Reality got in the way! Urgent decision needed between 2 gap years!

[seaneking]

Hi everyone, I'm new here (and to traveling), and already have a problem.

So I had my gap year plan all set, but then reality got in the way and I suddenly realized it was totally unrealistic on my budget. I've redone my itinerary, and have reserved two bookings. Catch is, I need to decide (and book) one by tomorrow!!

Here are the options:

1) SE Asia -> India -> Home
- This means staying for 6 months in SE Asia and India, which is a long time. But if I were stay still for longer in SE Asia (a beach bungalow for a month sounds good) and visit more of India and surrounding areas (are Bangladesh and Nepal safe?), etc. It's doable.
- $1770 + $880 insurance

2) SE Asia -> Eastern Europe(ish) area (Croatia, Istanbul, Egypt, etc.) ->India -> Home
- I have some relatives that I can stay with and sponge off throughout croatia, and I hear that Istanbul, Cairo, and surrounding areas are rather cheap?
- $2770 +$880 insurace


So what do you guys reckon? Is it feasible to do option 1 and throw in Eastern Europe on the fly if I decide to? Is Eastern Europe cheap, or worth the extra monetary risk?

[Prawn_86]

Hi Seane,

Welcome to ATF :)

Firstly, what is your budget? (If you want to say). And have you travelled much before?

6 months in SE Asia would be amazing personally. But you would need to be a pretty laid back kind of guy to get used to the way things run in Asia.

[seaneking]

Well I have approx 11-12k savings (after expenses of flights and insurance) to play with, and I'll have established some small off shore income with online ventures. I was originally planning to do western Europe as well by saving up money from working for two months in the UK (Ha!).

I haven't traveled much before.

I think that laid back sort of living would be good for me, a chance to take a break and get fully immersed in the culture. Visas in SE Asia would be a bit of a concern (most are only for 30 days, unless pre-applied).

So you think option 1 would be best? It would be cheaper living I assume (living 'slowly'), I would still like to see Europe, but maybe I could wing it and get there during the year if I feel like it? I was thinking Europe would act as a 'break' between the hard travelling/culture shock of India and SE Asia....but sounds like SE Asia might not be that tough travelling

And what about 6 months in India? I assume that you could easily spend a year or more exploring all of India?

[Prawn_86]

I have ahd a close friend go through India, and she said it was stunning. I have heard however, that of any Asian country, you probably get the most culture shock in India.

With that sort of $ to spend you may have time to do a quick trip over to Europe to break up your Asian part, as you said

[Traveller]

So what do you guys reckon? Is it feasible to do option 1 and throw in Eastern Europe on the fly if I decide to? Is Eastern Europe cheap, or worth the extra monetary risk?

Personally I'd do the eastern europe option. It is a hard slog doing both SE Asia and India for an extended period and it would be nice to break it up. India is a love it or hate it place. Eastern Europe is amazing, even if you are really only doing the Eastern Mediterranean.

Croatia is expensive, tourist areas are more expensive than Australian but if you have people to stay with it should be affordable. Turkey is very affordable and a great country to visit. I haven't been to Egypt but it has been recommended by many people, and not just for the pyramids. Don't forgot Syria, it is high on my list of places to go next.

I did a year on a comparable budget so if you are careful it should be fine.

[seaneking]

That's great to hear about the budget, I was getting a bit worried there for a moment.

At the moment my biggest concern is that India for 6 months will be too much for me, I think SE Asia should be fine. I went on Kingfisher airlines earlier, and a return ticket from Mumbai to London is a bit over $1000 aud, so I could even choose option one and throw in Europe later if need be.

Another thought that crossed my mind, why not just buy a one way ticket to Bangkok and make it up as I go from there? that way if I tire of a place, or want to stay longer, it doesn't really matter. Only thing is, do you need evidence of onward travel? Can I just rock up on a border with a one way ticket and do as I please??

[seaneking]

Okay so I've done the (il)logical thing and not chosen either option, instead I dumped my travel agent! I'm going to wing it with one way tickets around the world (or at least asia) instead!

I realized the onward travel issue would affect my other two options as well, so why not make it up as I go instead? I'm just going to buy an el cheapo ticket out of thailand to anywhere, and prob not even use it (think of it as a $35 insurance policy).

Thanks for the advice guys! I'm thinking it's going to be an awesome year :D