In the past couple of
months my life has changed dramatically. For more than 3 months I have been on
the move. Travelling to different countries (only 2 actually) . Now, I know it
sounds all romantic and adventurous and it surely is. However, it is also true
that long term travelling is not for the faint hearts. It is not about eternal
optimism either. At least it wasn't for me. And that's it really. It is
different things for different people and my experience can never be yours.
Actually, what I have lived cannot (and I wouldn't want to in all honesty) be
replicated in any form or way by me or anyone else ever. So, what I have lived
was only once in a lifetime opportunity that has come and gone. It taught me a
lot, opened me a bit more and showed me a different side of reality, unknown to
me before this. In the next couple of blogs, I shall be sharing my experience,
insights and memories from these wanderings.
My first stop "abroad" was Kuala Lumpur. Okay, before we land in KL,
let me clear a couple of important pointers in this story, that might crop up
once we are deep inside the recesses of my memory lane. How did I decide
about travelling? My husband (who accompanied me on this trip) and I are travel
enthusiasts and have been planning to go on long term travels for more than
four years now. Did I give up your job? I did. Ankit is extremely lucky. He
works for an organization that lets him work from anywhere in the world. He has
certain deliveries with deadlines and well, that's about it. I am myself, in
the process of creating a model where I can work from where ever I am.
I strongly suggest anyone who plans to travel for a long time (and I mean
anywhere between 3 months to 3 years) to have some decent amount of
savings in their banks. Ankit and I have worked our assess off for the past 6
years, creating enough savings before we embarked upon this journey. I saw
many travelers on this journey to realize the importance of bank balance. Its
good to know that you can be out of this if you wish to be and have something
to fall back on.
How much did it cost me? Because we did not do complete budget travel and as
vegetarians (with a love for good food) we had to spend a little more on our
bread, so it wasn't absolutely cheap for us. However, even then, our budget came to
2, 75000 for two people, inclusive of flights, boarding and food. Not
bad, I would say. Thanks to platforms like Couchsurfing and Workaway of course.
These are not just great platforms to help you budget your trip, but also opportunities
to see some real rare gems (places and people both) and shape your travels into
insightful, interesting journeys.
I guess, I have answered three major questions (all these have been
persistently put before my attention in the last couple of months by friends,
family and strangers). Now, back to KL. We flew by Air Asia (from Bangalore as
we got the tickets cheap. 26,000 INR for two people, return airfare. Tip: We
booked 3 months in advance. One of the most useful tricks taught by the
couchsurfers hosted by us).
However, do remember that when Air Asia says they fly you cheap, they mean it
quite literally. You will be paying extra for baggage, seats (in case you have
a preference), water and everything else. It was my first international trip
and I was flying on the wings of my imagination. Air Asia got me on ground and
trust me when I say, it wasn't a smooth landing at all. The flight was cramped,
the aircon was unbearable and all my hopes of watching a movie in flight seem
laughable now. It was a night flight and as we had no inkling about their love
for cold nights, we ended up shivering for the four hours we were in there,
with nothing to keep us warm.
Not the most ideal or romantic first step in an unknown world. This experience
left me with a bad headache and some skepticism for our journey ahead. Once in
KL, we got our Malaysian sim cards (from the airport itself). We bought our bus
ticket to KL Sentral (as the airport is an hour away from the main city) and
were on our way to witness another world.
My first stop "abroad" was Kuala Lumpur. Okay, before we land in KL, let me clear a couple of important pointers in this story, that might crop up once we are deep inside the recesses of my memory lane. How did I decide about travelling? My husband (who accompanied me on this trip) and I are travel enthusiasts and have been planning to go on long term travels for more than four years now. Did I give up your job? I did. Ankit is extremely lucky. He works for an organization that lets him work from anywhere in the world. He has certain deliveries with deadlines and well, that's about it. I am myself, in the process of creating a model where I can work from where ever I am.
I strongly suggest anyone who plans to travel for a long time (and I mean anywhere between 3 months to 3 years) to have some decent amount of savings in their banks. Ankit and I have worked our assess off for the past 6 years, creating enough savings before we embarked upon this journey. I saw many travelers on this journey to realize the importance of bank balance. Its good to know that you can be out of this if you wish to be and have something to fall back on.
How much did it cost me? Because we did not do complete budget travel and as vegetarians (with a love for good food) we had to spend a little more on our bread, so it wasn't absolutely cheap for us. However, even then, our budget came to 2, 75000 for two people, inclusive of flights, boarding and food. Not bad, I would say. Thanks to platforms like Couchsurfing and Workaway of course. These are not just great platforms to help you budget your trip, but also opportunities to see some real rare gems (places and people both) and shape your travels into insightful, interesting journeys.
I guess, I have answered three major questions (all these have been persistently put before my attention in the last couple of months by friends, family and strangers). Now, back to KL. We flew by Air Asia (from Bangalore as we got the tickets cheap. 26,000 INR for two people, return airfare. Tip: We booked 3 months in advance. One of the most useful tricks taught by the couchsurfers hosted by us).
However, do remember that when Air Asia says they fly you cheap, they mean it quite literally. You will be paying extra for baggage, seats (in case you have a preference), water and everything else. It was my first international trip and I was flying on the wings of my imagination. Air Asia got me on ground and trust me when I say, it wasn't a smooth landing at all. The flight was cramped, the aircon was unbearable and all my hopes of watching a movie in flight seem laughable now. It was a night flight and as we had no inkling about their love for cold nights, we ended up shivering for the four hours we were in there, with nothing to keep us warm.
Not the most ideal or romantic first step in an unknown world. This experience left me with a bad headache and some skepticism for our journey ahead. Once in KL, we got our Malaysian sim cards (from the airport itself). We bought our bus ticket to KL Sentral (as the airport is an hour away from the main city) and were on our way to witness another world.
3 comments:
Looking forward to read more about your trip. Thanks for the money-related tips - if I ever embark on long travel, I now know how much I should save first! Wish you loads of good times!
Like your approach of giving real deal right at the beginning. Definitely this trip you did was absolutely cheap considering time you spent and number of places you visited. Looking forward to read more of your experience.
Like your approach of giving real deal right at the beginning. Definitely this trip you did was absolutely cheap considering time you spent and number of places you visited. Looking forward to read more of your experience.
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