newbie trip to thailand - travelling with laptops

[rolly]

Hey everyone

Long time lurker first time poster

Im off to LOS next month, wippee!! ill be travelling for 1 month on a tour taking in laos, vietnam, cambodia and thailand then I plan on hanging around for another month taking in the nightlife and anything else that comes my way.

So ill be taking my camera gear (slr & a few lenses) and unfortunately a laptop , I get the feeling this will be a pain in the **** to cart around for 2 months but unfortunately I can't leave it at home because im not coming back to london, im heading home to nz for good afterwards, so my options are cart it around for a few months or courier it home for £100, does anyone have any experiences carrying around equipment for that long? was it a pain in the ****???

Cheers for any info :-)

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by rolly

Hey everyone

Long time lurker first time poster

Im off to LOS next month, wippee!! ill be travelling for 1 month on a tour taking in laos, vietnam, cambodia and thailand then I plan on hanging around for another month taking in the nightlife and anything else that comes my way.

So ill be taking my camera gear (slr & a few lenses) and unfortunately a laptop , I get the feeling this will be a pain in the **** to cart around for 2 months but unfortunately I can't leave it at home because im not coming back to london, im heading home to nz for good afterwards, so my options are cart it around for a few months or courier it home for £100, does anyone have any experiences carrying around equipment for that long? was it a pain in the ****???

Cheers for any info :-)

I can't tell about a laptop, but a few years ago me and my then wife toured allover NZ and the Cook Islands for 6 weeks and I was carrying my big size camera bag with 2 slr's and a few lenses. I am used to it and wanted to have my gear with me for that one special shot. Most of the time it didn't bother me really.

[rolly]

Originally Posted by Nanook

I can't tell about a laptop, but a few years ago me and my then wife toured allover NZ and the Cook Islands for 6 weeks and I was carrying my big size camera bag with 2 slr's and a few lenses. I am used to it and wanted to have my gear with me for that one special shot. Most of the time it didn't bother me really.

Sounds like you've seen more of nz than me!

Yeah I think ill definitely take some camera gear but im just not sure on the laptop, I want to get it home safe and sound and don't quite trust a courier to do that, yet 2 months carrying it around sounds like a headache, what to do what to do hmm

[K2]

Camera ok - laptop if pricy one with valubale data on it - would ahve it couriured - chances of it vanishing somewhere are reasonabily high and yes it will be a pain in the butt lugging it around.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by rolly

Sounds like you've seen more of nz than me!

Yeah I think ill definitely take some camera gear but im just not sure on the laptop, I want to get it home safe and sound and don't quite trust a courier to do that, yet 2 months carrying it around sounds like a headache, what to do what to do hmm

Yes, I did. I went allover the north, south and stewart island with a Landcruiser. It was a great trip really en enjoyed it very much.

Further to my earlier post, I must say that my slr's are not digital ones, so I don't need any laptop with me. I still make slides on long trips, because in my view this give the best picture quality.

[rolly]

yeah I think im gonna send it home, it cost £85 to fedex it and I'd hate to lose it as it cost me £1000 even though ill have insurance.

So back home it goes, ill pick up one of those ipod connectors that let you transfer your photos straight from the camera to the ipod.

Cheers for the help guys, if anyones in bangkok in april drop me a line and we'll go have a beer

[luv u long time]

Welcome mate sounds like you got a very exciting trip ahead of you.
Im jelous,but will be in Patong in April so not long to go.
Have fun and good luck..

[jimholio]

Depends, I brought my laptop everywhere..

But i guess im somewhat of a computer geek hehe, i had it loaded up with a bunch of TV-shows IE: Prison Break and a few games. Was good for the rainy days. Also as i was living close to Pantip i just walked over there and bought new games, movies etc.

[Pad Mc]

Originally Posted by rolly

Hey everyone

Long time lurker first time poster

Im off to LOS next month, wippee!! ill be travelling for 1 month on a tour taking in laos, vietnam, cambodia and thailand then I plan on hanging around for another month taking in the nightlife and anything else that comes my way.

So ill be taking my camera gear (slr & a few lenses) and unfortunately a laptop , I get the feeling this will be a pain in the **** to cart around for 2 months but unfortunately I can't leave it at home because im not coming back to london, im heading home to nz for good afterwards, so my options are cart it around for a few months or courier it home for £100, does anyone have any experiences carrying around equipment for that long? was it a pain in the ****???

Cheers for any info :-)

Sounds like a good trip you have planned rolly. I would say carrying the Lappy round for a few months will be a bit of a pain, but hopefully it won't interfere too much with your trip...

Have a good one!

[LivinLOS]

Dont forget when you post it back the UK may try to hit you with the VAT on any declared value..

Even if its yours.. They can be buggers like that !!

[Pussy Whipped]

I suggest you to back up your hard drive, if you send it or not, If you send it to NZ by courier the recipient will have to pay duty, you will have to declare a value and if you don't blatently under value the duty will be based on your declared value, you might later claim it back if you are a returning resident possibly, or if you bought the Laptop in NZ to begin with.