Yesterday was my last day at work. I really make a point not to mention work, but I will say that it was a really nice last day. I went out to lunch with my work colleagues and they surprised me with a great going away present "The Travel Book" by Lonely Planet. It is an 800+ page epic summarizing every country on the planet. Look out world! Here I come!
I had read stories from other bloggers that have taken career breaks to travel about how it went breaking the news to managers and colleagues and I was expecting a fair amount of negativity and "I'm disappointed in you" comments. To my surprise, everyone was really encouraging and many said they were jealous. Maybe that's the difference of working in Europe. Here it doesn't seem like a sign of insanity to consciously jump off the corporate ladder. Or maybe it is a sign of the environment inside of a company going through a very ugly and drawn out acquisition. Nothing seems to surprise my shell-shocked colleagues and I anymore. Regardless, I am grateful for their encouragement. Thanks guys! And do keep in-touch.
So what do I do to mark the end of my job? I put all of my suits in storage. My husband and I also went out with friends and stayed out late on a weekday, but odd as it seems putting the suits away was far more symbolically significant to me. In the end, I tended to treat them like a uniform and often wondered if I could qualify for "What Not to Wear" for my completely uninspired work attire. It was just another sign that my body was filling my seat at work, but my mind and motivation was elsewhere. That's enough about work...
I am getting towards the end of my packing list. Today I bought my fake wedding band and paper soap. Yep, you heard me. Several travel sites recommended that women, even singles, sport a wedding band as a "no vacancy" sign to aggressive men, but my friend took it one step further when she couldn't recommend enough that I not take anything of financial or highly sentimental value with me...including my wedding band. The same friend suggested soap paper. I am going to give it a trial run at home first because it just sounds too good to be true that something that takes up so little luggage space can clean my clothing. I hope so, though. That would free up some much needed space and weight.
I also finalised my travel insurance and spent the better part of the day organizing my stacks of important documents from the past four years into binders. I know it sounds weird, but it just feels better to see it all neatly lined up on a shelf and in some semblance of an order before I hit the road. And if my husband should need to get to some of the information while I am traveling, hopefully this will make it easier.
I have really been going through a rollercoaster of emotions these past few weeks. The idea of traveling alone for the first month or so of my trip at times seems daunting and downright stupid. I'm not really scared about my personal safety although I have given it quite a lot of thought and research (rest assured, Mom & Dad), it's the loneliness I fear I will feel when I am experiencing all of these fantastic new places and things either alone or with complete strangers. I have so much to look forward to and be grateful for, though, that I feel silly for even mentioning it. Everything has come together so smoothly so far (knock on wood).
A friend last night reminded me to just take it all in and enjoy myself because the memories will be all mine and will always be something I can look back on. I took it to mean that I will always be able to look back on this trip as a kind of gift to myself and something I can be proud of. He also told me to buy local t-shirts and ship them home because I will like having them around to wear when I am back at home. Great idea! I think I will incorporate that into my blog.
Tomorrow I pack my new backpack to use on my week long trip to the U.S. to visit my family.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Malaysian Borneo
I skipped ahead in my travel planning to mid-May since that will be the first time my husband will be joining me on my travels. We will meet up in Malaysian Borneo to visit what is toted as two of the world's best diving spots. We've been using "50 Places to Dive Before You Die" as a guide. The first location is the island of Layang Layang and the second is Sipadan. Both are quite remote and, surprisingly, there are still a relatively limited resorts that offer diving to both areas. There is in fact one resort on Layang Layang and no resorts are allowed on the island of Sipadan itself so we are staying on the nearby island of Mabul. Make sure to have a look at the Mabul link. It is a link to where we are staying, Sipadan Water Village. The rooms are bungalows on stilts that hover over the water. I am SO looking forward to sitting out on our bungalow's front porch and listening to the ocean and watching the fish swimming below.
We are going to spend about five nights in each place and, in between, try to fit in as many of the nearby national parks as possible. My husband wants to go check-out the orangutans and other primates (Is that the right term?) at the rehabilitation center in Sepilok. There are so many choices - a treetop walk, a park of 600+ species of orchids, hot springs, an island dedicated to turtle hatching, jungle trekking - and that's just what I have seen in a few minutes of googling. I still need to get my head around Borneo. I know next to nothing about it...so you will all be learning right along with me! Should make for some good stories.
What's next on the planning? A quick trip to the U.S. to visit my family. I leave this Sunday.
We are going to spend about five nights in each place and, in between, try to fit in as many of the nearby national parks as possible. My husband wants to go check-out the orangutans and other primates (Is that the right term?) at the rehabilitation center in Sepilok. There are so many choices - a treetop walk, a park of 600+ species of orchids, hot springs, an island dedicated to turtle hatching, jungle trekking - and that's just what I have seen in a few minutes of googling. I still need to get my head around Borneo. I know next to nothing about it...so you will all be learning right along with me! Should make for some good stories.
What's next on the planning? A quick trip to the U.S. to visit my family. I leave this Sunday.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thailand itinerary...so far
I've been spending what feels like every spare minute on travel planning. It's great! And frustrating and overwhelming, but great.
I am putting a lot of effort into planning the first country of my trip, Thailand. I figure it will help me deal with my nerves about walking out onto this metaphorical cliff I've chosen for myself. I am making a point to plan activities that I either already enjoy - diving - or always wanted to explore more about - yoga and cooking, for instance. I am also booking all of my hotels ahead of time and paying the few extra euros do avoid the back packers' dormitories and bungalows. I was considering one "rustic" bungalow on the beach, for instance, in Railay Beach only to look on Travelpod and see one back packer's pictures of monkeys and termites that shared their bungalow. Unfortunately, they couldn't get pictures of the rats that were living in the walls. Ugh! It makes me itch and cringe just thinking about it. After reading a few reviews of travellers complaining that rats had gotten into their ground floor plumbing in a mid-range hotel, I decided to skip that beach all together.
Here's what I've planned for myself so far.
I am going to spend 3 nights in Bangkok at the Lamphu Tree Hotel and go sightseeing. I am also considering taking a cooking class and looking forward to my first ride in a tuk tuk.
From there, I fly to Khoa Lak, north of Phuket, to hang out on the beach and go to the nearby national park. I am staying at Khao Lak Countryside Resort for 3 nights before getting a SCUBA diving liveaboard for 4 days/4 nights. I chose Big Blue Diving because their boat seems nice (i.e. a lot of warm showers and nice common areas), they had great reviews for their service, dive leaders, and food, and because they offer 3 dives per day instead of the 4 or 5 on other liveaboards and, instead, offer options to take a speedboat to nearby islands to sunbathe or snorkel with turtles.
From there, I head to the other side of Phuket and to a whole other type of getaway. I am going to a 3 night yoga retreat on an island! I am going to the island of Koh Yao for a yoga retreat with Island Yoga . Check out their 3 night/4 day itinerary to see what I am going to be doing.
After zenning out, I am going to one of the most famous islands in Thailand, Kho Phi Phi. Yep, it's pronounced like pee pee. Go ahead giggle, I know you want to. I haven't completely figured this part out yet accommodation-wise, but I hope to do some more diving or at least snorkeling, sun bathing, and sitting at a nice outdoor bar and people watching.
As an aside, I have really tried to make a point to stay at hotels with internet and/or wifi access. That way I can Skype, check e-mail, blog, and continue to plan the next legs of my trip. So be prepared for some envy inspiring pictures of beaches, fish, and, hopefully, a whale shark.
After that, I fly back to Bangkok for a night on my way up north to Chiang Mai to start 3 weeks of volunteering as a primary school English teacher. Travel-to-Teach is organizing the placement, my accommodations, and has been great to answer my many questions like...how close are we to a hospital...you know, just in case (within 30 minutes). They are even picking me up at the airport and helping me sort out my visas.
Oh, and TIP: My 2-entry 120 day visa (valid from the date is issued) was free instead of the normal 60 or 90 EUR or whatever it normally is! And, just in case you are doing the math, I only plan to stay in Thailand for about 6 weeks, but that was not a visa length option.
From their, I am either going to visit a Buddhist temple for a few nights and learn about Buddhism just north of Chiang Mai or skip it and take 21 days to explore Vietnam instead of the originally planned 16 days. We'll see. I may be able to learn about Buddhism at one of the 300 temples in Chiang Mai on evenings after I am done teaching. How much enlightening can one person have in one month anyway? Or should I dare to ask.
Seven more days and counting until I am unemployed and just under one month until I hitch on the backpack! Craazzy!
I am putting a lot of effort into planning the first country of my trip, Thailand. I figure it will help me deal with my nerves about walking out onto this metaphorical cliff I've chosen for myself. I am making a point to plan activities that I either already enjoy - diving - or always wanted to explore more about - yoga and cooking, for instance. I am also booking all of my hotels ahead of time and paying the few extra euros do avoid the back packers' dormitories and bungalows. I was considering one "rustic" bungalow on the beach, for instance, in Railay Beach only to look on Travelpod and see one back packer's pictures of monkeys and termites that shared their bungalow. Unfortunately, they couldn't get pictures of the rats that were living in the walls. Ugh! It makes me itch and cringe just thinking about it. After reading a few reviews of travellers complaining that rats had gotten into their ground floor plumbing in a mid-range hotel, I decided to skip that beach all together.
Here's what I've planned for myself so far.
I am going to spend 3 nights in Bangkok at the Lamphu Tree Hotel and go sightseeing. I am also considering taking a cooking class and looking forward to my first ride in a tuk tuk.
From there, I fly to Khoa Lak, north of Phuket, to hang out on the beach and go to the nearby national park. I am staying at Khao Lak Countryside Resort for 3 nights before getting a SCUBA diving liveaboard for 4 days/4 nights. I chose Big Blue Diving because their boat seems nice (i.e. a lot of warm showers and nice common areas), they had great reviews for their service, dive leaders, and food, and because they offer 3 dives per day instead of the 4 or 5 on other liveaboards and, instead, offer options to take a speedboat to nearby islands to sunbathe or snorkel with turtles.
From there, I head to the other side of Phuket and to a whole other type of getaway. I am going to a 3 night yoga retreat on an island! I am going to the island of Koh Yao for a yoga retreat with Island Yoga . Check out their 3 night/4 day itinerary to see what I am going to be doing.
After zenning out, I am going to one of the most famous islands in Thailand, Kho Phi Phi. Yep, it's pronounced like pee pee. Go ahead giggle, I know you want to. I haven't completely figured this part out yet accommodation-wise, but I hope to do some more diving or at least snorkeling, sun bathing, and sitting at a nice outdoor bar and people watching.
As an aside, I have really tried to make a point to stay at hotels with internet and/or wifi access. That way I can Skype, check e-mail, blog, and continue to plan the next legs of my trip. So be prepared for some envy inspiring pictures of beaches, fish, and, hopefully, a whale shark.
After that, I fly back to Bangkok for a night on my way up north to Chiang Mai to start 3 weeks of volunteering as a primary school English teacher. Travel-to-Teach is organizing the placement, my accommodations, and has been great to answer my many questions like...how close are we to a hospital...you know, just in case (within 30 minutes). They are even picking me up at the airport and helping me sort out my visas.
Oh, and TIP: My 2-entry 120 day visa (valid from the date is issued) was free instead of the normal 60 or 90 EUR or whatever it normally is! And, just in case you are doing the math, I only plan to stay in Thailand for about 6 weeks, but that was not a visa length option.
From their, I am either going to visit a Buddhist temple for a few nights and learn about Buddhism just north of Chiang Mai or skip it and take 21 days to explore Vietnam instead of the originally planned 16 days. We'll see. I may be able to learn about Buddhism at one of the 300 temples in Chiang Mai on evenings after I am done teaching. How much enlightening can one person have in one month anyway? Or should I dare to ask.
Seven more days and counting until I am unemployed and just under one month until I hitch on the backpack! Craazzy!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Excuse me, I have an announcement to make...
Tap, tap, tap....Is this thing on. I have an announcement to make. I quit my job.
Yes, you heard me right. I am leaving my job voluntarily...and I am going to take a career break (this, by the way, is the best term I have heard so far that does not imply any spaces in my mental or psychological capacities) to do a round-the-world-trip for about seven months. What started as a six month trip is expanding quickly. I find myself thinking, "Hey, what's another week," over and over again. I gave my notice last week and my last day will be January 28. After a brief trip to Chicago, I will be on my way to Bangkok on February 16. Yes, that is approximately six weeks from now. No need to dawdle, I say.
Here is the list of destinations so far. I will fill you in as I figure it out.
Thailand
- Bangkok
- Phuket, Crabi, Phi Phi (diving)
- Chiang Mia (volunteer teaching English)
- Stay at a Buddhist temple north of Chiang Mai
Vietnam
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
- Hoi An
- Nha Trang
- Hue
- Saigon (Ho Chi Min)
Cambodia
- Phnom Penh(volunteer teaching English)
- Siem Riep
Malaysia
- Borneo
- Sipadan Island (diving)
Indonesia
- Bali (diving, yoga)
New Zealand
Fiji
Tonga (diving with whale sharks, hopefully)
San Francisco
- thinking either wine tour up California coast
OR
- tour national parks
OR a little of both
And then I head back home September 30...
So, if anyone has some travel advice or tips to any of the places listed above, I would greatly appreciate it.
Yes, you heard me right. I am leaving my job voluntarily...and I am going to take a career break (this, by the way, is the best term I have heard so far that does not imply any spaces in my mental or psychological capacities) to do a round-the-world-trip for about seven months. What started as a six month trip is expanding quickly. I find myself thinking, "Hey, what's another week," over and over again. I gave my notice last week and my last day will be January 28. After a brief trip to Chicago, I will be on my way to Bangkok on February 16. Yes, that is approximately six weeks from now. No need to dawdle, I say.
Here is the list of destinations so far. I will fill you in as I figure it out.
Thailand
- Bangkok
- Phuket, Crabi, Phi Phi (diving)
- Chiang Mia (volunteer teaching English)
- Stay at a Buddhist temple north of Chiang Mai
Vietnam
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
- Hoi An
- Nha Trang
- Hue
- Saigon (Ho Chi Min)
Cambodia
- Phnom Penh(volunteer teaching English)
- Siem Riep
Malaysia
- Borneo
- Sipadan Island (diving)
Indonesia
- Bali (diving, yoga)
New Zealand
Fiji
Tonga (diving with whale sharks, hopefully)
San Francisco
- thinking either wine tour up California coast
OR
- tour national parks
OR a little of both
And then I head back home September 30...
So, if anyone has some travel advice or tips to any of the places listed above, I would greatly appreciate it.
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