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As mentioned above, new post on travel security!:
Travel Security: Pacsafe Backpack Protector Review
Travel Security: Pacsafe Backpack Protector Review
It hasn't really required half as much thought as you seem to have gone to the trouble of, but then photography does sort of take a backseat to travelling and whatever else for a few months at a time for me.
A lot of the stuff I have posted has been for the benefit of people who have not gone through the process of travelling before. You sound like an experienced traveler and if you are anything like me it starts to come naturally after a while on the road. Also I have been shooting a documentary film for the last 6 weeks and also shot work every single day for a month before so I have required a lot more gear than the normal traveler.
In terms of security whilst travelling, I might be over in New Zealand rather than SEA, but regardless of (British thieving blood?) any factors I've had from place to place, I've had all my earthly belongings, which includes a Taylor guitar, laptop, camera gear and some pricey music gizmos, probably collectively valuing about 5 grand... left out in rooms on my bed, or under it, on the bedside table, on the floor, in unlocked dorm rooms of up to 12 people, all day, every day, for the past 18 months, and the only thing I've had stolen was a loaf of bread that I left in the kitchen and forgot about.
You are either very lucky or New Zealand is very safe. S E Asia is no more dangerous or unsafe than the UK but I definitely wouldn't leave my out in the open, unlocked or in a room full of people without being there even at home. Also when I have work to shoot and small freelance jobs along the way I can't afford to loose gear or that's loosing a job/reputation. Despite all this I still wouldn't risk loosing my gear because I don't want the hassle of getting police reports, insurance etc to get my gear back.
Being concerned about everything is all well and British and although I'm not saying it doesn't happen, it shouldn't really be at the forefront of your mind. Its hard to think of your camera gear getting lost or stolen or broken or probed by aliens, but whilst travelling you kind of get an epiphany about priorities and you understand that as long as you get the shots and get 'em safe, the equipment is replaceable. Criminals, wherever they are, shouldn't change that.
I'm not sure where I have been concerned about 'everything' but surely locking your gear up if you leave it unattended, keeping your essential gear on you and using common sense is hardly going to stop you enjoying travelling. Maybe we have different priorities but when I am spending a few grand going traveling I don't want to have to spend a month of it chasing after insurance to get a replacement D7000 and 12-24 lens if I can help it. I understand your point about priorities, and whilst traveling photography is my priority so looking after my gear is, to me anyway, of utmost importance
Hello everyone,
had the most amazing last few days down in the south east of Myanmar. Possibly one of the most diverse and troubled regions in terms of history. However as my prior experience of Myanmar was from the Thai border regions its exactly how I know it. The Karen and Mon people have hearts of gold and considering most live on less than $2 a day, they are forever trying to give you food etc.
I fly into Bangkok tomorrow morning where I will then travel to the border region to start my multimedia documentary project. I have 4-5 days before the schools go back, which is where I start, so it gives me a bit of time to get everything tested and try to arrange some interviews and access to the refugee camps and stuff that I have in mind, that weren't arranged at home for various reasons.
If anybody is considering visiting Myanmar I think they should definitely go for it. However you really do need to read up on the subject and consider the effects you have as a tourist. You should aim to maximize the amount you give back to the people of Myanmar as they are the ones who need it most. You should also try and spread the money so that it can benefit as many people as possible. Traveling by local transport, eating local food and staying at family run guesthouses are the ways to maximize the amount of money going to the real people of Myanmar.
Any travel you do is going to effectively fund the government in some way, however my view is that if you can spend $1000 and less than $100 of that goes to the government you will be giving $900 to a country where the average income per person is less than $450 a year.
However as a country it is possibly the most diverse in the world. It has over 108 different ethnic groups which all speak different languages, it has terrain ranging from the desert like regions of Bagan all the way up to the highest mountains in South East Asia in the north (part of the himalayas). It borders Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet, India, Bangladesh and maybe some more but my memory is shot haha. The food is also a collaboration of indian, chinese and thai with curries, rice, noodles, soups. It really is a massive cooking pot of various ethnicity and cultures.
1000% reccomended and I'm kind of sad i'm leaving in less than 20hours as I feel I have not truly experienced it fully and I have covered a hell of a lot in the last 28 days!
I am going to Thailand this summer and I was thinking of going to Myanmar for a couple of weeks during my trip. How hard is it travelling around and what are visa requirements like?
Sounds like the trip is still going well!
I'm itching to return to SE Asia, Laos in particular.
Really enjoyed my time in Vientiane and LP last time!
Jacob.
How long have you been travelling for now? I'd love to be able to.do what you're doing...but...funds![]()
jacob12_1993 said:I have been away for just over 12 weeks and have just under 8 left. The cost's are really not expensive (relative obviously) so far I have spent £1002 in 12 weeks. However I had about 4 weeks of minimal costs, so it's a little off. However I estimate 20 weeks away including flights will cost no more than £2700That's taking in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Guangxi region of China
£1000 in 3 months?!...are you eating beetles and grass!? ... That's amazing. I'm well up for doing some travelling so would love to know what you spend your money on and how much you have to compromise!
That budget makes me smile. I'm trying to save more here as I know it'll go much further when we get to SE Asia!
We leave August 26th until roughly Christmas time.
I agree about the laid-back small town feeling of Laos. Even Vientiane is like that. Probably one of my favourite capital cities I've visited for that reason!
Thanks Jacob. You're living the dream man, you, your camera, backpack, laying down you're own paths...it's great! One of my goals definitely.
To be honest, I just like the sound of the Thai meals for £1!!! Lol
Hey Jacob, great to hear and see you are enjoying all S.E Asia has to offer, I hope you haven't been caught up in too much rain as its monsoon season. Really enjoying following your travels and blog and remember when you get into Vietnam drop me a line and once out of the Mekong and HCMC head to Mui Ne , you wont be disappointed.
All the best and safe travels.
Grahame
By the way, don't Iphones have that tracking app so with a computer you can pin point where the phone is?
In my opinion if you want to do it just do it. I have so many friends who have said they will do it/they want to go travelling but most of them just talk about it and ever actually grab a flight and go. Long term travel requires a serious amount of sacrifices and the longer you leave it the bigger these sacrifices. Luckily for me being so young I have virtually zero commitments at home apart from university starting in September so I didn't have to sacrifice that much but I have met people who have sold their houses/cars etc to fund indefinite travel (I like my home comforts too much to do that though!)
Im in Siem Reap just now, heading to Phenom Penh probably tomorrow though (Visa expired). If you fancy a beer tonight (it is Saturday afterall) I'll drop you a PM with my details. Im onto Vietnam next then looping back through Laos, Thailand again and Burma before heading to Nepal and India.
I'll probably pass you at Angkor sunset tonight and not even notice... small world![]()
Really like these updates, Jacob. Angkor is a fantastic place and I can't wait to go back their now I'm really interested in photography and have decent equipment. Have you been to any of the "further out" temples and are there any temples (or any other places in Siem Reap) you'd recommend that aren't on the standard loop of temples?
I looked into Beng Mealea and think we'll make the effort to get out there. I think we'll do Banteay Srei as well for the temple, but also the landmine museum down there which we'd really like to visit.
Good tip for sticking around after sunrise. A simple thing, but I'd never thought of it
How early do you need to be there for sunrise? Awake at 4am, out there by 5am? Something like that.
Yep I'm trying to decide which one to go for. Saying that, neither have to be booked far in advance so I'll probably ask around people who've done both/either when we are travelling closer to the time. Either one should be fun though I think.
Really enjoying your photos still, can't wait to be travelling now. 40 days to go!![]()
That is the problem with all trips like this I guess, you have to go home eventually. I'm coming to the end of a 2 year adventure living in Korea to start these travels before returning home though. I'm sure you'll have plenty of cool trips in the future too![]()