Ask any seasoned traveller what the worst thing about exploring new cultures is and they’ll invariably say the bus journeys.
Fighting Boredom on the Bus
Pitching up at the tip of a country and hoping to glide across its various terrains without encountering bouts of mindless boredom is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, naïve. While there’s undoubtedly a wealth of scenery to take in as you travel across country, there’s only so many trees you can count and mountain ranges you can marvel at. In fact, in some instances, you won’t even have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the outside world as you’ll likely be travelling at night or in conditions that don’t lend themselves to a clear view.
Fortunately, the combination of mobile technology and the internet makes it possible to wile away the hours in between destinations in the least painful way possible. With this in mind, we’ve put together a survival guide for anyone planning a trip to Thailand. Despite its undeniable beauty, a trip to Thailand involves a lot of bus journeys (think 10 hours+), so to keep your sanity intact, you’ll need more than a few distractions.
The Mobile Cure for Travellers’ Boredom
Although there’s a plethora of digital distractions to choose from, we’ve picked out three of the best options for the plucky traveller.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Just as good, if not better in mobile form, these social media giants are a must for anyone away from home. In addition to giving direct access to the latest news, views and gossip, these virtual mediums are the best way to keep in touch with your friends and family. Moreover, if you’re thinking about keeping a diary of your travels around Thailand, then all three are a must. Text and photos can be uploaded and stored in the virtual ether, which means you’ll always have a digital record of your travels.
Gamble on the Go
Whether you’re playing for fake money or real cash, online casinos offer a fantastic way to pass the time. Of course, before you start throwing around your own money it’s important to learn the basics of each game. Blackjack, roulette and poker are the ideal starting point for any casino novice and will provide hours of entertainment. As well as giving you the ability to win a bundle of cash (which you can then use to extend your trip indefinitely!), modern platforms are equipped with live casino games. This means you can compete against and converse with a real dealer via an HD video link.
Crank Up Spotify
Music is a must at any time in your life, but on a 14 hour bus journey across Thailand it can be a life saver. Whether you choose to have the free or paid for app, Spotify is the best way to stream thousands of tracks directly through your mobile phone. Unlike downloading music, there are no limits to the amount of songs you can access via the app. That means you can switch your songs as your mood changes throughout the trip.
Making use of the resources around you is the best way to combat the boredom of a long bus journey. Regardless of how picturesque the scenery is around you, there will be times during your trip that you’ll want to take your mind off things and that’s where your mobile phone will prove to be invaluable. Of course, the options listed above are just the tip of the iceberg but they are a great starting point for any journey.
