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POLL: Need your perspective on a "free" trip to BKK
Warning: This is long and TIA.
As most of you know, sometime in February DBF & I will be flying from Norway to Australia to move for a few years. Per company policy, they will pay for both of our flights, but if we make any "stops along the way", the additional amount (over the direct-to-Oz price) will have to be paid for by us OOP.
We have a surprising amount of options to fly from Oslo, which involve a stop in Europe, a stop in Asia/Middle East, then to Australia. Another option is flying direct to Bangkok, then direct to our new hometown of Brisbane.
Through a travel agency, we can get a stopover in Bangkok for the exact same price as a direct-to-Oz flight. A few facts:
DBF is aiming to be done with his current work projects by Fri 10 Feb, but they could very well spill into the next week. Once we get to Brisbane the company will pay for us to stay in a serviced apartment for 2 weeks, and he will begin work down there on Mon 5 March. Regardless if we take the stopover we'll use those full 2 weeks to search for apartments and get settled.
We've been to Bangkok before, but literally did not leave our luxury hotel (as we were exhausted from a whirlwind SE Asia tour and lured by the amazingness of our hotel). I haven't "seen" the city at all.
I'm reasonably sure, though there's no guarantee, that we'll have the opportunity to go again in the future (I am dying to go to Laos, so I know I'll be in the region again sometime). Of course that flight won't be totally free...
We'd likely want to stay at a luxury hotel again in Bangkok, as it costs "only" $150 a night. We can afford luxury here that we'd never be able (or willing) to afford elsewhere in the world. Even at this price, staying a few days in Bangkok will cost less for us than the same amount of days in Brisbane. Australia ain't cheap, yo.
Staying a few days in Bangkok would break up a truly hellacious flight, making 2 manageable flights instead of 1 unmanageable one.
On the downside, we really should be saving every nickel we have for travel within Australia. As I said, Australia ain't cheap, so even our theoretical small amount spent in Bangkok will be very much needed for other travel.
Also, if DBF can't finish his projects as immediately as he hopes he wouldn't have any down time before we move. Most of our stuff is packed up and ready to go so, in the big picture, that's not a huge deal.
So I think that's all the facts. Halp! What do we do? Talk me through this.
Re: POLL: Need your perspective on a "free" trip to BKK
On the downside, we really should be saving every nickel we have for travel within Australia. As I said, Australia ain't cheap, so even our theoretical small amount spent in Bangkok will be very much needed for other travel.
I am confused by this part. So you have some extra money now, that you want to use to travel to Bangkok but if you spend it now you will have less to spend in Australia?
At least, (from what I get from your post) your DBF will be making money while you are living in Australia so you will be able to travel around the country while you are living there. No? Maybe, you wont get to see a lot this year but you will be able to save up money again to travel during your time there.
And not to be snarky and I have no idea about your situation, but if you are worried about spending a few days in Bangkok then maybe you dont have the money to spend on the trip. Moving to a new place (even when a company is helping you) can be expensive and you might end up buying things that you didnt expect. Just make sure you have enough in your savings before you go. IMO
That is correct, if we spend money on Bangkok we'll have less money to spend in Australia. This is just general funds, it's not an either/or scenario. I just brought it up because we'll want to see as much of Australia as we can, and it's pricey. So one could argue that we need to save all travel money for the pricey place.
DBF will be making money and (hopefully sooner than later) I will be, too. We will be able to travel around Australia once we build up enough vacation time.
Money is not a problem. It's a question if we "should" take this opportunity. If we should use some travel money (very much needed for Australia) for Bangkok just because we can. If we should do it for no other reason than we can.
I am the type of person who likes to focus on one thing at a time. I deal MUCH better with big changes (like moving overseas) when I can handle big tasks sequentially.
So, if it were me, I'd just do the move to Australia, get settled, then go to Bangkok some other time. Otherwise, I'd spend the whole time in Bangkok thinking about (worried about?) what Australia would be like, whether I'd be able to find a place to live, how the new job would go, whether or not I would make friends, etc....which means I wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy Bangkok as much.
I've done a LOT of long-haul traveling (think from the US to Afghanistan and back several times), usually involving 48-72 hours each way in various airports (crappy military terminals), on airplanes, standing in line, sleeping in tents (if I'm lucky) or in an uncomfortable waiting room chair (if I'm not). Yeah, it sucks, but it's better to just GET THERE. Stopping over just draws the whole thing out.....
Assuming you're going to be in OZ for a while (enough time to cover the moving expenses and get back on your feet), I'd opt for the time in Bangkok b/c what are the chances (and expenses) that you'd necessarily choose to go back?
If you wouldn't make going back a priority, then, in my mind, the posh(er) lay-over is justified. Maybe, if you're going high-end, make that trip shorter (2nights v. 4 or more), but still, I'd go for it.
Good luck with the move... hope you all arrive pre-fall! Would suck to have back to back winters (have I mentioned my hate of the snow/cold).
Thanks for your thoughts, it helps me think through it (and see different perspectives).
Some late thoughts: I am applying to jobs so hopefully they will want to interview me ASAP once we get there.
We're not shipping anything, and going suitcases only, so we're going to have a *** TON of luggage. If we stop we're going to be hauling a lot of crap to and fro our hotel.
I was going to tell you to go and have fun in Bangkok. I mean, you only live once so you should enjoy the time you have now and not for some trip you might take two years from now. (Of course, I say this because you said you have enough money saved up and it wont take away from your Efund)
However, the thought of hauling several suitcases to and from your hotel, is enough to put me off. But then again, it is a long trip. Maybe, the girls in Australia will have some good advice tomorrow.
Anyway, it sounds like such a cool change. Good Luck!!!
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I'd go now. There must be a way to safely/easily get the luggage taken care of. Paid for holding facility at the airport? Car for hire to get to/from the hotel? For me it would break up the flight and provide a couple day mental break from the move.
I say go now- it will basically be a free trip adn as you have mentioned depending on where you stay Thailand can be very very cheap. And do not worry about bags- the cabbies are well use to people with lots of bags and are more than happy to help.
I would appreciate the break in the flight and one thing Thailand is known for is 5 star treatment!
That said we are going Melbourne to Phuket in October for 14 nights at a 5 star resort for $1689ppAU. Travelling to Asia is dirt cheap from major cities in Australia. We did 7 nights in Bali for less than $1000pp last year and going to QLD for BIL's wedding in April is going to cost us about $800pp for 4 days! As you said travel ain't cheap within Australia.
I wouldn't stop in Bangkok, but that's because of the kind of person I am. I'll explain and you can see whether it makes sense for you or not.
1) The insecurity of the apartment situation would make me want to get started on that as soon as possible. I wouldn't be able to enjoy Bangkok knowing that we had yet to find a place to live in Oz (after the 2 weeks are up).
2) The insecurity of the financial situation in terms of how much you're going to end up paying for rent or for hotel before you find a place would make me hesitant to spend money on a vacation right now.
3) For me, travel is stressful and I just want to get it over with. Stopping in Bangkok knowing I would have to continue to Oz in a few days and have to deal with all the airport/traveling stuff again would also put a damper on my trip. I would just want to do the big move and get it over with, then come back on a relaxed vacation in the future.
That decision is totally dependent on my personality type, though, so do with it what you will.
I would stopover in BKK. It's not that much of a pain in the as* to haul suitcases to your hotel and back. (When we did this on our move to VN, my luggage actually got lost and they delivered it to our hotel! woohoo!) It would be nice to enjoy the city, get manicure, shampoos, massages before moving to Oz and paying a fortune for it.
I see the point about taking the full two weeks to look for a place - can you start looking online now and setting up appointments to visit for when you arrive after your trip to BKK?
This. How much are you really saving by using the stopover option? Since there's a direct flight, maybe it's not that expensive to go later? If it's just a few hundred dollars, I'd skip it and save it for another time. I wouldn't want to deal with the moving luggage and the hassle of rerouting. ...Not to mention the stress over your passport expiration? Plus, I'd be excited to start checking out Brisbane! Whenever I move, I'm eager to hit the ground running.
However, if it would save you a big chunk of money (i.e. $500+ per person) I'd go for it. Assuming you can sort out the logistics of course.
We'd be in and out of Bangkok before Feb 21st, which is my 6 month cut-off.
Now that the visa has been approved I know that (rather than speaking in hypotheticals as I was before).
Personally, I wouldn't stop - I find hauling bags to be incredibly annoying. I think I might have lost the plot a bit, but whatever time you spend in Bangkok gets taken away from the time you have to find a flat, right?
It took us 2 weeks to find a place to live when we moved to Edi and it was super stressful. We moved suitcases only and stayed in a B&B (and then moved B&Bs when they needed our room) and it was a huge PITA. Personally, I'm a nervous traveller and I prefer to just get to wherever I'm going and be done with it. I'd save the money for setting up costs and a trip later on once you're settled.
(DH really wants to spend a couple years in Australia at some point so I'll be curious to hear how you find it all - an American who spent time in Edinburgh and then went to Australia will be an awesome resource for us :-) )
BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks, Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks
Not really, we'll have our 2 weeks of flat hunting in Bris no matter what.
I'm pretty surprised how open their immigration system seems to be. I could be wrong, but I feel like it's way more of an open door than anywhere else in the world. I vote do it!
ETA: After you secure your UK citizenship, of course.
Random question: Do they spell it citisenship? Apparently not, as my UK computer is giving me the squiggly red line under it. That makes no sense.
I was going to tell you to go and have fun and that breaking up the trip w/ an overnight (or a few nights) somewhere is lovely. However, hauling the bags does give me pause. That part really blows.
I'd still lean towards maybe. I know a lot of aussies who travel there too, and come back w/ a lot of goods as stuff is so much cheaper there than Oz.
Congrats and good luck on the move! I think you're going to love Australia. I really do!
ahhh. I'm torn.
(read more responses)
Dh and I probably would go for it. LIke l_jaye and azure said - you can always get baggage lockers or have the hotel store baggage somewhere.
PS - Girl? You need to get yo'self an avatar. Your damn changing icon confuses the hell outta me. Even if you choose one of the boring Nest ones, just pick something so it stops changing!
At least Spock stays the same.