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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:
Original poster
aussierules3 · 18/02/2024 05:39

Also my dad texted and offered to send me money (pay him back once I’m working again) to help me ‘make the most of it’ and now I feel a) pressure to make the most of it and b) almost guilty if I spend this on splashing out on Fiji …

OP posts:
DrJump · 18/02/2024 05:46

I've had friends recently return from Fiji and there were really disappointed. The food wasn't good. Deep-fried and beige. Fresh food was very expensive.

If you are flying home is the half way point worth staying in.

Personally I'd love.to see Malaysia or Indonesia.

But if you haven't done much in Australia there is so much Dubbo, Mildura, Coffs Harbour would be some of my unusual choices.

Tas would be wildly different to mainland Australia. New Zealand is different again.

My tipmwould.be flip a coin. Head Fiji tails not Fiji. Then once it come up you'll know. Eg if you get heads and your heart sinks then you know it's not really what you want.

SheepAndSword · 18/02/2024 05:46

That's kind of your father.

Is accommodation sorted for when you're back?

SheepAndSword · 18/02/2024 05:48

@DrJump I love Malaysia!

Original poster
aussierules3 · 18/02/2024 06:05

It’s so lovely of my dad. We don’t have a lot of money so it’s so unexpected.
We are moving into my partners parents so save for a house. I think he’s worrying more as he has some credit card debt etc.

I worry I have my heart set on Fiji because I’ve looked at it in detail and I want something different to Australia! Don’t know if I’m being narrow minded thinking NZ etc wouldn’t be good enough.

We decided against going to Asia on the way home as we can go there anytime and we’re never gonna come this side of the world again so decided to do trips here instead

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 18/02/2024 06:15

How lovely of your dad to offer to lend you money! If your heart is set on Fiji then I'd take him up on his offer and visit while you can!

LameBorzoi · 18/02/2024 06:37

What exactly are you wanting out of it? A luxury holiday before you go home?

Fiji is only really worth it if you are paying crazy money / don't care that much about money. As a PP said, everything is very expensive, as so much stuff has to be shipped in. If you are doing it on credit, I think you will be miserable.

Have you really "done Australia"? It's a big place. It's a bit like saying you've "done Europe", Lisbon to Moscow, and everything in between.

getitgotitgood · 18/02/2024 06:41

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?

NZ is totally different to Oz!
It has every type of landscape frombthermal pools and volcanoes, to fjords, skiing , walking, surfing, beach-laying on.....
Plus there's the cultural aspect, traditional Maori arts and culture and modernity.
More to see and do than Fiji!

anunlikelyseahorse · 18/02/2024 06:43

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

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.

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:
TheBlessedCheesemaker · 18/02/2024 07:46

Fiji is boring.

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

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

OP posts:
JennyfromtheBlok · 18/02/2024 07:48

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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 08:26

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.

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.

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.

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.

TiredOfTHECHANGE · 18/02/2024 09:32

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