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

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)