Travel Thread

[vaportrailer]

testing testing...

 

[vaportrailer]

ooh! I have new powers!

 

I can irritate you with my travel pics!

[evil laughter - sputtering cough]

 

For Goose; sorry it's taken me so long!

 

Khmer street barbershop:

 

[vaportrailer]

Diptych painted on the side of a school, Cambodia:

 

 

ouch

[vaportrailer]

View from balcony, Phnom Penh:

 

[vaportrailer]

Excellent bowl of handmade noodles and fresh veggies:

 

 

 

Strips of "buffalo" (water buffalo) drying/curing/attracting-flies in the hot hot sun. The picture cannot convey the aroma or the fat-drippage:

 

 

Once dried/cured, the strips are beaten with a little silver meat-hammer then grilled and served with lime/pepper sauce.

I tried it - it was quite nice and I was only sick for three-and-a-half days.

 

No, I was fine. It was tasty, I had it twice.

[vaportrailer]

wtf? sign, Phnom Penh:

 

[JohnnyBlaze]

wtf? sign, Phnom Penh:

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZdLOJo7l.jpg

 

Guest house/hotel I bet.

 

"Slimming foods" would refer to the healthy dishes served in their restaurant.

 

Maybe "Puppies" is there just because it's a cute/comforting English word?

[vaportrailer]

wtf? sign, Phnom Penh:

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZdLOJo7l.jpg

 

Guest house/hotel I bet.

 

"Slimming foods" would refer to the healthy dishes served in their restaurant.

 

Maybe "Puppies" is there just because it's a cute/comforting English word?

 

Good guess! It appeared to be a coffee shop. Maybe they sell healthy pet food in the back?

Just found it on i'net: "TJ cafe"

Looks like a coffee-shop/restaurant where the family's dogs (and cats) roam around.

[vaportrailer]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

[JohnnyBlaze]

wtf? sign, Phnom Penh:

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZdLOJo7l.jpg

 

Guest house/hotel I bet.

 

"Slimming foods" would refer to the healthy dishes served in their restaurant.

 

Maybe "Puppies" is there just because it's a cute/comforting English word?

 

Good guess! It appeared to be a coffee shop. Maybe they sell healthy pet food in the back?

Just found it on i'net: "TJ cafe"

Looks like a coffee-shop/restaurant where the family's dogs (and cats) roam around.

 

Ah ok.

 

How about this restaurant chain in Thailand?

 

http://www.intheknowtraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/20111218Bangkok-130.jpg

 

Went to the one in Bangers.

 

Good food, awareness, and condoms.

 

http://static.asiawebdirect.com/m/bangkok/portals/bangkok-com/homepage/magazine/cabbages-and-condoms/allParagraphs/BucketComponent/ListingContainer/202/BucketList/08/image2/cabbages-and-condoms-bangkok-4.jpg

 

http://jasssharing.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/dsc_05201.jpg

[JohnnyBlaze]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

[vaportrailer]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

[JohnnyBlaze]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

 

Yeah I've heard a lot of great things about Laos and though I've managed to hit up Cambodia once and 'Nam three times, I just kept missing out on it. I always felt I needed more vacation time for it (getting there and Vientiane's surrounding areas) than I always had...Those Cambodia and 'Nam trips were always a mere 1-2 weeks. Given just 1-2 weeks vacation time, Laos needs to be a trip unto itself.

 

I think the cheapest room I ever stayed in was about 200,000 dong per night in HCM...which is maybe around 10 U.S. bucks? No in-room safe, balcony, or critters though.

And funnily, the worst accommodation I've had was some shithole Days Inn in Florida.

[thesweetscience]

Since I last posted in this thread I have been to Dallas, Chicago and LA all for work. Headed back to Chicago in two weeks for work and then in December, San Diego for fun. Early next summer we will do Scotland.

 

I used to hate flying.

[thesweetscience]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

Unfortunately due to the time requirements, Asia will have to wait until I retire.

 

It's on my list though.

[goose]

This is me in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We went on a fishing trip one day, and, aside from getting seasick for the first time in my life and yacking over the side of the boat for five hours, it was a lot of fun! We caught Dorado (Mahi Mahi), and hooked an incredible blue marlin. We fought the marlin for an hour before cutting it loose (it's all catch and release down there). A cool side note is that the local sea lions have learned to tail the boats as they come into harbor, because they know there's leftover bait. Out of nowhere a sea lion will end up on the stern, begging for fish...

 

[goose]

Here we are in the marina. It was a delicate maneuver to sidestep my son's asking me about my buddy's shirt...

 

[goose]

The view from our room at Pueblo Bonito...

 

[thesweetscience]

It almost makes Mexico look pleasant.

[JohnnyBlaze]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

Unfortunately due to the time requirements, Asia will have to wait until I retire.

 

It's on my list though.

 

Be careful with that. We're all running out of time.

[goose]

It almost makes Mexico look pleasant.

[thesweetscience]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

Unfortunately due to the time requirements, Asia will have to wait until I retire.

 

It's on my list though.

 

Be careful with that. We're all running out of time.

I know. I will not get to visit every place that I want to visit. I don't have that much longer. But I cannot at this time, free up enough time in succession to make a trip like that. Hopefully I will find a way before I perish.

[JohnnyBlaze]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

Unfortunately due to the time requirements, Asia will have to wait until I retire.

 

It's on my list though.

 

Be careful with that. We're all running out of time.

I know. I will not get to visit every place that I want to visit. I don't have that much longer. But I cannot at this time, free up enough time in succession to make a trip like that. Hopefully I will find a way before I perish.

 

To wait for one massive trip to Asia 20-30 years later might not be best IMHO. I think it's possible to make several 1-2 week trips every few years and see much, if not most of Asia even when embarking from the USA. From my angle and like you, I'm unable to take extended trips a la vaportrailer. My trips are always just 1-2 weekers due to my allowable vacation time & money. However, in the last 10 years I've still managed to get to the USA 6 times (with a 7th next month, hurray). 4 of those 6 times were to Florida due to family so it's basically as far as possible for me.

 

On a side note and as far as American expats here go, I probably travel back to the states more often than anyone I know...and there's still a lot I miss out on of course.

 

 

P.S. vaportrailer, I hope you appreciated some of the numberage in my post.

And now I just remembered that my frequent flyer card should have enough free mileage racked up to take a pretty decent length voyage - Europe? Will have to check. Ah, I said 'voyage'. I feel like Sinbad now. The pirate adventurer, not the comedian.

 

[thesweetscience]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

Unfortunately due to the time requirements, Asia will have to wait until I retire.

 

It's on my list though.

 

Be careful with that. We're all running out of time.

I know. I will not get to visit every place that I want to visit. I don't have that much longer. But I cannot at this time, free up enough time in succession to make a trip like that. Hopefully I will find a way before I perish.

 

To wait for one massive trip to Asia 20-30 years later might not be best IMHO. I think it's possible to make several 1-2 week trips every few years and see much, if not most of Asia even when embarking from the USA. From my angle and like you, I'm unable to take extended trips a la vaportrailer. My trips are always just 1-2 weekers due to my allowable vacation time & money. However, in the last 10 years I've still managed to get to the USA 6 times (with a 7th next month, hurray). 4 of those 6 times were to Florida due to family so it's basically as far as possible for me.

 

On a side note and as far as American expats here go, I probably travel back to the states more often than anyone I know...and there's still a lot I miss out on of course.

 

 

P.S. vaportrailer, I hope you appreciated some of the numberage in my post.

And now I just remembered that my frequent flyer card should have enough free mileage racked up to take a pretty decent length voyage - Europe? Will have to check. Ah, I said 'voyage'. I feel like Sinbad now. The pirate adventurer, not the comedian.

 

It's too far for me to fly for a seven day vacation 4 of which are lost on travel. My job will not allow me to take those kind of extended vacations. I don't live in Europe!

 

I also don't have 20-30 years. I probably never will see Asia. I am starting to accept the fact that I likely will not get to see many of the places on my bucket list.

[goose]

Got tix to escape the Canadian winter.

 

Heading to Thailand again for fun and sun for 2 weeks.

Then this lucky little devil is heading to Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) for 3 weeks.

Followed by Cambodia for...2 months.

yay!

 

 

Where exactly you headed in those places?

 

What kind of place do you usually stay for extended trips like that?

 

Not venturing into 'Nam or Laos? If no, why not?! You've certainly got the time. (I've never hit Laos unfortunately)

 

Thailand: Bangkok, Ko Lanta

Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung, Bandar Lampung, Palembang, maybe Medan.

Cambodia: mostly Phnom Penh, with a week somewhere else just to break things up. Oudong; Kampong Thom maybe. Maybe revisit Siem Reap.

 

South Laos would be cool. Might do that! My friends and I really enjoyed out time in Vietnam, especially in HCMC and the Mekong delta (Can Tho), so I guess that wouldn't be out of the question, although I expect to spend most of my Cambodian time in PP.

Vientiane is a nice little city right on the Mekong, with glorious sunsets, really good (and interesting!) food, and friendly people. You should try to get there JB; it's pretty amazing, as is Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is a shithole, awash in sloppy drunk tourists and drugs. Good place to score opium or 'shrooms if you can stand being there. We stayed one night (had planned 3) and got out on the first bus we could find!

 

As far as hotels/rooms, I'm not terribly fussy. I've stayed in some super-nice rooms, and some super-funky ones. I tend to go for characterless high-rise hotels just because I like a balcony. Air/con, little fridge, wi-fi, and an in-room safe are also nice to have, but not impossible to go without. Sometimes there's only one place in town, so you gotta be flexible and not too concerned about a little extra dirt/grime/bugs etc.

I'll be staying in a range of places this time, and will look into a short-term apt or AirBnb in PP.

 

I've shared my room with mosquitoes, lizards, a praying mantis, spiders of all shapes and sizes, and have seen rats on occasion.

Still, the worst place I've ever stayed was in Toronto!

Unfortunately due to the time requirements, Asia will have to wait until I retire.

 

It's on my list though.

 

Be careful with that. We're all running out of time.

I know. I will not get to visit every place that I want to visit. I don't have that much longer. But I cannot at this time, free up enough time in succession to make a trip like that. Hopefully I will find a way before I perish.

 

To wait for one massive trip to Asia 20-30 years later might not be best IMHO. I think it's possible to make several 1-2 week trips every few years and see much, if not most of Asia even when embarking from the USA. From my angle and like you, I'm unable to take extended trips a la vaportrailer. My trips are always just 1-2 weekers due to my allowable vacation time & money. However, in the last 10 years I've still managed to get to the USA 6 times (with a 7th next month, hurray). 4 of those 6 times were to Florida due to family so it's basically as far as possible for me.

 

On a side note and as far as American expats here go, I probably travel back to the states more often than anyone I know...and there's still a lot I miss out on of course.

 

 

P.S. vaportrailer, I hope you appreciated some of the numberage in my post.

And now I just remembered that my frequent flyer card should have enough free mileage racked up to take a pretty decent length voyage - Europe? Will have to check. Ah, I said 'voyage'. I feel like Sinbad now. The pirate adventurer, not the comedian.

 

It's too far for me to fly for a seven day vacation 4 of which are lost on travel. My job will not allow me to take those kind of extended vacations. I don't live in Europe!

 

I also don't have 20-30 years. I probably never will see Asia. I am starting to accept the fact that I likely will not get to see many of the places on my bucket list.

I recently came to that conclusion. Time and money are factors...mostly money now that I'm retired and the wife is soon to be. But if I'm going on a long trip, it's likely back to Europe to see family and friends. I can't see taking wifey to Asia.