Lost in a big world

Getting Ready to Travel

USA | Sunday, 21 September 2008 | Views [744] | Comments [7]

I have been talking about going to Asia (especially Thailand) for a few years, and the time has finally come.

I had been working for Countrywide Mortgage in LA, but after all our trouble last year, Bank of America (BOA) bought us. My division got eliminated which is sort of sad, but my severance packages was very generous, so I get to take a few months off on the dole...

Anyway, my tentative itinerary:

Leave NYC Sept 25'th

5 Weeks in China:

Beijing

Xi'an

Juizhaigao

Chengdu

Yunnan (Lijiing, Dali, Kunming)

Guilin

Shanghai

Hong Kong

Then

Malaysian Borneo

Bali

Kuala Lumpur

Hanoi/Ha Long Bay

HCMC

Phenon Phen

Angkor Wat

Luang Prabang

Chang Mai

Bangkok

Phuket/Krabi area

KL again

Australia:

Perth

Adelaide

Canberra (Summer bridge nationals)

Tasmania

Sydney

Brisbaine/Fraiser Island

Uluru

Darwin

Singapore

Georgetown

then fly home from Singapore on Feb 25'th...

Wow, I am tierd already...

Tags: itinerary

Comments

1

Have a fabulous trip! Enjoy -- Stay healthy. Some advice if you want: Give yourself flexibility and time for breaks. There may be some places you just want to hang out in. Most of all, enjoy.

Marcia Sep 21, 2008 1:49 PM

2

Hi Josh - Have a great trip! I admire your courage to travel to so many places far away from home. Take care of yourself and your belongings - not all places on earth are as safe as LA ;-). Please keep in touch and hope to hear your stories.

Melody Sep 24, 2008 3:11 AM

3

So jealous!!! You're going to have so much fun, eat great food, probably get sick at least once, and meet so many nice, ornery, interesting, totally normal people.

I agree with Marcia. Always leave time in your day to wander and explore. You're so lucky to have this much time away, why take the calendar and clock with you everywhere?

Be sure to get completely drenched in a warm rainstorm at least once.

Thy Tran Sep 24, 2008 9:37 AM

4

Sorry to see you are missing out on Japan, but do understand the inherent scheduling compexities. I concur with Thy - happy absorptions on all fronts.

Jordan Cohen Sep 25, 2008 4:16 AM

5

Bon voyagee Josh. This trip must be the good that comes after bad. I'll be living vicariously thru you on your blog. Keep the stories coming. Maybe you can help save the Tasmanian Devils. Safe travels.

Bob Runnells Sep 26, 2008 1:04 AM

6

I visited South East Asia a long time ago, arriving in Bangkok and traveling down to Sumatra by rail, then back to Bangkok, all within 10 days. A month after I returned to my job in the states I got an email update from my traveling companion -- he was less than 50 miles from where I'd left him in Indonesia, floating in a row boat in Lake Toba, reading, watching the fishing boats. In my cubicle, I wondered, why was I in such a hurry to leave paradise? Like everyone else, I hope you take your time, relax, soak in the sun, and enjoy the tropical fruit shakes and fresh curries.

Mike Nossal Sep 26, 2008 1:30 PM

7

That is some trip you are heading out for! I hope you travel safe and get to experience all the wonderful places you have in mind. See you in Canberra! (If you go to the Mind Sports Games in Beijing in October, you better look up my wife.)

Boye Brogeland Sep 30, 2008 8:34 PM