Very helpful summaries of costs in each country

• Diannemurray's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Sydney

Trip Start Oct 02, 2003 Trip End Jan 09, 2004 Next
Entry

  Sydney, Australia
Tuesday, September 2, 2003

GULF, CUBA, CHILE, BOLIVIA ARGENTINA & FRENCH POLYNESIA
2nd October 2003 -9th January 2004

Sydney to:
Singapore
Bahrain
Oman (Muscat, Bandar Khayran, Qurayat, Dibab, Bimmah sinkhole, Tiwi, Wadi Shab, Qalhat, Sur, Ayajh, Ras Al-Hadd, Ras Al-Jinz, Asila, Jaal an Bani bu Ali, Al Kamil, Wadi Bani Khalia Mukal Cave, Al Mintirib, Wahiba Sands, Ibra, Lizq, Al Mudaibi, Sanaw, Nizwa, Jebel Shams, top of Hajar Mountains, Haat, Wadi Bani Awf, Muscat)
United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi - Al Ain)
France (Paris)
Cuba (Havana, Trinidad, la Boca, Playa Ancon, Cienfuegos, Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs), Caleta Buena, Cueva de Los Peces, Central Australia, Jaguey Grande, Pinar del Rio, Vinales, Mariel, Havana)
Chile ( Antofagasta, Calama, San Pedro de Atacama)
Bolivia (border with Chile, Laguna Blanca, Laguna Verde, Laguna Colorada, San Juan, Isla Pescado, Uyuni, Pulacayo, Tickaticka, Potosi, Challapata, Oruro, La Paz)
Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Chile (Santiago, Temuco, Villarrica, Pucon, Curarrehue, Lago Quellelhue, Chilean border at Mamuil Malal or Tromen Pass)
Argentina (Junin de los Andes, San Martin de los Andes, Confluencia, Bariloche, El Bolson, Esquel, Puerto Madryn, Peninsular Valdes, Punta Tombo, Gaiman, Trelew, Ushuaia, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, Upsala, Onelli and Spegazzini Glaciers, El Chalten, Lago de los Tres walk, Cerro Torre walk, Chilean border at Cerro Castillo)
Chile (Argentinian border at Cerro Castillo, Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales, Puerto Eden, Canal Messier, Golfo de Penas, Golfo Corcovado, Puerto Montt, Castro(Chiloe), Puerto Varas, Ensenda, Lake Todos los Santos, Petrohue, Puerto Varas, Frutillar, Temuco, Santiago, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, Santiago)
Easter Island (Hanga Roa, Rano Kau Volcano, Ahu Tahiri, Ahu Vinapu, Rano Raraku, Tongariki, Ovahe, Anakena Beach, Ahu Akivi, Hanga Roa, Dos Ventanas Caves, Ahu Te Peu, Te Pahu cave, Hanga Roa)
French Polynesia (Ra'iatea - Uturoa, Faaroa Bay, Faatemu Bay, Marae Taputapuatea, Tevaitoa), (Bora Bora - Farepiti Point, Vaitape,{in kayak - Povai Bay, Matira Point, Motu Piti Uu Uta, Motu Piti Aau, Moto Toopua, Povai Bay}, Matira Point, Faaopore Bay and belvedere, Aponapu Bay, Povai Bay) (Taha'a -Tapuamu, Marina Iti, Apu Bay), (Tahiti -Pap'eete)
___________________________________________________________
SUMMARY OF TOTAL COSTS



Aust $

2 Around World air tickets(incl taxes) with 34,000 miles and 11 stopovers 7730
Travel Insurance 780
Vaccinations and medical 649
Guidebooks (part) 174
2 days Singapore (A$86.50 per day) 173
15 days Bahrain, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi (A$136.73 per day) 2051
2 days Paris (with purchase Mephisto shoes) (A$505 per day) 1010
2 days Paris (without shoe purchase) (A$341.50 per day 683
12 days Cuba (A$142.42 per day) 1709
7 days Bolivia (A$72.71 per day) 509
42 days Chile, Argentina, Easter Island (A$143.78 per day) 6038
20 days French Polynesia (no accomm) (A$86.59 per day) 1732

Total spent for 102 days 22555


= A$221 per day including airfare


= A$145 per day excluding airfare

______________________________________________________________-

HIGHLIGHTS


Singapore
§ The ease of the public transport system from the airport

Bahrain
§ Kuwaiti cocktail of mango, strawberries, ice-cream and grapes.
§ Weather report from local paper - "Fine with rising sand in places"

Oman
§ We loved everything about Oman. Mutrah, the old area of Muscat, with the wonderful corniche, with the harbour on one side and the other side with an intricately painted mosque dome and minaret, lovely white buildings, and two picturesque forts built into the mountains which surround the harbour.
§ Lovely beaches we came across - some just lovely, some with great snorkeling, some with interesting fishermen. - Jissah Beach, Dibab, near Tiwi.
§ the spectacular gorges (wadis) - lovely green oases with the contrasting colours of the bare rocks
§ our special "turtle experience". Not only did we see lots of turtles laying, but saw lots also hatching
§ Tourist camp at Wahiba Sands. Wouldn't believe sand could look so incredible - all the different colours, with all sorts of patterns from the wind, and set off with the odd bit of greenery.
§ Not sure if our scary trip over the Hajar Mountains was a highlight or not! But was certainly spectacular scenery.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai
§ The "scene" down at The Creek, especially the abras (motorized boat taxis)
§ Burj al Arab Hotel tower lit up at night - rates as "world class" architecture

Abu Dhabi
§ Catching up with Huw and Mary, and hearing about life in the Gulf


Paris
§ the view from the top of La Samaritaine Department store

Cuba
§ can't think of Cuba as having highlights - more about things that were interesting to us. Overall we found the way people lived depressing, more so than a lot of other countries we've been to, where the people may have been poorer.
§ casa particulares were expensive for what you got, and quite often uncomfortable, but they were a great way to find out what was really happening in the country
§ Havana was very interesting for all sorts of reasons - the old architecture (some restored, and some in a bad state of decay), the old cars, the way people lived.

Bolivia
§ The Bolivian Altiplano and Salar de Uyuni join our list of VERY SPECIAL PLACES. Incredible lakes (white, emerald green, bright red), with flamingos, volcanoes with all sorts of colours down their sides (red, orange, yellow, green, brown, white), various coloured mud-pools, amazing green button grass, our hotel made almost entirely of salt (including the beds, tables and chairs, and floor). And then there was the salt lake, and the incredible sight of Isla Pescado, with its 1000 year-old cactuses, surrounded by glistening white salt, looking just like snow. All far better than we ever expected, and we paid almost nothing for the tour.
§ Seeing, and hearing, about just how tough the miners do it in Potosi.

Argentina

§ Buenos Aires. Nothing outstanding, but some of the highlights were - good, reasonably priced dining, good architecture, Cemetery of the Recoleta, watching professional dog walkers.
§ Whale watching at Peninsula Valdes (Dianne only)
§ watching the antics of up to a million Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo
§ the magic of Ushuaia and Tierre del Fuego National Park covered in fresh snow
§ Perito Moreno Glacier. Also floating icebergs from Upsala Glacier, with their incredible blue colour. Another on our list of VERY SPECIAL PLACES
§ Two magic days of walking out of El Chalten - to Lago de los Tres, with magnificent views of Mt Fitz Roy, and to Cerro Torre.

Chile
§ The backpackers outpost of San Pedro de Atacama.
§ Getting an ascensor (funicular railway) to the upper level of Valparaiso, where there is some lovely architecture, and great views
§ Easter Island, which was a big surprise. We expected to see a few statues on a wind-swept island, but it was MUCH MUCH more than that. Everything was great, starting with the friendliness of the locals. Lots of wonderful scenery - the coastline; fantastic views of outlying islands, and Crater, from top of Rano Kau Volcano; Rano Raraku, the quarry for the moai,; beautiful Anakena Beach with white sand and palm trees; not to mention the various moai, most in a beautiful setting

French Polynesia
§ Our various kayak excursions from our homeswap house on the lagoon on Ra'iatea
§ Sitting on our wharf, with a drink in hand, admiring our views to Taha'a and Bora Bora, while we watch the antics of "our" fish
§ our day spent kayaking around Bora Bora
_______________________________________________________________________________________-
Various Expenses in Bahrain, Oman,Dubai and Abu Dhabi Bahraini Aust $ Dinar (BD)
1 4.00
Prepaid 3 nights accomm Gulf Gate Hotel, Bahrain (***)with free transfer 298.00
Two-week visa for Bahrain - BD5 ea x 2 10 40.00
Airport departure tax BD3 x 2 6 24.00
Bahrain National Museum - 500 fils x 2 1 4.00
Omani
Riyal (OR)
1 3.80
Omani Visa - OR6 x 2 12 45.60
Naseem Hotel, Muscat (basic) 14.60 55.48
Café meal for two in Muscat - lamb skewers,salad,bread, fruit cocktails 3.75 14.25
8 bread rolls 0.80
Can coke 0.40
Hire Grand Vitari 4WD -1508 kms, 5 days 157.680 600.00
Petrol for car (@ A$0.46c per litre) 22.805 87.00
Excellent meal, with cokes in Ra's al-Hadd Beach Hotel restaurant 25.00
Upmarket room with bkfst, Best Western Ra's al-Hadd Beach Hotel) 22.000 83.60
Entry Ras Al-Jinz turtle reserve - great value - OR1 x 2 2.000 7.60
Al Raha Tourism Camp, Wahiba Sands-accomm, bkfst, dinner for two 30.000 114.00
United Arab
Emirates
Dirham (Dh)
1.000 0.40
Prepaid 3 nights accomm Holiday Inn Downtown, Dubai 274.00
Simple Tech 128MB SD Card, duty free 220.000 88.00
Al-Khayyam Hotel Dubai, suite with loungeroom 180.000 72.00
Fare for two on abra (ferry across The Creek) 1.000 0.40
Bus Dubai-Abu Dhabi - Dh 33 ea x 2 66.000 26.40
Minimum value phonecard (used 0.300 of it!) 30.000 12.00
________________________________________________________________________________________

Various Expenses in Cuba US$ Aust $
0.66 1
Cuban Visa - A$55 x 2 110
Habitacion Humberto Acosta 25 38
Breakfast in habitacion - US$3 x 2 6 9
Airport tax - US$25 x 2 50 76
Hospedaje Romelia Gonzalez, Trinidad 15 23
Dinner for two at Hospedaje Romelia Gonzalez (best meal in Cuba) 14 21
VERY ordinary meal in paladar( private home serving meal) in Trinidad 19 29
Snorkelling trip at Playa Ancon near Trinidad - US$9 ea 18 27
Taxi Trinidad to Bay of Pigs 50 76
Villa Horizontes Playa Giron- includes all meals and drinks 60 91
Taxi Playa Giron - Vinales 90 137
Josefina y Esther, Vinales 15 23
Dinner for two at Habitacion Vinales 14 21
Mojitos at Habitacion - each 2 3
Hire bikes Vinales - US$4 x 2 8 12
Taxi Vinales - Havana via coast 60 91
Hotel Lido, Havan-own bathroom(cold water)cable TV, breakfast 36 55
Daiquiri El Floridita - each 6 9
Entry to concert, Case de la Culturas - US$2 eac 4 6
Entrance to Castillo San Carlos de la Cabana - US$3 each 6 9
Entrance to Castillo Los Tres Reyes de Morro - US$3 each 6 9
Taxi to Havana airport 15 23
Ferry across harbour - 1 peso 0.03
Banana - 1 peso 0.03
____________________________________________________________________________________
Various Expenses in Bolivia US$ Bolivian Aust $
Boliviano(Bs)
0.66 5 1
3 day Salar de Uyuni tour -WORLD'S BEST VALUE - US$70 x2 (transp,food,accom
140 213
Entrance to Volcano park - Bs 30 x 2 60 12
Entrance to Isla Pescadors park Bs 8 x 2 16 3
Room in Companie de Jesus, Potosi, hot water, own bathroom, good 90 18
Good 4 course dinner in Potosi - 20 4
Dynamite with bag of ammonium nitrite and a cap with a 4-minute black powder fuse 16 3
Accommodation Oruro 80 16
Bus Potosi- Oruro - Bs30 x 2 60 12
Bus Oruru - La Paz - Bs15 x 2 30 6
Upmarket accommodation Rosario Hote, La Paz 37 56
4 kg laundry La Paz 18 4
Airport tax La Paz - US$25 x 2 50 76
___________________________________________________________________________________-
Various Expenses in Chile US$ Chilean Aust $
Peso
0.66 439 1
Chilean visa - Us$30 x 2 60 91
Shuttle Antofagast airport to town - US$2 x 2 4 6.09
Accomm Dakota Hotel, Antofagasta (basic) with breakfast 15000 34.00
McDonald's meal 1990 4.53
Bus Antofagasta- San Pedro de Atacama - 2 x 3800 7600 17.30
Accomm Hostal Sumaj-Jallpa, San Pedro 10000 22.00
Great 3 course meal and wine - El Tatio at San Pedro de Atacama - for two 8000 18.00
Tour to Valley of the Moons - 3000 x 2 6000 13.66
CD, downloading of photos, and finding camera driver program 2000 4.55
Turbus Santiago-Pucon (11hrs) - 6500 pesos x 2 13000 29.60
1 kg red apples 599 1.36
1 kg bananas 289 0.65
internet Pucon - per hour 800 1.82
1.5 litres coke Pucon (cold) 760 1.73
Bus Pucon - San Martin del Los Andes - 9000 x 2 18000 41.00
National Park entry Torres del Paine - 8000 x2 16000 36.44
Residencial Oasis, Puerto Natales 25000 57.00
4 kgs washing, Puerto Natales 4000 9.00
Navimag boat Puerto Natales/Puerto Mont(t 22 bed dorm), 4 nights,meals-for two 550 837.00
Dinghy excursion at Puerto Eden - 2 x 3000 6000 13.67
Bus Puerto Montt-Castro - 3700 x 2 7400 16.85
Globetrotters Hostel, Castro, Chiloe - basic, share bathroom 10000 22.78
Bus Castro- Puerto Varas - 4000 x 2 8000 18.22
Kika Hostal, Puerto Varas (very nice) 22000 50.00
Bus Puerto Varas- Petrohue return - 2500 x 2 5000 11.39
Thaebus Puerto Varas-Frutillar - 700 x 2 1400 3.20
Hospedaje Trayen,Frutillar-bathrm, heating, TV, view, breakfast - best for long time 16000 36.45
Turbus Osorno-Temuco - 3300 x 2 6600 15.00
1 kg fantastic cherries in non-tourist town 2.50
Room Federici Scoto 130, Santiago - basic, in home 10000 23.00
1 McNifica meal (ordinary) 1990 4.53
Hotel Albamar, Vina del Mar - more upmarket, but nothing special 25000 57.00
Groceries for Tahiti 24070 55.00
Angelica's, Easter Island 17000 39.00
Hire jeep for day, Easter Island - 27000, less 1/3 Amy's share 18000 41.00
Petrol for jeep - 5700 less Amy 1000 4700 11.00
National Park entrance Easter Island - 5000 x 2 10000 23.00
Museum entrance Easter Island - 1000 x 2 2000 4.55
Petrol per litre on Easter Island 372 1.18
_______________________________________________________

Various Expenses in Argentina US$ Argentinian Aust $
Peso
0.66 2.10 1
American suites, Buenos Aires (thru internet) - per night 53
Departure tax Buenos Aires airport - US$18 x 2 36 55
Lan Chile tax - 7.5 pesos x 2 15.00 7
Taxi from Buenos Aires airport 45.00 21
Taxi to Buenos Aires airport 32.00 15
Excellent 3-course set lunch Buenos Aires with cokes + 1/2 litre cheap wine 45.00 21
La Ventana tango show, dinner and wine - 120 x 2 240.00 114
Telephone call to Australian mobile - 9 minutes 15.00 7
Telephone call to Australian phone - 16 mins 7.00 8
1.5 litres coke at supermarket 2.09 1
380cc drinking yoghurt at supermarket 2.00 1
Good room in San Martin de los Andes, with heating 50.00 24
Excellent restaurant meal San Martin with wine and desserts 77.00 37
Bus Bariloche-Puerto Madryn (14 hrs) -55 x 2 110.00 52
Room in seaside hotel Puerto Madryn, with views, and LOTS hot water 65.00 31
Peninsular Valdez tour - 75 x 2 150.00 71
Peninsular Valdez National Park entrance - 25 x 2 50.00 24
Whale watching tour for one -Puerto Piramide, Peninsular Valdez 50.00 24
Hotel Yanco, Puerto Madryn 65.00 31
Punto Tumbo penguin tour - 75 x 2 150.00 71
Punto Tumbo National park entrance - 15 x 2 30.00 14
Air ticket Trelew-Ushuaia - US$103 x 2 206 306
Hosteria Mustapic, Ushuaia - own bathroom 82 39
1/2 share bedroom (4 in it) Alen ApartHotel, Ushuaia 100 48
Entrance to Tierra del Fuego National Park - 12 x 2 24 11
Airfare Ushuaia- El Calafate - for two 652 306
1/2 bottle cheap red wine in restaurant 3
airport tax Ushuaia - 13 x 2 26 12
Shared cupboard, otherwise known as 4 bed dorm, El Calafate - 36 pesos each
72 34
Parrillada (mixed grill - much as you can eat, pretty fatty) - for two 18
Our (cheap) share of apartment El Calafate 80 38
Daily entry to Parque National los Glaciares - 20 x 2 40 19
Mini trekking tour Perito Moreno Glacier (expensive,but worth it)
185 x 2 370 176
Boat trip Uppsala Glacier, plus two others - 181 x 2 362 172
National park entry for boat trip - 20 x 2 40 19
Atlas Cumbres room, El Chalten - 1 day in November (end of low season) 100 48
Atlas Cumbres room, El Chalten - 1 day in December (start of season) 110 52
Entry to National park in El Chalten - FREE, as is camping!! 0 0
Bus El Calafate/El Chalten return - 80 x 2 160 76
One day bus tour El Calafate to Torres del Paine and continue to Puerto Natales(2)
88 134
_____________________________________________________________________
Various Expenses in French Polynesia US$ Franc cours Aust $
Pacifique(CFP)
0.66 70 1
Air Tahiti (booked on internet) Papeete-Raiatea - 12600 x 2 25200 365.00
Air Tahiti(booked in person) Raiatea-Papeete - 11280 x 2 22560 330.00
Vaeanu cargo boat Ra'iatea - Bora Bora - 850 CFP x 2 1700 24.00
Bungalow Village Pauline, Bora Bora (no bathroom), cold water - per night 7520 107.00
Bora Bora - rent double kayak for day 6500 93.00
1.5 litres coke at supermarket 389 5.60
one small loaf bread 250 3.57
can coke in restaurant 400 5.70
one dozen eggs 368 5.25
one french baguettes(incredible bargain - is that why they always sell out?)43 0.60
Petrol on Raiatea - 35.4 litres @ 130 CFP per litre 4600 65.70
Use of house, car and kayak on Raiatea - exchange of our house in Sydney 0.0 0.00
Small roast chicken at supermarket 1000 14.28
four pineapples at market 1000 14.28
Papaya at market 300 4.29
Pampelmousse 120 1.70
Fifi Hostel, Tahiti (double room, no bathroom, beds everywhere, basic) 6600 94.29
Trip on "Le Truck 130 1.86
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Print this entry Share Sydney hotels

Next Entry