Welcome to the Travel Forums

Why join TravelBlog?

Membership is Free and Easy
Your travel questions answered in minutes!
Become part of the friendliest online travel community.

Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums

Need help with round the world trip including South America and the rest!

Please help with questions about NZ, FIJI, South America and Europe!

15 years ago, June 17th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #38892 Delete Edit

Nikki77
Red77

B Posts: 6

Please help with questions about NZ, FIJI, South America and Europe!

Hi,

I found this site a couple of weeks ago and have become addicted to it! Although lonely planet is useful hearing peoples real life experiences is much more! I could use some help in cementing my plans though.

Background

I an english 30 yr old female living in Sydney (for 5 yrs). After years of thinking about it and putting other things first I have broken up with my boyfriend, convinced my boss to let me take off 6 months from work and am willing to say good bye to the most of the deposit for my first house to take off around the world for 6 months!

My initial plan had always been to spend that amount of time in South America but I have quite a few friends in Europe who I would love to spend time with too.

Every day my travel plans seem to change (didn't realise how hard deciding where to go would be!) but this is my idea for itinery today:

November 08
2/3 weeks
Fly Sydney to Auckland and spend this time on the North Island.
I want something relatively easy to ease me back into the whole backpacking scene. Will have worked until a few days before I go so thought it would be nice to chill in a beautiful place where people speak English.

1/2 weeks
Fly Auckland to Fiji
Just want to maybe see a couple of islands but spend some time lying in a hammock, reading my book, drinking whatever and meeting new people.

Any suggestions as to island that is beautiful, I can meet people but won't spend too much money (in Fiji terms anyway) would be appreciated

IS ALL OF THE ABOVE A WASTE (of time in SA and money) AS I LIVE SO CLOSE TO IT ANYWAY? I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO CHILL AND GET INTO THE VIBE??

Dec 08
Arrive in South America
This is where I get very confused and reading everyones blogs has been educational but confusing! Do I fly into Chile and spend time there or just fly straight up to Cusco or Lima?
Is it safe to arrive in Lima at midnight (most of the flights seem to get there at this time)?
The more I read about the Galapagos the more I think I want to do it. Is it really worth the money? Do I have to book before I go there?

Should i just go straight to BA?

I like the idea of language school in BA (but slightly worried I may not make it to too many lessons as the temptation to party will be hard to refuse!). Does anyone have tips on best place to go to language school? Should I even bother if I am only there for 2/3 months?

As I will be there at Carnival time should I make the effort to get to Rio for it or is it over-rated, too busy and too expensive?

Any suggested itineries for someone who enjoys a mixture of trekking and boozing? I don't want to be on the go all the time and I guess 2 or 3 months is not a massive amount of time.

After that I will fly to Madrid and then catch a train to Switzerland to stay with a friend who works in Ski resort Verbier. Is it worth me catching the train for the experience or should I just fly? Will hostels in Barcelona, France, italy, Zurich (would probably only stay one night in each - or even just catch an overnight train from Barcelona to Zurich) be open in winter?

From there I go to Stockholm to stay with another friend - again anyone know if overland is a good way to do it? It is my preference I am just not sure exactly how.

Then Fly (or ferry??) to UK to see family and friends for 3 weeks before heading back to Auz via Thailand or Vietnam for a few weeks of chilling in sunshine.
Wow - feels good to get that all down as all of these questions are going round and round!

Ah one more thing - Packing?? If anyone can direct me to a blog which has a good list of what you should take I would appreciate that. I am going to different climates but don't want to take my whole wardrobe. I was thinking of posting some clothes to friend in Madrid or maybe buying some things there?

If anyone has any feedback for me I would love to hear it.

Thanks
Nikki Reply to this

15 years ago, June 17th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #38899 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

That is quite a trip you have planned there Nikki 😊
The way I would handle such a trip is to buy a round the world ticket which touches down maybe 3 times. I would then spend 2 months at each touchdown travelling around by train, bus and boat. You could also spend 2 months in one town in S. America to take language lessons and make friends and enjoy the nightlife instead of travelling around if you want. Maybe the touchdowns could be someplace in South America, then someplace in Europe and then maybe someplace in Asia. The world is big so you wont see all of it in 6 months. 😉

For detailed information about the individual places you would like to go, you could post the various questions in the the different fora.

About the packing, I would travel as light as possible. Waiting until you get to those places to buy clothes might be the best idea. Taking clothes you can layer would be another option. What I would go with would be 2 light dresses, 2 pairs of trousers(avoid denim. It is the worst material to travel with. Takes ages to dry when you wash it and it is weighs a lot.), I pair of hiking type boots, flip flops. one sweater, light rain jacket, 2 pairs socks, 2 underwear. The dresses could be worn over trousers with a sweater when it is cold or on their own with flip flops when it is warm. That should cover all weather. Take only 2 outfits overall then wash one while wearing the other. You could throw out any that become too shabby and buy replacements.

Mel

Reply to this

15 years ago, June 17th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #38909 Delete Edit

Nikki77
Red77

B Posts: 6

The packing tips are great - thank you. I spoke with Flight Centre again this afternoon and we decided to condense the first part so that I get the most out of SA and am now planning on being there for 3.5 months starting in BA and finishing at Carnival in Colombia before flying on to madrid. The Europe part is not too bad as it is all about seeing friends and then just asia on the way back.
I think I am going for a One world ticket which allows me to take 4/6 internal flights in each continent!!

I'll keep reading everyones blogs though - thanks x Reply to this

15 years ago, June 17th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #38911 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

Hi Nicola,

Welcome to TravelBlog.

Not sure if you're still looking for info on NZ, but the other thing I was going to say was for SA. I landed late in Lima from Auckland, stayed overnight at the airport and got the early flight to Cusco the next day. That seems to be a pretty standard schedule for people heading to Cusco. Staying overnight at the airport is quite safe - there's plenty of security, just go hang out with the other backpackers. There's an area where some of them sleep on the floor too.
If you're doing the Inca Trail I'd suggest allowing at least a few days in Cusco to adjust to the altitude. Reply to this

15 years ago, June 17th 2008 No: 5 Msg: #38965 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Looks like a good plan in Msg 3.

Thailand or Vietnam for a few weeks of chilling in sunshine.

You could rent a beach hut right beside the beach on one of the islands in Thailand.
Reply to this

15 years ago, September 4th 2008 No: 6 Msg: #47945 Delete Edit

Searcher
Mike Lee

N Posts: 7

Hi
I am glad that you made your decision to take this trip, do it now that you are young and healthy the house can come later.

If you are adventurous, which sounds like you are and trying to travel with a budget in mind. In Fiji I stayed at Beachcomber Island, there are tons of them, each island usually has only one property is like a dream. Anyways, this place is a Hostel, it's a huge Hut with bunk beds no walls open but very nice, they also have private huts, who wants that. There is a nice dinning area with is included with your lodging. Great people, in fact the crew from Air NZ stayed there with their spouses go figure.

Another thing must pack is one of those nylon sleep cover in order not to sleep on dirty sheet yes you'll find some .

Have a great time. Reply to this

15 years ago, September 4th 2008 No: 7 Msg: #47962 Delete Edit

Pierre and Nic
Pierre & Nicola

B Posts: 3

Don't stay in Lima longer than you have to!! Head straight to Cusco the following day. You'll definitely need a few days to acclimatise once there. It's a great place so not at all a waste of time.
Please go to the rest of Argentina, not just BA - it's fabulous, and a lot cheaper than Chile. Stay on the Argentinian side of the Lake District - Bariloche is good. Enjoy!
Nicola Reply to this

15 years ago, September 5th 2008 No: 8 Msg: #47989 Delete Edit

Searcher
Mike Lee

N Posts: 7

Hi Nicola

Thanks, yes I've been told about Lima like any other major city just going there on the first night since all flights get in at night.

I have traveled throughout AR extensively except Ushuia. I enjoyed Bariloche a lot, I hope you went there. Can you tell me more about Cuzco..... thanks Reply to this