u/existential_8

this is so trivial and unimportant in the grand scheme, but I have a Keffiyeh (female, black british), and I would like to take it travelling with me as a sign of where I stand in hostels etc. the question is is it considered disrespectful to use it in other ways than wearing it as a scarf- eg using as a blanket, using as a beach mat. I feel like the obvious answer is yes it’s disrespectful but I feel like whilst backpacking it could be so much more functional than just a scarf. if the answer is no I’ll just use it as a scarf only and that’s fine. silly question I know

Hi all, I'm someone who likes to budget travel-hostels, public transport, layovers, backpack all fine. what i wont compromise is staying in a female only dorm, for so many reasons. 1-safety of course, 2-cleanliness, 3-comfort, ability to walk around without a bra, or in a towel. This means though that I often have to pay more for female dorms over mixed or if there's none at all private rooms. Anyone else the same? Sometimes I think it's not worth it but I couldn't cope in the same room with men. Also that means booking accom months in advance if theres limited options (eg-right now booking Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and China for June-Sep), therefore less flexibility with itinerary and trip. I envy solo male travellers greatly with the freedoms they have with travel everyday.

this summer I’ll be travelling Indonesia for two months (with 1 day in Singapore before), as June-Aug is prime season, then August Sri Lanka - the elephant gathering and Kandy Esala Perahera, and in September China, totaling 3.5 months. I know this route is very uncommon and inefficient (flight prices havent been fun) but each place is necessary for the season. my point was I feel like no one else has ever done this route before? Indo-Sri Lanka-China? if so let me know I’d love to hear about it!

 Hi all, I applied for the C1 60 day visa and paid for it on the 22nd May, and it is now the 2nd June and heard nothing and says it’s waiting verification still. I an entering Indonesia on the 20th. is this normal? the most I’ve seen people wait is 8 days and it’s now been 11 days since I paid. do I need to contact them at this point or just wait longer? thanks!

I applied for the C1 60 day visa and paid for it on the 22nd May, and it is now the 2nd June and heard nothing and says it’s waiting verification still. I an entering Indonesia on the 20th. is this normal? the most I’ve seen people wait is 8 days and it’s now been 11 days since I paid. do I need to contact them at this point or just wait longer? thanks!

hi all, plan to visit China this September, and I’ll arrive sometime around the 5th and aim to leave by golden week starts on the 1st October.

I would love to visit Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chonqing, Zhiangjie, Xingping, and Shanghai. is 1 month enough for all of this? Im not the type to stay for a long time in each place especially big cities, so for example Shanghai I would spend no more than 2-3 full days and the same for Chonqing. I prefer the nature places like Zhiangjie and Xingping.

any advice on any places to add, delete, /swap appreciated!!

hi all, I will be travelling indonesia and Sri Lanka for 3 months this summer. I’ve been looking for a travel insurance that covers you whilst riding scooters (responsibly) without a license as this is very common there and sometimes the only way to get around, but a license is £1000+ so not worth it. I have found Genki claim ‘light motorcycles are covered even without a license’. has anyone had experience with Genki? They say they are for 1 year for you can cancel after the first month if you wish.

if anyone has used this company please let know! thanks

Hi all,

I will be travelling sri lanka solo for 3 weeks in August and hope to visit Colombo, Sigiriya, Minneriya national park, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and then a few places along the south coast eg Ahangama. I just found out about tuktuk rental and was planning to do this, but then rememebered I would have to forfeit the iconic kandy-ella train as I will have to drive instead. Is the rain journey really worth it or shall Is tick to using a tuktuk as transport? I haven't driven a tuktuk before but I am from a left driving country and will be travelling Indonesia for 2 months before and riding scooters there. Will it actually be more cost effective to hire a scooter? Its £330 for the 23 days and then any petrol too, vs trains/inconsitent transport. If anyone has experience with either please let me know, I'd love some insight!

Thanks so much!

Hi all, I will be travelling Indonesia for 2 months this summer but originally planned for 3 months- due to visa I can only do 2 months. This means I can spend another 3 weeks or so somewhere else budget wise. I have 4 options right now and I'm really unsure. As a prefice, I will be solo, I don't drink alcohol/party so nightlife isn't a factor (if anything its an offputting factor lol), I love nature and animals, vegetarian food options, I do like beach/snorkelling but I would have done plenty in Indonesia, and also culture and history. These are my 4 options and the pros/cons I've found right now:

1- Sri Lanka for 3 weeks- it's on the way toward the UK, and there's affordable flights to there and back home. good hikes/safaris- would be very cool, good vegetarian food.not great transport around from what I've heard. Not sure why but thinking about going just isn't super exciting for me in the same way Indonesia is but I'm sure this would change when it's coser to the time/I'm actually there

2-Vietnam for 3 weeks- again cheap flights to there and then home, plus cheap flights around the country. Super interested in Vietnam war and theres loads of history stuff to see/do, and good food. Not ideal weather though in August

3- Japan (again)- I went in february and I would love to go back to some less touristy areas, I really loved it but its more expensive so would only be able to go for 1-2 weeks, and also ridiculously hot and humid in August. Japan would be more chill and less 'backpacking' vibe I guess which might be nice after 2 months

4- Fly straight home after Indonesia and then spend a week somewhere in europe like spain, my least favourite option since If I'm in the region anyways I'd like to go somewhere else in Asia and europe is obviously like 3-4x more expensive for everything.

Anyone been to Sri Lanka/Vietnam/Japan in August? I'm leaning toward Sri Lanka currently but still unsure! thanks

Hi all, I will be i indonesia for 2 months this summer- i have my uk bike license so my insurance won't void if I crash, and am mainly planning to use bikes in sidemen / amed and kuta lombok. other than the training day for the license i haven't ridden a bike before, i do drive a car though from a left driving country. Is it a terrible idea? My plan particularly for lombok heavily relies on it and I know everyone does it but I'd like to come home in one piece at the same time. I am very responsible, don't drink, will be wearing a helmet,etc. I've seen conflicting things, mainly to do with insurance, which I'm covered on due to having a license. Thanks!