Looking to enter the world of photography

Yes this is a "what camera should I get" thread. I am mostly looking for a picture camera but would like video capability.

Currently I enjoy hiking and biking So I would love to be able to shoot these outdoor activities. At the moment I am using my phone to take pictures and I find myself enjoying it so I would like to upgrade a bit and get into photography.

Also, this summer my fiancee and I are headed to Thailand and New Zealand. Now I want to be able to document our trip in a worthy fashion. Part of this trip I am looking forward to is mostly landscapes and culture. I want to bring something like an slr but Bangkok is shady shit so I don't exactly want to bring something enormous and expensive. Also while I am in New Zealand I am looking forward to going bungee jumping, exploring caves and other active activities so I was thinking of getting something like a gopro. Yes these two things are very different and it will be hard to find something in the middle but maybe you guys know something I don't.

I am open to the idea of having two cameras but I would need some coaxing.

I will also fill out the form

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?

I am looking to spend under $500 initially but I would probably invest more later as I learn more. I hold a reasonable job and am marrying someone who makes a large amount for how young we are. So we have some financial means.

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?

I may have taken a few photos before but my knowledge is very limited.

3) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)

nothing

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

Read intro paragraph. taking a trip to thailand and new zealand looking to shoot epic landscapes and culture. upon my return to the states I would like to shoot a lot of nature.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

girl will want to use it but I will be the primary shooter.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

Mostly free hand would be nice.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.

I am not looking into doing any light room or photoshop at the moment but this could be one thing to think about in the future. My current computer is getting older and I will probably be updating it in a year or so.

8) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

nothing yet.



I am also looking for a podcast or video series (free of course) that can teach me from a beginner level more about photography. Anyone know of some good ones?

Thanks in advanced for any help.