Advice on RTW Itinerary

We're planning a RTW trip Jan-Dec 2003 and would really appreciate any commentary people can provide on our itinerary. Many thanks in advance.

Some general background on us: We're an early thirties couple that are pretty adventurous and 'outdoorsy' (so we've been told). We've traveled extensively in the US (including Alaska), Greg spending 7 weeks going cross country in 1993 and Sharyon doing a similar trip in half the time in 1994. But other than Sharyon's one week in England/Ireland, we're complete neophytes at international travel (other than Canada). We're very comfortable backpacking and most of our vacations revolve around hiking/backpacking.

Here's where we plan to go:

US - Auckland - overland to Christchurch - Melbourne - overland to Brisbane - Ayers Rock - Darwin. We're planning on 6 weeks in NZ and a month or so in Australia. We've heard about several work-for-stay programs on farms in NZ and assume there's similar places on Australia. Also, it appears to us that travel from city to city is reasonably easy via public transportation.

Darwin to Bangkok - overland to Chaing Mai, across the Laos border, down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang - overland to Vang Vieng and then on to Vientiane - Hanoi - overland to Cat Ba island and back to Hanoi - overland to Cuc Phuong NP and back to Hanoi - train from Hanoi up to China via Kunming. We're planning on spending a little over a week in Thailand, a little less than a week in Laos and close to two weeks in Vietnam. We've had a hard time finding information on coming down the Mekong by boat, but know it can be done. We were very high on going to Angkor Wat but have read numerous cautions about the land mines in Cambodia to the point of being very very close to scratching it off our list.

China - we're not sure exactly what we're doing here (still researching it). Thinking of hitting Xian, Beijing/Great Wall, and Shanghai over the course of a month then flying out of Shanghai.

Nepal for a couple weeks. Again, we're still researching this. Any thoughts on being there in May (weather or tourists/trekkers)?

Continental Europe for 2 months by Eurorail

U.K for a month probably by car(?)

Back to the US for a two week stop to see friends & family. Then out to western Canada by car for a month. From there, we're thinking about just slowly traveling all the way down the Rockies until we hit AZ/NM/Mexico. From there we'll head home (Connecticut).

I know this was long so we really do appreciate you reading it and any help/advice you can provide will really be appreciated.

- Greg & Sharyon

Greg and Sharyon, your trip sounds great, the only comment I can make is that Australia being just about the same size as the USA is rather large !! on the other hand NZ is small so I think the times spent should be reversed.

For instance Melbourne to Brisbane is 1200 miles and to Cairnes another 1200 at least not to mention Darwin and Ayres Rock. There is a lot to see between these cities and yes public transport is very good - bus passes can be obtained that allow you to hop on and off as you wish so that if you decide to stay awhile at any given place that is Ok. Train travel connects most of the main places as well with bus connections to the sights.

When in Victoria do not miss the Great Ocean Road - it is a wonderful area to see and also the Fairy Penguins are a must see.

Sydney - well it is a beautiful city - expensive hotels in the city but I always suggest that people stay at Gosford and get the train in - on the other hand I believe there are good back packers hostels in Kings cross

Brisbane a small very clean tropical city but just have a look at it and then head for the Gold Coast (or if coming from the south you will come to the Gold Coast first) I live on the Gold Coast so forgive me if I think it is just great. The weather is good - a bit too hot between December and February but the winter months are fabulous with an average day temp of about 22 - 34 celcius. There are losts of day trips to take and also things to see 'on foot' like the Currumbin Wild Life Park ( formerly called the Currumbin Bird Scantuary) there is a lot to see at this park - animals , birds even snakes etc.

In the hinterland there are many areas worth seeing O'Rielly's being one of them where the best feaature is the canopy walk which takes you gradually up into the tops of the rain forest.

Good travelling Gwen

. We were very high on going to Angkor Wat but have read numerous cautions

Do not scratch Cambodia and Angkor Wat off your list. We were there 18 months ago- it may have been an uncomfortable road journey ( thats an understatement!!)- BUT it was the Highlight 'must see' of our 13 week trip. Its possible to fly direct to Siem Reap from Bangkok. Try and keep all your options as flexible as possible, try not to have too many 'set in stone' arrangements in place. We found it extremely easy to book side trips while we were there. You're sure to meet people and want to head off in totally the opposite direction !! - We certainly did !