£1 loan payments, orangutans and learning it doesn't all happen overnight...

DebtFree2012

Hey beccie

Definitely don't stop posting. Also go for it on another other things you may want to discuss - we are all here to listen and comment

xx

Kepp

OK, you asked for it!

Africa:

Booked and paid for my flight a few months ago to go to SA in November. A friend who I met while volunteering in Namibia had started working at a project there and I was going to go stay there with him, see what was going on and costs would have been minimal once I was there.

In the meantime I saw that another girl we had volunteered with had also gone, she seemed to be enjoying it and was quite involved, talking possible employment to then she left quite abruptly to go back to the US.

A couple of months on and the guy leaves too, starting work at another project (setting up his own).

I've already booked my flight to the first place so decided I would still go regardless of whether he had left. I assumed he just wanted to run his own place.

I've been in contact with them both - whilst I got a slightly less hysterical view from the girl, they both amount to the same thing - they had discovered that a lot of the conservation side going on was fronting canned hunting Although still legal in SA it is NOT something I EVER want to be involved in.

I contacted my travel agent (first time I've ever used one to book a flight and I'm so glad I did this time!) My ticket is non-refundable although he would be able to try to get some tax back. Tax is a shocking £500 of an £800 flight. It's at the airline's discretion but I think if anyone could get it back it's this guy, he's been brilliant.

We've discussed various options for changing flights, and he suggested keeping the Joberg leg as that's the main expense, cancelling the Polokwane leg as obviously I don't need it anymore. However, should I add another flight on from Joberg I would have to pay a £120 admin fee plus any extra costs. There would also be the costs associated with anywhere else that I would be staying etc, bearing I mind I expected to maybe spend £200 on food and that's about it initially.

The guy I was originally going to stay with has said that provided they get their predator licence (they are expecting a positive decision in the next couple of weeks) then I should still come and work with them at the new place. He could pick me up from Joberg as it's about 2.5 hours drive from there, therefore sorting my flight costs and making my costs once I arrive minimal again.

However (and I don't blame him for this) he has decided to publish a lot of information he gathered about the last place over the next few weeks. He understandably feels it's wrong what is going on and is concerned that the guy will not let him move the leopard he rescued at the last place to the new place. (Leopards for trophy are worth a sizeable amount so I can understand the concerns) However, this guy is getting nasty and may well involve the police. Over here I wouldn't worry about it, but over there it can be a different story. My friend is already getting money together to pay them off should he need to.

So - I could lose £800 and go nowhere. I will obviously be disappointed but at least it won't cost me anymore and I'll be well out of a potential mess.

I could look at other options but most will require money I do not have. My Mum has offered to lend it but do I want to be going further into debt for the sake of not losing that initial £800.

I could still use my flight and go and help the guy with this new project. The current aggravation could have blown over by then and it woould be exciting to be involved with the start of a new project.

Sorry, what a ramble! Buy you did say it was ok

Emzilla

I would play the waiting game for a couple of months Beccie. You aren't due to go until November, so see if the situation calms down before then.

However, if it's still dodgy when it's getting closer to November, I personally wouldn't go just in case you get caught up in it and end up in massive trouble.

Emz xx

Kepp

Thanks Emz, the advice is appreciated :A

My main concern is that by waiting too long I will be less likely to get any kind of refund. I think I will contact my travel agent again and at least get the Polokwane part cancelled and see what he can get me back for that.

As regards the safety of the new project - you are right. I can only wait to see how that pans out.

I asked for advice last night working at the pub and what one of the old guys said there did strike a chord. He told me to make the best decision, not one led by the situation. If I had not already paid for the flight what choice would I make?

Emzilla

beccie wrote: »

Thanks Emz, the advice is appreciated :A

My main concern is that by waiting too long I will be less likely to get any kind of refund. I think I will contact my travel agent again and at least get the Polokwane part cancelled and see what he can get me back for that.

As regards the safety of the new project - you are right. I can only wait to see how that pans out.

I asked for advice last night working at the pub and what one of the old guys said there did strike a chord. He told me to make the best decision, not one led by the situation. If I had not already paid for the flight what choice would I make?

That's very good advice.

I see what you mean about getting the money back. Maybe ask the guy when is the latest you can wait until to be in with a chance of getting some back.

Emz xx

Kepp

Have emailed the travel agent and asked him to cancel the Polokwane leg of the journey and explained that I will be waiting a couple of weeks for the outcome of the predator licence before I make a decision on the Joburg section of the flight.

Hoping there's a small chance that he will be able to get me a refund on the tax part of the cancelled flight.

£15 to my brother today

Emzilla

beccie wrote: »

Have emailed the travel agent and asked him to cancel the Polokwane leg of the journey and explained that I will be waiting a couple of weeks for the outcome of the predator licence before I make a decision on the Joburg section of the flight.

Hoping there's a small chance that he will be able to get me a refund on the tax part of the cancelled flight.

£15 to my brother today

Fingers crossed with the flight refund.

Well done on the payment today

Emz xx

mrsb83_2

What a nightmare. I hope you can get some of your cash back and still have a great time in Africa!

Kepp

Thanks MrsB

Just had an email back from the travel agent - there is no chance of a refund from cancelling just part of the flight.

He thinks that I should give it a little while and hope that the option just to fly into Joburg pans out - if it doesn't then we will cancel the whole thing and he will attempt to get me a refund.

That does seem the best option at the moment - although my flights would have been cheaper initially if I had only needed to fly to Joburg at least this way I'm not down anymore money than I have already spent.

Now I guess it's just a waiting game to see if the new project gets its licence and if the current unpleasantness and threats from the owner of the other place die down.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome!

DebtFree2012

Wow Beccie - I did not expect to read this when I pulled your diary up lol. What a read.

I hope you manage to get some insurance to pay out or such like and it's SO sad to hear of the reasons. I am guilty of plodding along day to day not giving a thought (very often) to the awful things what go on in the world.

I hope if you do decide to go, that you manage to make a difference, however your safety is paramount - there is only 1 you.

xxx