RTW Next Summer

[ktmrider]

I am starting to plan a 6 month or longer RTW trip leaving next summer. I am looking for outstanding places to visit (not just tourist stops) and input on equipment.

I am 60 and retired from 33 years as a federal law enforcement officer. My retirement is very good and have a budget for travel of $3800/month. I tend to stay in hostels and cheap hotels. I want my total luggage to be a medium backpack small enough for carry on. Guess I am trying to go back 40 years in history when the hippies went around the world with only stuff on their backs. And I am debating doing the whole trip on a motorcycle but that is a totally separate issue.

I have been doing photography since 1966 and still prefer film over digital. However, digital really makes things easy for travel. I own a couple M's and five M mount lenses. My only digital is an X100. Traveling light it would probably be just the X100. A bit heavier say an M with 35/90 and at the most the M 35/90 and X100. Of course I may just acquire a ME or the new Sony before leaving.

The purpose of the trip is exploration not photography. There are plenty of professionals out there who do a better job but photography does provide a motivation to get out and explore.

The trip will be a combination of flying and overland travel. Presently, I plan on going from the US to Asia and spend a couple months before traveling to India then Russia overland through Europe before returning to the US. May actually go eastbound since my daughter wants to spend a couple weeks hiking in Scotland in June.

So let the suggestions begin. If you could do a trip like this, what would you take and where would you go?

 

[segedi]

A bit biased as I have residency there, but New Zealand, especially South Island should be on any round the world trip. The extra expense is countered by the beautiful landscape and warm and welcoming people. You can rent a bike too. Just remember to ride in the correct side of the road.

For ease of travel, I recommend digital. And the M-E with 3 of your lenses would be great. And lots of SD cards. Buy an international outlet adapter for battery recharge.

Have fun and thanks for your service!

 

[Addy101]

Whatever you do, visit Burma a.k.a. Myanmar, it is wonderful and colorful.

One sample:

Some more samples:
Yangon
People
Landscapes
Monks and nuns
Other

 

[ktmrider]

Extra Info

Extra Info

Actually, I also have a month in SE Asia in February. Have a motorcycle reserved in Laos for 10 days. I plan on hanging around Cambodia for 5 days (favorite country in SE Asia) and perhaps diving in Thailand.

My daughter and I spent time playing tourist in Cambodia and Thailand last year. Have hit palaces and temples already in both countries. Debating Vietnam in Feb but may be too much in too short period of time. My main complaint on the last visit to Cambodia was the lack of time for people watching in the capital as we had to see Ankor Wat.

So one of my goals is to see things like Ankor but not to miss the non tourist things as well.

And before leaving North America I am supposed to lead a group of bikers to Alaska in May so it is shaping up to be a fun year.

 

[FrankS]

That sounds fantastic!

 

[Vince Lupo]

If you're thinking of doing it on a motorcycle, you should probably see this movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-0uBcnmE2M

Might give you some inspiration!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

In Scotland the far north west coast; far better than anyone can describe.

On the way north try looking in on Lincoln, York and Durham, people always seem to "do" London and perhaps Stratford on Avon and then go home and miss these gems. And there's dozens of gems in the UK, like Lichfield, Llangollen and Kidwelly. And all the other castles in Wales.

Regards, David

 

[ktmrider]

Thanks David. My daughter is making noise about hiking in Scotland in May or June. I may start my RTW journey with her and then continue eastward. I will forward your suggestions about Scotland to her.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

All part of the service.

This link is useful and enables you to make a circular tour using ferry services.

http://www.calmac.co.uk/tickets/island-hopping/

Thinking about islands, I'd suggest Mull rather than Skye. I don't know what the others think but it's always been my favourite island. If you/she get(s) to Ullapool (on the West coast) then a boat trip out to the Summer Isles and back is magical.

From Mallaig it used to be possible to go out on the mail boat to all three or four small islands (Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna) and back with magical views of Skye from the boat. Alas, I've not got the time to look into it at present but it's worth a bit of research.

A hire car might be an idea for a tour of the west coast.

Regards, David

 

[KoNickon]

David's recommendation sounds great. Have you thought at all about doing the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela (sp?) -- from SW France, west across northern Spain?

 

[ktmrider]

Camino de Santiago?

Camino de Santiago?

Is that the same as the Camino de Santiago? A friend recommended it last summer after doing a trek to Machu Picchu and I did a little research. It appears that a lot of the hiking is along pavement. I would like to learn more about the trail as my perceptions may be wrong and the reason my daughter and I are looking at Scotland.

It could certainly be on my schedule after Scotland.

 

[David Hughes]

PS I think the railway to Mallaig was used for the Harry Potter films. Anyway, going to Mallaig can be done from Fort William by steam hauled trains.

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/Jacobite_Details.html

Then catch the mail boat and do the small islands...

Regards, David

 

[TKH]

Did it?

Regards,
Rainer

 

[ktmrider]

No, I attempted the first leg to Hawaii and the Philippines but needed to return to the US to have a medical problem checked out in Nov, 2015. Then I took my daughter to Taiwan and Hong Kong in Jan, 2016, and spending another two weeks in Thailand.

It appears that I am taking two young friends (20 something) to Iceland for the first two weeks of June. Am playing with returning to Scotland in August or September for more hiking and perhaps New Zealand or Japan toward the end of 2016.

Am giving serious thought to selling the M9 and just traveling with two M2's.

 

[winzenbourg]

I spent a year in Iceland and would be happy to send you a list of highlights around the island if you'd care to read it. Just send me a PM with your email address.

Also, Scotland, especially the northwest, shouldn't be missed! Your daughter might enjoy hiking part of the West Highland Way. I spent a couple of weeks meandering around Scotland via bicycle not too long ago and I'll never forget the quiet backroads, many lakes, and majestic places like Glen Coe.

 

[ktmrider]

Well, my wife and I took my daughter to Iceland in 2011 for a college graduation gift. I think we were there for three weeks.

My daughter and I spent 90 days in Europe in the fall of 2014. The first country we visited was Scotland and we happened to hike the entire West Highland Way. I have my eye on the Great Glen Way.

My daughter is presently finishing her first year in physical therapy school. She has three weeks off starting in mid May. I am taking her, her boyfriend, and my wife to the Boundary Waters Canoeing area for ten days of wilderness tripping by canoe. It has been on my bucket list for ten years.

This trip to Iceland will be the first of June with a young man who graduates from college in May. He is my go to computer guy and has been a family friend for ten years. We are only going for two weeks as he already has a job lined up with USAA.

And perhaps I need to visit family and friends in Alaska in July or August.