Author Topic: Round the world trip (Read 4597 times)

mikek1984 · « **Reply #80 on:** August 11, 2007, 09:15:49 PM »

try the coke
its cheap and amazing

Rhi · « **Reply #81 on:** August 11, 2007, 09:20:00 PM »

Was waiting for that.

mikek1984 · « **Reply #82 on:** August 11, 2007, 09:26:03 PM »

im like the milkam, i never fail to deliver

lol

dante · « **Reply #83 on:** August 12, 2007, 12:17:25 AM »

Quote from: Rhi on August 11, 2007, 09:14:36 PM

Right - mates didnt want to do the trans-sib. Fair enough! So we've decided on something all of us want to do - tour South America. I've set them a deadline in early October for booking because if they back out I'm gonna do the trans-sib on my own!

Our plan is fly to Buenos Aires, then home from Caracas and circle South America clockwise. So we go Buenos Aires - Ushuaia/Cape Horn - Santiago - Lima - Caracas. Taking in the Iguassu Falls, Torres de Paine, Machu Picchu and Angel Falls etc along the route. Now to see how many of them have the guts to come!

Any advice/stories on South America? Thanks!

Some things I remember out of the top of my head now :

A good guide for Angel Falls expeditions is http://www.bernaltours.com/
A great guy and personal friend owns a eco explorer team for wildlife tours through the pantanal in brazil > http://www.pantanalecoexplorer.com.br/

A hidden gem in brazil is Bonito (beautiful in portuguese), where you *have* (I repeat, must) do the following cave tour > http://www.abismoanhumas.com.br/ , still one of the most memorable things I've done, ever.

Try to attend carnival while in Brazil, preferably in Salvador and nót in Rio (carnival in rio is for tourists, in salvador it's for the locals, that's a big difference)

If you're interested I can mail you recommended hostels and guides for about every place in the continent.
(darn i should write a book and make money out of this

)

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #84 on:** August 17, 2007, 02:12:06 PM »

Quote from: Rhi on August 11, 2007, 09:14:36 PM

Right - mates didnt want to do the trans-sib. Fair enough! So we've decided on something all of us want to do - tour South America. I've set them a deadline in early October for booking because if they back out I'm gonna do the trans-sib on my own!

Our plan is fly to Buenos Aires, then home from Caracas and circle South America clockwise. So we go Buenos Aires - Ushuaia/Cape Horn - Santiago - Lima - Caracas. Taking in the Iguassu Falls, Torres de Paine, Machu Picchu and Angel Falls etc along the route. Now to see how many of them have the guts to come!

Any advice/stories on South America? Thanks!

How long are you planning on going for?

Rhi · « **Reply #85 on:** August 17, 2007, 02:39:41 PM »

We're going for 6 weeks. mid May - late June 2008. We're pretty well organised up until we get to Santiago. It's getting from there to Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela that's proving tricky at the moment. Have you been?

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #86 on:** August 17, 2007, 02:53:41 PM »

Quote from: Rhi on August 17, 2007, 02:39:41 PM

We're going for 6 weeks. mid May - late June 2008. We're pretty well organised up until we get to Santiago. It's getting from there to Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela that's proving tricky at the moment. Have you been?

No i was just curious. Its something i plan on doing after ive done the round the world trip. Did look at including south/central america in the same trip but theres so much to see i thought it was probably better to do it seperately.

Do you think you will find 6 weeks to be long enough?

You'll have to post when you get back any tips etc!

Rhi · « **Reply #87 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:13:20 PM »

I dont really think 6 weeks is ideal to be honest - no! But as studnets we cant really afford to just up and go for the whole summer. And I know I've been in Uni long enough already without taking another full year out to do a proper RTW! So we're settling for doing it a bit at a time!

However, in saying that we do seem to have enough time in each of the places we want to visit. We're missing out Brazil and all the little North Eastern countries. We also probably wont have time to do any serious trekking - but I think we'll have plenty of time to see the sights (the ones we really want to see anyway) and enjoy the whole thing without having to rush it.

Going into STA tomorrow to see someone about it. But Journey Latin America seem to be the most helpful lot so far.

Hows your planning going?

Ste G · « **Reply #88 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:26:58 PM »

Quote from: Grobbelrevell on July 19, 2007, 04:51:19 PM

New Zealand
•   Queenstown
•   Milford Sound (Glaciers)
•   Dunedin (Cadbury World/Speights brewery)
•   Franz Josef Glacier (one of only three glacier’s in the world that flow directly into a rainforest)
•   Kaikoura (Swim with dolphins)
•   Auckland
•   Te Wahipounami (National Park)

Revised:

New Zealand
Auckland to Queenstown by Campervan/Car inc. Milford Sound (Glaciers),
90 Mile Beach,Te Wahipounami (National Park)

I've just got back from 2 months in NZ.

I recommend:

Whale/dolphin watching Kaikoura
Franz Josef Glacier walk (Or helihike if you can afford it)
Stop off at Lake Tekapo on your way to Queenstown for the sunset and skywatching - the air here is so clear. Never thought I'd be interested in star gazing but this was really good.

That said, I'd miss out Queenstown altogether unless you're dead set on going skiing. It's expensive and there are much cheaper places to go bungee jumping and all the rest of it. Depends what you're after I suppose.

Don't spend too much time in Auckland - there is nothing to see. Just a big city, no character, no identity. The Chelsea FC of world cities - quite cosmopolitan, very commercial, up its own arse and not very popular with the rest of the country. Useful to arrive and depart but if you're mainly doing stuff in the South Island then try to fly into Christchurch. Dunedin is a nice little city, and has the added attraction of being home to Penguins and New Zealand Sea Lions (In the wild, not a zoo) if you like that kind of thing.

Also, I found the Milford Sound a little overrated. If you have the time and money go to Doubtful Sound instead. Less tourists and it's more remote which makes it a lot more of an adventure. Milford Sound is spectacular, but not worthy of all the many superlatives for me.

Need any advice just ask

Couple of pics for you:

El Phes · « **Reply #89 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:42:35 PM »

Great idea mate and make sure you go through with it, it will be the best thing you've ever done. I was lucky enough to be made redundant from my job of 10 years and got a hefty payout and went travelling with my now wife! We went round the world for a year back in 1999.

Here's my trip....starting Jan and ending Dec

Brazil (Rio / Igaccu Falls)
Peru (Lima / Cusco / Inca Trail / Macchu Pichu)
West Coat USA (LA / San Diego / San Fran / Las Vegas / Grand Canyon)
Hawaii
Fiji (Beachcomber Island, picture enclosed!!!! Shark Dive) http://www.beachcomberfiji.com/
New Zealand (both South Island and North Island, travelled in campervan, Skydive / Bungee etc)
Oz (East Coast / Darwin / Kakadu / Ayres Rock etc etc etc!)
Indonisia
Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Hong Kong
Nepal
India
Goa
Home

Brilliant time, spent loads, met loads of people, in fact we still see our Danish friends that we met every year. Feel free to PM me for more info, too much to write on here, I don't mind speaking with you on the phone!

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #90 on:** August 17, 2007, 04:01:51 PM »

Quote from: Rhi on August 17, 2007, 03:13:20 PM

I dont really think 6 weeks is ideal to be honest - no! But as studnets we cant really afford to just up and go for the whole summer. And I know I've been in Uni long enough already without taking another full year out to do a proper RTW! So we're settling for doing it a bit at a time!

However, in saying that we do seem to have enough time in each of the places we want to visit. We're missing out Brazil and all the little North Eastern countries. We also probably wont have time to do any serious trekking - but I think we'll have plenty of time to see the sights (the ones we really want to see anyway) and enjoy the whole thing without having to rush it.

Going into STA tomorrow to see someone about it. But Journey Latin America seem to be the most helpful lot so far.

Hows your planning going?

Yea its going well so far. Got plenty of time to sort out the final itinary etc as well as we cant really book until feb/march next year apparently so! We went into STA and they were really helpful, almost too helpful in fact as they ended up giving us so much more info and advice that we kind of re-thought most of our trip!

They were really good though, they had all actually been on similar trips so were giving you advice based on experience rather than from reading brochures so i would def recommend them.

Know what you mean about the time issue though. Luckily ive finished uni etc so i want to do this now before i get committed to something and dont get round to it!

I hope you have an awesome time - which im sure you will by the sounds of it - and if your mates back out, screw them. You'll have an awesome time on your own either way!

Let us know how it goes...

El Phes · « **Reply #91 on:** August 29, 2007, 12:37:48 PM »

Don't worry about thanking me for my 5 page 1/2 hour reply to your PM to further share my knowledge of travelling.....I love helping complete strangers without thanks

Tam · « **Reply #92 on:** August 29, 2007, 04:28:53 PM »

Been playing with the idea of doing this for a while but recently ive decided im definetly going to do this in Dec 08 or jan/feb 09. This thread is great.

I wanna see more of Africa and didnt really think about going over to America (North or South). Which would be better to see and what places in Africa would be the best to check out?

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #93 on:** September 20, 2007, 01:59:16 PM »

Quote from: El Phes on August 29, 2007, 12:37:48 PM

Don't worry about thanking me for my 5 page 1/2 hour reply to your PM to further share my knowledge of travelling.....I love helping complete strangers without thanks

Sent you a pm mate. Sorry about the delay in replying to it - wasnt due to a lack of appreciation!

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #94 on:** September 20, 2007, 02:07:39 PM »

Quote from: Tam on August 29, 2007, 04:28:53 PM

Been playing with the idea of doing this for a while but recently ive decided im definetly going to do this in Dec 08 or jan/feb 09. This thread is great.

I wanna see more of Africa and didnt really think about going over to America (North or South). Which would be better to see and what places in Africa would be the best to check out?

Ditto mate, i was looking at this since i left college in 2002 but put it off and went uni instead. Following uni (2005) i looked in to it again - and again i left it thinking "ill defo do it one day..."

So many i speak to all say that, some a lot older than me who have still not got round to it, so i would not want to end up being the same cos i know that id regret it big time.

Id definately advise you to go for it mate, so much more to see in the world, and the experiences, im sure, you will hold for life.

In relation to your question, i think it depends on what your looking for when your travelling with North/South america. As in, if your looking for scenery, wildlife and something different then id def go for south america (im planning on doing this as a seperate trip after this main one cos i dont want to rush it by trying to fit it in) whereas if your looking for more lively and westernised, such as more socially aimed then obviously north america is a good option.

Personally i just want to see them both, and experience all the different aspects of places.

Africa is another place that i would love to see in more detail, as ive mentioned id like to make my own way through africa - just not convinced about the safety aspect, although i may well be overestimating the issues with this.

Only places ive been in africa personally have been on safari in Kenya etc - which i would recommend to anyone. Totally different to watching the shows on the tv. Seeing the way people live there as well is extremely eye opening.

We stayed in Mombasa for some of our time there and did a 5 day excursion to the masai mara - which is amazing. Was lucky to be there at the time of the migration of the wilderbeast so spent a lot of time tracking them and watching them crossing the river (full of hungry crocodiles and hippos) into the serengeti. I found the accomodation generally very comfortable as well and the people were very friendly. Where we stayed was in like a permanent tent camp along the river bank. We woke up most mornings to the sound of Hippo's in the river as well as monkeys dropping in to steal your sugar cubes!! Can't wait to go back and see that again - for longer this time though.

Hows your planning etc going?

Looks like your planning on leaving same time as us - might see you on the way round mate!

dante · « **Reply #95 on:** September 20, 2007, 02:42:33 PM »

Quote from: Grobbelrevell on September 20, 2007, 02:07:39 PM

Ditto mate, i was looking at this since i left college in 2002 but put it off and went uni instead. Following uni (2005) i looked in to it again - and again i left it thinking "ill defo do it one day..."

So many i speak to all say that, some a lot older than me who have still not got round to it, so i would not want to end up being the same cos i know that id regret it big time.

Id definately advise you to go for it mate, so much more to see in the world, and the experiences, im sure, you will hold for life.

In relation to your question, i think it depends on what your looking for when your travelling with North/South america. As in, if your looking for scenery, wildlife and something different then id def go for south america (im planning on doing this as a seperate trip after this main one cos i dont want to rush it by trying to fit it in) whereas if your looking for more lively and westernised, such as more socially aimed then obviously north america is a good option.

Personally i just want to see them both, and experience all the different aspects of places.

Africa is another place that i would love to see in more detail, as ive mentioned id like to make my own way through africa - just not convinced about the safety aspect, although i may well be overestimating the issues with this.

Only places ive been in africa personally have been on safari in Kenya etc - which i would recommend to anyone. Totally different to watching the shows on the tv. Seeing the way people live there as well is extremely eye opening.

We stayed in Mombasa for some of our time there and did a 5 day excursion to the masai mara - which is amazing. Was lucky to be there at the time of the migration of the wilderbeast so spent a lot of time tracking them and watching them crossing the river (full of hungry crocodiles and hippos) into the serengeti. I found the accomodation generally very comfortable as well and the people were very friendly. Where we stayed was in like a permanent tent camp along the river bank. We woke up most mornings to the sound of Hippo's in the river as well as monkeys dropping in to steal your sugar cubes!! Can't wait to go back and see that again - for longer this time though.

Hows your planning etc going?

Looks like your planning on leaving same time as us - might see you on the way round mate!

so that was YOUR movie with the gator, buffalo's etc that went around youtube

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #96 on:** September 20, 2007, 02:49:28 PM »

Quote from: dante on September 20, 2007, 02:42:33 PM

so that was YOUR movie with the gator, buffalo's etc that went around youtube

Unfortunately not - that i am aware of at least!

Rhi · « **Reply #97 on:** September 23, 2007, 10:25:27 PM »

Good news! Booked most of our trip to South America on saturday morning!

We're flying into Buenos Aires, quick dash between airports to get a flight down to El Calafate. Have a few days down there (it'll be freezing cold!) and see the Glacier National Park, and specifically the Perito Moreno glacier. Then fly back up to Iguassu Falls - a good few days up there (cant wait for this bit of the trip - lets hope it's not a dry year!). Then back down on the bus to Buenos Aires for a few days of chilling out and seeing the sights/architecture/nightlife. Then fly across to Lima, down to Lake Titicaca, then Cuzco, Machu Picchu and back to Lima then home. 4 weeks. It's not long, but for now it's all that we can do. We might add on another little bit at the end too - depending on how money is looking nearer the time.

I cant wait!

dante · « **Reply #98 on:** September 24, 2007, 10:45:49 AM »

Quote from: Rhi on September 23, 2007, 10:25:27 PM

Good news! Booked most of our trip to South America on saturday morning!

We're flying into Buenos Aires, quick dash between airports to get a flight down to El Calafate. Have a few days down there (it'll be freezing cold!) and see the Glacier National Park, and specifically the Perito Moreno glacier. Then fly back up to Iguassu Falls - a good few days up there (cant wait for this bit of the trip - lets hope it's not a dry year!). Then back down on the bus to Buenos Aires for a few days of chilling out and seeing the sights/architecture/nightlife. Then fly across to Lima, down to Lake Titicaca, then Cuzco, Machu Picchu and back to Lima then home. 4 weeks. It's not long, but for now it's all that we can do. We might add on another little bit at the end too - depending on how money is looking nearer the time.

I cant wait!

sweet

i would say two days for iguassu is enough: a day for the brazilian side, a day for the argie side. Add a day if you want to see the itaipu dam or hop over the bridge to paraguay (nothing to see in the border town, but plenty of cheap electronics)

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #99 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:38:03 AM »

Quote from: Rhi on September 23, 2007, 10:25:27 PM

Good news! Booked most of our trip to South America on saturday morning!

We're flying into Buenos Aires, quick dash between airports to get a flight down to El Calafate. Have a few days down there (it'll be freezing cold!) and see the Glacier National Park, and specifically the Perito Moreno glacier. Then fly back up to Iguassu Falls - a good few days up there (cant wait for this bit of the trip - lets hope it's not a dry year!). Then back down on the bus to Buenos Aires for a few days of chilling out and seeing the sights/architecture/nightlife. Then fly across to Lima, down to Lake Titicaca, then Cuzco, Machu Picchu and back to Lima then home. 4 weeks. It's not long, but for now it's all that we can do. We might add on another little bit at the end too - depending on how money is looking nearer the time.

I cant wait!

Sounds good!

Whan do you go? I really want to visit machu pichu - youll have to post your experiences! On a slightly odd note - the architecture in buenos aires is supposed to be spectacular (including the grave yards?).

South America is my second planned trip so im slightly envious of you going!

Hope you enjoy it!

dante · « **Reply #100 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:41:09 AM »

Quote from: Grobbelrevell on September 25, 2007, 08:38:03 AM

the architecture in buenos aires is supposed to be spectacular (including the grave yards?).

u mean recoleta cemetary, where evita peron is buried.
well worth seeing (the graveyard), evita's grave isn't much to speak of, but there's plenty of crazy pyramids and other worshipping architecture around.

Rhi · « **Reply #101 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:28:51 PM »

Going on May the 25th. I left enough time to account for any possible trip to Moscow before hand

.

Yeah, heard that Buenos Aires has some spectacular buildings. Cant wait to just wander around and take it all in! Need to start learning some spanish now! Arrgh! Scary!

Hows your planning going?

Thanks for the advice re: Iguassu, dante! We think we'll have 2 days there, then leave in the afternoon of day 3 for Buenos Aires.

Walshy7 · « **Reply #102 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:37:22 PM »

done this 4 years ago with the missus.

Nz fantastic, and i loved the whole place , especially auckland
fiji, kuata is much nicer than beachcomber and a bit less commercial
Thaliand, heaven, phi phi will of changed now though since tsunami
aus, get yourself to byron bay
us, la is cool
canada, fucking cold!!!

best year of my life, hope that helps!!

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #103 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:48:05 PM »

Quote from: Walshy7 on September 25, 2007, 03:37:22 PM

done this 4 years ago with the missus.

Nz fantastic, and i loved the whole place , especially auckland
fiji, kuata is much nicer than beachcomber and a bit less commercial
Thaliand, heaven, phi phi will of changed now though since tsunami
aus, get yourself to byron bay
us, la is cool
canada, fucking cold!!!

best year of my life, hope that helps!!

Any input is appreciated mate!

Just out of interest, did you (or anyone) find it difficult coming back home after going away for that amount of time, with the freedom and everything?

Cant help thinking that i wont want to come back at the end of it, and will end up looking to relocate somewhere permanently.

Quote from: Rhi on September 25, 2007, 03:28:51 PM

Going on May the 25th. I left enough time to account for any possible trip to Moscow before hand .

Yeah, heard that Buenos Aires has some spectacular buildings. Cant wait to just wander around and take it all in! Need to start learning some spanish now! Arrgh! Scary!

Hows your planning going?

Thanks for the advice re: Iguassu, dante! We think we'll have 2 days there, then leave in the afternoon of day 3 for Buenos Aires.

I like your thinking! Never can be too careful!

Its going great, pretty much decided as far as we want to be now ( i dont want to overplan it if you see what i mean). Just focussed on saving as much as possible now, and waiting for march next year so we can get the flights booked!

Cant wait to have a date to look forward to!

Walshy7 · « **Reply #104 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:54:28 PM »

Very hard coming back, but only lasts a few weeks

We werent married then and always talked about going back but things happen and we are now married and have a child!!

we are however 2 years in to a 7 year plan to emigrate to australia permanently, pisses over this hole all day long.

Walshy7 · « **Reply #105 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:57:40 PM »

I worked for 6 months at a place called peters of kensington in sydney, if you need cash, head here, they employ a load of english and irish backpackers and pay cash in hand!! birds on the shop floor and blokes down in the stores, earnt a rake of cash around xmas and then fucked off up the coast in a van.

Met a load of mates here and had a great little group all living around Bondi, working and drinking together, mates with loads of them still now.

What a year!!!

kop end lad · « **Reply #106 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:08:52 PM »

I gotta stop reading this thread, im starting to get the travel bug again but am now looking into a part rent part buy place.

AAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh.

I really fancy 4/5 weeks in south america too.

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #107 on:** September 26, 2007, 08:24:50 AM »

Quote from: kop end lad on September 25, 2007, 06:08:52 PM

I gotta stop reading this thread, im starting to get the travel bug again but am now looking into a part rent part buy place.

AAAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh.

I really fancy 4/5 weeks in south america too.

I was as close as you can be to commiting to a mortgage on a 50% ownership place where i live as well about 6 months ago (this was before we were seriously considering travelling). It was a little one bed flat, dont get me wrong it was quite nice - but it was tiny and i was going to max myself out on a ONE BED FLAT, only actually owning HALF of it.

Luckily it fell through cos the owner put the price up, so we didnt go through with it. Im so thankful now that she did else i could be sat here with a mortgage and skint with no hope of this happening.

Not trying to put you off obviously!

Quote from: Walshy7 on September 25, 2007, 04:54:28 PM

Very hard coming back, but only lasts a few weeks

We werent married then and always talked about going back but things happen and we are now married and have a child!!

we are however 2 years in to a 7 year plan to emigrate to australia permanently, pisses over this hole all day long.

Thought it might be.

I filled out a questionnaire to determine if i would be eligible to emigrate to OZ or NZ and was told a resounding "no" (mainly because my profession - IT - is not classed as skilled, and due to my lack of work experience). Im guessing the best route to this would be to try and sort a job out there first and apply based on that..?

I know the grass isnt always greener and all that, but i agree. I will move abroad permanently at some point after ive done travelling.

Thanks for the tip about the job in sydney as well! We'll be looking to work for a bit in OZ to top up funds so ill give that place a try.

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #108 on:** July 14, 2008, 08:29:41 AM »

Finally booked all the flights on Saturday.

Because its still a way off yet we're having to go back in September time to finalise the specific dates for the majority of it (which have been booked for dummy dates at the minute).

Couldnt get Kenya in to the trip either as it was going to cause a right pain and around 700 extra for a week. Anyway, compromised and added India in as the extra flight for the end of the trip.

Flight plan is as follows:

Depart March 7th 2009;

London --> LA (Around 5-6 weeks. Booking hostal for the first 2-3 nights then hiring a car and driving the west coast)
LA --> Christchurch (NZ) (2-3 months. Hiring/buying a camper to make our own way round)
Auckland --> Sydney (3-4 months. Planing on working here for a while if needed) Make our own way to Cairns then internal flight from Cairns back to Sydney for departure
Sydney --> Singapore
Singapore --> Beijing (Not staying at Singapore here flying straight back out to Beijing then making our own way back from Beijing to Singapore, including passing through vietnam - which i cant wait for! - this is going to be a mission by the looks of it but im looking forward to this the most)
Singapore --> Delhi (2 week trip including excursion to Taj mahal and Tiger safari)
Delhi --> London (March 2010)

Just feels real now that its booked. Cant wait

ashy9 · « **Reply #109 on:** July 14, 2008, 09:49:28 AM »

Lucky bugger I remember when I got my flights finalised........bloody over the moon I was!

Seeing as though you're coming to Oz try and make it over west, the northern part has got deserted beaches to die for!!! Also Ninagloo Reef which is north west is accessible from the beach rather than Great Barrier where they charge you a fortune for the boat trips out to it!

You'll be fine going through Vietnam, I travelled almost the length of Viet a couple of years ago and I'd recommend it to anyone!

Note to self: Must stop reading these threads as the itchy feet syndrome is getting too much to bear!!!

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #110 on:** July 14, 2008, 12:21:47 PM »

Quote from: ashy9 on July 14, 2008, 09:49:28 AM

Seeing as though you're coming to Oz try and make it over west, the northern part has got deserted beaches to die for!!! Also Ninagloo Reef which is north west is accessible from the beach rather than Great Barrier where they charge you a fortune for the boat trips out to it!

Yea heard that Cairns in general is not what its cracked up to be. Will go and see for myself but if we get a chance will probably do a bit of travelling around Oz.

Be a trek from east to west coast though i bet? How many days would that take if you drove it?

Narf · « **Reply #111 on:** July 14, 2008, 01:44:38 PM »

I'd deffo recommend the west coast. It's a fair old drive though. Probably about 5/6 days. You can get cheap enough flights tho.

Nice trip you've planned. I'd love to have a couple more months traveling asia. Ah jealousy....

ashy9 · « **Reply #112 on:** July 14, 2008, 02:04:40 PM »

Quote from: Grobbelrevell on July 14, 2008, 12:21:47 PM

Yea heard that Cairns in general is not what its cracked up to be. Will go and see for myself but if we get a chance will probably do a bit of travelling around Oz.

Be a trek from east to west coast though i bet? How many days would that take if you drove it?

If you have a road worthy vehicle you can cross the Nullaboor from adelaide to perth. Its supposed to be an amazing trip through the desert and very straight, if you motor you could defo do it in about three days...so I've been told!

Cairns isn't the best, very touristy, but it depends on what you're after. I spent xmas 05 in a camper on Ningaloo and the place was nigh on deserted, most amazing sunsets I've ever seen and kangaroos jumping across the dunes. Sat there with a beer and bbq food and that was the moment I fell in love with Australia - amazing place.

To be honest though I'd go to both as the great barrier reef is incredible but I made the mistake of going to Ningaloo first and was a bit spoiled by then!

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #113 on:** July 14, 2008, 02:15:30 PM »

Quote from: ashy9 on July 14, 2008, 02:04:40 PM

If you have a road worthy vehicle you can cross the Nullaboor from adelaide to perth. Its supposed to be an amazing trip through the desert and very straight, if you motor you could defo do it in about three days...so I've been told!

Cairns isn't the best, very touristy, but it depends on what you're after. I spent xmas 05 in a camper on Ningaloo and the place was nigh on deserted, most amazing sunsets I've ever seen and kangaroos jumping across the dunes. Sat there with a beer and bbq food and that was the moment I fell in love with Australia - amazing place.

To be honest though I'd go to both as the great barrier reef is incredible but I made the mistake of going to Ningaloo first and was a bit spoiled by then!

When did you go to Ningaloo (if you dont mind me asking)?

ashy9 · « **Reply #114 on:** July 14, 2008, 02:55:32 PM »

Quote from: Grobbelrevell on July 14, 2008, 02:15:30 PM

When did you go to Ningaloo (if you dont mind me asking)?

I said above xmas 05!!! I now live in Perth though and know lots of people that have been up there recently and thankfully the tourist hordes are still not there! Its always warm up there but they have cyclone season which I think is around january. You can also swim with whale sharks up there but that's a bit later in the year around may.

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #115 on:** July 14, 2008, 03:08:00 PM »

Quote from: ashy9 on July 14, 2008, 02:55:32 PM

I said above xmas 05!!!

So you did

Sorry!

Thanks for the info

ashy9 · « **Reply #116 on:** July 14, 2008, 03:19:00 PM »

No worries if you need anymore info on Perth/WA just PM me.

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #117 on:** January 22, 2009, 08:54:19 PM »

44 days till we shall be leaving these green and pleasant shores

Cant work out whether im excited or just plain shitting myself...

Andyb · « **Reply #118 on:** January 22, 2009, 10:45:43 PM »

i seem to remember sending you a PM about this trip ages ago, hope it goes well, i am still at STA if you need help / advice,

let me know if i can help

stevie h g · « **Reply #119 on:** January 23, 2009, 09:47:30 AM »

Quote from: Fiend on July 22, 2007, 03:40:40 PM

Yes. Thats what I did and it's way better than going with other people. Dont worry about getting lonely or whatever. Backpackers are a friendly breed as are the locals. You have far more independance. I wouldn't regard myself as being particularly social but found no problems talking to people. You end up having mad adventures - hanging out with people for a few days and then saying goodbye, never to see them again.

Is absolutely spot on - you can deceide if you want to change your plans without having to consider other people's wishes. Don't worry about meeting people, most travellers are friendly and there are lots of people travelling alone. One downside is that a single hotel room usually costs considerably more than sharing a double room.