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<title>Travelfish Idlebanter forum</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/</link>
<description>Digest of the Idlebanter travel forum</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:05:59 +0000</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
<item>
<title>The Insurgency In Southern Thailand</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15322_The-insurgency-in-southern-Thailand/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jul 2011 06:46:35 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I spent a great deal of time in the south, in fact I was down there 6 months before I even made it to Bangkok.I can recall this area has been a trouble spot for many years and the CT (communists) even shot up a Malaysian tour bus heading for  Betong  as long ago as 1985.Now we have the pro-Islamic terrorist threat. Again I can recall the Tahan Pran operating in that area during the mid 80's.and I remember a certain section of road where a soldier was put on our bus as protection (though he was more interested in chatting up the girls-typical squaddie!)
I believe the aims of the insurgents is greater ties to Malaysia as most of the people down that way are ethnic Malay (bumiputra).Taksin poured petrol on the flames with his harsh ... ]]></description>
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<title>Asia Without Touts?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15304_asia-without-touts-/0</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:08:34 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ hi all,

i visited thailand, vietnam, laos and cambodia in september/october 2009.

as much as i LOVED it for being so different to western life and culture, i also HATED all the hassle i got as a farang (i realize i might be a bit sensitive on that matter).

so can anyone recommend other asian countries without aggressive touts? or is there no such thing?

cheers
axel ]]></description>
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<title>Where Is The Outrage?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15263_Where-is-the-outrage-/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:31:47 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ These men are executed in cold blood, a video of it is taken, and not a peep. A nutbag in Florida burns a Qur'an, and every Muslim in Afghanistan has his panties in a twist. What is wrong with the thought processes going on here? Imagine if the Australian Army had captured 16 Taliban militants, then simply lined them up on a hill top, and video taped their execution (complete with a troooper walking down the line and popping each one in the head just to be sure). There would be a hue and cry from one end of the planet to the other. Why do the Taliban get a pass? There's one article here, but where are the protests? Where are the anti taliban flag burnings? Where is the ... ]]></description>
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<title>Karaoke On The Bus</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15239_karaoke-on-the-bus/0</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:14:48 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I feel like apologising sometimes for the impression of Cambodian music most travellers get when their only exposure is to the nauseating karaoke they play on buses in Cambodia.I started this thread after Madmac mentioned the Cambodian-American fusion band Dengue fever whose lead singer Chhom Nimol has a hauntingly beautiful voice reminiscent of the unique Cambodian  60's style when young singers were inspired by listening to American forces broadcasting rock and pop music in Vietnam.The exuberance of Pen Ron or the sheer incredible range of Ros SereySothea. Sadly, the Khmer Rouge ended all that and killed these great singers.
There is also Khmer traditional music with instruments like Chapai which create a true Cambodian 'blues' ... ]]></description>
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<title>Help Me Out With This Check List Please!</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15180_Help-me-out-with-this-check-list-please-/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:05:52 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I'm heading out in a little under two weeks for 3-4 months and just wanted to go over a quick check list to see if I'm forgetting anything...Thanks for the help in advance....

Already acquired/done-

insurance
passport
visa
ticket
extra debit card
backpack
clothing
some cash
told my bank where I am going
budget (roughtly 25-35/day)
camera
wallet with clip
money belt
flashlight (head lamp)
water proof bag for wallet/passport/etc.


I still need-

locks for pack
return ticket (i'll worry about this in a couple months)
mini umbrella


Am I forgetting anything?  Thanks ]]></description>
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<title>The Mighty Minsk</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15172_The-mighty-Minsk/0</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:23:07 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In  Phnom Penh  I fell in love with a motorbike which sounds like a lawnmower but reminds me of the old British bikes which you could maintain with a adjustable spanner(wrench) and a screwdriver.Does anybody have experience of these lazy beasts? I know the coil tends to go on them but are they reliable otherwise and what price will I pay? I heard of one as cheap as $80.I want a Soviet era one if possible. ]]></description>
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<title>Changing Thailand:Paradise Lost.</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/15017_Changing-Thailand-Paradise-Lost-/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jun 2011 11:58:56 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Did you know that fifty years go Pattaya had a wide beach and that there will be no natural beach left at all soon due to sand erosion. It used to be 35 meters wide and is now 3 meters wide and disappearing at a rate of 2 meters a year.

To remedy this a totally artificial beach is being built for Pattaya's tourists.

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/movie/feature201106222109.html


According to that report, the reason for the erosion is climate change and building concrete structures along the beach which prevent natural sand deposition.

The problem is not limited to Thailand. A few years ago the hut I was in on the island of Siladen near Bunaken (Indonesia) got literally swept away one night by the sea.

I'd been going to that ... ]]></description>
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<title>Is This The End?  A Shortage Of Coconut Milk....</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14876_Is-this-the-end---A-shortage-of-coconut-milk----/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:21:19 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ OK, as a die-hard fan of eating and cooking Thai curries, I was saddened to read the news today:

NZ faces drought in coconut milk
A global shortage of coconut milk is expected to be felt here over the next two years.
But one of the biggest importers....doesn't expect it to be as bad as in the UK where supermarkets have been running out and some restaurants have been forced to change their menus.

Manassen Foods Australia development manager ...said the impact could already be seen in New Zealand.

&amp;quot;It started out as a severe flood in the southern region of Thailand, it wiped out half the crop of coconut trees and, when they started to recover, many of the trees got an infestation that compounded the issue,&amp;quot; he said.

&amp;quot;It ... ]]></description>
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<title>Travelling On Barges</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14716_Travelling-on-barges/0</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 May 2011 12:13:02 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi, this is not at all to do with Asia but more about travelling around northern Australia. A few years ago I met up with some people on Thursday Island who had travelled from Cairns on a supply barge. Aparently these trips were great so long as you weren't fixed into a strict schedule. They said that there were trips available right across the north of Australian and down the West Australian coast. Does anyone have any more information on these. I have searched the internet but can't find out any more so any help you can offer would be appreciated.

Cheers

Kaz ]]></description>
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<title>Meditation Retreats</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14706_meditation-retreats/0</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 May 2011 01:51:50 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Does anyone know of any good extended meditation retreats in Indonesia, Maylasia, or Thailand?  I am a bit more interested in Zen rather than Theravada but I'm aware that the area is predominately the latter so I'm open to it.  I'd say I am a fairly experienced and somewhat knowledgeable Mediator  so I'm looking for something which is not quite &amp;quot;introductory&amp;quot; but does provide for a good beginner style learning environment (if that makes sense). ]]></description>
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<title>Traveling To Saigon, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok, And Siem Reap</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14594_Traveling-to-Saigon--Singapore--Malaysia--Bangkok--and-Siem-Reap/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 May 2011 23:31:22 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hello,

I will be in Saigon for a month on a job. I plan on doing some traveling on the weekends while I am their in July.

I was thinking of going to Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok, and Siem Reap. Also wanted to try a resort in Vietnam.

Anybody have any ideas of what I should see or do?

Thanks ]]></description>
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<title>Sorry! All The Other Internet Forums Are Rubbish! I Don't Suppose Anyone Has USA Advice?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14589_Sorry--All-the-other-internet-forums-are-rubbish--I-don-t-suppose-anyone-has-USA-advice-/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 May 2011 17:18:44 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I apologise in advance for asking a USA related question on a SE Asia forum- I love Travelfish and check it every day, and just haven't been able to find a good, friendly alternative for USA travel.

Basically I just wondered if anyone on here had travelled around the USA/lives in the USA, and if anyone could give me budget ideas for my trip in Summer 2012 (after my Thailand trip this year!). I'll be travelling with my boyfriend on the student summer work/travel program from the beginning of June until September (so about 3 months), and we'll be taking about £4750/$6000 with us in the bank, and hopefully finding some work along the way. We basically just want to see all of the places we've dreamed about seeing for years, and so hope to ... ]]></description>
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<title>Bloody Spammers!</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14548_Bloody-spammers-/0</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2011 09:52:29 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ What's with the recent influx of spammers?!  Geez, they are obnoxious!  Do you really think it does any good?  Do you really think people are going to go check our your crap websites?! Why don't you guys go away and get a real job?!

Sigh....  Ok - rant over.  Feel free to delete this Somtam, along with all the other stupid spam.  It's not like you've got anything else to do anyhow, right?! ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Travel Companion For Southeast Asia</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14537_travel-companion-for-southeast-asia/0</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 13:09:36 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi everyone,

I am a 24 year old Male who is looking for someone to travel around Indonesia, Laos, and the rest of Southeast Asia (flexible on exactly where and when). I was looking to leave as early as late July or as late as early September.

A little about myself...I just graduated from nursing school, I am a veteran, I enjoy reading about Buddhism/meditation and hope to learn more in my travels in this area. I'm a very athletic individual and look forward to doing as many activities as I come across. I'm an easy going individual and like my plans on the not-so-ridgid side.

I don't have much of a return date in mind. I plan on staying as long as my finances will allow...which will probably be somewhere between 2-6 months (just a ... ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Using A Daily Dose Of Travelfish To Calm My Excitement!</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14504_Using-a-daily-dose-of-Travelfish-to-calm-my-excitement-/0</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 08 May 2011 07:53:42 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I'm be heading back to Thailand with my boyfriend in 37 days and literally cannot wait! In the meantime I'll be scouring this forum daily for anywhere I can talk about my past experiences/future trip....! ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Teaching In Thailand</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14402_Teaching-in-Thailand/0</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:56:42 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ In July I will be flying out to Thailand, most likely  Surin  Province, to volunteer teaching in a Thai university (through GapYearThailand).  I am very excited and can't wait to get back out to Thailand but understandly nervous at the same time!

Has any other members taught in Thailand before and can pass on some tips and share there experiences with me?

Many thanks!! ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>My 3 Month Travel Blog</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14393_My-3-Month-Travel-Blog/0</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 03:58:32 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hey all,

I just thought that since I use Travelfish so often, and I have been traveling South East Asia for the last 3 months, that I would share my blog with all of you.

http://brentjoneson.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer: There is some rude language, some disgusting yet hilarious stories, and just all around good memories in there, so read at your own risk . ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Other Travel Websites</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/14207_Other-travel-websites/0</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:02:02 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I think this website is amazing but was wondering if any one knows of similar sites for different parts of the world,

USA?
Europe?
South America?

Regards Hayden ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Banner Photo Subtitles</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/13917_Banner-photo-subtitles/0</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:03:33 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Hi Somtam was just looking at the site and I noticed the captions relating to food etc don't match up with the photos. Not sure if you were aware of it.
cheers
swag ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Caption Anyone?</title>
<link>http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/idlebanter/13892_Caption-anyone-/0</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:16:40 +0000</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Looking through some island pics I came across this photograph I took quite a few years ago on  Lamai Beach  Samui in Southern Thaialnd -- just goes to show people been behaving badly for a loooong time!

Any thoughts for a caption?

 ]]></description>
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