Where I'm going next... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

iamlindoro · 09-17-2004, 02:49 PM

Hi all,

So I have been thinking since I got back about where I need to visit next. The China/Southeast Asia tour is looking like the right idea now. I have three sisters adopted from China and two Brothers from Vietnam, and visited China two years ago, but was utterly tied to a) The translator and B) My family. For us free-spirited backpackers, that just ain't right.

So, I figure I will dust off the ol' backpack and do it my way starting in June of next year. I am working in the IT department of a school here in Boston, and TONS of native Chinese speakers are there, so I have been paying two girls to tutor me for four hours every week in Chinese. I feel like I'm making good progress so far, and can basically express myself in writing and speech. I also start an ultra-language intensive program tomorrow all day every Saturday for a month. This is gonna rock.

So what up, T-punk? I know what to expect from China itself, but what worries does one have on their own in Asia? I think I will also hit Vietnam, and potentially somewhere more off the beaten path, like Cambodia or Burma.

Honestly, my heart is racing here, just putting these thoughts that I have only had in my head down on "paper." It's a good feeling to have again.

Robert

**space virgin** · 09-19-2004, 12:45 PM

dude, you're living my dream! really cool!!! I want to hit Asia next, but I have to (hahaha) get this trip to Egypt out of the way first. congrats! Have a great time!!

**worldwidemike** · 09-22-2004, 07:34 PM

Wow...learning Chinese! That's awesome.

I highly recommend Asia...I haven't been to mainland China, but really liked Hong Kong. And everywhere I've been in SE Asia I've loved. Cambodia and Burma are really cool...friendly people, awesome ancient ruins.

Go for it!
worldwidemike

**LiveFreeorDie** · 09-23-2004, 05:20 AM

I second WWM. Hong Kong is great (but expensive). I have been only to one place in mainland China and its kind of a boonie industrial town (I was there for work). But nonetheless, very interesting. Very, very few westerners there. People literally will stare at you as they pass you on the street, and then turn around and continue to stare after they passed you, like your from Mars or something. China blows my mind because it is exploding with development. I have never seen anything like it....24 hours a day...construction, new buildings, roads, craziest traffic I have ever seen......insanity. People are friendly and very inquisitive. Food's a little sketchy though.....bring some protein bars if your going to be venturing out of the big cities! Taiwan is worth a look too. To me, it is interesting to see the differences between two societies that used to be one 50+ years ago. Amazing to see what the Taiwanese have done in that time. Taipei now has the tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101 building.

**joanofarc** · 09-23-2004, 07:50 AM

damn lindoro, i'm fully jockin' now!! i completely bow down to asia, and south east asia particularly... china is certainly going to be one of my next two travel destinations - live it up, baby: cheers to you for being back on the road so soon!

also, don't totally rule out thailand as a stop-over perhaps. yes, it's riddled with tourism - but it's still very charming i assure you... and coming from either burma or cambodia it would be a welcome respite.