Back from Asia, back to Cairns

[roxane]

Hi everyone,

Spent a month travelling in Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. As it was my first time there, it was quite interesting, but I couldn't live there. Too dirty everywhere, and their toilet culture....not for me. And nobody speaks English!!!!
I was worried all along about the food, and that I will get sick, but no problem there. But when we got back to Cairns, I got very sick, and still hasn't got over it. Maybe it's the weather, humidity or virus, I don't know. Summer was horrible here, and every year seems to be hotter. Thinking maybe to buy / rent something during that time in Tassie, as prices every where else are crazy. Anybody lived in Tassie?

[Banjo]

Hi roxane, good to see you back on the board.

I think most of our members who like to spend time in Asia have learned to see past the dirt and dodgy toilets and enjoy the lifestyle for it's many benefits.

Tasmania is indeed a nice place and certainly cooler than NQ.
Just remember that your power bills will be higher in the winter.

[roxane]

Hi Banjo

Yes, I know there are lots of thing to enjoy in Asia, and lots of benefits, but either way we are stucked here.
If we could get something cheap! we'd only spend the summer there, winter back in Cairns.
If someone knows more about TAS could get me some advice which areas are good, and cheap....if there is any.

[Banjo]

Do a real estate search, there's a couple of sites that show all the listings from the major agents.
Look at areas a bit out of town, central Hobart would be a lot more expensive than the smaller towns and outer suburbs for example.

[rayco68au]

Hi Roxan.
Try and holiday in the Philippines.

Cheers

Raymond

[Banjo]

If she wants it a bit cooler I suppose Baguio would be a good place to start....

[roxane]

thanks, that would be great, but it comes back to the problem with the unl. port. I need something for at least 3 month!!!!

[Banker]

Baguio I lived there for 6 months and you have to be a mountain goat to get around.

Chiang Rai in Thailand is a nice place, good cool weather there during the Australian summer.

[roxane]

Chiang Rai, do you know roughly how much would be the rent there? Did you live there too?

[jack]

I was Chiang Rai About 11 Months. I did pay About $ 165 With AC Appart, Per Month. Including Elec,water. Look nice and Clean, 24 Hrs Security, Lanundrey facilities, Restaurents,MiniMart. But there was Many Cheaper one around $120,$130,$150 per Month. www.bahtsold.com - www.thaiapartments.net

[oldsailor35]

I live on Koh Samui a large island in the southern Gulf of Thailand about one and a half hours from the mainland by vehicular ferry. My new 1 b/r bungalow costs me $295.80 per month,($73.95 week) but there are cheaper ones around. My electricity bill is $12.80 month, and i use the a/c some evenings. Household water is free but drinking water about 80 cents month ( 25 cents for a 20 ltr bott). I can get a meal of fried rice with either Chicken,Pork or Prawns plus a stubby size bottle of beer for $3.28 Petrol is a little expensive at $1.24 ltr., I have a car which i only drive when on the mainland, the car ferry fare being $16.40. On the island i ride my Vespa type Honda scooter 125cc which runs on the "smell of an oily rag" most of us do. Life is good here, many expats from UK Aust and Germany. I am within 5 mins walking from the beach. I was back in oz last year (Caboolture) but found it very expensive living. The only thing to be wary of is NO free health as in Oz. But it is quite inexpensive if you dont use one of the 5 star hospitals (which are still cheap compared to private in oz) Last year i had a chest infection, went to a local hospital. X-rays, doctor and medication cost me $14. Hoping this will be usefull information to someone.
Regards.

[Banker]

Never lived there Roxane. Its one of my favorite places in Thailand. Plenty of shopping (you will like that) Direct flights to Bangkok. Then you have some beautiful country side to explore, hill tribes etc. It has a nice feel about it. Banjo has spent more time in that area than me so he may be able to give you a few tips. There are some pictures on our web site of Chiang Rai area.

www.australianpensioner.org/thailandpics.html


Many people rave about Chiang Mai but I don't like it, the town sits in a hollow surrounded by mountains and traps the pollution.

[oldsailor35]

Hi Roxane, Yes i know its a bit of a culture shock for 'first time visitors' to any 3rd world country. Here in Thailand we have passed the third world stage and into "emerging country" although the european type toilet is here the Thai's still prefer the squat toilet which for us westerners take some getting used to especially when on the Bangkok express lolololo. You mention "Toilet Culture" but asians do not like sitting on a toilet seat which has just been vacated by some sweaty ass foreigner. You mention food ! well i have been eating from Thai food stalls for 7 years now and never been sick ! the vendors are very clean and do not put leftovers back in the fridge, its all fresh. I do visit countries like Viet Nam, Lao and Cambodia regularly,its only a short flight away, and yes they do tend to be a bit poor on the hygeine side. Thats because they are 3rd world, so we have to allow for that. Thais are very clean, just try walking into a Thai house with your shoes on and the same applies to places like restaurants, chemists shops and even 7-11. Its a habit one soon gets used to. Next time you visit Asia, try Thailand, i am sure you will see the difference. And it is a really beautiful and varified county from the hill country in the north, Chaing Mai right down to the Andaman sea on the SW Coast. Not forgetting beautiful Koh Samui in the Southern Gulf of course.
Good luck.

[hypoman]

as for speaking english you cant beat the Philippines... we pay 2500p (about $65 a month) for a 3 bedroom house. its pretty run down though. a decent house is around 10k a month ($250). and yes, the toilets seldom flush or have toilet paper. to be honest ive got quite used to not using toliet paper, just a scoop and my hand. and i never get sick... all the 'better' restaurants in the city have toilet paper and super clean toilets though, even cleaner than alot here!

oh, I think uncle chop chop lives in tassie!

[Banjo]

Is he still alive?
I downloaded a couple of his books yesterday.