When thinking about a trip of this nature there are a number of things that need to align for it to happen. Some are just a matter of arrangement, others require quite some effort to get right and others are completely out of your control.
- Work Commitments
Getting a month off work for two people at the same time requires determination and timing. I've accumulated more than 30 work-days as I'm frugal with taking time off. September kind of falls between my company's software release cycle, so I managed to get approval. Cathy, although having recently started a new job, also managed to get approval, but probably unpaid. Somehow it always feels like a risk when you take more than a few days off work.
- Financing
Who needs retirement funds? :) Our estimated budget for this trip is R120,000.00 (US$16,000.00), a considerable amount for us. But this is a trip of a lifetime.
- Tourist Visas
Everyone has a horror story about the American Consulate. You can't arrange anything until you have secured a visa.
- Flights
Fortunately flights are in abundance, and there is a choice of routing and airlines available from Johannesburg. You can pick a departure and return date and your travel agent will give you five options. Bet there are also large fluctuations on costs dependent on the currency exchange rate, so timing the purchase is luck.
- Motorcycle Rental
It was important that we make contact with a motorcycle rental business in America before starting any planning to see if they would rent to a South African. This turned out to be initially positive, but more about that later.
- Accommodation
One of the joys of travelling on a motorcycle for us is that we don't make fixed plans; just follow the road and find a place to sleep when it gets dark.
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