS.
Do you think a three year old boy in London having acid thrown on his face and arms is BS?
Do you think the young women in London and Manchester having acid thrown in their faces is BS?
Do you think the multitudes of 'glassing' incidents in the UK and Australia are BS. Many pubs now use only plastic cups so as to avoid patrons having smashed glasses jammed into their faces. It is not BS.
Yes, but why do you do it living in an igloo and mushing around town in a snow and ice encrusted dogsled when you could be in nice warm Las Vegas playing in an opulent poker room in The Venetian?Quote: PokerGrinderNot at all, it’s been mentioned all over this site for years. I play poker for a living.
....
Note: Its meant to be humor. And I am glad that with Global Warming on the rise Canada has decided that Parliament's official meeting place, The National Igloo, will be refrigerated in an attempt to preserve it.
General profanity warning to all. Busy now, so would appreciate any masking y"all can go back and do. I will be enforcing further transgressions, just for parity.
