That’s sheer exaggeration, a hyperbole of sorts. The semester just started 4 days back and I haven’t quite adjusted my lifestyle to embrace yet another school term. Plus, the only books I’ve been reading so far are the various Lonely Planet installations…
I’ve been back for 2 weeks and already I feel like a different person; Matt, you look tanned! Wow, you have fairer skin! Oh, did you gain weight? You look beefed-up! Gosh, I like the slimmer you! Since when do you use chopsticks?
Truth is, I did lose some weight when we were in China but I’ve since gained all back merely 2 days upon my return. I did get sunburn when we were at higher altitudes hence that should explain my darker complexion. And, for the record, I’ve always used chopsticks when I dig into my bowl of noodles, save for the home. Bottom line is you’ve not seen me in a while so everything tends to look different…
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my next trip. This time, I intend to spend 6 weeks overseas if my finances allow. I know it’s still a good 6 months before the next term break but already I’m spoilt for choice. Here I am poring through one LP after another when I should be doing some revision. I know, travel can wait… but my youth can’t!
It’s been 2 weeks since I started planning for my next trip (yes, I began the moment I touched down) and so far, here are my top picks:
* * *
1. Trans-Siberia Railway
Gosh, how I can’t resist this temptation! Preliminary calculations brought the cost of an entire trip from St. Petersburg to Beijing via Moscow, Ulaanbaatar and a throng of other Russian cities to SGD466. The thing is, I estimated a full 6 weeks for the journey (including stopovers) and chances are I’d be doing the bulk alone. Faizal will only be available the first 2 weeks of June, Aly’s on internship throughout the summer vacation, and Mansor could only get off the later 2 weeks of June.
2. Bhutan
I watched a documentary of an ascent to the Everest and was smitten once again by Shangri-La. Honestly, I don’t know if I ever could get enough of snow peaks. Problem is, my Sikkim-Nepal-India trip this year-end is pretty much concrete and Bhutan is well on the way. Going there this June seems like a waste.
3. Tibet
Again, arising from my seemingly-unparalleled newfound affinity with xue shans, Tibet sounds like a good choice. But, going into Tibet would incur SGD400/pax and we would have to fly direct from Zhongdian or Kunming to Lhasa. A land route is available via Chengdu but that would mean that our acclimatization efforts would have gone to waste in addition of 5 traveling days.
4. Burma
A weird choice at first thought but just how many people can honestly say that they have backpacked Burma? The idea remains a novelty save for the uncertain socio-political climate, especially in the days after the Saffron Revolution. Aly added that I might as well throw in a doze of Bangladesh due to its close proximity to Burma. Well, I just might!
5. Philippines
One of the 3 ASEAN countries that I’ve yet to visit (Burma and Timor-Leste being the accompanying two) and sure, traditional Filipino lives can be as diverse as its thousands of islands. But, at the moment, I’m not too keen on a touristy beach holiday, unless of course I could squeeze in a hop to the Samoas.
* * *
So you see, I can be very fickle at times and there’s no better time to witness that than now. Aly and Faizal, I know I’ve been raving about Trans-Siberia the past week but I’ve decided that, ceteris paribus, I’ll save that trip for you guys. As for the rest of you, come, help me choose!
I’ve been back for 2 weeks and already I feel like a different person; Matt, you look tanned! Wow, you have fairer skin! Oh, did you gain weight? You look beefed-up! Gosh, I like the slimmer you! Since when do you use chopsticks?
Truth is, I did lose some weight when we were in China but I’ve since gained all back merely 2 days upon my return. I did get sunburn when we were at higher altitudes hence that should explain my darker complexion. And, for the record, I’ve always used chopsticks when I dig into my bowl of noodles, save for the home. Bottom line is you’ve not seen me in a while so everything tends to look different…
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my next trip. This time, I intend to spend 6 weeks overseas if my finances allow. I know it’s still a good 6 months before the next term break but already I’m spoilt for choice. Here I am poring through one LP after another when I should be doing some revision. I know, travel can wait… but my youth can’t!
It’s been 2 weeks since I started planning for my next trip (yes, I began the moment I touched down) and so far, here are my top picks:
* * *
1. Trans-Siberia Railway
Gosh, how I can’t resist this temptation! Preliminary calculations brought the cost of an entire trip from St. Petersburg to Beijing via Moscow, Ulaanbaatar and a throng of other Russian cities to SGD466. The thing is, I estimated a full 6 weeks for the journey (including stopovers) and chances are I’d be doing the bulk alone. Faizal will only be available the first 2 weeks of June, Aly’s on internship throughout the summer vacation, and Mansor could only get off the later 2 weeks of June.
2. Bhutan
I watched a documentary of an ascent to the Everest and was smitten once again by Shangri-La. Honestly, I don’t know if I ever could get enough of snow peaks. Problem is, my Sikkim-Nepal-India trip this year-end is pretty much concrete and Bhutan is well on the way. Going there this June seems like a waste.
3. Tibet
Again, arising from my seemingly-unparalleled newfound affinity with xue shans, Tibet sounds like a good choice. But, going into Tibet would incur SGD400/pax and we would have to fly direct from Zhongdian or Kunming to Lhasa. A land route is available via Chengdu but that would mean that our acclimatization efforts would have gone to waste in addition of 5 traveling days.
4. Burma
A weird choice at first thought but just how many people can honestly say that they have backpacked Burma? The idea remains a novelty save for the uncertain socio-political climate, especially in the days after the Saffron Revolution. Aly added that I might as well throw in a doze of Bangladesh due to its close proximity to Burma. Well, I just might!
5. Philippines
One of the 3 ASEAN countries that I’ve yet to visit (Burma and Timor-Leste being the accompanying two) and sure, traditional Filipino lives can be as diverse as its thousands of islands. But, at the moment, I’m not too keen on a touristy beach holiday, unless of course I could squeeze in a hop to the Samoas.
* * *
So you see, I can be very fickle at times and there’s no better time to witness that than now. Aly and Faizal, I know I’ve been raving about Trans-Siberia the past week but I’ve decided that, ceteris paribus, I’ll save that trip for you guys. As for the rest of you, come, help me choose!
1 comment:
you're such a silent blogger, you didn't tell me you've been blogging a lot, marlena!!!
anyway GO TO PHILIPPINES MY HOME COUNTRY.SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE AND CHEAP PASTRIES AND YOU CAN SEE THE FAVOURITE NATIONAL SPORT - PEEING BESIDE THEIR JEEPS. PERFECT!
- maria
p/s
u link me already!
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