I am trying to keep this short and sweet, sorry … well most of you don’t care anyway because you only look at this site out of some act of kindness to help stroke my rapidly diminishing ego.
Nah, we all know that’s not true … well the part about my diminishing ego that is!
La Wife and I are trying to plan out this darn vacation.
We are doing it mostly on the magical budget of credit cards and discount cards and vouchers, and of course the sale of blood, plasma, bone marrow and other things … yes I did think about offering up a kidney but I don’t think any one would wanted it after they saw me.
So, back to international travel and how bothersome it is!
First, figuring out where to go.
Second, how to get there.
Third, how long you can afford to stay there.
Forth, getting the time approved off.
Then you have one of the hardest parts, trying to fit everything you want to do in on to short of a trip.
Yea, it started out we only had like 5 things we felt we needed to do.
Then La Wife got on the computer and added about 20 more.
I can see why travel agents still have jobs now.
I can also see why tour companies stay open as well.
The truth of the matter though is, we are going to get to see and do more for less!
That’s the story we are going with anyway and I only hope it rings slightly of truth.
There are a lot of things to take into consideration though in planning an international trip.
I would almost say to just have someone else do it for you, but La Wife and I had fun figuring it all out and it was cheep easy quality time together I guess … for like every night for the last 2 months I think!

Also, countries know that they have you when you are coming over.
Let me just say 2 words to make it all make since, Car Rental …
That’s right!
Yes, I can have a mini car for just like 85 Euro for a week.
But no, I’m a big fat butt and need a larger car.
So lets go up a size shall we?
The next sizes up are the Economy (Ford Fiesta) and the Compact (Toyota Yaris).
Um, nope, still not big enough for me … what else you got?
Intermediate … that sounds good right?
Nope, it’s a darn Ford Focus!
How about a Standard … Volkswagen Passat?
How small are these people?
Am I going to be a giant like Arnold when he comes out the Asian airport in Twins?
Fine, lets look at the Full Size … Toyota Corolla … really … fine we will take it.
Ok so we have now gone from the best deals around and upgraded 4 times so it isn’t as good a price, but we are still doing well.

The next question is a stinger though.
Automatic or manual.
Well darn it I can drive anything, I have a manual transmission in my Blazer so of course lets go with that, it is always cheaper isn’t it?
Well, I start thinking and reading up on this little upgrade option for an automatic and low and behold it hits me.
I can drive a manual transmission just as well as anyone … with my right hand and left foot on the clutch …
But over there it will be with my left hand … and right foot … and on the wrong side of the road to boot!
OK, lets look at the upgrade to an automatic.
IT’S 3X AS MUCH!
After much discussion, I bowed down that although I am the master of all skills and the best at everything, even I can’t a lot for me being an idiot at some point and slamming on the break as I try and downshift in a hurry as a flock of sheep are coming down the correct side of the road … that I am also on because I forgot I am not in America where we drive on the right side of the road like normal people should … and I take out a flock of 4 legged animals.
La Wife would never let me live that down, so we upgraded …

The trip is almost booked, we are going to be making the final call this evening.
It isn’t as bad as we had expected … we are still going to have to put some (Cough Most Cough) of it on credit cards, but it is our 5 year anniversary present, and our honeymoon too.
I will keep you all updated … it is getting closer though and if you live in the area and need your yard cut feel free to call me!
Be for warned though, like our cousins on the other side of the Pond I will charge you in Euros so you think you are getting a good deal when in fact you will be paying twice as much!
This is why a cruise ship is the best option!
1/3 the cost and no planning other then what buffet to go to …