h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Pah, far too much debt right now. I want to GO!!!

Two plans right now, and they will both definately have to be done...

One, WorkAus for 6 months to a year, doing either S.E. Asia or S. America on the way back. (Both of them amazing places in very different ways, havent been to Aus yet though)

Two, Do a season in a snow resort in the alps, I need to perfect my snowboarding first for this one...

Three, give up and live in a coffee-shop in Amsterdam.

Blah. I need money

*sings the lottery song*

When I win the lottery...

First of all can I say that I am insanely jealous of anyone who is travelling or is about to go travelling - it's just not fair ...

*stamps feet, throws toys out pram, sticks out bottom lip, looks bolshy*

Secondly, a good source of ideas, plans, places to go and such like is the thorn tree on the lonely planet web site ( s off to find url)


*puff pant*

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/thorn/branches.pl

You can post a question and someone will usually pop over and answer it - it's especially good for backing up what the guide books say. From personal experience with regard to South America in particular the Footprint guides are the best - Lonely Planet isn't necessarily bad it just doesn't contain as much pertinent information and the last edition for most S. American countries is 1999 - Footprint was last published in 2000 for most and 2001 for the rest. In general though, regardless of last publication date, I'd still recommend Footprint.

As for who to get your ticket from - if you're under 26 you can go through STA ( http://www.sta.com ) who usually have some pretty good deals for student type people ... open ended round the world tickets and such like.

Where to go is a wholly different question - the world really is your oyster ... Having seen various bits of various bits it's impossible to say where you should and shouldn't go, it's entirely up to you. South America is incredible - each country massively different yet vaguely the same ... the US = bigger than everything - it has it's merits but it isn't much of a culture shock. India - incredible beyond words if you're willing to give it a chance and like that sort of thing - have to say of all the places I've been (aren'y I well travelled India holds most for me ... it's a complete assault on the senses and it permeates your entire self ... absolutely incredible and as big a culture shock as you can imagine. Go!

South East Asia has changed since I was there ... Hong Kong has gone chinese, Bali has been reduced to rubble and Thailand has been supplanted by Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as "The Place to Go". Sumatra if you can make it is stunning.

Haven't done any of the antipodes and africa is top of my hit list but wherever you go you can guarantee you'll have an absolute cracker!

Did I say I was jealous ...

Hi

No helpful info. really (!), just subscribing so I can keep up with handy tips in case I win enough money on the lottery to buy a big plane ticket!

Back to work!

Re - BUNAC

I had a very bad experience with BUNAC. I paid up, went to an interview with a man who spent half of the interview reading the form and inventing questions to ask. After the interview, he said that there should be no problem finding me work, and that they'd be in touch.

Then I got a letter saying that they wanted more info about my medical condition (Crohn's Disease A771482). Even though I'd been healthy for a couple of years, and had a letter from my consultant to prove that in his opinion there should be no problem, "no problem finding work" magically turned into "little chance so won't look at all". Blatant but alas unprovable discrimination. Still, I got a similar job working on a kids activity holiday centre in the UK and ended up in management after several summers

I also had a friend who said that you were treated better on US summer camp if you arranged it yourself. Not only better money, but better treatment as you are more likely to be regarded as a professional than as a holidaymaker.

Otto

Thought I would resurrect this thread with an update.

I am going to STA tomorrow to price (and possibly book) my tickets. My plans have changed about 50 times since I first started thinking about it but I've more or less decided this:

1. South Africa - 3 weeks

Into Cape Town and out of Johannesburg, since I am meeting a friend in Perth and can't get there from CT. I will be there on my own and am considering going on the Baz Bus.

2. Australia - ? months and months

From Perth heading north and then eastwards. I am going to be there until at least after the World Cup and if anybody has tips on how to get tickets for any of the Ireland games, I'd love to hear them - not having much luck in that department. I have filled in my Working Holiday Maker visa online, but have saved it 'cos I haven't paid for it yet! Hopefully it'll go without a hitch...

2a. New Zealand - might revisit, since it seems to be silly not to with the flight plan.

3. Pacific Island, as yet undecided - couple of weeks

For a bit of R&R and some enjoyment of paradise. Recommendations appreciated.

4. Canada - weeks/months, who knows?!

To see friends and relatives in Vancouver and Toronto. Might venture into the states as well.

I decided against South America on the advice of a bloke in STA who advised that it is too big to do as part of this trip and would mess up my mileage. He said it would be better to save it up for the future and do it as a trip in its own right. Fair enough!


So, if anybody wants to offer any further tips, please feel free to do so!

And thanks to those who posted last time - the advice was spectacular and extremely helpful.


Ferino

Lucky you, I wish I was going...

You no closer to getting rid of the shackles of debt and heading away?

When you come to Australia don't miss Canberra and give yourself some time here. It's a great place to visit and often gets overlooked. The War Memorial just won its 3rd Tourism Award and is much more than just a memorial it is a Museum with some incredible paintings and sculptures. There is also the National Museum, National Gallery etc., plus as the "Bush Capital" title suggest we're are in a bush setting and the wildlife isn't too hard to find.

Good luck
Ythika

No, Its gonna be ages before I can get away...