{"id":347,"date":"2017-02-23T09:26:31","date_gmt":"2017-02-23T09:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/?p=347"},"modified":"2017-02-27T04:19:07","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T04:19:07","slug":"off-to-australia-i-go-part-1-terrible-hostel-experience-enclosed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/23\/off-to-australia-i-go-part-1-terrible-hostel-experience-enclosed\/","title":{"rendered":"Off to Australia I GO!!! Thanks Thailand!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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HI Ma!! \u00a0I am still ok.. I learned a few really important lessons about traveling recently and I will share some of it with you all.<\/p>\n

I am skipping around now. \u00a0I had such an amazing time in Thailand it\u2019s hard to put into words. \u00a0\u00a0Traveling on my own and having no agenda really puts things in perspective for me. \u00a0When you are working with other people\u2019s schedules things can get hectic and dicey and above all frustrating. \u00a0\u00a0That being said I am making the best of the situation. \u00a0I will tell ya from experience, just do your own thing, and don\u2019t worry about trying to accommodate for others. \u00a0\u00a0I lost a good deal of money and a lot of hours trying to adhere to other people\u2019s schedules. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0So first tip\u2026 Plan your own trip, stick to what you want to do, and if people want to come along great, if not don\u2019t worry about it. \u00a0It\u2019s ok to be on your own agenda.<\/span> $1400.00 lesson learned.<\/p>\n

I promise I will get back to the adventures I had in Thailand but I want to keep you all up to date with what has been happening.. There have been some REALLY great things, some ok things, and some not so great things. \u00a0Traveling has ups and downs just like every day life. \u00a0It\u2019s not ALL just fun and simple unless you are going away for 1-2 weeks (and even then it can be trying).<\/span><\/p>\n

I tell ya, after Thailand, Australia is EXPENSIVE. \u00a0I was NOT prepared for the pricing increase. \u00a0I definitely would have bought a lot more things in Thailand had I known. \u00a0I lost my towel, as I believe most people know, and I was just going to get one in Thailand, but I decided to wait until Melbourne, Australia, well\u2026. In Thailand the towel I wanted was roughly $15 (similar kind of towel to what I had), but in Melbourne $45 AUD, which is roughly $38 USD).. \u00a0A haircut in Thailand $4, Melbourne, $30 USD. \u00a0I was going to pick up a hammock.. In Thailand I found a local shop that made them in the country, beautiful craftsmanship, light, travel friendly.. $45. \u00a0Melbourne $145, not including straps, and some other things plus I have no idea on the craftsmanship and warranty. \u00a0(I was lucky enough to have a <\/span>good friend<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ship me one from the USA via Amazon for $130, but it came with everything, I know the brand, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. <\/span>(and excellent news, due to the not arriving on time, I received a $21 shipping refund)<\/span><\/p>\n

So, when in doubt. Buy it in Thailand. \u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

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Here is a double rainbow for your viewing pleasure. \u00a0<\/span> \u00a0\u00a0Thought I would try something different this time and just throw in some other cool photos you all might like. \u00a0\u00a0Maybe it works maybe it doesn\u2019t, I wanna know what you think.<\/span><\/p>\n

So a small confession.. I haven\u2019t\u2019 been in Thailand for a few weeks now. \u00a0I have been traveling through Australia. \u00a0\u00a0I have been seeing and doing much, I can\u2019t keep up with the blog. \u00a0It\u2019s a good issue to have of course, none-the-less I apologize to you guys for not keeping you up to date real time. \u00a0\u00a0I think I might change the direction a little and show and tell you guys about the experiences I am having and it NOT be on a timeline.. \u00a0What do you think? \u00a0Let me know below.<\/span><\/p>\n

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HELLO Australia!!! \u00a0\u00a0Here is a view of the skyline and right in the middle of this river is where the sun sets behind that bridge. \u00a0I did get a shot of this, but well honestly I haven\u2019t had time to work on it. \u00a0So, I flew into Melbourne (pronounced MelBIN here or just Melbs).. \u00a0It\u2019s nothing like Melbourne, Florida either. \u00a0\u00a0The first thing you will notice about this place is how EXPENSIVE everything is. \u00a0I mean a small snickers bar is $2.70, a can (12oz) of coke is $5.50, this is at a 7-11. \u00a0It\u2019s even more expensive at the airport (which in most airports everything is expensive of course). \u00a0A regular bottle of water is $4.50. \u00a0So you really have to mind what you buy and where. \u00a0I could blow a week\u2019s budget in Thailand on a very average day here that\u2019s for sure. \u00a0I already miss Thailand Ha!<\/span><\/p>\n

The other thing I noticed, everyone is so friendly. \u00a0I noticed that people are just really nice here. \u00a0They are friendly, greet you with a smile, talk with an amazing accent (ok maybe they don\u2019t have the accent, I do) and everyone is really just, HAPPY here. \u00a0I did fly from Bangkok to Melbourne, but through the Gold Coast where I had a layover (I also changed planes and airline carriers) and something you might want to note you DO have to collect your bags when transferring airlines. \u00a0Meaning you have to go to baggage claim, pick up your bag and go BACK THROUGH security again to get on the other flights. \u00a0Just something that is very common over on this side of the world. \u00a0Be sure to check with your initial booking airline what they require. \u00a0You don\u2019t want to be in Sydney when your bags are on the baggage belt in Gold Coast (which thankfully I checked or that would have been the case with me). \u00a0Ok.. back to the Melbourne.<\/span><\/p>\n

My arrival in Melbourne was interesting\u2026 \u00a0The flight from Bangkok to Gold Coast was about 8 hours and Asia Air does NOT, I repeat DOES NOT serve ANY free drinks to anyone. \u00a0Water $5, soda $6, meal (I get they don\u2019t serve meals free), $10+. \u00a0\u00a0How do you get on a flight for 3+ hours and NOT serve even water. \u00a0Don\u2019t people get massively dehydrated on planes? \u00a0Pillow or blanket, good luck.. I didn\u2019t even ask how much it was as they weren\u2019t free. \u00a0\u00a0After all that though, I had the BEST landing of any flight I have ever been on. \u00a0It literally felt like we were still in the air and then they were putting on the brakes, I didn\u2019t even realize we touched down. \u00a0Of course I gave the captain my compliments on a job well done, to which he said \u201cCheers mate!\u201d.. I just love this place already. \u00a0So there was a silver lining after all.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Above you will see NO public transportation goes here, and truthfully I am not really a guy that LOVES public transportation, but it\u2019s growing on me. \u00a0From learning to use the bus in Bangkok, to renting a motor scooter in Pai, I have gotten a decent handle on things. \u00a0\u00a0How bad could Melbourne be\u2026I mean, they speak english right? \u00a0\u00a0Well getting off the flight and trying to get to downtown was a little difficult considering I didn\u2019t have wifi or a SIM card. \u00a0They want to charge you at the airport (in this day and age that\u2019s just crazy, right?) for WiFi. \u00a0Well after wandering around, I found a SkyBus. \u00a0It will take me to downtown (right near where I will be staying mind you) for $19 AUD (australian dollars) The conversion is .77 \u00a0so you can do the math to USD if you want. \u00a0Not too shabby, and GET THIS.. The Bus.. Free WiFi.. \u00a0awesome. \u00a0\u00a0I am on my own in Melbourne for a day until my friends arrive so what to do. <\/span>Book my hostel and set out to tour the city is what\u2026 \u00a0It\u2019s like a small NYC in the center of the city. \u00a0Everything is pretty much within walking distance and they have a Tram that is totally free inside the square that is the downtown area. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Of course while you spend some time here you will find some pretty interesting things. \u00a0I actually LOVE lighthouses, they signify strength, foundation, and being grounded, and a beacon of hope (to me anyway). \u00a0\u00a0I also just love that they are there for you in the darkest of hours. \u00a0This one came just the right time and I am grateful for it. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hopefully you like this one as it\u2019s pretty important on my trip. \u00a0I know all of you are wondering, what darkest hour.. Well I won\u2019t get into too many specifics, but I got some pretty terrible news on this trip and I can\u2019t really do much about it from 12,000 miles away, but this lighthouse showed up at the perfect moment. \u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s just ask that you keep my family in your prayers. \u00a0\u00a0Ok off of the less than pleasant news and onto something just a little more fun. \u00a0\u00a0I got to see the ocean again!! \u00a0Yea, I know.. I am petrified of the water, but it\u2019s interesting.. Not having seen the ocean for a long time makes you appreciate it that much more. \u00a0\u00a0So yea this image is a big deal to me. \u00a0All that being said.. the next blog will be pretty interesting. \u00a0So far everything has been pretty great, but eventually you will run into some bad experiences as well and the next blog will be about a terrible<\/span><\/p>\n

Hostel Experience I had here, so stay tuned.. It\u2019s an interesting story. \u00a0I think you will like reading about it. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ok I am off, talk soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

As always. \u00a0Thanks so much for reading and please let me know what you think. \u00a0Of course Like and Share it as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to follow along on my other social media platforms:<\/p>\n

Instagram: RyanGproductions\r\nFacebook: Ryan Gphoto\r\nBlog : TravelWithRyanG.com<\/pre>\nThanks<\/p>\n
Ryan G<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HI Ma!! \u00a0I am still ok.. I learned a few really important lessons about traveling recently and I will share some of it with you all. I am skipping around now. \u00a0I had such an amazing time in Thailand it\u2019s … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,25,20,26,22,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-australia","category-melbourne","category-photography","category-sydney","category-thailand","category-bangkok-ok-and-food"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=347"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":367,"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347\/revisions\/367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ryangphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}