I love to travel and explore.. My husband does also... We do travel together but we also travel alone.. we have different PASSIONS.. his for Music mine for Mandarin... We both love to travel alone...
Even if you do not have a partner.. doing activities, travel or learning a skill Friend-Free is a wonderful experience.... There are great articles out there about how to travel solo.. BUT here is a great article about the Perks of being Friend-Free
Exploring the World and your passions #Friend-Free
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Small group travel is not so bad
I arrived back from my mini trip to China a few months ago... I have to admit, it was wonderful. The group of people I met and explored were like minded, open and adventurous. The travel company was lacking.. but that will be for another post.
What I learned about was how to be ready to pick up and go, ways to maneuver a different city and how very friendly people can be when you are also friendly to them. The best trick I learned.. so simple but I had not thought of it... a small group of us took the subway in Beijing to the Summer Palace. Jay and his wife, very seasoned travelers.. took a picture of the station sign we were at and then upon arrival at our destination took another one.
On our way back, he was able to show the picture.. and directions were easy...
Second, tip as always, Go Local.. eat, hang and interact with the locals. Again our small group within a small group, would go out and visit the local shopping areas, night markets and malls. We were the only foreigners, which made for some funny looks, but was nice to be in real life not tourist central.
I do have to post my travel videos and pics ... time has gotten away from me..
Our next Adventure is to Iceland in September...
What I learned about was how to be ready to pick up and go, ways to maneuver a different city and how very friendly people can be when you are also friendly to them. The best trick I learned.. so simple but I had not thought of it... a small group of us took the subway in Beijing to the Summer Palace. Jay and his wife, very seasoned travelers.. took a picture of the station sign we were at and then upon arrival at our destination took another one.
On our way back, he was able to show the picture.. and directions were easy...
Second, tip as always, Go Local.. eat, hang and interact with the locals. Again our small group within a small group, would go out and visit the local shopping areas, night markets and malls. We were the only foreigners, which made for some funny looks, but was nice to be in real life not tourist central.
I do have to post my travel videos and pics ... time has gotten away from me..
Our next Adventure is to Iceland in September...
Friday, March 9, 2018
What the heck was I thinking?? And Excited to Go!!
I consider myself a semi seasoned traveler. I have traveled solo to Taiwan, Australia and parts of the USA. With family I have traveled to lesser known parts of the world... and yet this trip is a bit different.
I realized this is my first solo trip to a country where I do not know anyone. I have extended family in all the parts of the world I have traveled sans hubby and in the USA it has always been to a conference.. so easy peasy..
My hubby had said when I started to plan this that I should be in a group.. I wanted to go rogue and do AirBnBs... (next trip with hubby we will do that).. but I did listen and now I am realizing even with a group there are items to this trip that I have not had alone before.
1. I do not know the language. I am going specifically to practice and improve my limited Mandarin. But foreign country and big cities.. a bit nervous
2. After our Thailand trip almost 15 years ago, I am very conscious of the health issues.. for this trip I now have enough snacks to get me thru a week.. but only after I booked my mini China tour did I realize how many health/food risks there can be. I will be careful, but after having brought every "friend" home from Thailand.. I am very cautious.
3. I have never been on a group tour... I have visions of walkers and depends being loaded on the van... but also as a single female traveler.. I am hoping to just do my thing. But being herded will be an experience that I am prepping for...
4. One week away and because my only focus is to practice Mandarin, I have not read up on the historic and landmark sites we will see. The plan was to practice speaking where ever I went.. BUT.. others have said I really should check out the sites.. and they are right... I am a cultural lop so maybe just read the info on the sites sent by the agency.
5. NO: Google, Youtube, GMAIL, Instagram, Facebook... not having my easy to connect apps is a bit off putting. I do have an I cloud account and can use the Internet at the hotel to contact home. BUT letting my office know.. no emergency calls or emails.. I will be from a realistic point of view Off the Grid...
So, as I woke up in a cold sweat this morning going this time next week I am gone.. I am working on letting go of my need to know the full plan and see this as an adventure.
BECAUSE of the NO Google thing, I will be writing and saving to upload upon my arrival home.
再 见
I realized this is my first solo trip to a country where I do not know anyone. I have extended family in all the parts of the world I have traveled sans hubby and in the USA it has always been to a conference.. so easy peasy..
My hubby had said when I started to plan this that I should be in a group.. I wanted to go rogue and do AirBnBs... (next trip with hubby we will do that).. but I did listen and now I am realizing even with a group there are items to this trip that I have not had alone before.
1. I do not know the language. I am going specifically to practice and improve my limited Mandarin. But foreign country and big cities.. a bit nervous
2. After our Thailand trip almost 15 years ago, I am very conscious of the health issues.. for this trip I now have enough snacks to get me thru a week.. but only after I booked my mini China tour did I realize how many health/food risks there can be. I will be careful, but after having brought every "friend" home from Thailand.. I am very cautious.
3. I have never been on a group tour... I have visions of walkers and depends being loaded on the van... but also as a single female traveler.. I am hoping to just do my thing. But being herded will be an experience that I am prepping for...
4. One week away and because my only focus is to practice Mandarin, I have not read up on the historic and landmark sites we will see. The plan was to practice speaking where ever I went.. BUT.. others have said I really should check out the sites.. and they are right... I am a cultural lop so maybe just read the info on the sites sent by the agency.
5. NO: Google, Youtube, GMAIL, Instagram, Facebook... not having my easy to connect apps is a bit off putting. I do have an I cloud account and can use the Internet at the hotel to contact home. BUT letting my office know.. no emergency calls or emails.. I will be from a realistic point of view Off the Grid...
So, as I woke up in a cold sweat this morning going this time next week I am gone.. I am working on letting go of my need to know the full plan and see this as an adventure.
BECAUSE of the NO Google thing, I will be writing and saving to upload upon my arrival home.
再 见
Monday, February 19, 2018
Packing for CHINA..
OK, with less then a month before I leave.. it is time to start to prepare..
I came across this great blog that I wanted to share with you...
https://www.tripsavvy.com/guide-to-packing-trip-to-china-1495220
Packing light, all my personal essentials and electronic adaptors.. this site covers it all.
Xia Jian
Kendall
I came across this great blog that I wanted to share with you...
https://www.tripsavvy.com/guide-to-packing-trip-to-china-1495220
Packing light, all my personal essentials and electronic adaptors.. this site covers it all.
Xia Jian
Kendall
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Eating and China
I am so excited to be going to China for a quick trip later next month. My only concern is food safety and my health. We have lived and stayed very healthy in Mexico for years but about 10 years ago we took a trip to Thailand and I got very ill. It took about 4 years to fully recover.
Having traveled to Taiwan a few years back, there were no issues. It wasn't until I started reading for this trip that I realized, we are
on the Mainland now.
As I will only be in China for just over a week, there will be very little packing that I will need. To be safe, (over cautious) I will be bringing protein drinks and granola bars... and other snack items to fill in the gaps. I will also be bringing a round of antibiotics just in case.
The things to remember:
1. NEVER drink the water unless it is bottled and you see it unsealed. (this means no ice)
2. No fresh fruits or vegetables as they can be washed in the tap water.
3. Use bottled water to brush your teeth and be careful in the shower.. (this was how I think I got sick in Thailand)
4. No Fried foods, they use recycled oil..
5. Look for what is safe. Fully cooked eggs, breads and boiling soups...
I will provide an update once I meet with my Dr. later this month.
Never let speed bumps stop you from traveling.. Just be creative in how to go around them.
Having traveled to Taiwan a few years back, there were no issues. It wasn't until I started reading for this trip that I realized, we are
on the Mainland now.
As I will only be in China for just over a week, there will be very little packing that I will need. To be safe, (over cautious) I will be bringing protein drinks and granola bars... and other snack items to fill in the gaps. I will also be bringing a round of antibiotics just in case.
The things to remember:
1. NEVER drink the water unless it is bottled and you see it unsealed. (this means no ice)
2. No fresh fruits or vegetables as they can be washed in the tap water.
3. Use bottled water to brush your teeth and be careful in the shower.. (this was how I think I got sick in Thailand)
4. No Fried foods, they use recycled oil..
5. Look for what is safe. Fully cooked eggs, breads and boiling soups...
I will provide an update once I meet with my Dr. later this month.
Never let speed bumps stop you from traveling.. Just be creative in how to go around them.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
China: First things First... the Visa Application
It has been over a year since I have posted. There are lots of reasons...
1. My real job got busy and worked on a new course of training that is now complete.
2. As a family we have re arranged our lives to begin to travel again...
My first trip that I have planned is a very short overview of China. As much as I love AirBnB the many facets and requirements for traveling and enjoying my short trip led me to sign up for my first group tour.... Stunning China
We (hubby) and I plan to go back and be more independent.. but being on my own, this seems to be the best way for a sampling of Mainland China.
So this is the first time I have traveled and needed a Visa.. The Application process for the Chinese Visa can be a bit daunting... I chose to have the tour group leader complete the process for me. Travelers are required to deliver their passports, drivers license and documents to the Chinese consult in person. The cost of the Visa is $140 (Feb. 2018) and the fee for the travel company to assist and take it to the consulate was only about $75. Well worth it!
Looking forward to getting back to my travel writing and Fair Dinkum Travel experiences... through out 2018..
再见 "Good Bye"
(Zài jiàn)
1. My real job got busy and worked on a new course of training that is now complete.
2. As a family we have re arranged our lives to begin to travel again...
My first trip that I have planned is a very short overview of China. As much as I love AirBnB the many facets and requirements for traveling and enjoying my short trip led me to sign up for my first group tour.... Stunning China
We (hubby) and I plan to go back and be more independent.. but being on my own, this seems to be the best way for a sampling of Mainland China.
So this is the first time I have traveled and needed a Visa.. The Application process for the Chinese Visa can be a bit daunting... I chose to have the tour group leader complete the process for me. Travelers are required to deliver their passports, drivers license and documents to the Chinese consult in person. The cost of the Visa is $140 (Feb. 2018) and the fee for the travel company to assist and take it to the consulate was only about $75. Well worth it!
Looking forward to getting back to my travel writing and Fair Dinkum Travel experiences... through out 2018..
再见 "Good Bye"
(Zài jiàn)
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