Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Dec 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
If you had one month, £1000 and need some sun. Where would you go ?

I am seriously in need of some winter sun & fun.

I have wangled 4-5 weeks off work in January and really don't want to waste it by sitting in front of my laptop moaning about being cold and miserable.

Problem is, I'm saving for another trip so I've given myself a £1000 total budget. I was going to go to Buenos Aires or Thailand but the flights are REALLY expensive and will wipe out my budget in one go.

It doesn't have to be a bike trip at all. Actually, I think I'd prefer it not to be. It just has to be WARM and SUNNY with stuff to do for a month.


Any ideas ??

I am currently considering the Canary Islands (Tenerife) for some Scuba diving. Maybe hiring a small bike over there to zip about on.

I really need to do this on £1000 for EVERYTHING.... For ONE month.

CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERS
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Dec 2011
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
How much diving are you planning to do after paying your airfare, lodging, food, local transport and (dare I suggest) out of that thousand pounds? Yuh, that's what I thought.

Seems to me your choices are North Africa (budget flights to Morocco, which will be chilly but the sun will be visible at times), West Africa (The Gambia by charter flight, then surface transport to Casamance and onwards), Tenerife....or drive to southern Turkey.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,102
Def Gambia by charter flight. I did much the same when I had three weeks spare some years ago. You'll get some serious sun and if you get out of the tourist areas your remaining money will go a lot further.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Dec 2011
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
Hi Ted
Yes Thailand for that length of time is possibly just about do-able, I don't think you could get in too much diving on that budget tho or 'evening' entertainment!.
Tenerife, I would think that you must be joking unless you are gonna use an Hammock for accomodation and refill scuba tanks from fuel station airlines.
If you can manage Tenerife, , accom, and scuba on a grand, then I think your talents are wasted and you should become The Chancellor of the Exchequer.
How about Laos. Cambodia Vietnam, downside like Thai is flight costs at £550 upwards, but cheaper living once there.
Good luck and keep us posted in whatever you decide.
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 339
How about taking your new Citroen to Morocco / Western Sahara, chip as chips once you get there, sleep in the back, wild camp, spend a few weeks along the coast, tarmac to Zagora etc.

At 50mpg, I think you could have a trip for a £1000
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
If you take your van to north Africa how about asking if anybody wants a lift for themselves and bike and share the cost, that would cut the price of getting there in half.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Dec 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
I think I'm a bit 'Afri-knackerd' at the moment. It's a FANTASTIC continent and I've barely scratched the surface but I do fancy a different continent.

LOTS of people are saying "INDIA"...... I'm looking into it. I would like a nice hostel scene with lots of people to meet. I'm a social person and will be travelling solo, so that's important to me.

I think the Canary islands can be done cheap. The winner here is that the return flight is less than £100 and hostels are available for under a tenner a night. I'd happily cook myself and I only want to do a few dives. Just to keep my hand in.

I'm really HATING having a job. It really gets in the way of my social/travel life...
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I am off to India at the start of January for the first time in 16 years and from what I can gather you can still manage quite well on £100 a week all in. Get your ticket quick as prices for January are going up as they sell out.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Dec 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,654
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I am off to India at the start of January for the first time in 16 years and from what I can gather you can still manage quite well on £100 a week all in. Get your ticket quick as prices for January are going up as they sell out.
Yeah.. I think I'm going to Mumbia then on to Goa.

I was about to book the flights when I found that I have to apply for a VISA and get it BEFORE I leave. What a pain. It takes 14 days too.

I aint booking a flight before I've got a VISA.

The VISA is £50 too. Cheeky.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
India is a good choice, if you want to go cheap. I once went from Mumbai to Kerala on an overnight-train (that actually stops in Goa). That is a great way to meet people.... but maybe start off with a higher class ticket (maybe mine was "2-tier AC", about 2nd or 3rd best - there are many, many classes on Indian trains, but only the very highest ones get anywhere near flight prices!). You should be able to walk around inside the train, and see how the ordinary folks travel, and then decide, if that raw chaos (well, at least on the cheapest classes!) is your cup of tea....there you´ll have to know, how to keep your valuables from disappearing, too!

On anything else than airplanes, India is often a tough country to travel in, but for many, that is part of the experience. Just hope that your stomach is up to the challenge....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11 Dec 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
Arambol in north Goa has a nice laid back hippy scene. I stopped there for 2 months 2 years ago.
Brick beach hut was a fiver a night, bottle of Kingfisher about a quid, plenty of places to eat.
I'd go back.

Arambol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aussie expat in Switzerland half way RTW
Posts: 611
Southern India

If you're keen on Southern India then my advice would be to skip Goa and go straight down to Kerala and Cochin (Kochi). You could even go further down south through the Kerala backwaters and have a week beach stop in Varkala just north of Trivandrum.

Once there, you can live well on £20-30 per day depending on how much you drink.

Of course, like Pesha said, you better have the stomach up to the challenge because you could easily be spending a week of that month on the proverbial if you know what I mean.
__________________
TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Seville (E)
Posts: 554
The issue is defintely the flight (closer destination=higher daily expenditure; farther away=cheaper life), so I'd thoroughly check for instance www.momondo.com and www.flylowcostairlines.org to find a cheap flight/destination suiting your date and decide on that basis (taking into account weather seasons). I'd try Air Asia: they fly London to KL and then anywhere in SE Asia for virtually nothing.

Indonesia? BALI (Denpasar airport) is a wonderful place if you get away from Kota and the like, it's not that expensive, has some good diving, it's easy to rent a bike and the people are just great (and tons of cheap flights).
We came back from India with Aeroflot for a wedding for 450 € return, with only 23 hours in Moscow airport! (horrible connections=cheaper flights, but bring own food!). India is quite tricky... love it or hate it, don't know your case (I just don't love it)

Good luck and enjoy the dolce-far-niente!

Last edited by estebangc; 12 Dec 2011 at 02:38. Reason: Sent itself before having finished writing...
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
What about Sri Lanka?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 4 Jan 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 9
Med coast, Im in Alanya atm, paying 15 euro a night for a one bed with kitchen in a hotel! Its got a pool and gym, not the hottest now but a nice place. Got to love low season. Check booking.com

Plus you can rent a bike dead cheap.

How did you go?
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:42.