Very urgent decision between 2 gap year itineraries!!

So I had my gap year plan all set, but then reality got in the way and I suddenly realized it was totally unrealistic. I've redone my itinerary, and have reserved two bookings. Catch is, I need to decide (and book) one today (friday)!! (cutting it fine I know!)

Here are the options:

1) SE Asia -> India -> Home (Aus)
- This means staying for 6 months in SE Asia and another 6 months in India, which is a long time. But if I were stay still for longer in SE Asia (a beach bungalow for a month sounds good) and visit more of India and surrounding areas (are Bangladesh and Nepal safe?), etc. It's doable.
- $1770 + $880 insurance

2) SE Asia -> Eastern Europe(ish) area (Croatia, Istanbul, Egypt, etc.) ->India -> Home
- I have some relatives that I can stay with and sponge off throughout croatia, and I hear that Istanbul, Cairo, and surrounding areas are rather cheap?
- $2770 +$880 insurance

So what do you guys reckon? Is it feasible to do option 1 and throw in Eastern Europe on the fly if I decide to? Is Eastern Europe cheap, or worth the extra monetary risk?

I prefer option 2

Option 2! 6 months is a long time to spend in India. Also India is relatively safe but you need to be very careful about were you go.

All right so I've done the (il)logical thing and not gone with either option. I've dumped my travel agent and I'm going to wing it around the world on one way tickets instead!

I know there's an issue with proving onward travel, but that affected my other two options as well, so I figured why not make it up as I go?

Thanks for the help guys!