8000 is based on the costs we incurred flying into BA from Brisbane and shipping out from Cusco which was a complete disaster and took 3 months to get back. The actual cost was a lot more.

The plan is to fly into Durban if possible or Jburg otherwise and ship out from Rotterdam. I don't think I'll get much change from 8000 return. I thought I paid enough going to BA but as soon as I landed I was asked to pay all up another 500 to get my hands onto it. Looked all pretty official, so don't think I got ripped. Even getting my hand on them in Brisbane the govment asked me to pay up another 2k. Better to allow for plenty than not enough. Sure, I'll be earning income when I ship it back, but don't want to stick my head in the sand about the costs any more.

Last I checked a flight from Europe to Australia one way was about 1300. Say 1500 with taxes. To Jborg is about 2000 + taxes. So actually I'm a little shy.

Don't think 40 buck/day for food is a lot either. Sure, in Africa I'll probably eat like kings but I'm not going to search for $2 greasy burgers. Those days are well gone. But in Europe a coffee in the morning will eat into it pretty quick. What is a road side panini in Euro's these days?

As I said, the accommodation is my contingency because rather than just adding the typical 10% to the overall I rather control the budget with this.

Besides the costs of shipping, what else do you guys think I've over budgeted for?

Sadly the days of packing my bag, cleaning the rented room and shutting the door to set off in the sunset are well behind me. I could definitely do this (if I'd be single) but the price of boredom at work upon my return isn't worth it to me any more. So sure, I've got time constraints, but I don't think massive holes were torn in my prelim budget from what I've heard. Not at all trying to be a smart arse, but to me it's just reality. Open to suggestions otherwise.

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