Summer camp finishes today. After working more than two straight weeks it’s time to kick back and relax (after partaking in a few post-camp libations).
I had planned a wonderful Asian adventure for this summer. Vietnam and Cambodia were my nations of choice (see the cool map – you can zoom in and move around). I considered Olongapo, in the Philippines, too. My new camera, a neato CF card reader, an ultra-portable notebook computer, and moi, would have hit the road.
I should have learned by now to never to get my hopes up.
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My passport has four blank pages left. Traveling to Hong Kong, then onwards to southeast Asia requires visas and immigration stamps, something my document has little room to hold. The idea of a grand summer adventure capped off by being refused entry to China due to no-stampable pages does not appeal to me.
I’ve had to change my plans. Several times.
I’ll stay in China. Hong Kong will see me visiting historic military sites and cemeteries. I’ll hit the former Portuguese colony of Macau and stay far away from the new Vegas-style casinos. Xi’an, home of countless tombs and the terracotta warriors (see another cool map, below) will be another excursion. Then there’s Mrs. Stevo’s village of Guiyang, and a possible trip to Shaoshan, the hometown of Chairman Mao. Instead of trains and buses, I will fly.
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Like everything in China, this plan is subject to change. It’s time to play it by ear. If my posts are intermittent know I am somewhere in China, a camera in hand.
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Well, Plan B doesn’t sound too bad either.
Toms last blog post..Robot Planet v2
Your “Long March” is about to begin, so it seems. Do not keep us waiting, post regularly.
Unguideds last blog post..Travels of the Mind
Boy I feel your pain. When I lived in Hong Kong, every time I wanted to go to China I had to line up for hours to get a new visa, add yet another page to my passport. Given that I had family in Shenzhen, I was going there practically every other weekend and my pages filled up pretty fast. Pretty soon, it got to the point where I had to ration my pages.
Did you get the extra thick Canadian passport? When it came time to renew, that was what I opted for, though sadly haven’t travelled abroad since I ‘upgraded.’
Have fun with your travels! Your revised itinerary still looks to be a blast.
Pokins last blog post..How to get into North Korea
@Pokin: I have never looked at it that way, think you are right. It is maybe because I have always used thick passports, never seen a thin one actually (150 of 170+ countries require a visa from me anyway). If I’m not wrong, I’m using my 7th passport now.
Unguideds last blog post..ForestLove, A Greenpeace Campaign
Love the post title – lol
Sounds like a great trip.
Keep the pics coming!
Quickroutes last blog post..The People vs Quickroute #101
Have a great trip Stevo, take lots of pics.
Wanda Rizzutos last blog post..Our Lady of Nodingo Or…I’m Out
Tom: Cheers to Plan Bs!
Pokin: Next time I’ll get the big passport.
UG: I will try.
Quickroute: It’s a favourite saying of mine.
Wanda: Merci.
Be safe, Stevo.
Shawn Ws last blog post..Random Nonsense
I miss planning failed trips. I was supposed to do a SE Asia Spring festival trip for it to fall apart into an awesome extended visit to Thailand.
Lees last blog post..A moment to check out my friend’s blogs
Just found your blog via Entrecard, and already can’t wait to see the pics!