BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi Guys,

My plan is to leave dublin in october 07. My sequence which is subject to change and flexibility. I want to do as much as possible overland while maximising my time in cheaper countries thus stretching out my budget. Here is a list of countries - expected duration - cost per day - visa cost - total cost. At the bottom I've listed guessed total for flights cost and extra stuff - including a 15% error.
Any comments would be gratefully received..

days Cost per Day Visa Cost Total Cost
Thailand 21 10 0 210
vietnam 21 25 50 525
cambodia 21 20 20 420
laos 7 15 30 105
Singapore 3 25 0 75
indonesia 7 20 25 140
China 21 30 45 630
Oz 35 70 0 2450
New Z 28 70 0 1960


Peru 14 30 0 420
Brazil 21 35 0 735
Argentina 50 20 30 1000
Chile 21 25 0 525
Colombia 14 30 30 420
Venezuala 14 30 0 420



Total Day to Day 284 260 10295


Flights 2000
extra travel 1000
tax 600
Vacinations 500
Travel Gear 500

subtotal 14895
plus 15% error 2234.25

Total 17129.25


so 17G (Euro) is my magic number - enough - too much or about right. Would love to see feedback and critque per country or just general stuff.

thanks
Phil

So Phil, trying to think a bit like an Irishman.
All those numbers where they are costs are in Euros.
Heres a conversion site
But to keep it simple, add on 30% for US$
You're skimping on Thailand but Vietnam and Cambodia could be a bit less and will roughly be similar to Thailand so the Asian curry could come out mildly right.

There's a thread from earlier this year, probably within the last ten pages that has some pretty good breakdown and views on cost in the different asian countries - it had about 50 or so responses and soshould be easy enough for you to pick up - worth having a look.

You've allowed a reasonable ammount for Oz (if not time) and NZ, but costs can go high pretty quick depending on what activities you might want to do.
Have a look at the Australasia & PI forum, again going back five or six pages and you'll find all sorts of references to doing things on the cheap - and in particular for Oz., with limited time, the more you think of your plans for there and maybe seek a few cheap airfares in advance, the better you and your budget will be for it.

As for arriving in Thailand in October and doing SEA, there was significant flooding in parts this year and generally you will be near the peak of the wet season.
You might appreciate it all more if you move your departure back a couple of months and that way you will be getting to Oz when it is still hot enough to fry an Irishman but you will at least have missed the summer holiday crowds which can make getting accomodation an issue.
NZ weather will still be not too bad (hopefully)(bit like Ireland in parts) and though it would start to get cooler in southern parts of Chile/Argentina, it will probably be better in heading north.

You didn't leave 17 coasters lying around in a pub with all those numbers on by any chance did you - you could have added names and there could have been some really Irish calls going down!

Flights from NZ to SA can be expensive, so I'd keep my peepers on the lookout - might even be cheaper to get a return ticket and ditch the return.

If I haven't turned you on your head enough, have you considered if sticking with existing timing going the opposite way around!
Ireland - (US)for cost - SA - NZ - Oz - Asia
As that would have you getting good weather going down SA and in Oz and NZ, be hot in Asia (but it don't vary all that much in equatorial areas)but you'll probably miss most of the wet and China will be good weather instead of getting a bit cool if you plan on doing it in November/December sometime as per your current itinerary.

If you plan on leaving or arriving into HK, there's extra good fares with www.oasis-air.com , and thus keeping with your existing timing and direction, if you fly into HK, do China and then SEA, that'll give you a good chance of missing a lot of the wet.


And every chance you'll use up your reserves but that's what they are for, even in Rugby.

Here's that earlier thread from Asia forum Phil.
www.talesofasia.com is also good reading as are many threads on Boots.

One more thing too - if you fly into HK, do China and then make your way overland all the way to Singapore, maybe even doing Malaysia on the way instead of Indonesia, though flights Singapore to Bali are cheap enough, you'll at least be acclimatising as you go, but:

You'll find www.tigerairways.com do cheap flights Singapore to Darwin (that's Oz.), and they are regularly running specials - they have an email newsletter you can get and www.bestflights.com.au likewise for Oz to get notification of Oz domestic specials.

dooode,

Thanks a million for your input. Muchos gracias, or go raimh mile maith agat

I read somewhere that the wet season would be over come novemberish which is why I picked it as the first place to go to. Whether we go thru south america or south east asia first hasn't been something that we have talked about too much but its certainly something that me might talk about. I am more eager than my mate to work while I am on the road so doing south america first could be a good option, I was toying with the idea of teaching in buenos aries for 9-12 months to end off my travels which make us lean more towards doin s e a first....

as for my numbers I used the 'lonely planet on a shoe sting' books to come up with the numbers - they were in dollars. I left the numbers in euro to give me the extra buffer so to speak. Doubling or even tripling up in thailand won't hurt the overall outlay too much as its still cheap (relatively).

again thanks for the feedback - if you ever need advice on where to find a nice pint of guinness or the best brecky roll in ireland drop me a line

Phil -
Sounds like a heck of a trip! And, kudos to your for drilling down to real specifics. Way to get a handle on it.

What doesn't seem to be reflected (but maybe you've covered it in 'extra travel' and the 15% buffer)are the costs for doing things. Public transportation, museum and other admission costs, activities, taking tours...like going on a half-day tour to see the Cui Chi tunnels near Saigon or to the Mekong. I recommend both.

Over 3/4 of a year, doing that stuff will cost 1500e or more (that's assuming as little as 5e per day). If it were me I wouldn't chintz on those things either; they're part of what it's all about. I'd rather cut a month off a trip to save money if I had to, than skip doing the things I really want to do.

Hey Debs,

Yeah the 15% error is there to take care of splurges every now and again - tours, beers, museums etc etc.
I am not the kind of person that lets money get in the way of a good time so as I have told my friends here I could be back 2 weeks after I leave, but it would be the greatest 2 weeks in history
That said I am determined to get a change of scenery for a prolonged period of time. I see the trip as a test more than anything to see how I adapt to life outside of ireland - I am split between working in australia and argentina. On one hand I have friends and family in oz, plus I could command pretty good money for my profession. But that would involve ditching my travel partner (best mate) halfway around the blob as he is keen on 8 months max away from here.
Working in South America would allow me to complete 8 months with my mate, it would allow me to learn spanish and give me experience in a radically different environment - see what I am made off - though the money would stink All I would want is to have enough cash to cover me when I did return to ireland.

Gees, rambled there a bit.

Hi Irish -
You're a guy with a plan. And you have good supporting rationale. I can't tell by your commentary whether you've traveled outside the UK previously.

If you haven't, I'll throw out a few other ideas/comments, for whatever they're worth.
1) Your placement of First World countries (Oz, NZ)in your itinerary is perfect. Cuz after that long in Third World Asia, you're going to be so ready for it! Some parts of the world can be a real grind and I guarantee some culture shock in Asia.

2) If you haven't been to the USA yet, why the heck are you skipping it? I'll bet on this board alone you could procure some company, and sofas to sleep on.

Adios, mi amigo (I'm helping you with your Spanish)

Not too sure how the economy is in Argentina these days Phil but it was pretty much down a few years back so I'd check some on seeing what opportunities might be there.

As to Oz/NZ if you have skills and are still young enough for a years working holiday visa in first instance (you can apply right up to day before you turn 31 and then have a year in which to enter countries), there will be ample opportunity to get employment.

Maybe sticking with the mate and then working for more $$$ puts SA before our downunder on your schedule.

Debs, I've done a couple of weeks here and there around europe. Prob 2 or 3 months in total. Have you done much travelling outside of Canada? Though I hear its spectacular itself

I am going to leave the states for another trip - my dad was born in San Francisco so I can get a work visa there easier than most people. I also work with an american company here in Ireland so I will prob be in the states a few times before I leave anyways. I have a plan to do the route 66 easy rider style when I hit my mid thirties crisis point. I am currently at my mid twenties crisis point

As for argentina, there is a good deal of work teaching english as a foreign language. The money would be fairly rubbish because as you say the economy went south in 2001, it has recovered somewhat in the mean time. It does make it a cheaper place to live though. Sure we'll see.

I was discussing my plans with another friend of mine last night and he came up with the genius idea of going back to work in australia after working the time in south america. I would be able to use my first month there to suss out the job market and maybe get sorted with a job to start when I get back....

Sure we'll see which way the wind blows I guess.

p.s.
Sorry about the canadian dig there debs, we irish are a little sensitive to being refered to as part of the UK, that ship sailed a good 90 years ago

Hey Phil!
Sounds like a fantastic trip! I am doing pretty much the same trip as you simultanously (I am leaving November 1st). I will be headed to fiji for a bit first, then OZ, then SE Asia then the same route in SA. I won't be seeing China, Indonesia, or China, but I will be spending much time in India before crossing the Atlantic down to SA via London.

Your numbers really helped me get a good perspective on my own budget as well as kick my butt in gear to be a better planner What kind of a traveller are you so that I can get a good understanding of how to compare my planning to yours? Super budget, splurger, moderate..?

Maybe we'll cross paths!
All the good stuff,
Laurie

Hey Laurie,

What kind of traveller am I? Gees I would love to be able to answer that. I don't and have never craved luxury. I'm sure in the stiffling humidity I will need to procure a fan from somewhere. The odd night I will prob head out to a restaurant and eat out. I am a big fan of food, flavours and beer so you will prob find me in a bar suppin on a cold one or tracing through the food markets trying out the local stuff.

Going by your plan (though you don't have any times down) our paths might cross in either OZ or South America. Keep an eye out on the boards, I'm sure my posting will increase - will have to get me a blog aswell

Ciao

quote:

Originally posted by PhilGill:
p.s.
Sorry about the canadian dig there debs, we irish are a little sensitive to being refered to as part of the UK, that ship sailed a good 90 years ago

I was just about to say that!

Sounds like a great plan. I might just use those numbers of yours for my own planning. I'm leaving Ireland in June, working in Peru for 2 months and then who knows! We might bump into each other along the way somewhere.

Oh, the €2000 you mentioned for flights, is that a RTW ticket or are you buying llots of different flights?

Hi Irish -
Had a good laugh at your last post. At first I was a bit confused about the Canadian comment. By the time I finished, I realized what you were putting forth.

Sorry about that, friend. Don't recall exactly, but I thought I remembered that you had described your travels thus far as just having been around the UK. Don't mind me.

BTW, enjoyed a trip to Ireland about 10 years ago (except for the part of cycling the country roads of Connemara in blinding rain! Gotta love a pub at a time like that).

But, hey....Canada is really nice too! Vancouver, Montreal; aahh...memories.
Cheers -
Deb

aye, sorry again for the dig but sure had to be said
Tis tough to get more than a week in ireland without the blinding rain, on my way into work this morning I got completely drowned. The scenery wasn't in connemaras league though unfortunately

Cybersusst:
I haven't really made up my mind with regards to the RTW ticket, on one hand it could be handy but on the other it is quite restrictive. If it meant spending another 500 quid to have the extra freedom then I reckon it would be well worth it. You don't want a situation where you are being held back by your ticket when someone else you are getting along with and bounce around the place with little restriction.

Feel free to use the numbers - The first thing I worked on when I came up with a rough itinerary is how much it would cost roughly. As I mentioned before I used guide books for the guide typical cost per day/month. I then used my FUF coefficient, which is a number I came up while doing (not necessarily passing)college exams. Basically I divided my actual mark by the marks I thought I would get while doing it. For nearly every exam I did it worked out at 0.71 which indicates that I am actually quite dumb or that I am an optimistic sort. divided all my day to day costs by this number to come up with my figures, thus giving me enough leverage to be myself while travelling

FUF in the parlence of Father Ted = Feck up Factor

Plan A is now in turmoil I am afraid.
My mate who I was planning this trip with has pulled out with 286 days left before the trip is due to start. Sure enough thats loads of time to reconsider aspects of the trip, I can be totally selfish in the planning and pick places where I want to go myself. But the massive negative is that I won't get to share the trip with my mate.
I am pretty sure this happens regularly, is there anyone else here who had a similar incident happen to them? How did it impact your planning?

The budget that I have outlined above is going to change also, I have decided to get laser surgery done on my eyes so I don't have to worry about losing my glasses in a cave somewhere or worry about falling asleep with my contact lenses in. All in all this is gonna take 1500 euro out of the 16-17 G euro that I had planned to get me thru. As a consequence of that I will need to either delay my departure date by 2-3 months or work for that 2-3 months in australia to make the money back.

Hmmmm, dang - wish it was tomorrow

quote:

Originally posted by PhilGill:
Plan A is now in turmoil I am afraid.
...
I can be totally selfish in the planning and pick places where I want to go myself. But the massive negative is that I won't get to share the trip with my mate.
...
Hmmmm, dang - wish it was tomorrow

So, as Zopa might say, fok Plan A. The only negative I can see is for your mate, who now doesn't get to go. You have already identified the massive bonus of all this in your previous sentence, and thus your trip is now +1 better. From what I've read on these boards, this happens a fair bit when planning with others. Now you're in control of your own destiny, for which I say Yay and Woo.

Wish it was tomorrow? It will be, soon enough. Don't wish away those 286 days - you'll never live them again.

Good luck, and more power to your elbow. Or eyeballs

Glad to hear someone else is thinking about Laser eye surgery before their trip. I was beginning to think I was crazy for going through the expense before I leave, but I keep telling myself it will save me a lot of headaches - and I know about them. A companion on my last trip accidently threw out my contacts one day. Eek!

As far as your mate, I think the bonus is flexibility and total control over what you do. And hey, what about him meeting you somewhere along the way? Is that an option for him? I've got about 3-4 friends/family meeting me at various parts of my trip, so I get to travel solo for the most part, but at times share the adventures with others.

sorry cannot help counting the days - 258 days now

I keep thinking of ways to extend my trip. With my mate pulling out (he's after buying a beamer instead!!!) Working in australia is a very real prospect now, reckon 6 months should be long enough to see what it is like. I believe the job market over there is quite strong at the moment so hopefully that will hold until this time next year

So 258 days not to wish away - My football team are shaping up well this year so that should shorten the year considerably. I am hoping to take a week in Croatia and a week in Barcelona before I head off. So not so much wishing it away, would be nice if I didn't have to work between now and then though

Hi,
If you plan on visiting thailand,why don't you get the laser surgery done there...Medical tourism is booming in asia and cost quite a lot less than in western countries.
I'm from India and I always schedule my major dental work during my time off in India. Got bridge work done for 200 US $ which would normally cost several thousand $$$ here in America.

Thanks for the suggestion - just had a look at the prices there in some clinics in thailand and the price is only a couple of hundred euros cheaper. As there is a risk that the surgery might not be successful I would rather get it done at home that somewhere I'm not familiar with.