Friday, 29 January 2010

Ok, ok, ok, So I keep changing my mind

I have been researching routes almost every day this week.
I sadly have come to the conclusion that to travel to Tibet through Nepal is just toooooo awkward and expensive ( you need special permits, guides, to join a tour and then it effects your china visa)
So Ive come to the conclusion that after all that, I'll have to kiss goodbye to Kathmandu (for now) and start back at the drawing board again!
I think what the easiest thing will be is to fly directly into China (Possibly Beijing, or another major airport) and travel from there, hopefully still getting a chance to travel in Tibet at some point. I think it might be good to get a multiple entry visa, and then we can head intro S. Korea and Japan from China, instead of doing them later in the trip (might be good because I was worried about missing the Japanese blossoms in spring, but this way it might work.
Its weird how these things evolve over time eh?
Anyway, rather more important things are going on as JW's Dad is very ill, so JW is going out to Cape Town this weekend ( I wish I could go, but with saving money and work, its just not possible)So his focus is on that.

Thursday, 21 January 2010

Cape town in August

I'm making plans to go to Cape Town (where JW is from) in August.
Its his Dad's birthday, so we are going to do a special party for him.

I'm hoping it's also another opportunity to do some touristy stuff as well.

Last time we were there we did the Table Mountain cable car (which was a.ma.zing) and the waterfront, beaches etc
But I'd like to do a little more exploring...

Stuff that I want to do in Cape Town...

1. Whale watching
2. Couple of days in the winelands doing some wine tasting
3. Robin island
4. Avoid any English tourists left-over from the world cup
5. More beach time

JW is born and raised in Mitchell's Plain (TOTALLY not a tourist area- in fact more like a place the guidebooks warn you to avoid) and we'll be spending a lot of time there with his parents.

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

What a place to start...

Kathmandu looks amazing...

All moved and raring to go!

After lots of stress and a few arguements, I moved everything I own into one room in my parents house this weekend.
I'm back to work today, and can now really start thinking about where, what, when and how much?
I've been reading my lonely planet books like crazy, and trying to get together plans where I can!

So now have a few more route details...
Hopefully, should be starting in Kathmandu in Nepal, then travelling from there to Lhasa, Tibet.
On the way doing Everest base camp.
From Lhasa, travel through Tibet to Golmud.
Through Qinghai province to Xining,
Then on to Langzhou in Gansu.
And head towards Xi'an.

Friday, 8 January 2010

Thursday, 7 January 2010

Brrrrrrrrrrr

So the recent weather got me thinking about warm and cold clothes to take with travelling.
(Also I watched the Michael Palin Himalaya when he does Everest base camp and felt inspired and itchy-footed as always!)
When we travel through Tibet, its going to vvvvvery cold, but the further South we go, the warmer we get and less clothes we'll wear... But eventually we will be heading south again through Japan, and could get to some pppretty cold places in the North.
Not sure what the best thing to do is, and I can imagine in a steamy Cambodia we might be quite pissed off that we have to carry the jackets etc in our luggage (on our backs ) the whole time.
Judging from forums, a lot of people just buy as they travel, or send stuff home- but both cost money which will be tight already so I'm not keen.
Not sure what the best thing to do is........?

Either way, I know its probably not great at keeping you warm... but i want this Jacket from Uniqlo..(only £19.99-whoo!)...

Snow

Whilst London transport is going nuts with the snow, and people everywhere (but not me) are being sent home from work early,
Other parts of the world are covered in lots more snow, and coping ok (with less press coverage I'm sure!)
Saw this great pic in the Guardian of police in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.... Looks cold!

Tuesday, 5 January 2010

2010 is the year I start travelling

So Im thinking seriously about routes and stuff.

JW bought me a great Lonely Planet book on China to get my teeth into,

I have decided it will be cool to Start in Kathmandu, then travel to Lhasa, Tibet with an organised tour, From Lhasa, the plan is to get a train to Golmud in Qinghai province...then head East.

Map of China's Provinces

Also still mulling over the order, was thinking I might do Japan a little earlier, but I think Ive settled on...
China-Taiwan-China-Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore-Indonesia-Philippines-Japan

Sunday, 3 January 2010

Happy New Year!

2010 is going to be the year of saving money, fulfilling plans and amazing adventures! Yay!
This time next year I should be exploring somewhere new and interesting!

Her are some goals for 2010...

1. Start regularly putting money in a savings account
2. Get all my stuff packed up
3. De-clutter and get rid of as much stuff as possible
4. Start planning the trip properly, (flights, itineraries etc)
5. Start buying the bits Ill need
6. Be organised, organised, organised!


Yay to the twenty-teens!!