Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom to share? I am planning to go around the world once I have graduated. I'm planning on taking a year out from Oct 2002-July 2003.

I am thinking of spending Christmas and New Year in Australia, then going to Asia- Bali,
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia etc, then South America, backpack up the West
Coast of the US, end up in Vancouver and then fly back to the UK.

Does anyone have any tips on planning the trip, suggestions, recommendations etc? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

Estelle (Estelle_Lear@hotmail.com)

I think budgeting is always a pain, so:
1. Work out all the unavoidable extra costs (flights, visas, courses you want to go on, treks you want to do, diving, etc etc)
2. Work out per day amount for each country and each region of the country you're visiting separatley and guss at approximately how long in each.
3. Add on an amount for splurges - souvenirs, nice meals out, whatever.
4. Use a realistic per day amount from a guidebook - not many people would enjoy a trip with the rock bottom budgets and nothing added on for extras.
5. Take figure you come up with as a minumim.
Also, get things like e-mail addresses for your doctors surgery and bank manager, and maybe a reliable familly freind/aunt. e-mail yourself your insurance policy details.
Make sure you tell your bank what you're up to, it's not necessary BUT they'll love you for it.
Get the vaccinations stuff sorted out as early as possible.
Try to avoid buying things specially for your trip. Other than decent footwear and backpack and medical kit, the rest you'll buy more cheaply when you're there.

1. Decide on the places you like to go and a timescale ( a pain but you will need one initially to get your RTW ticket, you can rearrange dates later when necessary). This is mainly for your airports but you can detour if additional countries along the way takes your fancy.

Eg. Fly to Sydney, Darwin to Bali, Jakarta to Singapore, Bangkok to where ever. I flew only when necessary as I wanted to see more of the countries by travelling overland.

2. Vaccinations, get the necessary ones plus ones which may be of use like meningitus, rabies, hep A & B etc. Speak to your doctor.

3. Money! I didn't bother with travellers cheques as they are not universally accepted plus you tend to get crap rates. I got cash from ATMs mainly (they are everywhere) but banks charge generally 2.75% but if you are from the UK then I understand Nationwide do not charge at all. Take a VISA card as emergency and I always had a stash of $200US for ultra emergencies. I only took money out when ever I needed it rather like at home though you may have to get a bit more at times if you go into remote regions. Make sure your bank card is acceptable either with a VISA, Maestro, Cirrus sign on the back. Also make sure you have emergency numbers from your bank with reverse charge facilities as you don't want to pay overseas rates listening to crap hold music.

3. Buy travel insurance!

4. Kit, a semi decent pack and a small pack for day to day. I suggest one where you can open like a suitcase rather than top load as there are times when you need something in the middle of the pack when you are on the road. Buy a few pad locks and a small chain for general security. A rain cover is also very useful. Other stuff like sleep bags boots etc are a lot cheaper in Asia and Australia (if you are from the UK) so I'll buy stuff when you are out there instead. again, don't take too much. A big bag is useful in case you need the room but pack to small bag proportions. Sewing kit is also very handy.

5. Guides books are great for maps but you can generally get them when out there and trade them as you go around.

6. Tactics, Work to LOCAL prices as that is what everyone else pays for the same things/services. DO NOT convert back to UK pound even if it sounds cheap because invariably, they are ripping you off. You wouldn't dream of going to say, Germany and pay the equivalent of $10 for an ice cream. The prices should reflect the cost of living.

Finally, enjoy your trip.