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[E92_]

I don't think you have to be 18 (I may of been 17 when I got the card, can't remember) as the card just has your DOB on it I think.

 

[LadyPants]

I thought you said you were leaving Perth, SA?

 

[Omegaville]

Why not use your Learner permit (if you have one) as ID? Licences always have DOB, and are always carried.

 

[Silent Alarm]

I thought you said you were leaving Perth, SA?

Melbourne next year.

Why not use your Learner permit (if you have one) as ID? Licences always have DOB, and are always carried.

I don't drive.

And I also think Learner permits are basically just paper in WA.

 

[E92_]

And I also think Learner permits are basically just paper in WA.

Yep, no photo on the permits over here.

 

[HARPSichord]

WA fail.

 

[edge982]

Wow. Your ID situation sucks, Silent Alarm.

I had a similar problem when I first attended University. I was 17, but you had to be 18 to get into the bars. Thankfully, I'm a girl, so all I had to do was show a bit of cleavage and I got in. Then I flirted with a random guy and got free beer.

Something tells me you're not going to be able to follow my example.

Make friends who are of age, and offer to chip in for booze. That should work, unless they're douches.

 

[Mero]

Wow. Your ID situation sucks, Silent Alarm.

I had a similar problem when I first attended University. I was 17, but you had to be 18 to get into the bars. Thankfully, I'm a girl, so all I had to do was show a bit of cleavage and I got in. Then I flirted with a random guy and got free beer.

Something tells me you're not going to be able to follow my example.

Make friends who are of age, and offer to chip in for booze. That should work, unless they're douches.

Uni in Aus or in US, because the drinking age there is 21.
I had that problem for my 21st.
I had been drinking for years in Aus, the last 3 legally, and was in Boston for my 21st. (Had a party at home when I got back two weeks later)
They wouldn't let me anywhere near inside a bar.

 

[edge982]

It depends on what part of the country you're in. In Vegas, where I'm from, there's no way to get into a club without being 21, unless you have a fake ID. In Oxford, Mississippi, you can get into the bars at 18. They just put a mark on your hand to show you're underage.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Okay. Cheers.

Has anyone used a Proof of Age card before? Are they usually reliable? It does seem they're up there with a license and passport.

I'd suggest getting both. Reading the process for getting a proof of age card (http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/21276.asp), it sounds reasonably straightforward to get one. You want to get a passport, simply because you should try to travel as much as humanly possible while you're still at uni. But you don't want to be taking your passport out as ID if you can avoid it by having a card which fits snugly in your wallet and is no big deal to lose. If the driver vehicle service centres over there are anything like here, I'd suggest getting there 10-15 minutes before the place opens and you'll be in and out with a lot less wasted time than if you rock up at around 11am.

The best idea when you're underage is to have an older brother who looks reasonably like you and who doesn't often go to the same places you do to give you his redundant proof of age card after he gets his licence. Sadly, that option isn't available to everyone.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I don't have an older brother, unfortunately. I do have a friend in Melbourne who looks enough like me. It is a weird situation. This guy is 22 this year. Yet he looks my age. He gets in to clubs and pubs because he's on the drivers license. But if I showed an ID in which it says I'm 22, it wouldn't really work. And, you know, the Victorian thing might be suss.

I'll definitely be able to get some beers in my flat. I live with seven other people, with a split number from each sex. On-campus at Curtin is reserved for country and international students, then Perth students have a go. I also think almost all of the people I will be living with are going to first year students (Ochre, Smeagle, is this true?) and so it could be a little hard. In one way, it'll be comforting that none of us can go out, but at the same time, we might have some issues having the fridge consistently full.

I'll probably get my parents to buy me some cartons.

I'll probably just get my proof of age card the morning of my birthday. I'll take your early morning advice.

And why do you suggest travelling while still at uni? I'm kind of more interested in prolonged stays in a city. I can work and get a passport for the UK, so I mean, travelling in between semesters might be hard. I'm kind of thinking about going to London in December, though. I get $4,000 next week (my dad stopped working last year), and about $450 a fortnight. Together with my parents money put aside for me, and my bank account, I could save up and live nicely in LDN for a little while (despite the huge cost of living...).

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Well, it's basically just travelling as much as possible while you're young. Nothing to stop you travelling after you leave uni (chances are it will be easier to do so moneywise), but you've just got so much free time on your hands while you're at uni, you'll probably meet people whom you're living/studying with who are like-minded, which helps you motivate each other to plan/save and you're just far less likely to be tied down with a bunch of assets, a meaningful relationship, a career, saving for a house and all the rest of it. I think if you don't try to do at least one of Europe (West is probably the easiest for a first-time traveller), South America or North America while you're still in uni (and preferably single), you're doing yourself a disservice. It's those life experiences that you'll remember forever.

Everyone has times when they're overseas where things have gone wrong, but I've yet to meet anyone who has said, "Geez, I wish I'd done less travelling while I was in my late teens/early twenties." I've sort of only ever done 1-3 month trips, with a mixture of backpacking/hotels/random hook ups with accommodation, so if it's an extended stay in a single place, I guess that's a bit different to my experiences. The other continents to me are just so different, you should try to get a fair few countries out of the way if you're travelling for a few months.

 

[jethro11]

Yep, best time to travel IMO

Pretty did all the travelling I wanted to do whilst in uni (East Coast of America, UK, a lot of Europe, a safari in africa)

Good to do whilst you've got young legs and you don't have parents of family bothering you.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Well, it's basically just travelling as much as possible while you're young. Nothing to stop you travelling after you leave uni (chances are it will be easier to do so moneywise), but you've just got so much free time on your hands while you're at uni, you'll probably meet people whom you're living/studying with who are like-minded, which helps you motivate each other to plan/save and you're just far less likely to be tied down with a bunch of assets, a meaningful relationship, a career, saving for a house and all the rest of it. I think if you don't try to do at least one of Europe (West is probably the easiest for a first-time traveller), South America or North America while you're still in uni (and preferably single), you're doing yourself a disservice. It's those life experiences that you'll remember forever.

Everyone has times when they're overseas where things have gone wrong, but I've yet to meet anyone who has said, "Geez, I wish I'd done less travelling while I was in my late teens/early twenties." I've sort of only ever done 1-3 month trips, with a mixture of backpacking/hotels/random hook ups with accommodation, so if it's an extended stay in a single place, I guess that's a bit different to my experiences. The other continents to me are just so different, you should try to get a fair few countries out of the way if you're travelling for a few months.

Yeah, I mean, I kind of agree.

I was going to travel next year. But it was pretty impractical. I had no friends willing to come and a cash flow that might've been limited, come June, and would've resulted in me working at some pub in South London... But I'm obviously interested and excited for the possibility of travelling.

I totally sympathise about travelling before being tied down. "The less you own, the more freedom you have". I totally agree with that kind of thinking. I'm probably just going to try and enjoy myself, make some friends, go to the soccer, and get with Londoners like Billie JD Porter... I'm sure a lot of people are like that, and share that want and hope.

Something I find cringeworthy, embarrassing, and basically laughable is Contiki. Sorry to offend anyone who's done it. But some "ex"-friends, who I now kind of resent, are going to Europe next year. A bevy of around 15, all doing Contiki. One night stays in Pubs in eastern Europe is such a waste of money. And a waste of intaking wonderful culture.

My basic plan is to move to Melbourne (Fitzroy) in December. I probably need some hardcore funding for that, so travels off the radar until 2013. I'd like to go to London sometime next year. Hopefully when I finish uni, I'll just bum around America and Europe for 18 months. It's my dream to live in New York or London, though. And to get the employment I want to, I'll definitely have to move there after uni.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Something I find cringeworthy, embarrassing, and basically laughable is Contiki. Sorry to offend anyone who's done it. But some "ex"-friends, who I now kind of resent, are going to Europe next year. A bevy of around 15, all doing Contiki. One night stays in Pubs in eastern Europe is such a waste of money. And a waste of intaking wonderful culture.

It really depends. It does have a bad reputation and some of the trips they do are, as you say, laughable. I think some of them are ok (the ones where they're not trying to do twelve different cities in fourteen days, that sort of thing), but they're really just a sample of each city. If you love a city that you go past on one of your bus tours, you're not going to be there long enough to really see everything you want to. Half the guys on the bus will be rednecks/tossers and there'll be people who couldn't care less about checking out the city and just want to get to the nearest bar. On the other hand, I went on a 26 day tour when I was still in uni where the ratio was 38 girls to 12 blokes and that same redneck/tosser ratio applied with the guys. Fishing with dynamite. It mixed up my overall trip pretty well and I don't regret doing it for a second. I was reading Brian Thackers 'No sex on the bus' at the time which was very appropriate (and highly recommended reading for a laugh while you're going from city to city).

Now, there's no way known I'd do a Contiki tour in 2012. I'd say the best option for getting round Europe and seeing a lot of countries on your own schedule is those Bus-About services, where it's basically just a scheduled pickup, so you can stay as long in a city as you want and then just latch on to a different group.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Yeah, those bus things seem reasonable. It's almost like a magnified version of the Melbourne tram service. It could definitely come in handy. But i've a while to think, anyway.

 

[cammania]

Being random chat thread might chime in a little

- I'm 25 now. I've travelled to perth countless times, Adelaide, Brisbane and GC, Sydney and Canberra. Hardly the travels i want to look back on when I'm old. Hence, me deciding three weeks ago, that instead of saving for a house, I'm saving to travel in what will be Sept/Oct in 2013 or 2014. But aiming for 2013.
(reason that Time is I'm travelling to the states to watch sport, and that's when all the sports I want to be will be on.)

-I'm already paying off my own house.

- I personally have been against Contiki tours for the "lack of freedom factor" but after my travels, am considering one or two tours on around the US or Europe just for the experience because I need to soak up life and learning.

- yes, paying off a mortgage and a car does hold you back somewhat which I have been constantly reminded of. But that's the choice I made. And i live and deal with that. Yes friends of mine have travelled in the mean time whilst they still live at home or are renting with others. But that's the freedom they have, but my incentive to work harder and work weekends is to feel the satisfaction that I actually put in and worked hard and earnt the trip, will make the trip so much more satisfying.

That said. I'll be 27 when I travel. I feel in some other people's opinions that will be old. But I don't think it's to bad. Still young enough legs. And it's just a number.

 

[lmach]

Shuey and NicNat on Scorchers v Stars Pre Match show

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

That said. I'll be 27 when I travel. I feel in some other people's opinions that will be old. But I don't think it's to bad. Still young enough legs. And it's just a number.

27 is not old. I mean, if you went on a Contiki-style bus tour, you'll probably be one of the oldest ones, but I think that's a very seasonal thing and at the time you're thinking of going, with uni still on, there'll probably be a fair few around your age, or close enough to it (there's not really that much difference between 23/24 and 27, in the grand scheme of things). The amount of people you meet in hostels in their early 30s and that's just what they do, they travel around the world and check stuff out. If it's what you love to do, it makes no sense for me that someone should stop, because they've hit a certain age.

If you go on one of the other sort of tours which gives you more flexibility/independence, I'd be willing to guarantee you that there would be several people older than you on there. Time is on your side. Just try to dedicate as much time as you can to planning/saving, so you can make it the best trip possible, as it sounds like with the other stuff you're already doing in your life, travelling is not impossible, but difficult (and maybe only realistic once every three years or so).

 

[cammania]

27 is not old. I mean, if you went on a Contiki-style bus tour, you'll probably be one of the oldest ones, but I think that's a very seasonal thing and at the time you're thinking of going, with uni still on, there'll probably be a fair few around your age, or close enough to it (there's not really that much difference between 23/24 and 27, in the grand scheme of things).

If you go on one of the other sort of tours which gives you more flexibility/independence, I'd be willing to guarantee you that there would be several people older than you on there. Time is on your side. Just try to dedicate as much time as you can to planning/saving, so you can make it the best trip possible, as it sounds like with the other stuff you're already doing in your life, travelling is not impossible, but difficult (and maybe only realistic once every three years or so).

Thanks for the words.
Yeah. Traveling was never on the radar (besides going to watch footy in Perth, gold coast getaways etc). But life's short. And I've decided to deviate off the path I had planned to take and do something else.
I did this cos travelling in my thirties, I would be the old contiki creep. 27 ain't half bad
And in some round about way, I don't think I'll do a lot of o/s trips in my lifetime. So may aswell do it once and have a ball, and if it does happen I do go on holidays later in life, so be it, if not, well I'll always have the memories and souvenirs (trust me I'm coming back with an extra suitcase)

I also forgot to add that the people I know that came back from a contiki a few months back, loved it so much am recommended to do a contiki highly if you want to meet new people etc. which is something I'd really like to do, which is kind of stepping out of my comfort zone, but stuff it. You only live once.

My problem with the non flexibility is the fact that luck will have it, the day I'm in Dallas leaving for Vegas or something t the effect, the Dallas cowboys would be playing someone and I know what I'd rather be doing, but I would have to go back on the bus and sit for hours.

This is why I'm thinking do what I want to do first and if money and time dictates a contiki tour or three, then I've already done what I wanted (sports wise) and can continue on my merry way on contiki

 

[Silent Alarm]

From what I understand, Contiki is just a regular piss up. It's the everyday Australian bogan drinking at a pub. But the pub's not Frankston, it's Prague. I seriously would consider doing things on your own.

 

[cammania]

From what I understand, Contiki is just a regular piss up. It's the everyday Australian bogan drinking at a pub. But the pub's not Frankston, it's Prague. I seriously would consider doing things on your own.

If this is for me, I am doin what I want on my own ( not contiki) before I consider chucking a tour on at the end. Cos my fascination with Europe besides England is a bit "meh". At least this way, I do a contiki and see Spain, Italy, Paris etc and that way I've seen it and say I've done it.
Then if I like those places, they'll go on a list to do and maybe one day. Maybe.
( I know I said earlier on I may not travel after this big trip, but who knows what the future holds)

 

[Omegaville]

I've never been asked to prove I was over 18.

When I was a teenager I had the reverse problem. At 13, I was on a train and ticket inspectors wanted proof I was a child and thus eligible for concession fare. At 14, I went to the movies with friends and at the box office, was asked for my DOB because I was buying a child ticket (under 15)... despite me being the youngest in my group!

For the record, I effectively reached my adult size when I was 12.5 or so... just under 6 feet tall, had to start shaving, size 11 shoe. FFRRREEEEAAAKKKK

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

From what I understand, Contiki is just a regular piss up. It's the everyday Australian bogan drinking at a pub. But the pub's not Frankston, it's Prague. I seriously would consider doing things on your own.

That's what I was saying earlier about the tours where you're nearly going to as many cities as there are days in the tour. It's pretty much: bus out at about 7:30am, stop at some truck stop for lunch, arrive at the next city near dinner time, quick one hour tour of the city and it's main attractions, dinner at a restaurant, on to a nightclub, back to your hotel, up at 6:30am. Rinse and repeat.

The one I went on a few years back was pretty much the same, with the critical element that you woke up and you were still staying in that city until the next morning. So after breakfast the next morning, the bus takes you into town and you can do whatever you want until you all meet back again at a pre-arranged time (mid afternoon/early evening). Your guide will give you a list of things to do and see and a map with all the relevant locations and how to get there. Not ideal, but you certainly don't have to spend every waking moment drinking, unless that's what you want to do. I don't think I did much daytime drinking at all, when I was over there. And you'll find a bunch of people who are on the same wavelength as you are, people who actually want to do and see stuff, so you just hang around with them.

There were fifty people on my tour, I've probably stayed in reasonably regular contact with about ten of them, I go to the footy regularly with one of them and I was in a long distance relationship with a girl I met on Contiki (from Perth) for about eight months. So I'm not going to say that it's a bunch of alcoholic derros on those tours (though there will certainly be a few of those too). Not trying to talk anyone into them, but I don't think they're as bad as a lot of people make out. You've just got to find the deal that will work for you.

 

[Omegaville]

^^ This.
Genuinely appreciated reading this one MC... I'm not much of a traveller, but seeing that, I'd consider a tour.