CC If your dorming it I guess it might be worth taking a second VISA card with you and storing it elsewhere. Not suggesting fellow travellers are likely to swipe a card but I guess my motto is "plan for the worst and celebrate when it is easier". An IFA friend has the motto "We don't plan to fail but we do fail to plan".
Sounds like you're well on track!
Fare basis These are terms our ticketing people (I should probably do them credit and call them experts) bandy about and assume that our clients (and I ) understand them. I'll ask one of them to explain more fully. In simple terms however, we can apply different fares according to where your first flight originates (and possibly different taxes), and also what else you're buying/have bought. eg the rules allow us to charge a lower fare if you've bought other travel-related services such as hotels or excursions. It's all completely above board. The two rates quoted below are probably higher than someone would actually end up paying because there are lots of variables - not least exchange rates. The principle applies also to others you might meet when travelling, but if they hadn't booked their transatlantics with us, they'd prob end up paying more than you - for exactly the same thing
CP
RE: Amazing Hahaha...yeah, the incredible shrinking iPhone!
Of course, the iPhone was only there to give you a size comparison (I know that you're aware of that John, but I guess that I should make it clear to all my dear readers that you can't just order 3 lightload towels and get a free iPhone!)
The towels actually (supposedly) come in water tight packaging - although I haven't actually tested the water-tighteness. I'm hoping that there won't be too much ballooning going on on my trip :)
Thanks for your comments!
Re: Limbs Yep, a head torch is on the list. So far I've only listed the things that I've actually bought specifically for the trip - I'll post a full packing list when it's complete (just so I remember what to bring back!)
Amazing Hey Chris where do you get these? Last time I added water to my PDA it broke but a shrinking PDA that's also machine washable - WOW!
Seriously, I was amazed when I got a card that expanded about 3 fold when you added water but these fellas are really super shrunk. I guess you need to make sure they are in water tight bags cause if they all get wet you won't be able to open the ruck-sack :-)
Limbs Head tourch also useful for reading when in the hotel bedroom and the light switch is just outta reach :-)
Looks like your packing to stay in places a little more rustic than a hotel. EXCITING !
RE: Thanks & Internal Flights Thanks Chris! Hey, you guys are really on the ball :)
Delete? Moderate? Never! Well, ok, sometimes...but only if people are rude!
Happy to recommend you since you did such a fine job for me!
Could you explain this bit: "It's also worth keeping a record of transatlantic flight arrangements because this can affect the "fare basis" we're allowed to apply." What's a "fare basis" and how is that affected by transatlantic flights?
Thanks
Chris
Thanks & Internal Flights Many thanks for your honorable mention - glad we got it right.
(feel free to delete what's below when you moderate, I can appreciate you probably don't want us advertising. However fyi:)
A couple of examples of flights savings: at today's exchange rate, Lima - Buenos Aires oneway we could sell at £252 (the published fare is £415). Mexico City- Lima we could sell at £305 (published fare £320) In practice, prices often vary from those above, because it depends on a number of factors - e.g. what else you're doing. It's also worth keeping a record of transatlantic flight arrangements because this can affect the "fare basis" we're allowed to apply. Of course, we know yours already. Tickets can be issued electronically.
You can make contact with us skype-to-skype (UK office hours) at: journeylatinamerica
Kit out! Wow Chris, I am impressed, it's not like you to be quite so organised :-) So question is ....does it all fit in your rucksack and leave room for clothes and other stuff?
Are you not taking a torch, would have thought that would be a must have - need to make sure you hack the correct limb off in the dark ;-)
Looking good bro, you must be getting excited now it is getting a bit more realistic, i'm excited for you.
Hacking by torchlight Good point Julie! And one that I hadn't overlooked (honest!). My kit was just that which I bought from Itchy Feet. I bought a head torch just before Christmas (quite WHY I bought a head torch I don't know!). Apparently a head torch is definitely the way to go when hacking off limbs so I'm sorted. I'll publish a full packing list when I get nearer the time - just so I remember what to bring back :)
And yes, I'm pretty confident that there will be enough room for everything. If not, I'll have to take less stuff! :) But to be honest, all this other stuff fits EASILY in the small pack at the moment so it'll be fine, I'm sure.
Thanks for your comment! Keep 'em coming!
Kit out! Wow Chris, I am impressed, it's not like you to be quite so organised :-) So question is ....does it all fit in your rucksack and leave room for clothes and other stuff?
Are you not taking a torch, would have thought that would be a must have - need to make sure you hack the correct limb off in the dark ;-)
Looking good bro, you must be getting excited now it is getting a bit more realistic, i'm excited for you.
Great Link! Hi Zuri! Thanks so much for the link. It's packed full of information that's sure to be of use to me! When my itinerary planning gets to Galapagos Islands, I'll be sure to make good use of it!
Thanks again.
Chris
Galapagos Islands Hope you get a chance to visit the Galapagos Islands. It is one of the most beautiful locations in South America.
galapagos-islands-tourguide.com
Nothing wrong with the East! Hi John. My knowledge of South America is limited to what's on the map, if I'm honest. I was in Brazil (Rio) in October and that place is great (AND it's on the east coast, of course!) The main reason that I'm working down the west coast is that this is where the majority of the Spanish speaking countries lie (Brazil forms the majority of the east coast and Argentina the majority of what's left - although Uruguay is there too). I should point out that my post-its represent my current state of planning which is working from the north down, so most of the lower half is yet to be post-ited - which is why there's not much in Argentina or Uruguay yet. The middle of South America is the mighty Amazon - it's amazing just how much space it takes up! Later I'll be posting about the guidebooks and what-not that I've been using (including the map). But just since you're the first person to comment I'll give you a bit of a preview :-) The map that I use is the Globetrotter Travel Map of South America. Type "South America (Globetrotter Travel Map)" into Amazon (sorry, links don't appear to work from the comments page). You can't really go wrong for £3.47! Finally, the islands that you refer to are just a close-up of the Galapagos Islands - which sit off the coast of Ecuador in reality. You can just about make out a blue bordered box surrounding the islands indicating that it's an inset rather than a geographically accurate representation. Anyway, hope that's answered your questions. Let me know if not. And thanks for looking in - your comments are appreciated. Cheers Chris
So what's wrong with the East When asked about South America my response is "I know nuffin".
But I guess you do as all your post-its are on the West coast. Is there nothing interesting on the East coast - or in the middle?
Last bit of interrogation - you have a post-it on some islands to the West - I thought the next land was New Zealand - what are they?
I have decided my knowledge of geography is rubbish - I have to start traveling more :-)
Good Luck Chris
Unaccustomed as I am to public writing, I'll keep this short.
So the plan is to jet off to Bogotá 15th February, take in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina...and maybe a quick dip into Uruguay for good measure. I just have to make sure that I reach Buenos Aires on or before 31st May for my flight home.
And this is where it's going to be documented...the good bits and the bad bits...hope there won't be too many of those!
I'm pretty useless at keeping things updated so Im going to try to get into the habit by starting now - 1 month (ish) from de... full info
John
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CC
If your dorming it I guess it might be worth taking a second VISA card with you and storing it elsewhere. Not suggesting fellow travellers are likely to swipe a card but I guess my motto is "plan for the worst and celebrate when it is easier". An IFA friend has the motto "We don't plan to fail but we do fail to plan". Sounds like you're well on track!