Replies: 14 - Last Post: Oct 9, 2012 5:04 PM Last Post By: ban_janti_return
Oct 8, 2012 1:14 AM
Career break/financesHi all,
I'm considering asking for a career break/sabbatical from work (maybe 6 months up to a year) and would like some info regarding costs. I'm roughly plan on sticking to South America and SE Asia (possibly stopping in New Zealand or Aus as I have friends there). I would plan to travel budget, nothing flash.
Long story short, I don't have a lot of capital (maybe 3,000/4,000 GBP) but I rent out a property which provides an income of £800 a month. Any time spent in NZ/Aus would be free of accommodation costs.
What do you think? Do-able?
Also posted in gap year/SE Asia mainland/Thailand/Australasia boards.
Oct 8, 2012 8:17 AM
1Well £3000 should cover your flights and insurance. £800 a month will get you by in the cheaper countries in SA (not Brazil, Argentina and Chile) and most of SE Asia. You should be ok in NZ and Aus if it is not too long and you have free accommodation.
So in theory, if you are careful with your budget, it is possible.
Oct 8, 2012 10:16 AM
Oct 8, 2012 10:57 AM
3I would focus on Asia, 800 in South America (besides Bolivia and Paraguay) it's doable but very tight and in some places (Brazil, Argentina, Chile) means very uncomfortable and spartan conditions.
Asia is huge and can easily occupy 6 months, it's significantly cheaper and it's also closer to OZ/NZ so no need for expensive RTW ticket. You can use eg Air Asia to fly from KL to Perth for about $300-400 (from memory)
In eg Argentina stupid domestic flights cost as much and buses go for half of it!
Long story short: I think with your budget you will enjoy travelling trough Asia and Oceania much more.
Oct 8, 2012 2:07 PM
4SEAsia and South Am (cheaper countires) are comparable. In South Am the distances are much longer and transportation will cost you effectively more.
Depending on time of your travel, I'd consider seasons and weather. In SEA you wouldn't like to travel during monsoon. South Am is more diversified weather wise spreading on both southern and northern hemisphere.
As for your budget, you should be fairly comfortable with your savings and income from rent.
Oct 8, 2012 3:40 PM
5#4 Only Bolivia and Paraguay (not Asuncion though) can be compared to SEA those days, places like Peru, Ecuador or Colombia are actually quite expensive in comparison, not speaking about Brazil, Argentina, Chile or Guyanas.
Regarding the climate you wouldn't like to be in Patagonia in winter either.
Monsoon in Asia is not uniformed, where there is dry season in Malaysia or Indonesia it's raining in eg Thailand. It's pretty easy to fix itinerary to avoid monsoon in one trip.
Flights are dirt cheap in Asia so distances are not an issue like in SA.
Distances are in fact larger in Asia, but air travel is painless. No one said anything about focusing on SE Asia only, but even there eg Bangkok-Bali is anything but short!
Oct 8, 2012 7:21 PM
Oct 9, 2012 2:57 AM
Oct 9, 2012 3:15 AM
You picked the longest distance within SEAsia, between two countries that are far from each other, but even that wouldn't match the distances in South Am. Only within Argentina, Ushuaia to Salta will be by 50% longer than Bkk-Bali.
You show this manner to go against, just for the sake of it, even when you're completely wrong. And then you offer a fight, you silly boy.
Oct 9, 2012 1:57 PM
Oct 9, 2012 2:13 PM
10#8 Don't call me silly and don't call me boy, Mr "Staruch". I said "In Asia", not in "SE Asia", but I've chosen the route as OP express interest in SE in general. New-Delhi to East Papua is longer than anything you'll find in SA and prices are still cheaper. Prices has nothing to do with distances, but with specific market and demographics.
You are recently starting to play typical polish smarass, don't start it with me, as you might be surprised of the results.
Oct 9, 2012 2:21 PM
11OK everyone lets all calm down! ;-)
I was thinking the good old BsAs to Lima route would suit the OP.
This has the bonus of spend the majority of your time in Bolivia and Peru, cheap and fantastic, as well as going to Buenos Aires, my personal favourite city in SA, and Iguazu Falls, pretty much the most incredible sight in SA (very subjective I know......).
I don't think up to a couple of weeks in Argentina will destroy your budget if you do it as cheap as possible.
Edited by: Tryfan
Oct 9, 2012 4:42 PM
Oct 9, 2012 4:52 PM
Oct 9, 2012 5:04 PM
14Buenos Aires is extremely expensive city, not suitable for a budget of 800 GBP a month. 2 weeks on 400 GBP in Argentina? Not a chance, let's say OP will save some in cheaper countries but I would say you need 400 GBP a week, so that's double.
Iguazu can be also seen at the end of the trip and OP can fly out from Sao Paulo (twice cheaper flight from Iguazu to SA than BA).
My SP proposal is only for catching a flight back home purpose, one night in airport hotel and that's it, or simply transfering in GRU on same day if schedule allows
And as I've said adding South America will double the flight tickets
I would rather fly to Lima, it's also notably closer from Asia or Australia, so better for your miles on RDW
#12 OP has 6 months for Asia, Oceania and SA, not for SA alone!
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