Tine's in Dire Need of a Holiday

Gosh, I can't remember the last time I went on a holiday. A proper out-of-the-country-away-from-the-family-shop-till-you-drop holiday. Japan's not a "holiday" place for me, cos it'll always be work first over here, but yeah, I do have many very memorable and fantabulous moments here *wink*.

Methinks it's time for me to go for a long, well-deserved break. After I return from Japan, that is. I need a break away from EVERYTHING. Leaving all sorts of baggage behind for at least a week. Ahh ... the thought of it is so sweet.

So anyways, I may have mentioned it before, but the US of A was my first choice many months ago. But after considering what a pain in the ass applying for a US visa is, I'm wondering if I still want to go there. I'm weighing my options, on how much I'd spend if I go someplace else. My next choice would be Australia, which I'm quite keen on. Hoping to *ahem* parasite off my friend in Melbourne if I'm there. I haven't told her yet, but I'm sure she'll read it here, and will welcome me with open arms (Edit - bestest, bestest friend, May. Remember? *grin*). There's always the UK, but, sad to say, it's my last choice, because I remember how freaking expensive it is over there.

Coming back to earth, I have to consider the most important factor of all - money. Sigh. The destination depends on my budget, which is sadly lacking, after I bought my car. Let's weigh my options one more time.
1. US - I stay with my aunt and her family, i.e free lodging, free food, and pretty much free anything (of course I'd pay for a meal or two. I'm not a cheapskate. I wonder if the McDonalds in the US is still as good as I remembered ...), but hanging out with ... err ... an older generation of folks. It won't be dull, but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get wasted when they're around (hey, I'm on holiday. Getting wasted is a must).
2. Australia - HOPEFULLY free lodging, pay for own food, pay for own sight-seeing action, pay for own anything, but will be guaranteed a blast of a time as the friend will bring me out for a good time. Oh, and she'll introduce me to her gay friends too.

So there ya go. Money vs. amount of fun. What to do, what to do.