Locations: Thessaloniki [Greece], Kutaisi, Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 70 on the road. Let’s see how much my wallet likes me….

Transportation

On Tuesday, I took a plane from Θεσσαλονίκη (Thessaloniki) to ქუთაისი (Kutaisi). The price of the ticket was $70.47, but I used the points one of my travel cards to erase it. So…free! Sort of….

Also on Tuesday, there was an issue with the company I booked my flight with. They checked me in (which was nice; remembering to check in is a pain in the ass), but didn’t send me my boarding pass. That ended up costing me $39.22. Although…. I saw them weighing bags at the check-in counter. Since I ended up having to pay them more money, they didn’t bother to weigh my carry-on. I’m relatively sure it would be too heavy if they’d checked so…sort of winning?

More on Tuesday. I took a bus from the Kutaisi Airport to თბილისი (Tbilisi): $7.54. For a 4 hour bus ride, that’s pretty good. Yay Georgia!

Accommodation

Friday to Sunday were at the variable rate hostel so prices are all over the place.

On Monday, I stayed at my favorite hostel in Thessaloniki (Little Big House). The price was cheaper than the variable rate hostel despite being more crowded. Plus, the conditions of Little Big House are better so if you’re in Thessaloniki, and don’t mind walking up a hill….

Tuesday to Thursday were at a hostel in Tbilisi. There’s nothing like going from a [relatively] expensive place like Greece to a super affordable place like Georgia to demonstrate just how overrated the typical tourist destinations are.

Food

I went a little crazy on Saturday, and splurged; going to a restaurant, and getting appetizers, and drinks along with the meal.

On Tuesday, I went a little crazy in Georgia. I bought groceries (the initial expense being a bit more as you have to buy spices and what-not), and went out to eat. One would think that would have cost me more than Saturday, but…Georgia! I fucking love it here!

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.69 per day.

On Wednesday, I did laundry: $1.13. Again, Georgia.

Summary

Week 70
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	46.76	0	0	46.76
Lodging	21.83	20.67	22.39	19.06	3.77	3.77	3.77	95.26
Food	4.47	22.93	3.24	0	16.36	8.12	0	55.12
Other	7.11	7.11	7.11	7.11	7.11	8.24	7.11	50.9
Total	33.41	50.71	32.74	26.17	74	20.13	10.88	248.04

So, that doesn’t look too bad due to [mostly] zeroing out the plane ticket. Going forward, I expect my expenses will drop considerably. See you all next week….

Locations: Belgrade [Serbia], Thessaloniki [Greece]

Week 69 on the road is done. A few very unexpected expenses came up so here we go….

Transportation

On Tuesday, I took a bus from Београд (Belgrade) to Θεσσαλονίκη (Thessaloniki): $60.58. Ouch! I hadn’t planned on returning to Ελλάδα (Greece) this soon, but it’s the cheapest way I could find to get back to საქართველო (Georgia). I hadn’t planned on going back to Georgia just yet either, but….

I discovered last Friday that someone had managed to steal my debit card information. They used it to make a few online purchases so I had to lock the card. Since that’s the way I was getting cash, I needed to find another way to pay for general living expenses. Greece accepts credit cards in far more instances than the rest of it’s Balkan neighbors so returning was a good idea from that standpoint as well. More on this fiasco in another post though. Back to expenses….

Accommodation

Friday to Monday were at a hostel in Belgrade. There’s a slight difference in price due to currency/exchange fluctuations. The hostel was almost empty, and I got a while 6 bed dorm to myself! Which was nice.

Tuesday night was spent on an overnight bus so no accommodation charge! Thought it did make me almost useless on Wednesday….

Wednesday and Thursday were spent at a hostel in Thessaloniki. This hostel is a little different and charge variable rates based on (I’m assuming) demand. Weirdoes….

Food

There isn’t much to say here. Food in Greece is more expensive (but better) than the other Balkan countries I visited.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.69 per day.

On Friday, the hostel did my laundry: $5.72. It was a bit expensive, but they dried (something I’m not used to) and folded it so I’m not complaining.

On Wednesday, I topped up my mobile data for Greece: $20.00 for 1G.

Summary

Week 69
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	60.58	0	0	60.58
Lodging	10.95	10.67	10.67	10.67	0	14.93	19.52	77.41
Food	3.24	12.77	0	4.17	3.35	5.59	8.83	37.95
Other	12.83	7.11	7.11	7.11	7.11	27.11	7.11	75.49
Total	27.02	30.55	17.78	21.95	71.04	47.63	35.46	251.43

So, a little more expensive due to travel costs. Still though, it wasn’t terrible. See you all next week….

Locations: Ohrid, Skopje [North Macedonia]; Belgrade [Serbia]

Week 68 of perpetual travel. Let’s get into it….

Transportation

On Friday, I took a bus from Охрид (Ohrid) to Скопје (Skopje): $8.74. Ohrid was chilly, but nice. It’s a peaceful town next to a huge lake. I highly recommend going if you’re in North Macedonia.

On Wednesday, I took a bus from Skopje to Београд (Belgrade): $23.38. In retrospect, I probably should have gone somewhere closer in Serbia. The 9 hour ride was a bit long, and involved changing buses in Ниш (Niš).

Accommodation

Friday to Tuesday were at the same hostel in Skopje. The differences in price are a result of exchange rate fluctuations, and what kind of deal I could get.

Travel tip: For those of us that are from the US, I highly recommend getting a Charles Schwab checking account. It’ll enable you to pull cash out of ATMs in the local currency at [almost always] the best rates. Additionally, they’ll refund any charges the banks said ATMs belong to add on.

Wednesday and Thursday were in a hostel in Belgrade: $10.95 per night. It appears to still be low season since there aren’t many guests here. I got a whole 6 bed dorm to myself! It also means I don’t have a lot of people to socialize with unless I go out though. So good and bad….

Food

There isn’t much to say here. I’ve been eating out every day since I wasn’t sure when I was going where, and didn’t want to leave a bunch of extra groceries behind. The plus side is once you’ve been somewhere for a while, you know where to get the cheapest good food.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

On Friday, my subscription to Pimsleur’s Russian course renewed. Since there are 31 days in May the price per day went from $0.71 to $0.69. Yay, long months!

On Saturday, I went to Водно (Vodno). It’s one of the mountains surrounding Skopje. The bus was free since it was a weekend. I did end up spending $1.82 for the cable car to the top. The view was spectacular though it was a bit windy so I’d recommend going on a warm day.

On Wednesday, I purchased data for my travel SIM for Serbia: $20.00. The rates here are far cheaper than North Macedonia. If I had a local SIM, they’d probably be about the same.

Summary

Week 68
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	8.74	0	0	0	0	23.38	0	32.12
Lodging	9.65	9.83	9.83	9.83	9.86	10.95	10.95	70.9
Food	4	2.73	6.37	3.74	4.75	6.04	10.1	37.73
Other	7.13	8.95	7.13	7.13	7.13	27.13	7.11	71.71
Total	29.52	21.51	23.33	20.7	21.74	67.5	28.16	212.46

So there’s this week’s spending. See you all next week.

Locations: Skopje, Ohrid [North Macedonia]

Week 67 on the road, and I finally did something. I’m such a lazy traveler….

Transportation

On Monday, I took a bus from Скопје (Skopje) to Охрид (Ohrid): $8.21. Ohrid is a town on a lake in the mountains. It’s beautiful, but can be a little chillier than you’d expect since it’s at elevation.

Accommodation

Friday and Saturday were the last of my month long AirBnB stay: $14.39 per night. You can get some really good deals if you’re willing to stay for a couple weeks or longer.

Sunday was at a hostel: $8.49. I ended up having a 6 bed dorm room to myself. This is why traveling in the off season is so cool.

Monday to Thursday were spent at a hostel in Ohrid: $11.30 per night. It’s a little on the high side for a hostel in North Macedonia, but breakfast was included so…. Not that I look for that; I actually tend to look for places that don’t include breakfast, but the hostel looked like my best option in the city.

Food

Most of the weekend was spent finishing off my groceries. I ended up spending a bit more than usual on food in Ohrid, because of going out and drinking a bit. I met some fun travelers though so…winning!

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Pimsleur Russian: $0.71 per day.

On Friday, I got my teeth cleaned: $18.24. I really should take better care of my teeth. On the plus side, it’s super cheap!

On Thursday, some new friends and I rented a boat, and sailed around Lake Ohrid for about an hour: $4.56 for my part. It was pretty fun.

Travel tip: don’t go with someone that comes to you; they’re overpriced. The people that sit back, and don’t care if anyone asks them for a ride are far cheaper.

Summary

Week 67
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	8.21	0	0	0	8.21
Lodging	14.39	14.39	8.49	11.3	11.3	11.3	11.3	82.47
Food	0	0	4.56	13.51	9.69	4.1	13.68	45.54
Other	25.37	7.13	7.13	7.13	7.13	7.13	11.69	72.71
Total	39.76	21.52	20.18	40.15	28.12	22.53	36.67	208.93

So that’s pretty good; especially since it included traveling. See you all next week.