Sabbatical and Budget Questions

Haha, yeah, that sounds like an awkward situation.

Good tip about being able to avoid tourists practically anywhere. That opens up a lot of possibilities. I guess I will just try and figure it out somehow.

Thanks for your help!

You'll run into tourist spots wherever you go, but eventually you can find places away from the crowds. For a first time backpackers, Southeast Asia is great, and there are places where you can find some solitude. South America is a little more intense, I've found, but I spent some time in northern Peru and there are definitely places with very few backpackers... the ones who come are more serious about travel, and less likely to be teenagers on gap years.