If the old saying: "When the plan fails, the adventure begins" is true ... your adventure is well under way!
Thanks for very informative post, I hope your problems are resolved, keep us posted!
Based on your issues and watching the "long way down" videos ... I'll likely pack one of these or something similar on my round-the-world tour ... (that I hope to take some years hence):
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Funnel-AF1C.../dp/B000SOFLHK