Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 04:51 PM
QUOTE (Sooz @ Feb. 10 2003,16:40)
They (les Metropolitains) consider themselves "chez eux" which is a bit irksome for the local European and indigenous communities. There are a lot of civil servants on big salaries who think they are better than everyone else.
Very much like Abidjan during Houphouet Boigny's era.
Also, Asmara during the Cold War when Russians ran amok there...
Sooz
Feb 10 2003, 02:26 PM
Cam, I have no experience of SE Asia outside of the stopover places like Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. But I have plenty of friends who have been to Vietnam and loved it, both on organised tours and backpacking (except the backpackers picked up amoebic dysentery). Not so sure about Kampuchea - some troubles recently between Kampucheans and Thais.
My old haunts were the Pacific Islands.
Kat
Feb 10 2003, 05:01 PM
I've never been to either place but Sooz my girlfriend was offered a lovely position with the Cousteau Institute in Fidji can't recall exactly where.. she was going to be doing a study on the erosion of the corral reefs.. she was all set to go and she met a man.. 
decided to put it on hold. I know she regrets her decision now . I've been trying to put her in touch with a Paleontologist friend of mine in TZ.. get some connections to work maybe..
One of the places I's like to go is Papua New Guinea.. hey maybe we should do a "chick trip"
Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 02:33 PM
Thanks.
I actually meant SouthEastAsia and the Pacific (should have been specific).
Solomon Islands, Trombriand (sp) Isles... I've tonnes of free miles on my usual carrier and can take advantage ticket-wise. Have you been to either one of the two? And/or Papua New Guinea?
I know I'd like to see Angkor Wat before it's infested with tourists (read somewhere that the gov't there's planning light shows and Disney-type attractions....)
Anyway, any/all advice would very much be appreciated.
And ~KAT~, no, I have absolutely nothing against Canada. I'll come visit you and we can go beat someone up. Have any enemies around there? 
Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 05:08 PM
We mostdef should do one, minus spouses, though children must come. Travel is excellent when one's young..., the whole 'discovery' process...
Re: Jacques Cousteau,
I just loved watching documentaries on him when I was young. I remember being quite sad when he died.
And apropos 'those French', remember the Mororoa Atoll stunt? I really began to despise Chirac after that incident.
Sooz
Feb 10 2003, 02:46 PM
The Pacific Islands I know best are Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Any are well worth the visit. NC being French territory is quite expensive but small and very beautiful. Pity about the French though. I liked Vanuatu a lot - spent a fair bit of time on mission there. Delicious coconut crabs!
PNG not the safest of destinations at present but I would love to go there. Fascinating place.
New Zealand is fabulous but that's way south.
My husband has been to other islands. He liked the Solomons and for the most authentic Pacific Island experience - the Cook Islands.
I've also been to Nauru and the Marshall Islands but you wouldn't want to go there on a holiday.
Camarada
Feb 11 2003, 01:54 PM
No addition on this?
I guess that's the end of this thread.
Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 02:51 PM
No, I certainly wouldn't want to visit Nauru. Still recall the baked beans sandwich deal... :
: .
Thanks. I'll wait and see if Observer has anything to add. Hope he'll observe this.
Observer
Feb 13 2003, 01:18 AM
Sorry - missed this one. The reason for my "mysteriousness" is that I do travel around quite a lot - I'm currently in Australia. South East Asia is a great part of the world, many parts of it are similar to parts of East Africa, especially the coast.
If you're going for pleasure, then I would recommend South East Asia as being very easy to travel in, good infrastructure, beautiful places to see. Any specific queries I would be happy to answer here or by private message, I know Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Phillipines and Hong Kong well, I also lived in Japan for a while if you're heading that way. Not that clued up about Vietnam, Burma, China or Taiwan.
Sooz
Feb 10 2003, 03:04 PM
Don't know where the mysterious Observer is geographically - doesn't seem to be in the same time zone as us.
Sooz
Feb 13 2003, 07:14 AM
Observer, you do get around! Hope the Aussies are treating you well :) Happy travelling!
Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 03:12 PM
Thought he's in Kenya at the coast? Remember he just went off to Zanzibar and Pemba? Could be wrong...
Camarada
Feb 13 2003, 02:32 PM
Thanks Observer.
Laos and Cambodia sound good. I shall write again and ask questions when I return. I really am trying to avoid a Lonely Planet type odyssey.
Lucky you for getting to go to those exotic locales.
Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 04:34 PM
And Sooz,
Why a "pity about the French"?
Sooz
Feb 10 2003, 04:40 PM
They (les Metropolitains) consider themselves "chez eux" which is a bit irksome for the local European and indigenous communities. There are a lot of civil servants on big salaries who think they are better than everyone else.
Camarada
Feb 10 2003, 02:20 PM
Observer/Sooz,
I know you two have South-East Asian experience and need your help.
Have been toying with the idea of travelling down that way in a few months (on my way to Africa) and wanted advice on best places to go. I'm not interested in a Lonely Planet gig but would still like great deals etc.
If I do decide to make the trip, I shall be going to Indonesia (Jakarta and Surabaya). Will be co-habiting with friends so I'm not seeking info on hotels etc.
I'd like to do a quick trip to another country and wanted to hear suggestions.
Have any of you been to Cambodia/Vietnam? I've thought of those two severally and hope you'll help.
Thanks,
C.
P.S. Also, ~KAT~, will PM you on the drive to South Africa for route info etc.
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