Saturday, February 5, 2011

Protip - Cheap accommodation

Just a quick post on cheap accommodation. I obviously try and keep accommodation costs down on my trip because you only really sleep in your hotel, most of the time you should be out exploring or at the beach.

In saying that though, I will always check reviews of the accommodation where ever I go. The one time I didn't follow my advice, I paid for it, quite literally. On my first day in Kuala Lumpur, I booked a hotel overnight because I had to fly out the next morning. I decided to go cheap, spent about US$30 and let's just say, it wasn't up to my usual standard, the roaches didn't seem to mind though.

I reluctantly stayed the night, but the issue was that I had booked the same hotel on my way back home for a week and there was no way I would be staying in those conditions for a week. Unfortunately, the only other accommodation that I could find was at Hotel Maya, a 5 star boutique spa resort. It cost US$160 a night. So, I had to adjust my spending throughout my whole trip to cover the additional expense.

Well, that's the thing about traveling. Nothing is ever certain, which is what it makes it so enjoyable.
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25 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Sounds really exciting. I would love to spend a couple of months backpacking in Nepal.

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  2. Come At Me BroFebruary 5, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    Nice place!

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  3. Tom GunnerFebruary 5, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    I had a look at Nepal. I want to try and get there on my next tour of the region, which will hopefully be in July this year.

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  4. IanFromLastNightFebruary 5, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    I've always wanted to backpack across Japan. Sounds like you're doing the next best thing! Have fun, man!

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  5. JoeFebruary 5, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    I'm not really a traveling person, but maybe you can convince me otherwise. I've always wanted to live in Australia with the kangaroos...

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  6. NorcoCADFebruary 5, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Hmmm. I've always been curious about doing something like this. But I hate change, traveling, flying, and people in general. What would you say about the experience in general? Totally awesome or? And how much of a budget did you have?

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  7. dubmixtFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    No reviews on hotels in West Africa :)

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  8. Tom GunnerFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    To be honest, generally I don't get on well with new people. However, when I am overseas I just deal with it. Most other travelers are in a similar situation, so it's fairly easy to meet people and get on with them.

    My best advice is to go for it. No matter what happens you will never regret it.

    Budget wise, I am going to be doing a post on that soon, so stay tuned.

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  9. HellbentstabFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    For the past couple of years I've toyed with the thought of traveling overseas. Just to see the rest of the world outside of our small country.

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  10. pvFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    i havent traveled in years :(

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  11. PMG ChecKFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I want to travel to Korea and see my Beloved SNSD, live hahaa

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  12. Chang NguyenFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Foreigners always get ripped off in hotels in Asia. I'm from Asia. We over charge like the plague to foreigners - they can afford to travel to Asia, they can afford to pay for hotel.

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  13. JamesFebruary 5, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Hey at least you had a place to sleep :)

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  14. Tom GunnerFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Thanks Chang, it is true though. I remember asking one of the staff in Thailand how much she earned. She said 3900 baht a month. At the time I had just converted my weeks spending money and I had 15000 baht in my pocket. I felt pretty bad about it though.

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  15. AugustineOfRhinoFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Good to know! I'm planning on going to Japan and staying in some hostels, this is great advice.

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  16. RPFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    In India, they say that the hotels that have reviews online are the costliest ones...word of mouth is better..

    anyways, always good to know

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Cool blog!

    Following!

    blundersfrom6foot2.blogspot.com
    androidnews4u.blogspot.com

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  18. InsomnizackFebruary 5, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    I always wanted to travel to Asia. Looking forward to more.

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  19. Juston23February 5, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    I've never been outside the US. I really want o go somewhere in Europe or Japan someday.

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  20. poorfagsFebruary 6, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    I might go traveling the world after I get through with America.

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  21. Tom GunnerFebruary 6, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    I would love to do a road trip across the US at some stage, but I have looked into it and it works out way too expensive. I can afford to stay one month in the US or three months in South America. Better value for money in South America.

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  22. MeFebruary 6, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    That makes it all the more exciting!

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  23. my day in a sentenceFebruary 6, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Backpacking Asia? That is so, so cool! O_o :)
    Following and supporting!

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  24. SadyeFebruary 6, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    To be honest, you made me laugh with this post. I loved it, haha. "...Let's just say, it wasn't up to my usual standard, the roaches didn't seem to mind though." Loved it.

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  25. JackFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    I lol'd at the protip :P

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