Hi,
Hello Karen
I too am planning a bit of an around the world excursion and have a similar list of questions I'm seeking some advice on. As for the work holiday visa's, you can apply for one if you have not yet turned 31 in Australia or not yet turned 36 in New Zealand. I'm not so sure about your other destinations. I'm planning on getting a UK workholiday visa and was wondering what the job prospects are like? Can a backpacker afford to work/live in the UK for a few months (Oct-Jan) without blowing her entire travel budget ? I'm just a bit concerned as I'm on a tight budget too. I've been looking at sites like gumtree.com for ideas.
I noticed Canada isn't on your list of destinations. Should you change your mind and need some help please ask.
Cheers! and Happy Planning!
Melissa
Hello,
2. Accomodation concerns - I think you should book in advance for places where you know will get busy. Look to see if a destination has festivals or events that may mean places get booked up well in advance. Also the time of the season can be a good indicator of how busy places get. When I travelled in '07 I always made sure I had a place sorted for when I landed so I didnt have to look around in a tired state. Otherwise I was looking about a week in advance the whole time. I stayed in hostels and found the lonely planet on a shoe string a good place to find good hostels.
3. Money concerns - I used a debit card to withdraw from ATMs abroad. At the time i was with nationwide and all worldwide withdrawals were free. Now withdrawals outside the EU charge 1% of the money you take out and inside the EU withdrawals are free. I think travellers cheques are dying a slow death.
4. Internet access - you will be able to find internet cafes wherever you go but prices will vary. SE Asia was very cheap. NZ and Oz reasonable, PAcific Islands expensive and slow. If the Ipod touch was available in '07 i would have really appreciated that for wireless hotspots but I think a laptop would be a liability. Depends how much time you want to spend online. I dont think its necessary however.
have a good time
Thanks both of you, thats really helpful.
Ms Melis, job prospects in the UK aren't fantastic at the moment - there's a recession going on! Depends what kind of work you're looking for though. You probably wouldn't struggle to find bar work, cleaning jobs, care work, and other low paid jobs. October to January you could find works quite well as there's lots of temperary jobs advertised for the christmas period. If you were going to a coastal place though, summer is usually easier as there's lots of tourist and shop work going. Without work, you'd probably find it a bit of a struggle on a tight budget.
Thanks again for your help.
K
I just started my trip in Hong Kong.
So far I've booked accommodation for the arrival in the next countries Japan and Australia, I have an idea in which hostels I'd like to stay during my travels, but don't want to book them yet in case I change my route.
As for money I'm going with a prepaid credit card, some cash is ordered for pick-up on arrival at the airport and I've got another credit card for emergencies.
I've got a netbook with me, but decided against other gadgets like phone or psp/ds. Most hostels offer free wifi these days and I love to have some favourite movies with me.
You don't really need your own laptop, because most hostels have one available to go online these days as well.
Happy planning and cheerio,
Melanie
Hi,
2. Accommodation - When I went travelling a few years ago I always made sure I had my first night of accomodation in a new country booked. Then you jsut arrive, you know where you are heading and you don't have to trapse around town with your rucksac trying to find a room. Then you can always change hostels after the first night and you still have flexibility of how long you want to stay etc. Lonelyplanet is always good for finding hotels, or just search online for hostels + city.
3. Money - Personally I think take a currency card and cash. Travellers cheques are outdated and can be a hassle to change. You also don't want to much cash in case you lose your bag, or your money is stolen. Currency cards are jsut like a UK bank card, and if you take a pound currency card you can use the card anywhere and your money is safe in case you do lose your card. Personally, I like my Travel Cash and Caxton cards - -snip-. If you start using a debit or credit card abroad then you have to pay commission on ATM withdrawals and any purchases you make - so the currency cards are a much cheaper alternative. A credit card for emergencies is a good idea too - but don't use it all the time!
4. Internet - there are loads of internet cafes, and most hostels with havecomputers you can use too. I wouldn't take a fancy laptop - you don't want to risk losing or damaging it.
Have fun!
[ 03-May-2010, at 03:29 by VanessaJ ]
Don't need to book places to stay, esp in China and SE Asia and S America the stuff you get in the cheap areas in LP are often better than anything you can get online...
for Internet -- Netbooks are cheap and durable, and you can usually steal internet from a western fast food restaurant (I used to hate those, but now I know they have a use)
Debit cards are best. Ideally a few, on different networks and if possible from different countries. Bring enough cash, maybe always have usd500 in your money belt... Travellers cheques are expensive and useless.
Thanks everyone, that was all really really helpful. x
Hi,
My name is Ruth and I'm from the UK. I am currently traveling around the world with my husband. We started in February in India and we are currently in Thailand, heading to China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, then South America. I had the same concerns before I left. Don't worry things will come together. I hope you will find this information helpful. I also have a travel blog, which you may find helpful as we have been in places that you are heading to. Hope you have a fantastic trip.
-snip-
1. You will be able to find work when you get out on your world tour. Make sure you apply for working visa's before though. Some people will give you cash in hand jobs, and so you may be able to get away without having visas, but this is not certain. I would definatley apply for a working visa for Australia. My husband works on the internet as a web designer so it is very handy for him, as we travel.
2. Accomodation-we have had no problem just booking accommodation when we arrive in places. Also that's where you'll find the best deals, as you can bargain with them, especially in Asia. We sometimes look up accommodation on lonely planet, hostelbookers.com, hostelworld.com, then go and check them out when we arrive in that place. Booking in advance just restricts you, however when you are moving on to a new place, it is good to have one night booked, but it's not 100% necessary.
3. We just have our debit card and take money out when we arrive in a new place. Online banking is a very good idea-as you will be able to manage your accounts from anywhere, which makes budgeting easier. Carrying large amounts of cash is not a good idea, if you get your cards stolen you can cancel them in minutes, but if you get your cash stolen, you are stuck! Make sure you get travel insurance. I had my bag stolen in Cambodia the other day, i wasn't carrying cash, and was able to cancel my cards straight away!
4. Internet Cafe's are everywhere-but even though they are cheap, the money adds up. If you have a net book or lap top i would suggest you bring it. Even the cheapest of hostels have free wifi. Also there are many public places, like cafe's, that you will be able to get on wifi. Ipod touches are great for browsing the internet-but if you are carrying one, just be careful as people do steal them-i had mine stolen in my bag that was stolen last week (In Cambodia).
-snip-
Ruth
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