global hitch hiking!!!!!

[IdRatherBeSurfing]

some of you may remember my wanting to go round the world. well the plan is to get somewhere and work until i have enough cash to get somewhere else!

has anyone else done this and how hard is it to find jobs in other countries? do u have to have a work permit or anything?

Im guessing nearly everywhere has bar work??

[drowningbitbybit]

Ive done it quite a lot, although not really surf trips (missed opportunity! ), and its easy enough to get bar or restaurant work pretty much anywhere as long as you're prepared to scrape the bottom of the barrel, or at least the kitchen's bins...

Are you serious about the hitchhiking bit? Or was that just a funny thread title? If you are serious, I really dont recommend it - Ive had lots of nasty stuff happen hitching in out of the way places, and Im a 6ft well built fella! I met a lot of gay truck drivers....

[drowningbitbybit]

has anyone else done this and how hard is it to find jobs in other countries? do u have to have a work permit or anything?

Oh, and that bit

Varies from place to place, and also depends on how long you stay. In general, I'd work it out beforehand (for each country) rather than just turning up. Some places are easy (anywhere in europe will be fine as you're UK) but some places wont let you in/will throw you out if you dont have the right forms

[libby]

Places like NZ and Oz you dont need a visa if you are just visiting but if you plan to work here you need one. NZ does a working holiday visa and I presume a few other places do the same. It usually costs a bit to apply for them (i think my student visa cost around $80 but that may have gone up recently). With the working holiday visas you are usually allowed to work in one job for a max of 3 months before you move on and find another one and there are quite strict rules about what you can and can't do.

The other option is to come to places like NZ as a visitor and do 'casual' work (technically illegal but heaps of people do it). Alot of travellers in NZ do fruit picking and similar things as its just cash in hand. To come in as a visitor you will need proof that you intend to leave again i.e. a plane ticket back out or prove that you have enough money in your bank account to live on and pay for a plane ticket out, but it varies from country to country. I think you can stay between 3 and 6 months as a UK visitor with no visa in NZ.

Thats just for NZ, i know when i went to Bolivia i didnt need a visa to get in but i probably would have needed one to work. Like DBB said its defo best to work that stuff out before you leave, especially in terms of money as you may underestimate how much its going to cost.

And depressing as it is i'm with DBB on the hitchhiking. Even in awsome countries like NZ its just not safe anymore but theres heaps of good transport networks for travellers in NZ and Oz if you plan on coming here

Enjoy, i'm very jealous!

[pat42]

I've travelled a fair bit, and worked a fair bit in other countries. Depending on where you go, the pound is very very strong and it's not even worth thinking about working eg Asia, South America. But if you're going to Oz and NZ the pound is still strong but I would get a work permit to cover yourself.
The problem with relying on getting a job abroad to make money to travel is you find yourself getting stuck in a place cos you've gotta pay bills rent etc.....Sydney is full of Brits and Irish who are stuck there!!!
Personally I would work my ass off over here and save hard so you dont have to work abroad.....On a friday night out over here, lets say you spend £100....thats like 6 weeks hotel accomodation including breakfast in Bali

[CheeZee]

Let me know if my bud at seasonaires can help you out with anything ..obviously thats only for the winter season snowboardy thang but if its any use i'll happily pass on any details ive got that may be of any use to ya, and hook you up with him and his good lady

[dreamer]

when you get to sydney, aus, stay in bondi junction -- you'll get a cash job here easy - no tax, no worries..