I like free and easy trips, but you really have to do your homework before going aboard. My friends didn’t have a clue of where to go in Bangkok and they are just relying on our suggestions. 
I will prefer to do some research and read up some reviews first before planning my agenda. Even if it’s totally flexible, you need to have in mind what to expect and where to go on your trip. Unless of course, you just want to relax and spend all the time on the beach or roaming in your hotel room. I did that before, it’s a great vacation too.
If you plan to do some shopping, check out the shopping destinations where you can find the goods you want. Even if they are Harley parts, I’m sure that you will be able to find the shops if you do your research thoroughly enough. Be an active tourist is better than a passive one, if you don’t want to waste your flight ticket to another country.
By all means, if you want to have a fun filled vacation trip, do your homework first.