So I’ve got a big trip planned for mid 2009! I’m BEYOND excited and am very fortunate to have family donating their air points to us to make the trip possible! Its my BIG OE without a doubt and I want to do as much as possible while I have the chance!
The flights over to Europe have been booked- which is exciting and scary at the same time – ie. ITS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!
Starting Location – Auckland, New Zealand
Leg one – Tokyo, JAPAN!
Leg two – stopover in Frankfurt, Germany
Destination – London Airport- UK
So we have 7 days in Japan during which I want to visit Harakjuku station and some more historical destinations around Japan – ie the old and the new! I didn’t expect to have this long there so its EXCITING and I’ll have to try not to spend all my “spending alowance'” for the trip in one go! haha
Two hour stop over in Frankfurt- hopefully we’ll make it back there cos I want to visit as many countries in Europe as possible!
London – I have friends and family in the UK so we hope to stay with friends while in the UK as much as possible, and make the measly NZ $$ go further!
At the moment we’re thinking of going to the following festivals where ever in Europe they are…
(if there’s other that fall between May and August let me know!!!!!):
The Love Parade
Glastonbury Festival
Qlimax
Sensation
etc etc..
HOWEVER
CONUNDRUM!!! We’ve not booked our tickets back yet and are currently thinking about this!
We were planning on coming back at the end of August so being away about 3 months and flying back via LA, then Melbourne (to see all our friends who’ve moved over there) then back to Auckland.
We’re thinking of possibly stopping over in both those places for a couple of days. If we can stay with friends in Melbourne that will help… and LA- I’ll try to organise that too if I can between now and then!
Now the end of August beginning of September is round about USA Labour Day at which time the “Burning Man Festival” happens in the Arazona NEVADA desert. (I’ve been dying to go for the last 3 years, since I learnt it existed!)
Its likely to run the 31st Aug to 6th of Sep from my calculaton atm (this years one is about to happen so 2009 dates are not out yet!)
The Question is – DO WE EXTEND THE HOLIDAY TO 3 AND A HALF MONTHS to catch the festival meaning we won’t get back till mid September OR miss it and come back end of August as planned. (and possibly regret it forever.) Our dates going over are booked already and I don’t really want to change them!
The main issue is how much EXTRA money we’d need to save up before hand for almost 4 months rather than just 3 ie extra accomodation costs, food etc and to cover our remaining expenses back home for that period! And getting jobs again on our return so we can pay the rent! I have a flatmate looking after the house but we’ll prolly pay our rent, power etc etc etc in advance so our calculations will have to be pretty accurate!)
TOUGH decision!
What do I doooooooooooooooooooooo!!
xx
Phlossie
Working in travel… I will give you this.
If there is one thing you want to do on the trip… DO IT!!!
We have so many people come in here and say about how great it was, BUT it could have been better if they had of done XXX (insert favourite thing here)
If you want to save money, prebook a contiki trip around the UK and Europe. They have some awesome itinerarys and can range up to 40+ days. You get transport, accommodation, some meals and you get to meet some cool people (who might know people for you to stay with)
I would highly reccommend it as a way to save money. Then you can spend extra on the part of the trip you really want to do.
This is a once in a lifetime trip. it is YOUR OE. YOUR holiday. you need to do the things that YOU want to do.
Sorry for all the caps.. I have no other way to get the point accross.
Good luck with your planning. You must be so excited.
Argh! my comment has not come through. I really hope it does.. Because I have forgotten it already. 🙁