Nomading, RR Style
Globe Trotting Travel Tips
Updated 4 Dec 2016
As of this update, I’ve been nomading for 485 days. I’ve officially circumnavigated the Earth once and have set foot in the following time ⌚ zones: GMT+0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9. ☺
I’m a USA passport holder. Foreign to the USA passport, travel rules will vary by country.
Here’s what I have learned so far for budget flying, visa on arrivals, language learning, space oddities, crime, and entertainment.
Disclaimer: I’m not paid for any links included in this free travel guide.
Flying
Google Flights and Skyscanner use an algorithm to harvest all of the cheapest, direct flight information as one desires.
Google Flights
https://www.google.com/flights/
Skyscanner
Single one way tickets are much cheaper than multiple city tickets for the same destinations. Airfare is weird!
Sometimes throw away tickets are cheaper than direct hub tickets. For example, if I want to travel to Frankfurt but input my destination as Oslo then every once in awhile the layover in Frankfurt is cheaper than a direct flight to Frankfurt. It’s called a throw away ticket because I am staying in FRA instead of going to Oslo.
I find it best to purchase airfare at least two weeks to a month out per planned visit in order to secure the most budget friendly price.
Note: Airlines without self-checkin kiosks generally will require evidence of a forwarding flight or alternate transport leaving your destination country. I usually take a snapshot of my google itinerary if I’ve not bought a forwarding ticket and so far the airlines have accepted the google itinerary.
Thus far, TigerAir was the only airline without self-checkin kiosks and asked for forwarding transportation data, blah.
If you prefer to be extra cautious then buy a fully refundable ticket. When you arrive at your destination and decide to stay then refund the ticket. Or buy cheap throw away airfare or bus tickets to neighbouring countries.
Visa on arrivals
In Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Panama, USA passport holders are eligible for a 6 month long visa on arrival.
In Costa Rica, Peru, The European Union, and Colombia, USA passport holders are eligible for a 90 day visa on arrival.
Australia requires USA passport holders to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority number online, cost $18 per person.
https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAS3/etas
In Thailand, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines, USA passport holders are eligible for a 30 day visa on arrival stay.
The Cambodia 30 day tourist visa on arrival costs USD$30+2 if you don’t have a passport photo. All others don’t charge an extra visa on arrival fee.
Fortunately, one can extend tourist visas up to 30 days in Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines without leaving the country for 1040baht, USD50, and PHP4030, including service fees, respectively.
In the Philippines and Thailand, visa extension paperwork is extensive and the passport is returned in 3-7 days. In Cambodia, the passport is returned in the same amount of time but no paperwork is required.
In the Philippines, one can extend up to 16 months. In Cambodia, skip the tourist visa and order the ordinary sometimes called business visa for $35 that can be extended indefinitely.
For a $35 Cambodian E visa plus a $290 one year extension ($325 total), I’m officially a legal Cambodian alien until July 2017, woohoo!
Cambodia is the most friendly expat Southeast Asian destination I’ve visited. The internet rumors about Cambodia being the wild wild west are just that, rumors. Visit Cambodia, Indiana Jones and the Tomb Raider movies were filmed here in part, beautiful country with a wealth of history. Come explore and stay for a few months2! 😁
http://www.movetocambodia.com/planning-your-move-to-cambodia/cambodia-visas/
Language Learning
All the tourist areas I visited, most of the locals can speak English. Southeast Asia has the most expat English speakers outside of the EU, so if you need guidance then it’s usually safe to ask any white dude. Central and South America I’d recommend basic Spanish.
If planning rural excursions then a good realtime translator is a must or better yet, learn the local language basics. The locals appreciate foreigners more when they attempt the local languages plus they are less inclined to rip us nomads off.
I’ve learned basic greetings in English, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Mandarin, Italian, Thai, and Khmai.
Thai and mandarin are tonal languages. When the locals speak then their language sounds like a song. Western languages have tones as well but mainly at the end of sentences while Asian languages have multiple tonal words. For a Western tonal example, happiness is in high tones (1); a question is a rising tone (2); sadness is a low tone (3); and a command is a falling tone (4). For a mandarin example, ma1=mother, ma2=marijuana, ma3=horse, ma4=scold.
I used Pimsleur’s language program in several languages and the locals assumed I had been a teacher or an extensive resident on my first visit.
One Thai lady bartender said I had better pronunciation than her, haha. Pimsleur’s works great! ☺
Duolingo is a great gaming app to learn languages.
https://www.duolingo.com/
The US State Department’s Foreign Language Institute courses are also ideal.
https://www.livelingua.com/fsi-language-courses.php
Memrise is also a good free language learning resource to increase vocabulary. I’ve been using Memrise to learn Khmai, the Cambodian language and the locals have been impressed with my pronunciation. Another fun part of Memrise is the ability to create our own learning memes and share with other learners. Gaming and crowdsourced learning make learning fun! 😊
http://www.memrise.com/
Best of all Duolingo, Memrise, and FSI courses are free with internet access.
One of my favorite proverbs is “The easily embarrassed will never learn.” For example, I asked a Khmai lady bartender how to say “slowly” and I thought she said “Joop-Joop” so for a week I had been saying “Joop-Joop” thinking it meant “slowly” and always received embarrassed expressions. Cambodians are sexually conservative.
I chatted to another Khmai lady bartender and she said “Joop-Joop” means “give me a kiss” while “Jert-Jert” means “slowly” when driving and “moy, moy” means “slowly” for drinking, oops, hahaha. Thanks to that mistake, I’ll always remember how to say “slowly” in two different circumstances plus “give me a kiss.” 😁
The secret to language learning is loads of practice and don’t feel embarrassed. Making mistakes and learning from those mistakes increases our neuroplasticity, brain capacity.
Also, get good at charades because most body language and facial expressions are universally the same! 😁
Space Oddities
Never admit it’s your first visit to the country; locals will price gouge newbies.
Tip: don’t be easy prey
If the store isn’t a major mall then haggle with the merchant because everything is negotiable.
Tip: low ball everything and if not happy with the price walk away slowly, the vendor might chase you and accept your offer; if not go to another vendor
South Americans and Central Americans are Americans too.
Tip: many locals have much national pride and it’s extremely insulting to them personally when saying anything negative about their countries
In most Central American, South American, and Asian countries, don’t flush toilet paper down the toilet because the pipes aren’t big enough to dissolve the paper and it will clog the pipes.
Tip: use waste basket, shower after pooping, use your hand and sink, etc
Most local eateries don’t take bills over the equal of USD$10 in the local currency.
Tip: exchange large notes for many small notes
Power outlets and plugs arent universal.
Tip: buy a universal aka travel power plug adapter from Best Buy or the like; the adapters are usually sold at airports too but triple the cost
If shoe size is bigger than male USA size 9 then finding shoes will be a challenge. Also, clothes sizes are smaller. For example, XL t-shirts fit more like a USA L sizes, why? Because USA retailers make clothes bigger to make yanks not feel #2 obese country, (Mexico#1)
Tip: order a size bigger than accustomed
Public transport is cheap and the preferred mode of travel for budget conscience travelers.
Tip: here’s where knowing the local language or having a translator comes in handy
If lost then ask females directions first then couples or anyone older than 50 years (if older than 50 usually must speak and understand the local language).
Tip: avoid young males, transgenders especially at night
Autos do not obey the right of way pedestrian crosswalk laws unless there is a traffic cop directing traffic.
Tip: become a master at human frogger (atari game) 🐸
Menus and Sodas are local cuisine restaurants in Peru and Costa Rica and generally have some of the cheapest and surprisingly best eats in town.
Chifu are Chinese restaurants with a bit of Latin American flavor, yummy!
In Thailand, “pet” means spicy. “Nitnoy pet” is a little spicy. I suggest starting off with “Nitnoy pet” first. Thai food is eye watering spicy yet so tasty! Don’t be a hero your first time out, baby steps!
Healthcare is ridiculously cheap compared to the USA. I had an ER style visit in Central America. I was seen within 30 minutes, treated for an hour then prescribed medication, total bill USD$60.
I also had dental work done: 4 fillings, teeth whitening, a deep cleaning, a prosthetic implant, and two normal cleanings (6 months apart) for less than USD$1k. In the USA without insurance, multiple quotes for the above procedures were north of $1k.
Tip: take advantage of medical tourism
For lodgings, AirBnB, and/or hostels and guesthouses by the month are relatively cheap, safe, and fun international meeting spots.
Tip: TripAdvisor has been great for lodging guidance
Central and South American cantinas are bars and don’t usually serve food.
Tip: stay thirsty my friends! 😁
For the latest currency exchange information see XE Currency http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert
No foreign transaction fee credit cards
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-card/
Checkout the Transferwise app, a 21st century money transfer service with one low cost fee plus the real exchange rate!
https://transferwise.com
Crime
Don’t pick a fight with locals. Even if a group of locals hate each other, they will band together to beat a white devil.
Tip: mind your pints and quarts
Tourist muggings, rapes, and drowning deaths are common in Central and South America. I’ve not seen the same in Southeast Asian countries. Eastern European countries have pickpockets and the occasional muggings as well. Media rarely reports these crimes because poor countries thrive on tourism.
Tip: situational awareness for pickpocket teams
If you're like me then carrying around bulky attachments isnt ideal for security and travel safety i.e. fanny pack, shoulder wallets, etc
Tip: Several pickpockets have told me, my chest pockets look like normal fashion, and they didn’t even think it was a pocket. Most redlight ladies double as pickpockets and Yes, I enjoy the free market crowd’s company as well. 🎊
Scottevest and 511Tactical hide the bulk while securing our personal items, the illusion of security, just like TSA but much much more effective. 🙌
Scottevest
http://www.scottevest.com/index_welcome_back_mobile.shtml
511 Tactical, ideal for golfing and/or blending in with the hideous Irish Rover fashion 😜
http://www.511tactical.com/covert-shirt-performance.html
If single and especially female then meet some trustworthy owls, stay in groups, and don’t walk intoxicated at night
Tip: take a taxi, tuk tuk, jeepney, etc, back to the guesthouses at night
30% South American women roofie drinks in order to steal and rob tourists.
Tip: keep a close eye on alcohol drinks; don’t leave drink alone; don’t get blackout drunk; stay vigilant
Entertainment
All prices converted to USA dollars using XE Currency converter.
-Drugs
If you’ve ever had whiskey dick then you know it sucks especially after pulling a fine bird. Say goodbye to whiskey dick forever with Viagra or Cialis. Both are sold over the counter in most countries not the USA at the super low price of USD$1/pill. Buy at any pharmacy NOT from street sellers.
If “young” like me then a half a pill is all we need. If 50+ then experiment. I’ve experimented extensively and no matter how hammered I get, 20-30 minutes after popping a half a pill raises my flag like morning wood every time. Viagra is a miracle drug!
Cigarettes per 20 pack, brand Camel
Cambodia $.5 and up
Colombia, $1 and up
Philippines, $2 and up
$3 and up
Panama
Thailand
Eastern Europe
$4 and up
Costa Rica
Peru
South Korea
$5 and up
USA
Western Europe
$9 and up
United Kingdom
Canada
In Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe the local beer costs anywhere from 50 cents and up at the bars while nightclubs are also reasonable starting around $2 and up.
In Western Europe, the UK, and USA, local beer is $3 and up while nightclubs price gouge as usual.
Marijuana and Cocaine are readily available in Central and South America. Adolescents ride around on bicycles selling drugs nightly. I’ve never seen the local law enforcement harass the kids.
In Panama and Costa Rica, the best marijuana costs $40-50/3.5 gram and it’s called Creepy because the high sneaks up on you. Cocaine usually costs $20/gram.
In Cambodia, marijuana costs anywhere from $4/gram at Dirty Old Sailors to $10/gram from tuk tuk drivers. Hash typically costs $11/gram. I heard Cocaine costs around $120/gram. Heroin is around $5/gram as well as meth.
In Colombia, cocaine usually costs $3-5/gram and marijuana was “free” for me.
In the United Kingdom, USA, and Europe, cocaine usually costs around $90+/gram and up. Good quality marijuana costs around $60-70/3.5 grams.
EU and Cambodian law enforcement don’t generally care about marijuana use unless you’ve done something stupid while in possession of it. Cocaine is OK for the affluent as usual.
In Thailand and the Philippines, illicit drug laws are strictly enforced. Stick to beer, whiskey, cigarettes, and the go-go bars! 🏄
Stay out of trouble and the local law enforcement will generally not harass you. T-money aka bribing is usually the best option.
-No bullship dating
Always wear a condom!
Extra large Asian condoms are still small because Asians average penis size is 4 inches, so unless you have the Irish curse too then bring a healthy supply of Western condoms.
All relationships have a cost benefit analysis. No bullship dating skips the bullship and gets right to the best part of the relationship, consenting adults exchanging time and money for sex. 😁
One of the funniest and most accurate shirts I read in the Philippines said, “I wish I paid the bar fine instead of getting married; it’s so much cheaper!” Short term contracts are the best relationships!
If you choose to date ladies in red (redlight district) then stick to go-go bars, massage parlors, karaoke bars, brothels, etc. Dating street trash is like playing Russian roulette with your dick.
The businesses want repeat customers so they mandate their workers are tested weekly or monthly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancies. Many poor countries thrive on sex tourism, so the bar owners want to employ STI clean ladies for our pleasure.
The most friendly no bullship dating ladies work in the Philippines and Cambodia. The majority of Filipinas and Khmai birds are genuinely nice ladies.
-Ladyboys
If you think you’ve met the best looking tall Asian woman in the Southeast Asia then 9 times out of ten she’s a ladyboy (man with tits). Makeup and surgery do wonders for these humans. If new to ladyboys and/or Asia then take care when consuming alcohol. I don’t fall for that shit anymore, haha!
-No bullship dating ladies
No bullship dating ladies usually start at a go-go bar then after their bodies aren’t as hard are then regulated to the pickup bars. If they’ve not moved up to mamasan, another management position, and/or married by their 40s then they’ll work the streets.
Ladies earn money in 3 ways. The bar pays a monthly salary, 30-50% of “lady drinks” men buy them, and sexual exchange fees.
The ladies typically earn a normal salary of USD$1-7 per day per 10-16 hour shift depending on the country.
In Southeast Asia, the “lady drinks” are normally double or more the price of normal tourist drinks. Don’t be stingy and help the ladies out. Don’t go overboard though and stick to single lady drinks or double for the birthday lady. 🐼
-No bullship dating fees
In the Asian countries, Early Work Release (EWR) fees typically include an overnight stay colloquially referred to as "long time."
“Short time” means until finishing or whatever time the lady says you have, as little as 15 minutes to an hour in most cases.
In South Korea and the Philippines, the EWR includes the fee for sex while the rest don’t.
-EWR
Thailand 300baht and up
Cambodia USD5 and up
Philippines, PHP1500 and up
South Korea, 80000won and up
-Dating fees
Asia
Philippines, $5 and up
Cambodia, $20 and up
Thailand, $30 and up
South Korea, $50 and up
Americas
Colombia, $25 and up
Peru, $80 and up
Panama, $80 and up
United States, $100 and up
European Union
Eastern Europe, $25 and up
Western Europe, $55 and up
United Kingdom, $70 and up
Pattaya and Angeles City are every man’s wet dream come true. I can’t walk down the street without having my bits and bobs fondled by the ladies. It’s quite the status quo reversal. 🏄
Remember: No bullship dating, a short term contract, is always much cheaper than getting a long term marriage contract; choose wisely mates!
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