general travel tips (for third world countries)

[tusken_raider]

i'm trying to plan some longdistance trips to some more adventurous destinations. i'm talking about trips from one to three months in length. problem is, i haven't travelled that much with surfboards as luggage, without organised transport or in places without infrastructure below reasonable western standards...

so i need some useful tips on varying subjects:
what do i do with money? risk of mugging/ lack of cash dispensers.
safety in general?
tips to find cheap guesthouses? (i don't care about comfort)
is it a possibility to stay with locals? barge into a village find some friendly people, and just ask if you can stay with them?
what about carrying valuables? (cameras and stuff) and especially leaving valuables while you're off surfing!
useful tips for inland transportation with surfboards?
how do i keep my travels low-budget?
anything else?
is there any other useful source for questions like these?

 

[DACK]

Hey alot will depend on when you are traveling how set your dates are if youy are staying in more then one country are you doing hop flights from country to country or crossing boarders via bus........are you talking 3rd world like peru or like costa which is pretty much a cake walk these days........
Be sure and book an airline that wont soak ya for board bags

 

[tusken_raider]

i'm talking about the likes of madagascar.
i don't want to stick to the surfcamps but want to go for a bit of exploring... away from civilization!
i'm propbably not gonna hop from one country to the other, but who knows?

i didnt mean this topic to be a specific guide to my destination, but more of a general-advice-for-surf-travel-topic. and my main focus here is the travelling away from civilization part...

 

[Sandshark]

Never been there myself, but I saw a program on Madagascar where a bunch of 4x4 experts tried to drive from one side of the country to the other. The state of the roads and the lack of local facilities nearly broke their hearts and minds! Really nice locals they said, but not a country for the faint-hearted.

Definately get the right malaria drugs before you go. I'd try to find a local guide service from a reputable operator in a place like Madagascar; doing it yourself, especially with boards, might just turn out to be hell. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

 

[joltt]

I've done that kind of sht and travelled alone, just a small daypak, and a board bag. Do some research first, find out about there banking system, and branch locations close to the areas that you plan to explore (usually when you get there in a major district), In some cases I had to carry alot of cash, stashed in various places and secret compartments I made in my board bag/backpack, etc. I've also opened bank accounts to hold the larger sums of money. use travelers checks.

I've stayed in various places, including peoples houses, keep a pocket translator dictionary with you at all times, bring American cigarettes, (sometimes worth more than money!), use your best judgement cause you're gonna have to trust somebody (but be cautious) wear old clothes, bring your own lock with you, and don't forget to keep a smile on your face!

Can't think of much more at the moment, but it's a start. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />