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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

For not wanting to travel anywhere else?

33 replies

aussierules3 · 18/02/2024 05:35

I posted before about my 6 month trip with my partner who was playing a sport in Australia and now it’s nearly over!

We have 3 weeks left and want to make the most of being here before we leave. Our flights home are all booked.
I had my heart set on Fiji, it looks incredible and island hopping looks luxurious. We priced flights, all island hopping travel and accommodation as around $2800 for us both. We couldn’t find it any cheaper unless we want to do it cheaply in not very nice places.
We currently have $3000 in our account and will be earning at least $1000 more, and then some farm work on top (depending on weather).

But the other problem is, my partner doesn’t yet have a job lined up and really doesn’t want to go home with no money left over. If we book Fiji we won’t have very much left at all.

Other problem is, this doesn’t include food or activities. It’s on the very top of our budget.

Everyone keeps telling me to ‘make the most of’ my last few weeks and I don’t want to let anyone down and I also don’t really know what this means.

Our other options were other places in Australia, Tasmania or possibly New Zealand. I can’t help but feel let down by these now that I’ve looked at Fiji in detail. We’ve done most of Australia already and I can’t help but feel like NZ/Taz will be the same and I’ll regret doing these over Fiji. Am I being a bit bratty/ungrateful though?

OP posts:
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Hesma · 23/06/2024 19:14

NZ is amazing, bathe in the hot springs, climb a glacier, have the best seafood ever… I’ve been twice and would definitely recommend

PaminaMozart · 20/02/2024 00:11

I vote New Zealand...

justjuggling · 20/02/2024 00:06

Definitely NZ over Fiji.

Original poster
aussierules3 · 19/02/2024 19:49

Thank you!

OP posts:
Tumbleweed101 · 19/02/2024 07:49

I'd pick NZ because I'd love to see their mountains and hot springs etc. I'm not a beach holiday person though.

BarrelOfOtters · 19/02/2024 07:33

I haven’t been to Australia bbut spent a few months in NZ and it has so much variety and so much to do and its fun on a budget. You could snorkel there, tramp through forests, there are amazing beaches….and have a blast. More for your money.

Original poster
aussierules3 · 19/02/2024 07:26

I think we’re gonna go more of Aus/maybe NZ! We didn’t come here for a luxury holiday that we could do anytime! May as well explore the country we’re in whilst we still can 😀

OP posts:
Pinkfluffypencilcase · 18/02/2024 14:01

New Zealand is amazing. Hot beaches/ thermal waters. Glacier walks. Beautiful country. I preferred it to Australia. Different feel. And your so close to it now that it’d make sense to go. Why not price it up and compare?

If it is once in a lifetime (and you’ve compared NZ/Fiji) and you still want Fiji then go. I’d rather come back with nothing than miss out.

Either would be great though.

TiredOfTHECHANGE · 18/02/2024 09:32

I worked in NZ and visited Fiji (and Oz) and I would recommend NZ over Fiji ever time.

MumPlanQuery · 18/02/2024 09:00

It doesn’t sound like you should go on a luxury holiday right now; your partner has no job lined up, has credit card debt, and you have no savings…

Exception might be if you’re both entering into very high paying corporate law /finance careers and should make the money back in your first month or two of work.

But then if that is the case you could go back to that side of the world again in a couple of years and do the holiday properly.

Takoneko · 18/02/2024 08:55

It sounds like you just can’t afford it.

You aren’t realistically going to add much money to the pot from farm work if you’re going to spend a chunk of your last 3 weeks on holiday in Fiji. I’m assuming you would be planning on spending at least 10 days there if you’re island hopping.

It sounds like you’ll only have about €1500 max left after travel and accommodation. For 10 days that would only leave you €75 per person each day for all food, drinks and activities. That’s less than £39. I just don’t think you can have the sort of luxurious holiday you’re imagining on that budget.

And that budget is plus also see you returning home with absolutely no money at all to get you through until payday when only one of you has a job lined up.

PansyOatZebra · 18/02/2024 08:26

If that’s all the money you literally have to your names then I’d definitely say you can’t afford Fiji. It would be far too high risk for me to go back home with literally no money.

FrozenGhost · 18/02/2024 08:26

Also New Zealand is quite expensive as well. Accommodation, food and fuel is expensive there. The NZ dollar is strong against the aussie dollar at the moment so that won't help (assuming your earning in $AUD).

What are your interests? If you love hiking and mountain scenery you will really love NZ. Some of the best hikes in the world are there. Along with many other wonderful sites as well. If your more in the mood for hot weather, white sand beaches and snorkelling, you'll want to head to Fiji.

Aprilx · 18/02/2024 08:22

I used to live in Australia and have holidayed in Fiji. It really is not that great unless you go for the more expensive / luxury places and you are going to be at the budget end for the location. I also visited Bora Bora which is stunning and Fiji simply isn't the same league.

I personally would not blow my last $ on a holiday and nor would I ever borrow money for a holiday. But if I were going to take a trip in your situation, then I would stick to Australia, it is as beautiful as any South Pacific island (except Bora Bora 😍).

FrozenGhost · 18/02/2024 08:20

I'm Australian (living there) and my DH is NZ so I've been to Fiji and New Zealand a few times each. I love them both, but in your case I'd say go to Fiji. I really love Fiji, it's stunning. Pp is right that the food is just OK. However the beaches are incredible, especially if your heading to an island. The snorkeling and diving is amazing.

Where are you thinking of staying in Fiji?

Els1e · 18/02/2024 08:10

I’ve been to both and out of those two, I would go to NZ. Fiji is fine but just that really. I would consider what your partner is saying. Could lead to resentment otherwise. Have a lovely trip whatever you decide.

Myglassishalffullish · 18/02/2024 08:10

My sister lived in Fiji for 2 years (work posting) …. Hated it. The locals were quite hostile toward them.
Bora Bora would be my bucket list place if I were in that neck of the woods

Pheeeeebs · 18/02/2024 07:56

Sounds like you must go to Fiji bc you have your heart set on it. Even if you don’t have the experience you imagined, you will have seen it and made up your own mind. YOLO.

ChilliNeedsaRest · 18/02/2024 07:48

NZ is an excellent option! I spent a lot of time there and it’s very different to AUS and is beautiful!

I also decided to not visit Fiji when there as it would cost so much in flights alone. You won’t have much fun worrying about money.

Also would kill to spend three weeks ‘just’ in Australia right now.

JennyfromtheBlok · 18/02/2024 07:48

Tasmania is stunning, I would love to go back there.

Original poster
aussierules3 · 18/02/2024 07:46

Oh really? Have you been? What did you do?

OP posts:
TheBlessedCheesemaker · 18/02/2024 07:46

Fiji is boring.

Original poster
aussierules3 · 18/02/2024 07:32

I’ve honestly never been so stuck on a decision in my life!
NZ and Fiji would be totally different experiences

OP posts:
LameBorzoi · 18/02/2024 06:45

I actually think that your partner is being pretty sensible. It seems to me that going home with zero money would undo the benefits of the holiday.

anunlikelyseahorse · 18/02/2024 06:43

I preferred Rarotonga to most of the Fijian islands, you might find that cheaper.