Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#31

Post by aliston » Thu, Aug 27, 2015, 12:35 AM UTC

I'd travel on 5k and put the rest in my investment portfolio. The 5k limit will make the trip a lot of fun and force you to get out of your travel bubble to meet people. It will also lead you to more interesting experiences and force you to get creative.

If you really want to burn the cash, then spend another 1k on a day trading class along the way, and put the last 19k in a highly leveraged investment like options on GLD or something. Either way the investment goes, it'll make your trip a lot more exciting!

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#32

Post by antb123 » Thu, Aug 27, 2015, 4:33 PM UTC

Not really fair question as you haven't said what you like? Culture, Nature, Fun?

This guy has done it twice and raved about East Africa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rogers

From my perspective I would hit the countries with the most people - China and India and then spend a week or so relaxing somewhere (Southern Europe(Greece Spain) or Israel)

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#33

Post by staunch » Fri, Aug 28, 2015, 1:34 AM UTC

Hiking and sailing around the Mediterranean, touring ancient land routes and sea lanes.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#34

Post by hadeharian » Fri, Aug 28, 2015, 1:56 PM UTC

I would probably do some kind or genetic study as I traveled. There is some kind of interesting genotype(s) I would have to test for. This could be plant, animal, human. I wouldn't really care.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#35

Post by arsalanb » Fri, Aug 28, 2015, 6:31 PM UTC

nly wrote: post #7

Pay for a good friend to go with you.

A good friend wouldn't need to be paid, I think?

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#36

Post by arsalanb » Fri, Aug 28, 2015, 6:32 PM UTC

Fly to Africa, donate all the money I can to better education, healthcare, and living conditions, raise some more, donate that too, and then fly back.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 15-20k to take a 2-4 week trip, solo, what would you do?

#37

Post by semicolondev » Fri, Aug 28, 2015, 11:39 PM UTC

throwaway9er wrote: post #4

mtmail wrote: post #2

The amount is enough to travel the world for a year. Unless you want to spoil yourself with first class flights and 5 star hotels you'd be hard pressed to even spent it. How about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (takes a week), then relax on the beach for a week and give the remaining 15k to a local orphanage?

It's a thought experiment. Assuming I haven't travelled in years and may not be able to again. Decadence was not the goal, as is neither spending or wasting all the money unnecessarily. It's the classic pickle, stay in a few places for a long time or barely get to know/appreciate multiple. Honestly looking for ideas I can expand on...

Going for people and culture ?

Pick different culture. Stay in one country/city, exploring it to the fullest, making friends. Learning to sign their songs.

Going for refreshment and nature ?

Hop in multiple places.