I guess I forgot to ever tell you all that we have some direction now. We spent a solid 3 hours a day for a bunch of days in a row planning out what we want to do for the next little while. I think we came up with some good stuff and real purpose for what we do.
Here it is:
-This friday we fly to Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia)
-We spend a couple weeks hiking in the Cameron Highlands and then in Taman Negara National park. Taman Negara is home to some of the oldest jungle in the world. (130 million years, while the amazon is only about 10 million)
-Then 8/22-24 we head back to Kuala Lumpur and get our visa for Thailand.
-No later than the 28th, we get on a train going north to thailand
-By the 30th of August we get to Surat Thani and register for a 10 day meditation retreat.
-Sept 12 we spend about a week rock climbing in Southern Thailand
-Sept 19th ish we go to and explore Angkor Wat in Combodia for a few days.
-Sept 26 we make our way back to Bangkok
-Sept 27 we have flights already booked from Bangkok to Kathmandu (Nepal)
-Oct/Nov we hike around Nepal
Then who knows.
So enough if this following tourists to the “main attractions” of different places. I am excited to move on and have purpose for what I do.
Showing posts with label itinerary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label itinerary. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hanging out in Ubud
Yea, that's about what we've been going for the past 5 days or so. We are staying in a homestay which is sweet, cause it is in a nice area off the roads where a few families live. There are the just a couple rooms for travellers and basically is just a normal living space. The homes here are really neat to see to as there are intricate carvings everywhere, and it is just a different style of living than we americans are used to. Check it out, this is where we are staying:
The first full day here we wandered around a bit and went to the sacred monkey forest. There are tons of monkeys! Here's me hanging out with my power animal, or should I say "I've got a monkey on my back!"
Next day we went for a walk around Ubud to see some of the surrounding areas. It is really nice to get away for a bit after spending so much time in cities since we've been in Indonesia. Around Ubud are all rice patties and small villages and there are actually some trails that you can kinda figure out where you are going on your own. One frustrating thing about here so far is that to do any hiking you really need a guide. It's not like the US or NZ where there are trail signs and well worn trails.
Then yesterday we went to explore a little further away by renting some bicycles for the day. About US$2 each for the day, not bad. We first head toward this place called Elephant cave. Kinda disappointing as there were no elephants there and the cave was really small. But it was neat in that there is a Hindu temple and a Buddhist temple right next to each other. We hung out with an old lady at the Buddhist place and Nico made an offering and we stayed to meditate for a little while. Then after that we just found some small side roads (good to get away from the craziness that is Indonesian driving) and explored. I really enjoyed getting to do some physical activity even if it is 100% humidity.
Ok, now some planning is in action, and also tomorrow we are going to rent a car and wander around the island for a couple days seeing what we happen to come upon. Oh, and I suppose we should hit up a beach or two.
Ok, now if you've made it this far in the post, than you might care about how everything is going and what I've got to say. Nico is discouraged with the whole blogging thing, so now mine might be the only one with updates. We both have been feeling like this wandering around and finding the good things to see is actually not all that fulfilling. We've spent about 4 hours a night for the past 3 nights trying to figure out what to do from here (Bali) as our visa is up in two weeks and we have no onward plans at the moment.
I have been trying to figure out what I am really doing here on the other side of the world from the people and things that I hold dear in my life. Seeing some ruins is kinda cool, but am I really getting anything out of it? I think I need to be travelling with more of a purpose. A couple things that I am really excited about and have wanted to do for some time is trek in Nepal and work on a kibbutz in Israel. Another thing that is important to me for this trip is to experience other cultures and people, and learn about sustainable living. It seems like couchsurfing and volunteering are a couple things that I want to do more of here in SE asia before getting to Nepal in mid sept to oct when the trekking season starts. Another thing important for Nico is Buddhism, which is something that I am also interested in. So we'll see what happens from here on out.
The first full day here we wandered around a bit and went to the sacred monkey forest. There are tons of monkeys! Here's me hanging out with my power animal, or should I say "I've got a monkey on my back!"
Next day we went for a walk around Ubud to see some of the surrounding areas. It is really nice to get away for a bit after spending so much time in cities since we've been in Indonesia. Around Ubud are all rice patties and small villages and there are actually some trails that you can kinda figure out where you are going on your own. One frustrating thing about here so far is that to do any hiking you really need a guide. It's not like the US or NZ where there are trail signs and well worn trails.
Ok, now if you've made it this far in the post, than you might care about how everything is going and what I've got to say. Nico is discouraged with the whole blogging thing, so now mine might be the only one with updates. We both have been feeling like this wandering around and finding the good things to see is actually not all that fulfilling. We've spent about 4 hours a night for the past 3 nights trying to figure out what to do from here (Bali) as our visa is up in two weeks and we have no onward plans at the moment.
I have been trying to figure out what I am really doing here on the other side of the world from the people and things that I hold dear in my life. Seeing some ruins is kinda cool, but am I really getting anything out of it? I think I need to be travelling with more of a purpose. A couple things that I am really excited about and have wanted to do for some time is trek in Nepal and work on a kibbutz in Israel. Another thing that is important to me for this trip is to experience other cultures and people, and learn about sustainable living. It seems like couchsurfing and volunteering are a couple things that I want to do more of here in SE asia before getting to Nepal in mid sept to oct when the trekking season starts. Another thing important for Nico is Buddhism, which is something that I am also interested in. So we'll see what happens from here on out.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Big Plans
Big news! Some onward plans have been made from New Zealand and on the morning of July 5th I will be heading to Sydney. One night in Sydney and the following afternoon onto Darwin (on the north shore in the middle of Oz). Then on July 11th I fly to Singapore, and on the 14th of July it is on to Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesia will be the next place that I plan on staying a month or so. This should be a cool adventure as I know very little about Indonesia, but have heard some good stuff. You can get a good Pacific Island experience and see the culture without heaps of tourists.
So the reason all this is happening now, is that on Sunday, the winter program here at earthwise ends. From there Nico and I had 3 choices. If we come back to help out Jon for the spring program, we could use the van and work on organic farms or get a job for the next 10 weeks until the beginning of the program. Option 2 is to not come back to Earthwise and wander about NZ trying to find work, but with no vehicle or home base. We finally decided on option 3: leave the country all together. It would have been pretty expensive to stay in NZ and wander and we decided that it was just time to move on. This is closer to the original plan of spending 4-6 months in NZ. In the past week we've decided on all three options and then changed our minds. But now we have flights purchased and it gonna happen! I am getting really excited to experience another culture and see some totally new stuff.
On a different note, we finally got the needed supplies to move on with the cabins. In about a day and a half of everyone going hard, we've got all the walls up and a roof on one of the cabins already. Most of the work figuring everything out and making the walls and bases I had already done myself. Now it is cool to work with other people and see it really come up. I'll post again on this soon and add some picts and stuff.
Peace.
So the reason all this is happening now, is that on Sunday, the winter program here at earthwise ends. From there Nico and I had 3 choices. If we come back to help out Jon for the spring program, we could use the van and work on organic farms or get a job for the next 10 weeks until the beginning of the program. Option 2 is to not come back to Earthwise and wander about NZ trying to find work, but with no vehicle or home base. We finally decided on option 3: leave the country all together. It would have been pretty expensive to stay in NZ and wander and we decided that it was just time to move on. This is closer to the original plan of spending 4-6 months in NZ. In the past week we've decided on all three options and then changed our minds. But now we have flights purchased and it gonna happen! I am getting really excited to experience another culture and see some totally new stuff.
On a different note, we finally got the needed supplies to move on with the cabins. In about a day and a half of everyone going hard, we've got all the walls up and a roof on one of the cabins already. Most of the work figuring everything out and making the walls and bases I had already done myself. Now it is cool to work with other people and see it really come up. I'll post again on this soon and add some picts and stuff.
Peace.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Coming up with some Plans
A few weeks ago I realized that my flight onward was for the end of May, and in thinking what I was going to do until then, I realized that June was too soon to move on! It is really amazing to have the ability to make that decision and just stay here longer. Well, almost. I applied for a working holiday visa that will let me stay for another year here. But if you are here for over a year, you need to get all this medical stuff done that is expensive and blah blah blah. So in order for the visa to be good for less than a year I need a flight confirmation out of here. So I call Air New Zealand to change my flight (on the hopes that I get a visa and wont have to pay again to change it back) and of course they want proof of a visa to let my delay my flight. Bureaucracy sucks.
Anyway I got to change my flight by sending the airline some info, and now I am waiting to hear back from immigration. But my new flight date......bum bah dum... Is December 31 going to Sydney, Australia for new years! I might actually spend less than 24 hours there before going north in OZ or even to Singapore cause it is cheap to fly there. None of that is set in stone yet though.
Now what to do for the rest of 2010 in NZ? thats easy. Right now Nico and I are planning on borrowing the van from here and road tripping down to the bottom of NZ and back from mid april until June. Then in June we agreed to come back here and help Jon run a month long winter program at Earthwise valley. After that we can either get a job somewhere or travel around south some more, or WWOOF, or even come back here again for the spring program.
Yea, I know, we were planning on being back in the states by June 2011, and that would give us only 6 months for the rest of the world. Or, more likely, we just dont come back then. Amy, no worries, I will at least be coming back for your wedding and then continuing on my journey. And a congrats to Tim and Kate who recently got engaged, and so nicely planned their wedding to be the weekend before Amy's, so i could be back for that too.
Anywho three months in and already totally changing around plans. Who knows what we will actually be doing before I end up back in the states again for a while. OK, Bye.
PS. by the time anyone reads this we should be off for an epic week long hiking trip up some volcanoes in the middle of the north island.
Anyway I got to change my flight by sending the airline some info, and now I am waiting to hear back from immigration. But my new flight date......bum bah dum... Is December 31 going to Sydney, Australia for new years! I might actually spend less than 24 hours there before going north in OZ or even to Singapore cause it is cheap to fly there. None of that is set in stone yet though.
Now what to do for the rest of 2010 in NZ? thats easy. Right now Nico and I are planning on borrowing the van from here and road tripping down to the bottom of NZ and back from mid april until June. Then in June we agreed to come back here and help Jon run a month long winter program at Earthwise valley. After that we can either get a job somewhere or travel around south some more, or WWOOF, or even come back here again for the spring program.
Yea, I know, we were planning on being back in the states by June 2011, and that would give us only 6 months for the rest of the world. Or, more likely, we just dont come back then. Amy, no worries, I will at least be coming back for your wedding and then continuing on my journey. And a congrats to Tim and Kate who recently got engaged, and so nicely planned their wedding to be the weekend before Amy's, so i could be back for that too.
Anywho three months in and already totally changing around plans. Who knows what we will actually be doing before I end up back in the states again for a while. OK, Bye.
PS. by the time anyone reads this we should be off for an epic week long hiking trip up some volcanoes in the middle of the north island.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tentative itinerary
Alright, so here is an idea of what my plans are, which at the moment are few and far between.
-Jan 1: Fly to New Zealand! For the first 4ish months here, I'll be staying at Earthwise Valley which is a sustainible living project that is just getting started on the Coromandel Penninsula on the North Island. After I graduated college I spent 10 weeks working with the same guy who runs this place (but on a different project), but that's how i found out about this awesome opportunity.
-Mid April- May or Juneish: Travel around the rest of New Zealand, especially the south island.
-After NZ- August or September: Travel around SE Asia during the monsoon season. Maybe try to teach english or work on a farm for a while. And go climbing, I hear there is great sport climbing there.
-September-Novemberish: India and Nepal. This will be the beginning of the good treking season in Nepal, after the monsoon and before it gets too cold. So maybe a hike to Everest base camp, or the top, whatever.
-November-January?: Israel and the Middle East. I have some family in Israel to visit, and I would really like to stay on a kibbutz for a while. Then maybe visiting some other countries in the area like Turkey and Egypt. Most of the others I wont be able to get into with such a big schnoz. (and the last name of Dayan....)
Beginning of 2011: Africa - Kenya and Tanzania. See the Serengeti, give myself brain damage by running up Kilimanjaro and try not to get Malaria.
Then: Work on a boat to get across the Atlantic. Woohoo, free transportation to Brazil, then to Argentina and Chile. Hang out in port in Ushuaia, Argentina until i can work on a boat that will take me to Antarctica. (I may have to hang out there for a long time, who knows)
Then after that: Work my way up north to the US. Then once back here, I really have no idea where I'll end up. But thats a long time away, and so much will happen before then. But I do know that on July 23, 2011 I will be back in Westchester for Amy's wedding.
-Jan 1: Fly to New Zealand! For the first 4ish months here, I'll be staying at Earthwise Valley which is a sustainible living project that is just getting started on the Coromandel Penninsula on the North Island. After I graduated college I spent 10 weeks working with the same guy who runs this place (but on a different project), but that's how i found out about this awesome opportunity.
-Mid April- May or Juneish: Travel around the rest of New Zealand, especially the south island.
-After NZ- August or September: Travel around SE Asia during the monsoon season. Maybe try to teach english or work on a farm for a while. And go climbing, I hear there is great sport climbing there.
-September-Novemberish: India and Nepal. This will be the beginning of the good treking season in Nepal, after the monsoon and before it gets too cold. So maybe a hike to Everest base camp, or the top, whatever.
-November-January?: Israel and the Middle East. I have some family in Israel to visit, and I would really like to stay on a kibbutz for a while. Then maybe visiting some other countries in the area like Turkey and Egypt. Most of the others I wont be able to get into with such a big schnoz. (and the last name of Dayan....)
Beginning of 2011: Africa - Kenya and Tanzania. See the Serengeti, give myself brain damage by running up Kilimanjaro and try not to get Malaria.
Then: Work on a boat to get across the Atlantic. Woohoo, free transportation to Brazil, then to Argentina and Chile. Hang out in port in Ushuaia, Argentina until i can work on a boat that will take me to Antarctica. (I may have to hang out there for a long time, who knows)
Then after that: Work my way up north to the US. Then once back here, I really have no idea where I'll end up. But thats a long time away, and so much will happen before then. But I do know that on July 23, 2011 I will be back in Westchester for Amy's wedding.
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