Hedonist continued

[lifelearner]

Thanks to all who responded (16/09/04). I am sooooooo going to do it! Any one got any tips on RTW trips?

[Sylday]

A few points:

1. I'm not sure you've said how you will be travelling. But assuming you'll be flying the long-haul legs, don't be too fixated on actually going Round the World. You might finish up doing a lot of flying, and seeing big cities, but not get out into the country too much. If you buy a RTW ticket, try at least to get one which leaves gaps for you to fill in overland (and sea) - eg flying into Bangkok, and out of Singapore; into Sydney and out of Perth; or into Cape Town, and out of Harare.

2. That said, don't be the sort of traveller who almost entirely neglects big cities. Often, the capitals, not the wildernesses, are where you see the real face of a country, unattractive though that might be on occasion.

3. With great respect, try not to be as upfront and brash as your language indicated when you first posed your Question here. You are clearly a go-getting young person, but some qualities (enterprise, know-how etc) much admired in the West are less appreciated in other parts of the world. Almost certainly, there will be times when you are brought down to earth with a bang, and it will hurt less if you don't have too far to fall.

[lifelearner]

Thanks for the response. I think I will buy my tickets as I go, so that things are more flexible and that i can see more of the countries I go to. I plan also to go these big cities mainly. And to respond #3. My parents were not born in the West so completely understand what you talk about here. No worries. I was merely asking a direct question to get direct answers.

[Sylday]

Thanks for your appreciation, especially re my rather personal comments at #3! Buying your tickets as you go certainly would be best, though it might work out more expensive than buying them beforehand; but bear in mind that there are a few countries which may want to check if you have an onward or homeward ticket before they let you in - especially if you look unkempt and shabby. Bon Voyage.

[buchanan]

I did the big OE and had the time of my life. The travelling was great but my top tip is to stop and work somewhere too - you get the time to experience a place and culture in a much deeper way. Have a plan for when you get back - it took me ages to re-orientate and decide what I wanted to do next. A course bought me time to do this.

[lifelearner]

Buchanen: OE? what's this? If this is a RTW trip, how much did you spend? and how long did you go for? where did you go? I am a fashion designer so want to experience as much culture as possible ( and bring back some fabrics, meet manufacturers etc etc) so my priorities I guess will be big cities/ fashion capitals. I have a plan when I get back- to set up my own label with all this information I would have picked up along the way. Sylday, have a look at my post "Oh my Laudy" in the money section. You seem a bit more mature, so perhaps you could give me some advice! Thanks