1) i need to go europe during winter. i need to go somewhere during winter. I have been poor all these while, winter clothes are really expensive to buy. Especially those good looking and providing good mobility.

2) i need to work for some social cause for a year or so somewhere…

3) i need to go do my central asia and tibet- nepal tour one day. And it better be the next year…

In 2010

1) volunteer somewhere. places to go to: http://seatru.wordpress.com/

2) learn diving-> during the good friday weekend.

3) visit Sipadan -> though this could be put back to next year due to lack of leaves,I still wish to go there next year.

4) go on a 2 weeks break. So looking forward to it. Going  to india is an option. with my colleague if possible but it’s not really good considering the number of manpower my company has.

In near futre

1) Go Europe for backpacking. I would have saved enought for a 1 month long back packing. I would most probably wouldn’t be enough. http://travelanthropist.com/2009/05/ten-low-cost-volunteer-travel.html

2) Go South America. I would have to decide whether to do south america first or europe. I would most probably only have money for one though I usually strive to spend lesser than what I normally do when I go on trips.

3) Do a tibet – nepal trip. I will need 3 travel buddies with me for this because I am not confident of doing this alone. I would also want to climb up to the attitude of 6000m. This should have been my graduation trip.

4) Central Asia tour. Another crazy idea for hiking. I am still in love with hiking. But I have to be more prepared or else my ankle will suffer like mad or i wouldn’t be as fortunate as my previous few times.

If you are a Chinese, you may use the following as reference to help you in your planning

1) http://map.baidu.com/ It can give you directions on how to get from point A to point B either by driving or by taking a bus which is 公交. First, type in the province, followed by the city, then type in which road to (到) which road. They will recommend you a list of bus to take. Just choose whichever is fastest, as easy as ABC. Bus fare are very cheap. It costs only 1 or 2 yuan which is around 20 to 50 cents (SGD). Perfect for budget travellers.

2) Travelling by long distance bus maybe be the only way to get to nearby cities like  e.g. from Kunming to Lijiang or from Shanghai to Zhangjiagang (where I worked)..

Just locate long distance bus station (长途汽车站) on the map or ask to get there. The station can be VERY crowded during holidays but normally you can get the tickets on that day itself. If you are travelling on holidays like MAYday or CNY, buy two weeks in advance. Check: http://www.ipiao.com.cn/car/ from schedule

3) Travelling by train.  Is tricky. Usually train tickets are released only 2 weeks in advance so during peak period, you have to queue early and purchase them immediately when the ticketing office opens. I am not sure of the situation during off peak periods because I usually buy my ticket 2 weeks before departure. 

Touts are a big problem in China. They purchase high in demand tickets in bulk and then try to sell them off to travellers who are unable to purchase them. In desperate times, you can try them. 

There are different types of seats available. For long journeys, I advocate hard sleeper which is 6 per cabin, 3 on each side. It’s cheaper than soft sleeper ( 4 per cabin) and reasonably comfortable. The price for hard sleeper differs depending on which level u sleep on. First being most expensive since it has more head space (for you to sit and the top being the cheapest. Check http://www.huochepiao.com/ 

4) MAP.. Chinese Maps of each city are very good. They not only serves its purpose, there are bus guides printed on it so that you know which bus to take on the go. However, it’s time consuming and you need to squint your eyes. 

For non chinese, 

1) grab someone to read the map for you if you must. 

2) Check your train tickets here : http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/. Click on Train Number to get ticket price. 

If you are in SE Asian or departing from S.E.A, the combination of tiger airways to guangzhou and internal flight to other parts of china ( or by train ) is the cheapest. There are bugdet airlines in China as well! Check out:http://www.china-sss.com/ (I find their cost of excess baggage weight reasonable too) ; China Southern : China Air.

1st) You get a trial run of working in China, India, Vietnam or USA for 6 months which is long enough to get a feel and short enough to prevent over-exploitation.

2nd) Everything about accommodation can be settled before you leave for your destination. If there’s any trouble, at least there’s home . Even china SIM cards are purchased for you.

3rd) If you are from a middle or lower income family, bursaries and scholarships are there for you to apply. The amount is enough for you to not worry about the expenses in China, even if your pay is low. Of course, work hard during your attachment and also try to carry the good deed forward. Do not exploit a philanthropist’s kindness

4th) It really tests you everything from your E.Q to adapability to independence. Stories of housemates not getting along with each other spreads every semester. It’s either you survive it or you cry when you get homesick. And there is where you have to pay everything from your phone bill to gas bill or risk getting your gas supply cut off in the midst of winter. The choice is up to you.

5th) Finally, the best way to know a country is to travel around it. China is so big that you cannot claim you know it when you just stayed in e.g Shanghai for 6 months. Terribly insufficient. While travelling, natives will be curious about you and naturally they will chat with you. That’s where knowledge starts coming in.

6th) You may start have second opinions about your PRC classmates. Not as highly nor derogatory. They are actually just like us. Cultural differences will be bridged.

7th) The co$t may $tunned you. Financial help is there so it’s up to you to take up the challenge. So don’t blame COST of GIP the reason for not going okay?

Hope it helps

My travel stories are not spectacular but in it you may find inspiration for your next journey.