Expenses

Following is a rather detailed list of all the money that Brica and I spent during our six weeks together. We thought it would be interesting to keep track of our expenses so we could see where we were wasting money. It should also be useful in planning our next trip. Hopefully it will be helpful to other people planning similar trips. You can see that some places we spent more money on souvenirs and McDonald's, but in general we were pretty thrifty. All of the prices are listed in local currency as well as a rough equivalent in USDollars at the time. Please check the latest exchange rate for the respective currencies, because these currencies can change quickly. Generally all food and lodging items are for two people, so a US$10 meal was really five dollars each. Enjoy.

JAPAN

Date	Location	Store	Item	Yen	US$

	TOKYO
2/26,Wed	Narita	Keisei Line	train ride from airport to city	1960	15.6
	Asakusa	Eidan Subway	subway pass for three days use	2000	16.00
2/27,Thur	Shibuya	Bik Camera	Kyocera P3 35mm camera for Brica	7000	56.00
		Pronto Cafe	bean donut, pastry, 2 coffees	700	5.60
		Surprise	entertainment	5000	40.00
		Big Echo	1 hour in a karaoke box	1500	12.00
	Nishi-kasai	Okonomiyaki	dinner: okono and monja	1800	14.40
2/28,Fri	Waseda	Tenya Tendon	lunch: 2 vegetable tempuras with miso soup	1000	8.00
		Game Center	print club pictures taken	300	2.40
	Takadanobaba	Utahiroba	1 hour in a karaoke box	600	4.80
3/1,Sat	Sumida-ku	Keisei Line	train ride from city to airport	1900	15.20
	Narita	Convenie Store	boxed lunch and water	750	6.00
Subtotal	Japan		3 Days, two people	24510	196.08

Tips on expenses in Japan | Return to Japan

KOREA

Date	Location	Store	Item	Won	US$

	SEOUL
3/1,Sat	Seoul	Korean Air	Flight #703 Tokyo to Seoul (Aaron only, not included in totals)		300.00
	Hongik Univ	Yogwan	4 nights sleep with bath and nice manager	80000	94.12
		Java	ginseng tea, coffee, toast	7000	8.24
3/2,Sun		Pizza Hut	bread sticks, veg. pizza, Pepsi, 7-Up	18000	21.18
		Seoul subway	Many subway rides at 400/each plus Cokes	20000	23.53
	City Hall	Toksugung	entrance to a palace in middle of town	600	0.71
		Underground Shop	2 World Cup 2002 T-shirts	8000	9.41
		Lotte Japanese Rest	2 udons with rice, tempura, and kimchi	13000	15.29
		Lots of Dots	1 peanut butter, 1 banana split ice cream	7000	8.24
3/3,Mon	Hongik Univ	Korean Rest	rice omelette, kimbab	5100	6.00
		Chongmyo Shrine	entrance to royal shrine and palace	6000	7.06
	Itaewon	Street vendors	socks, wallet, slippers, magnets	20000	23.53
		Pizza Hut	garlic bread, cheese pizza, Nex beer, Pepsi	17500	20.59
	Hongik Univ	Convenie Store	sweet bread, fruitopia, cheese balls	6000	7.06
3/4,Tues	Panmunjom	USO Tour	half-day tour of UN base on the DMZ	42000	49.41
	Yongsam	USO Canteen	lunch: grilled cheese, fries, 3 Snapples, apple	6500	7.65
		War Memorial Museum	entrance to huge museum with great grounds	4000	4.71
	Apkujong	Village Restaurant	dinner: great food picked out by my friend Soo	0	0.00
		Karaoke	30min of Korean noreban with Soo	0	0.00
3/5,Wed	Hongik Univ	Convenie Store	lunch: kimbab, Snickers, ramen, pineapple drink	4500	5.29
		Express Bus Terminal	2 one-way tickets from Seoul to Kyongju	21400	25.18
		Post Office	post cards and a package for the USA	16000	18.82
	KYONGJU
	Kyongju	Hanjin Jang Yogwan	3 nights with bath	75000	88.24
3/6,Thur		Grand Restaurant	lunch: we're not sure what it was	8000	9.41
		Chomsongdae Observ.	strange star viewing tower built long ago	200	0.24
		Kyongju Nat'l Museum	entrance into the greatest museum in Korea	800	0.94
		England Bakery	pastry pizza, coffee, Coke, sweets	12700	14.94
		My Store	CD-White III	10000	11.76
		Convenie Store	orange juice, onion rings, Doritos	4000	4.71
3/7,Fri		McDonald's	lunch: 2 Filet-O-Fish specials	5400	6.35
		Post Office	mailed more presents home (Brica)	12000	14.12
		Pulguksa Temple	entrance to a nice Buddhist temple on a hill	4000	4.71
		Sokuram Grotto	impressive statue of Buddha in a small cave	4000	4.71
		DaeSung Chinese Res	dinner	8000	9.41
		Hanjin Jang Yogwan	laundry	4000	4.71
3/8, Sat		Express Bus Terminal	Kyongju to Seoul	21400	25.18
	SEOUL
	World Trade Center	Coco's California Rest	that great California cuisine with my friend	0	0.00
		Friendly Cafe	coffees and beers with IL-HAK	0	0.00
		Yogwan	1 night stay with bath	20000	23.53
3/9,Sun	Kimpo Airport	International Terminal	departure tax	18000	21.18
Subtotal	Korea		9 Days, two people	510100	600.12

THAILAND

Date	Location	Store	Item	Baht	US$

	BANGKOK
3/9,Sun	Bangkok	Korean Air	Flight #633 Seoul to Bangkok (Aaron only, not included in totals)		400.00
	Don Muan Int'l	Pizza Hut/DQ	slice, bread big pepsi, Peanut Buster Parfait	125	5.00
		Public Taxi	Don Muan Int'l to Peachy Guest House	250	10.00
3/10,Mon	Phra Athit	Peachy Guest House	3 nights in AC double, shared bath	1050	42.00
	Khaosan Rd.	Hello GH & Restaurant	noodles, rice deal, banana, lemon shakes	145	5.80
	Transit	Convenie Store	water and cokes	32	1.28
	Rama I	Tokyu MacDonalds	pineapple juice, Toddy Palm Sundae	32	1.28
		Jim Thompson House	tour of a beautiful Teak-wood Thai house	80	3.20
	Chinatown	street vendor/artist	oil painting on canvas	250	10.00
		Oriental Pier	boat ride from downtown to our GH	14	0.56
	Phra Athit	Boat Dock	raisin bread	20	0.80
		Welcome Overseas	rice&veggie, prawns curry w/rice, 2 shakes	165	6.60
	Khaosan Rd.	Some shops	postcards, 3wallets	152	6.08
3/11,Tues	Phra Athit	New Merry V's	sweet sour veg, grilled cheese, tomato soup	147	5.88
	Dusit	Tuk Tuk	three-wheeled taxi Phra Athit-Vimanmek Pal	70	2.80
		Vimanmek Palace	admission to grounds and museum	70	2.80
		Dusit Zoo	admission to a nice city zoo	40	1.60
		Dusit Zoo Rest	pink & green Fanta, Paprika chips	45	1.80
	Khaosan Rd.	Market	Birkenstock-style sandals for Brica	250	10.00
		Some shop	cool pants and a Thai Coke T-shirt for Aaron	220	8.80
		Hello Internet Cafe	email for Brica(25min) and Aaron(45min)	244	9.76
		Mam's GH & Rest	crispy tofu&veg,tofu&rice, muesli&yogurt,juice	150	6.00
		Wholesale/Retail	gorgeous green skort, ugly shorts for Aaron	300	12.00
3/12,Wed	Phra Athit	National Museum	admission and free English tour	40	1.60
	Silpakorn Univ	restaurant	drink and raisin roll, great art display	45	1.80
	Wat Phra Kaew Pier	Some Rest	lunch?:fried peanuts, fried cashews, 2lemon	140	5.60
		Wat Phra Kaew	admission w/free English tour of temple&pal	250	10.00
		Tuk Tuk	taxi ride back to Khaosan Rd.	30	1.20
	Khaosan Rd.	Some Guest House	garlic fried rice, fried noodle, 2 shakes	180	7.20
		Mom&Pop store	2 pairs of sandals new fanny pack	410	16.40
		Travel Agent	AC? bus to Krabi(2 tickets)	640	25.60
	RAI LAY BEACH
3/13,Thur	Krabi	Long Tail Boat	one hour ride out to the beautiful Rai Lay	80	3.20
	Rai Lay Beach	Rai Lay Village	2 nights in a private bungalow w/bath&fan	900	36.00
		Ya-Ya Rest	fried rice&veg,fish&chips, 4 shakes, coffee.etc	325	13.00
3/14,Fri		Ya-Ya Rest	mueslix, french toast, fruit, yogurt	110	4.40
		Sun,Sea,Sand&Rock	Half-day(9am-1) rock climbing lesson with eqmt	1000	40,00
		Sand Sea Rest	pat thai, fried potato, veg curry, shakes, etc	210	8.40
		Convenie Store	11postcards, chocolate, water	115	4.60
		Convenie Store	2 waters, mocha cone, ice cream bar,BBQchips	100	4.00
		Rentals	2 person kayak for one hour	100	4.00
3/15,Sat		Sun,Sea,Sand&Rock	Half-day(9am-1) rock climbing lesson with eqmt	1000	40.00
		Rai Lay Village Rest	fried rice in pineapple, coconut curry, pot soup	215	8.60
		Rai Lay Village Rest	late dinner:2 fried veg, rice,shakes, coffee,etc	250	10.00
		Rai Lay Village	another night in the bungalow	450	18.00
3/16,Sun		Ya-Ya Rest	cont.break, pancake w/banana brunch	140	5.60
		Convenie Store	water, green Fanta	28	1.12
		Long Tail Boat	one hour trip back to the real world	80	3.20
	Krabi	Convenie Store	banana fruit strips, raisin bread, newspaper	80	3.20
	Krabi	Songtherm	AC night bus from Krabi to Bangkok	700	28.00
	BANGKOK
3/17,Mon	Khaosan Rd.	Hello GH Rest	veg omelette, porridge, orange shake, fanta	140	5.60
		Tuk Tuk	taxi ride to Wat Pho	50	2.00
	Wat Pho	Wat Pho	admission to temple grounds and Reclining Buddha	40	1.60
		Silk Screen Guy	bought 4 paintings from one guy,6 from other	1100	44.00
		S&P	lunch:coconut soup, tuna sand, miso soup	240	9.60
		Post Office	10 16baht stamps and 10 9baht ones	250	10.00
		Hello Internet Cafe	email for Brica(54min) and Aaron(107min)	540	21.60
		Greek? Rest	veg samosa, veg spring roll, veg potato	70	2.80
		Sawana Travel	one-way bus for two to Chiang Mai	320	12.80
	Highway	Rest Area	chiclets, Pocky, Juicy Fruit, Pepsi,Snickers	92	3.68
	CHIANG MAI
3/18,Tues	Chiang Mai	Johnny Boy GH	muesli, scrambled eggs on toast, coffee	75	3.00
		Johnny Boy Treks	4 day trek in country with all food guide	3300	132.00
	Highway	Market	game, water, fruit	160	6.40
3/19,Wed	Karen Village	Our house	waters, Sprites	70	2.80
3/20,Thur	Camp	Raft Place	waters, Sprites	70	2.80
3/21,Fri	Chiang Mai	Tuk Tuk	taxi to Central Mall	50	2.00
	Central	Pizza Hut	veg pizza, garlic bread, 7up float, Pepsi	183	7.32
		Vista Theaters	Star Wars Special Edition	120	4.80
		Tuk Tuk	taxi ride back to Johnny Boy Guest House	40	1.60
	Downtown	Johnny B GH	1 night with private bath	100	4.00
3/22,Sat		JB GH Rest	2 french toast, fruit salad, banana shake	160	6.40
		JB GH	postcards	25	1.00
		Tuk Tuk	taxi to DK Campus Book Store	40	1.60
		Convenie Store	shampoo, water	60	2.40
		DK Campus	Thailand map	85	3.40
		Pizza Hut	veg pizza,salad bar, onion rings,Pepsi water	231	9.24
		Mall	toilet for Brica	6	0.24
		JB GH Travel	2 AC night bus tickets to Bangkok	460	18.4
	Highway	Rest Stop	coffee peanuts, Coke, water	50	2.00
	Somewhere	Para Services	Aaron's bag was stolen from the night bus		2700
	BANGKOK
3/23,Sun	Phra Athit	New Merry Vs	fruit salad, breakfast set, cheese sand	140	5.60
		New Merry Vs	one night in AC w/bath room; view of river	380	15.20
	Khaosan Rd.	Kodak Place	film developing for 9 rolls, single print	1000	40.00
		GPO	mail sea package to America	610	24.40
		GPO	call Nepal for 1min 18sec	80	3.20
		GPO	stamps, Cokes	60	2.40
		Mam's GH Rest	dinner: fried veg, veg/tofu/rice, fanta,etc	140	5.60
		Wholesale/Retail	2 pants and a shirt for clothes-less Aaron	400	16.00
3/24,Mon	Phra Athit	New Merry Vs	early morn bus to airport	140	5.60
	Don Muan Int'l	Pizza Hut	Hawaiian pizza, slice, garlic bread, Pepsi	175	7.00
		post office	mail brother's B-day present to US	130	5.20
		Thai Govt	departure tax	500	20.00
Subtotal	Thailand		15 Days, two people	23351	934.04

NEPAL

Date	Location	Store	Item	Rupees	US$

	KATHMANDU
3/24,Mon	Kathmandu	Thai Airlines	Flight #311 Bangkok to Kathmandu(Aaron only, not included in totals)		362
	Kathmandu Int'l	Nepal govt	15-day tourist visa for Aaron	900	15.00
	Thamel	street vendor	Kathmandu and Solu-Khumbu maps, 2 postcards	150	2.50
		KCs	veg tofu burger, fries, lasagna, water, coke	340	5.67
		Clothes store	maroon hiking pants, socks, stocking cap	1050	17.50
		Bookstore	3 used books for the trail (great selection	200	3.33
		Taxi	ride home from Thamel to Tripureswar	70	1.17
3/25,Tues	Tripureswar	FAX/STD Shop	One 3min phone call to USA about lost bag	525	8.75
	Thamel	KEEP	2 T-shirts, hat, bio-soap, Langtang area	1075	17.92
		KEEP	coffee, orange&apple juice, banana lassi	140	2.33
		Bistro on Roof	spaghetti, spinach lasagna, fries,Coke,water	340	5.67
		Rickshaw	20min ride to the bus station to check tickets	70	1.17
		Taxi	return to Thamel, shared with a nice couple	30	0.50
3/16,Sun	Thamel	Gear Shop	Merril boots,socks,NorthFace/Patagonia fleece	3264	54.40
		Gear Shop	2 NorthFace(fake)GoreTex shells, flashlight	2100	35.00
		Rations	5candy bars,shave cream,sunblock,raisins,nuts	1200	20.00
		Northfield Cafe	bean burrito, waffle, cheesecake, coffee	360	6.00
		Rickshaw bike	offered 35,but Aaron peddled some so paid extra?	100	1.67
3/26,Wed	Tripureswar	FAX/STD Shop	another call to USA: insurance is ok for bag	500	8.33
	Thamel	Immigration Office	2 trekking permits for the Everest region	1135	18.92
		next door	passport photos for Brica	125	2.08
	BusinessDist	Cafe & Pub	veg sizzler,fish&chips, coffee, orange juice	390	6.50
		Kodak place	17stamps, 19postcards, 2candy bars	350	5.83
	Thamel	British Store	flashlight,lighter,fleece gloves,umbrella	2200	36.67
		Convenie Store	candy bars,cheese,nuts,TP,candles,mix,honey,PB	750	12.50
		Namaste Trekking	rent down bag for 10days	750	12.50
		Fire & Ice	pepperoni verdi pizza (no pepperoni)	260	4.33
3/27,Thur	Bus Park	Local Bus	3 seats on a crowded one-way, 10hr bus to Jiri	360	6.00
	WALKIN
	Transit	Roadside Stop	lunch: 2 Dal Bhats(rice with lentil soup)	60	1.00
	Jiri	Sagarmatha Mt. Everest Lodge	dinner,two 10rupee beds, breakfast,nice kids	440	7.33
3/28,Fri	Bhandar	Shobha Lodge	dinner, hot shower, bed&breakfast	535	8.92
3/29,Sat	Sete	Sunrise	dinner, two 10rupee beds, breakfast,nice kids	330	5.50
3/30,Sun	Lamjura Pass	Sherpa House	lunch:hot lemon, fried potatoes, etc (slow)	130	2.17
	Junbesi	Junbesi GH	dinner, two beds in dorm room, breakfast	600	10.00
3/31,Mon	Nuntala	Sherpa House	Fanta,milk,malt cookies,Mars bar(expensive)	235	3.92
	Jubing	Quiet Place	dinner,two 10rupee beds,breakfast,nice kids	400	6.67
4/1,Tues	Poiyan	Apple Pie GH	dinner,two 10rupee beds,no breakfast or kids	230	3.83
4/2,Wed	Choklung	Cheese Factory	cheese and crackers	120	2.00
	Phakding	Int'l Trekkers GH	dinner,two 20rupee beds,lots of coffee	390	6.50
4/3,Thur	Sagarmatha Park	Park Entrance	permit to enter the Everest National Park	1300	21.67
	NAMCHE
	Namche	Khumbu Lodge	2 nights in the Jimmy Carter room, plus food	1190	19.83
4/4,Fri	Khumjung	Khumjung Bakery	rolls&coffee at worlds highest(3790m)bakery	100	1.67
4/5,Sat	Lukla	Sherpa Lodge	dinner,two 50rupee beds,breakfast,nice Germans	390	6.50
4/6,Sun		Royal Nepal Air	Two tickets, Lukla to Kathmandu w/earplugs	9960	166.00
	KATHMANDU
	Kathmandu Int'l	Rickshaw	ride from airport back to Tripureswar	100	1.67
		Pizza Hut	veg pizza,salad bar, onion rings,Pepsi water	231	3.85
	Thamel	Helena's	lunch: good food and atmosphere	360	6.00
		Namaste Trekking	returned sleeping bag, paid for fleece hat	250	4.17
		Helena's	coffees and strudel	125	2.08
		Rickshaw	roundtrip in rain to bus. dist for pictures	150	2.50
	Business Dist	Yeti Film Shop	4 rolls of single prints developed	670	11.17
	Thamel	Helena's	dinner: cheese pizza, chips	260	4.33
		Clothes Shop	personalized embroidered shirt, cool side bag	650	10.83
		Rickshaw	another ride from Thamel to Tripureswar	50	0.83
4/7,Mon	Durbar Square	Bag Guy	side bag, big bag, pen bags, coin purses	420	7.00
		Wool Guy	4 pair wool socks	260	4.33
		Paradise Vegetarian	veg spring roll,potato soup,s&s veg, drinks	216	3.60
		Rickshaw	ride from Durbar Sq to Airport	80	1.33
	Kathmandu Int'l	Nepali govt	departure tax for Aaron only	660	11.00
Subtotal	Nepal		15 Days, two people	39626	660.43