Environment GOING ALONE THREAD

[copa mundials]

Amongst other things, i've seen a few gigs by myself (sticky fingers, boy and bear and flight facilities) all in germany.

Imagine going to Eurabia and seeing shit bands who play at the Corner Hotel every six weeks

 

[WCErevival]

Is going on Contiki really "travelling alone?"

There's a huge difference between getting a ticket there and back by yourself and not knowing anyone overseas, and meeting at Melbourne International, getting your Contiki pack, and meeting people you'll be 'travelling' with right away. Plus the biggest hurdles and most important things, getting lost or losing passports or being mugged and missing trains, don't come up when you've shelled out $14,000 for three weeks in eastern Europe.

You meet over there with Contiki and its whatever you make it. Some people dont talk to the group and do their own thing.

 

[Silent Alarm]

What's the point on going on Contiki then? So your room is there for you and you don't have to be independent and make your own arrangements?

 

[Borry]

Is going on Contiki really "travelling alone?"

There's a huge difference between getting a ticket there and back by yourself and not knowing anyone overseas, and meeting at Melbourne International, getting your Contiki pack, and meeting people you'll be 'travelling' with right away. Plus the biggest hurdles and most important things, getting lost or losing passports or being mugged and missing trains, don't come up when you've shelled out $14,000 for three weeks in eastern Europe.

$14,000 in Eastern Europe, what the hell are you spending money on whilst over there?

 

[Silent Alarm]

$14,000 in Eastern Europe, what the hell are you spending money on whilst over there?

bulk piss drinking in aussie pubs while rooting the worst girl on the tour in the first night and spending the rest of it trying to avoid her.

miss the contiki crew SO much, greatest trip and even better people.

 

[Xtreme]

Once I asked a few friends if they wanted to go see Cats vs Hawks game back in 2012 and they all said no, so I went on my own and sat behind the goals to watch Hawkins seal the game after the siren. Best decision ever

If I did that as a Hawks fan I would have been in tears going home

I go to the movies alone at times when there are few others in the cinema as well, I prefer it... nobody talks and can watch the movie in peace. Also there's not many that judge you for going alone (aside from maybe the person verifying your ticket) so that's a plus.

 

[Scotland]

Doing a Contiki tour (or equivalent) should be a rite of passage for young Australians. It's not traveling, but it's something one should do when in Europe anyway.

 

[Catfish Alley]

Trying to think. Traveled domestically and internationally alone. Been to bars and restaurants on my own a bit. Footy and cricket a couple of times. Movies once.

 

[Gibbsy]

Doing a Contiki tour (or equivalent) should be a rite of passage for young Australians.

I would hope not. I understand it might be good for some people who are a bit less willing to branch out and explore things themselves. To each their own, but it seems pretty regimented from what I've read of it. Happy to be proven wrong

 

[Silent Alarm]

I would hope not. I understand it might be good for some people who are a bit less willing to branch out and explore things themselves. To each their own, but it seems pretty regimented from what I've read of it. Happy to be proven wrong

It is for people too mentally lazy to prepare themselves and too scared to face inevitable issues.

And some of the most memorable parts of most trips are inconveniences and minor issues. Robbing yourself of those things seems like you're robbing yourself of memories and good stories... surely half the point of travelling. Plus all people seem to do on Contiki is hang around a bunch of other middle class Aussies and Kiwis and see the pubs of Prague and bars of Berlin. While rooting some horror from Ipswich on the first night and avoiding her the rest of it.

I think Contiki is just indicative of how people are "going on a holiday" or "doing Europe" as opposed to actually travelling.

 

[Cruyff14]

Doing a tour gives you an opportunity to see what you like and then if you go back in the future, you know where you do and don't want to go.

 

[Gough]

Doing a tour gives you an opportunity to see what you like and then if you go back in the future, you know where you do and don't want to go.

First time I travelled through Europe I used a Eurail pass. I think you could get twenty one days travel over the course of two months, you could go where you want and travelling at night saved money on accommodation, it was great. I suspect I would have found the Contiki style about to structured for my tastes.

 

[Cruyff14]

I did a Top Deck tour first off and then I went with my friends and we did it all ourselves. There are pros and cons of the tour, but it's like anything really.

 

[Catfish Alley]

I was too poor when I was there. Just saved what I could and caught trains to random places. Never did get that stick with the kerchief though.

 

[Silent Alarm]

How can you tell what parts you did and didn't like when you were in a city for 32 hours and half of those were in the pub?

 

[Gasometer]

Doing a tour gives you an opportunity to see what you like and then if you go back in the future, you know where you do and don't want to go.

If you are on limited time it is an advantage.

The only hassle I had with Tours was that it limits your stays in cities...2 nights in Paris? Yeh nah.

I basically copied a Trafalgar France- Rome itinerary last October...did our own apartment accommodation and train tickets...its one of the few trips I have been on when I came home with money instead of maxed out credit cards...Tours are pretty expensive, but great fun.

 

[Gasometer]

How can you tell what parts you did and didn't like when you were in a city for 32 hours and half of those were in the pub?

Went to Inverness on Contiki, it was dark at 4pm, dark at 6am the next morning when we left.

Wont visit again.

 

[Gough]

If you are on limited time it is an advantage.

The only hassle I had with Tours was that it limits your stays in cities...2 nights in Paris? Yeh nah.

I basically copied a Trafalgar France- Rome itinerary last October...did our own apartment accommodation and train tickets...its one of the few trips I have been on when I came home with money instead of maxed out credit cards...Tours are pretty expensive, but great fun.

I don't know whether it's part of the aging process but those river cruises like they could be really nice. Big pile of books, some stash and just sit reading as you tour the waterways of European, problem would be all the boomers looking for "unique experiences".

 

[Catfish Alley]

I don't know whether it's part of the aging process but those river cruises like they could be really nice. Big pile of books, some stash and just sit reading as you tour the waterways of European, problem would
be all the boomers looking for "unique experiences".

Thought the same thing. Viking cruise from Paris to Budapest or something sounds kinda nice.

My parents did the Rocky Mountaineer rail and it seemed like a similar thing. Baby boomers or honeymooners.

 

[Cruyff14]

How can you tell what parts you did and didn't like when you were in a city for 32 hours and half of those were in the pub?

You get a vibe of a city and the things you do etc.

And your pub thing is way off the mark.

 

[Scotland]

How can you tell what parts you did and didn't like when you were in a city for 32 hours and half of those were in the pub?

Go and travel, then pass comment.

 

[BORK]

Have child.
Drag said child to any sporting event your mates are not up for and any other event that can be plausibly considered to benefit the child.
??????
Profit.

 

[Scotland]

I would hope not. I understand it might be good for some people who are a bit less willing to branch out and explore things themselves. To each their own, but it seems pretty regimented from what I've read of it. Happy to be proven wrong

It's a tour, it has to be regimented otherwise it wouldn't work.

Contiki tours are about traveling around with a group of people you've just met, seeing new places, partying and shagging. It's traveling in the sense that going to Bali on holidays is traveling.

If you go to Europe and your entire trip consists of a two week Contiki, you're doing it wrong. If you go on a Contiki expecting to have some sort of spiritually uplifting experience full of culture and perspective to make you a more rounded individual, you're doing it wrong. If you go on a Contiki expecting to party with other Australians and visit tourist areas then what's the big deal? If you're traveling around solo it's nice to have a break for a week or two where everything is planned for you ahead of time.

 

[Plugger35]

My first trip around Europe was in a van tour where a heap of vans all drive around Europe for a few months from Pamplona to Oktoberfest staying in campgrounds, a pretty good way to travel providing you're in a van with people you get along with. Spending a few months in a van with the same people can be pretty trying if you don't get along with someone and can lead to a few blowups which happened to us and a few other vans as time went on.

I also did a trip with Busabout which is more flexible than Contiki as you can change which places you go to and how long you stay there along the way, the downside is you change the groups you travel with so in one place you might make a great bunch of friends but then in another place you don't.

 

[Big Bryza]

Yeah go to movies alone all of the time. It can be good with others, but only if you also catch up before or after, otherwise what is the point.
Some sports that mates aren't into I'll go alone. Even if normal footy crew aren't going, I'll still go.
Pub - usually no problem if there is sport on TV or I have something to read.

I guess if the activity is engaging enough that makes it easy for me to do alone. Restaurant by myself I would struggle with, yet I have a cafe that I'll regularly go to by myself for breakfast on spur of the moment and think nothing of it.

Concerts - no problem there, though it can be a bit boring between sets if you don't feel like trying to talk to strangers.

Golf alone I have done once or twice - get a weekday off and you can almost have the course to yourself and motor through it. Actually one time I played by myself and another solo bloke asked to join me half way. I said yeah okay, was one of those old campaigners who had heaps of boring stories and would stop giving unsolicited golf tips, etc. Was nice enough bloke but yeah, kinda wished he left me alone.

Contiki - only way to do it. You will make friends.

Club - that would be a bit weird for me. One time I did find myself doing it (wasn't a planned thing, but mates piked, I was keen, etc) I was at front of the line, group of girls behind me chatting away. Had a few already so not too self-conscious but it was a bit weird. Anyway, bouncer about to let me in asks 'how many of you'. Without thinking I turn around, count five chicks and turn the bouncer and say "six". Didn't have a problem going in alone, but declaring it as such seemed a whole lot harder than pretending to have a harem with me. All worked out for the best anyway....

6some?