Europe for beginner - Dare or Not

For many malaysian i know, travelling alone & backpacking is not the choice. They would rather go by groups, or visiting family or friends or on business trips. As my trip already concluded, now it is the time for me to remember everthing back ( with the help of my pics and my bills **i kept all my bill, tickets, and anything useful) and put in this blog.

My initial plan was to visit Western Europe and cover some part of the east europe (Czech & Slovakia) as you can scroll at the bottom of this blog of my itinerary. But my savings was for 2 years, and itinerary for 6 months ahead ( as most the place i visit are my friends place).

So, what you need before you travel?

1. Your budget! - this is the most important. Like mine, i put roughly around RM20K to RM25K, but turn out, I only spent RM15 . Only?? hahaha... banyak jugak oiii..
2. Itinerary - I will summarize later.
3. Accomodation - Friends or Hotel/Hostels
4. Will writing.. haha ..no lah, actually all documents required for travel. But, I did update all my insurances, bank account and give to my sister in case of anything happen.

So, my budget is like this:-

1) Preparation - Backpack/Camera/Extra cloth /Ration

The first thing i buy for my trip is Lonely Planet - Europe on a shoestring. A very fat book that cause my body weight to loss 4 kilos (maybe my fat camera as well). it cost RM100. Then, i buy my backpack, deuter 65Liter which i weighted 21Kilos when i arrived in KL. 16Kilos when I depart from Kuala Lumpur (KL). You need this kind of good back as you dont want the bag to koyak in the middle of travel. Mahal oo nak beli kat sana.

Of course! you need to buy EURO money! i bought Euro early year as the price is the lowest. You should check on the Yahoo Currency Converter and you can find the patern of the exchange rate. http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=EUR&to=MYR&submit=Convert. I changed for 4.65 Ringgit for EUR1.00. That is the cheapest i got. And dont change your money at the airport lah...

Finally, 1 months prior to departure, you must have everthing complete. Not including all the maggie mee, biscuits etc. You only buy this this a week before, nanti jadik bubur pulak.

Meanwhile, you must have:-

• Passport : RM300
• Camera : I bought Panasonice FZ50 (10Megapixel, 12X optical Zoom) + Flash = RM2500
• Insurance: RM150
• Air ticket : RM3300, Qantas Airways transit in Singapore. MAS mahal kalau nak beli , dlm RM4500 kot. Kat MATA fair pun susah nak carik. Last2 beli dgn Agent ( kawan recommend).
• EURO money! = I bring EUR1000 cash and split into 3 wallets. :-)
• Eurailpass : you must have this, and buy 1st class if you are single traveller. You will enjoy the nice seat and scenery. I bought Eurailpass Select (5 countries: German, BENELUX(Holland+Belgium+Luxembourg), Swiss, France, Austria) for RM2500.

From my experience, you better prepare everthing 1 month prior to departure. In case of anything happened. Except the money, but i managed to hide under my pillow ( you think i want to tell the exact place ka?).

And dont forget to settle your credit card! it is easier to use credit card rather than you have to withdraw your money overseas. Pay your bills before you depart! Ask your neighbour to take care of your house or you ask your friend to stay at your place.

Ah, i almost forgot about my itinerary and my budget to go to each place. But, i will write later!

-salam-