Welcome to the very first blog post of my travel blog. This is the first time I've ever written anything for more than one or two people to read, and I've never actually set up a blog before, so you'll have to be patient with me.
As most of you who know me well know, I am planning a pretty big adventure this summer. I've probably annoyed more than one person lately with my inability to talk about anything else, but after lots of thought, research, saving, reading, and discussion with people who have done similar trips I am finally just about set for a four month long, solo backpacking trip in Southeast asia. The plan is to leave May 1 and fly into Bangkok. I'll probably spend a few days there before heading to the southern beaches of Thailand for a few weeks. I'll eventually make my way back up through Bangkok and start to head north, likely to Chiang Mai. After that it'll be across through Laos and into Vietnam. Right now it looks like my cousin may be visiting me for a few week in Vietnam in the end of June as well -I'm sure that seeing a familiar face at that point in my trip will be very welcome! I'd like to spend some time in Cambodia, and then depending on how time looks, who I meet, and what people suggest I do, will head towards the Phillipines, Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia. Or maybe all of the above! It's really tempting to try and narrow down my itinerary to a very exact science -this feels so much more safe and comforting, as the unexpected and unknown can be very scary. However, every travel blogger I have read and everyone I've talked to who has done a similar trip has said that even if I do make an itinerary, that it'll probably change anyways. Instead, I've done lots of research into each city or area, the climate, transportation, culture and points of interest, and I'm just going to go.
It'll be a really interesting time for me I think. I've never had this amount of time off -4 whole months -since, well, ever. My first job was a paper route at the age of 12, and from 15 onwards I have always worked during the school year at whatever job I had at the time, as well as in the summer. I've never not had a job. This will be my 7th year of University completed, and I've worked close to full time hours while completing all of them. To take 4 months off straight to do exactly as I want, to have no obligations, to be able to sit and read on the beach all day if I want to, or go exploring in a new town, or randomly head to another city or even country, and to live with just my possessions on my back for 4 months? I don't even know what I'll do with myself!
This is the time in my life to do such a trip though. I've wanted to do a trip like this for as long as I can remember, and for the longest time I thought I would have to wait for the perfect travel buddy to go. You know, someone who wanted the same kind of trip as me, who could get the time off work, who could afford it, and of course, someone I liked enough to do a long term trip with. However... I'm still waiting. I don't want to waste my entire life waiting for the perfect time to do what I've been dreaming of doing for forever! I need to seize the life I want for myself, and now. Life is short -it's a cliche, but it's true. In the past I've seen people who are travelling or doing awesome, amazing things with their lives and felt a bit jealous. I guess I've really just decided instead of feeling jealous, I'm just going be one of these people and do awesome things myself -there really is no one stopping me! This is also my last summer as a student. I'm not tied down to anything other than my kitties (who will be taken care of by my wonderful roommate!), my family is healthy, and my career won't start until next year when I finish school. This is the time to do a big trip.
Going by myself might be a tad scary, but I don't think I'm going to have a ton of problems meeting people. Southeast asia has a very well developed tourist and backpacker infrastructure, and I'm a pretty outgoing person. Couchsurfing.org has meet ups (google them -pretty cool organization!) and I plan on staying in areas with other backpackers. I'll likely sign up for some group things -I'm determined to learn to Kitesurf in Mui Ne, Vietnam, and I'd love to try a yoga course in Bali or cooking class in Thailand. I'm sure there will be the odd lonely moment on my trip, but I also am looking forward to a pretty fantastic adventure. Stay tuned -I'll hopefully be posting lots of photos and blog postings along the way!
So excited for you.....Carpe Diem!
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