Exotic Destination

[Stargazer]

A friend of mine is interested in going somewhere exotic (perhaps off the beaten track) but is lacking ideas. Given your extensive travel experience do you have any thoughts on appropriate destinations.

thanks

 

[markis10]

Depends on the destination of exotic for the traveller!

 

[casanovawa]

Or maybe even the definition of it to them as well...

 

[casanovawa]

Well here are some places I went on my recent RTW and a few places i am thinking of, maybe it can bring up a few ideas (maybe not far enough off the beaten path for you)...

Buenos Aries - La Paz - Macchu Pichu - Cuzco - Lima - Iguassu Falls - Rio - a bunch of places around US/Canada - Livingstone (Victoria Falls in Zambia) - Chobe NP (Botswana) - Cape Town...

Places i am interested in but yet to do
Several places in India from Delhi down to Goa - Amman and Petra - Kenya and Rwanda for more african wildlife - Galapogas Islands and some Northern South American locales - saw a cruise around the Carribean on a site the other day so considering a 6 night cruise to a few different islands or maybe a few places in Central America - Antartica perhaps... I guess Mauritius and Maldives eventually...

 

[rothesaylass]

If he wants off the beaten track and exotic, I would suggest Bhutan.
The scenery is stunning, the culture fascinating, the people are friendly.
There is not a single traffic light in the whole country!
The economy is measured in gross domestic happiness.
A wonderful place to go before it changes and loses its charm.

 

[Stargazer]

Hi all,

I should have pointed out in my post that my friend plans to be away for three to four weeks, will be departing from melbourne and hasn't travelled extensively. So in terms of what he means by "exotic" I guess it means away from tourist traps, main cities. He is interested in diving, exploring different cultures and staying away from typical hotel chains so would be interested in local style accommodation. The idea is to string together two or three destinations to form an inclusive holiday. His budget is open -- the key is experiencing a different lifestyle. So any ideas would be welcome.

 

[munitalP]

Hi all,

I should have pointed out in my post that my friend plans to be away for three to four weeks, will be departing from melbourne and hasn't travelled extensively. So in terms of what he means by "exotic" I guess it means away from tourist traps, main cities. He is interested in diving, exploring different cultures and staying away from typical hotel chains so would be interested in local style accommodation. The idea is to string together two or three destinations to form an inclusive holiday. His budget is open -- the key is experiencing a different lifestyle. So any ideas would be welcome.

Start in Jakarta and see where the trip takes you if Jakarta is not "Exotic" enough.

Indonesia is full of some fantastic places - just not the ones every Bogan and their kid (drug addict dope smokers :shock goes to...

Also, Malaysia can get exciting - start in KL and see where that takes him... or if adventurous, Jahor Bahru...

 

[hopes]

Try Madagascar. I spent an interesting 6 weeks there in 1989 when it was completely off the beaten track. Still is I believe.

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah I met a New Zealander in Zambia who had just come from Madagascar and had good things to say about it so that could well be a good option... Just get the movie out and study up on it...

 

[stomplad]

I would recommend South East Asian destinations in particular Laos/Thailand/ Cambodia/Vietnam. You can go down the well trodden paths where there are lots of tourists or go down the less travelled road. Laos as off the beaten track and also a good location for a newbie traveller, last year my partner and I had a great trip to there. We flew into Bangkok and took the overnight train to the border (Chang Rai) changed over to the local train and into the capital Vientiane. We stayed there for 2 nights, which was enough and then took a flight to Luang Prabang one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too. It definitely fits into the exotic category. Alternatively you can go by bus along some dodgy roads or by river. From there you can fly direct to Siem Riep in Cambodia, Vietnam or Sukhotai in Thailand. If feeling more adventurous you can travel from a lot of places via river, including Laos and along the Mekong by raft.

 

[amaroo]

I would recommend South East Asian destinations in particular Laos/Thailand/ Cambodia/Vietnam. You can go down the well trodden paths where there are lots of tourists or go down the less travelled road. Laos as off the beaten track and also a good location for a newbie traveller, last year my partner and I had a great trip to there. We flew into Bangkok and took the overnight train to the border (Chang Rai) changed over to the local train and into the capital Vientiane. We stayed there for 2 nights, which was enough and then took a flight to Luang Prabang one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too. It definitely fits into the exotic category. Alternatively you can go by bus along some dodgy roads or by river. From there you can fly direct to Siem Riep in Cambodia, Vietnam or Sukhotai in Thailand. If feeling more adventurous you can travel from a lot of places via river, including Laos and along the Mekong by raft.

I was about to write the very same thing......great places. We're now looking at Myanmar for our next trip - right after our little less exotic European winter holiday.

 

[bushtuckerman]

Stargazer

There are many members of AFF who are exceedingly well travelled, and who can provide greater insight to exotic and adventurous places. However, my suggestion is either of two places:

1. Tiger Leaping Gorge (Yunnan, China) for good trekking, isolation, local cuisine and views.
2. Kashgar (Xinjiang, China) for a sense of history, tough climate and off-the-beaten-track experience.

Cheers
Bush

 

[Cynicor]

For a third world, far away and hard to get to place, why not try Perth international airport? I see your friend has maybe 4 weeks, which should be almost enough time to arrive, clear immigration, wait for baggage, pass customs, queue for a taxi and get to the domestic terminal.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Seriously though, I think it comes down to budget, how much they want to slum it on that given budget, and what exotic really means to them.

There is lots of diving in South East Asia, and it is generally complemented by rainforests to break things up a bit. From least exotic to more, I have some suggestions.

Khao Lak is has plenty of tourists but has massive rainforests in which you can stay a few nights and trek/raft. There are also world class dive sites close by.

Borneo/Sabah may fit the bill if you choose to stay on a liveaboard and then the rainforests. Can volunteer with the orangutan sanctuary too, I believe.

Redang Bidong and other various sites in Malaysia are less commonly travelled by Westerners, and Aussies in particular, so may be ok choices if they still want dive resorts/hotels rather than slumming it.

 

[The Rok]

Vero Beach, Florida
Tranent, Scotland

 

[The Rok]

Anywhere in Perth WA

 

[Stargazer]

Anywhere in Perth WA

Not too sure if Perth or W.A is exotic enough. Will pass on your suggestion!!!

 

[Stargazer]

Hi,

I actually thought the Caribbean would be interesting. Perhaps and Turks and Caicos Islands or Cuba. The former has 200 miles of secluded beaches, third largest reef and national parks. Any thoughts on the Caribbean?

 

[notzac]

Any thoughts on the Caribbean?

Several. I can't recommend Cuba enough - hoping to go there again next year. Sufficiently different to satisfy the "exotic" requirement, however you can still stay in hotels if the confidence levels don't go to staying with locals.

Research is definitely required to go to Cuba - plenty things don't work the way you'd expect them to. Adds to the fun really

 

[loobloke]

I will second SE asia, particularly Sabah.

If he is new to this, I find just knowing that you are close to home and just a few hours away is quite comforting, rather than on the other side of home.

Most of SE asia is quite safe, and rather tourist friendly (with adequate research ofc).

If he is up to it, I definitely recommend climbing Mount KK, or just visit the national park there. Requires a bit of fitness but honestly, climbing up above the clouds and watching the sunrise is truly amazing and I will never forget it.
(Even if I thought I was going to die from exhaustion or falling off the mountain top).
The rain forests there are also fantastic, definitely recommend spending a few nights living out in the jungle camps/huts and exploring around.

Well that was my last holiday just a few months ago, and surprisingly one of the most enjoyable ones I've had.

Get local guides if you plan on doing something like this. It will make your life a whole lot easier. That and they also carry your bags for you so you don't die of exhaustion so quickly.

And since I've always wanted to post these somewhere, why not here. (These are terrible quality as I realized cameras don't like to maintain battery at sub freezing temperatures...)

 

[infinity]

Havan Cuba is right up there. the only place I know that is not influenced by Americans! People are fantastic. try flying to Beunos Aries then Panama and into Havana. Break the trip up with some overnight time though. Enjoy