＊「Traveling around the world? That must cost you lots of money…」
Not really. How much money you spend turns out how you make this journey. People have done it successfully with budgets from 200 thousand to 2 million NTD(6,666~66,666 USD). I'd never considered about money since I could not increase it dramatically in a short time. I do all the arrangements within my budget limit step by step. So money concern is easy for me.
You might also plan a trip you want, give it a budget, then work hard to reach that number. But you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. There might be something happening and slow down your saving process or even stop it. It might be the changing of your thought, changing the plans again and again, wanting more and more stuffs, then ending up not going. It might be some accidents happening, ending up passing away or being not capable to travel. Money is there waiting for you to earn it but chances are not. I suggest people, who are interested in this, to catch every single chance that possibly make this happen, to carefully think it over and over, and to make your decision. Do not make yourself regret whether you are going or not. There's no "if I knew...", "if things were..." in your life.
Taiwanese people, who had done a single journey around the world by himself/herself, are not as less as I think. What you could find on the web is pretty much what happened in those few years. Their budgets are reliable. You might read some booking as well, and contact the authors/bloggers if you want, for details like costs and visas. Be aware of the politeness and, respect, and be well prepared before you contact them directly or indirectly. It your work to make your routes and plans, not theirs. Traveling and trekking loving people are very willing to share everything with others. Unfortunately they got so much annoyances after becoming famous and might get tired. Furthermore, some people might not be able to tell you every thing in detail with the business concern, like book publications or making speeches. Please put yourself in their shoes since people have different aspirations.
＊「How to carry the money?」
(1) International ATM card:
This is my mainly how I get the money. Technically, as long as you have those logos on the card, you could withdraw money wherever you find a ATM machine with the same logos, with local currency, Euros or US dollars depending on what the machine could offer you. Mostly used services are Maestro, Cirrus(from MasterCard) and Plus(from VISA). Usually you need to input the 4-digit magnetic code to use international ATM services, and Cash Advances Services(CAS) which allows you to get money from credit card. The CAS code might not be given to you when you applied the credit card, you might want to confirm this with your bank. Usually CAS charge higher commission than ATM service, and it's better to understand how they charge you with the interests.
New IC ATM cards used to have those logos on them, no matter from local or international banks. But I heard the "international withdrawing function" might not be working if you didn't ask for it. Make sure you had confirm this with your banks. It is suggested to have ATM card from both local and international banks. Many people recommend Citibank ATM card, which is functional in any time and in many countries. Citibank doesn't charge you transaction fees as long as you have much enough money(now 250,000 NTD) in your account. It saves lots for long term travelers who withdraw money frequently with less amount. Citibank Taiwan is promoting investing accounts right now, but still accept the applications for opening normal saving accounts. Some staffs might tell you saving accounts are not available now, it's a trick. Just go to the originally set-up Citibank Taiwan, not those branches that was merged with other local banks(e.g. OCBC Bank).
How many are those international ATM machines? MasterCard web page provides location searching functions for cross-country-withdrawing ATM machines in different countries. Besides, from what I'd heard from David Xiao, who have been traveling for more than 2 years, ATM is where mostly he gets cash from. Ask for the withdrawing time, amount, area and other restrictions when you apply for the card. Try to withdraw money in office hours. Go to the counters if machines don't accept your card, or go to next machines. Withdrawing from ATM machines is convenient, but be award that it's not always working. It's better to have cash on hand all the time.
(2) Cash:
Buy some US dollars in Taiwan, replenish with ATM machines on the way. It's necessary to have cash with you to deal with uncertainties. Cash amount depends on how you consider about the convenience and possibilities of being stolen and robbed. Hide your cash separately. Exposing pockets are yummy to pickpockets. Also be careful when using hip-bags and wallets.
(3) Traveler cheques:
Have some on hand as well. Buy more if you think they are good for using. Skip them if you don't.
(4) Credit cards:
Bring 2~3 just in case. It's better to have both VISA and MasterCard. I was thinking to have a JCB for its zero commission charge overseas. But since 1st of April, 2010, JCB started charging 1% commission for oversea deals. And JCB is only useful in a few places, so I cut it.
＊「How is it to deal with black markets?」
Black markets are active in India, Africa, Latin America and some other places. It's not difficult to find them, they might come to you when you walk out of the station. Convenience and better exchanging rates are the advantages to deal with them. In some places/time period, the black exchanging rate would be very attractive. The risks would be the fake notes and being pointed by guns. If you want to try, find someone trust-worthy first, process the deal under safe circumstances, begin with small amounts, and put more if you think it's OK. In some places, the black markets are the only way to get local currencies. You need to be prepared when you have to make deals with them, don't think you might another choice. Black merchants are still merchants, they want your money, not your life. If other travelers are making deals with black markets, it should be OK to go with them. Have more information if you don't really feel OK. This is how I think now, might share more after I do make deals with black markets. Actually I'm very interested in the black markets.
2010/01/10 Kaohsiung.
2010/01/14 revise
2010/01/15 revise
2010/01/21 revise
2010/02/07 revise
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