kjp

I'm (seriously) thinking of travelling to China later this year (probably sometime in August / September / October). I've been thinking about this for a while, but it's highly probable that I'll go later this year. I've almost decided to go (but this depends on the very last point, below).

Not going overseas in 2003 is a big regret of mine. It was a bludgy year for me - where I spent the year (between uni and full time work) working part time and generally doing not much at all. Overseas travel is better late than never, I suppose.

Anyhow, the main things at the moment to sort out:
* Where I will go (which, if any of the surrounding countries). Thailand / Vietnam (to the South) and Kyrgyzstan / Mongolia (to the North / West ) look kind of cool. I kind of don't really want to go to the places everyone else goes to (hence the "weirder" countries). But, the advantage of Thailand / Vietnam is the low amount of $$ required.
* How will I travel around - join tour(s) or fly solo. Backpack? I've never been overseas by myself; and I've heard from several people that China is not the easiest country in the region to go around by yourself in: a pointer to going in a group. Also, if you don't have the most amount of time available or experience in the country (like me), going around in a group is probably more time efficient. I've heard good things about Intrepid.
* How much time can I get off work. I can probably get around 4 and a bit weeks by August. I'd be happy to take a couple of weeks off as leave without pay. But this depends on what I'll be doing in the section that I'm going to (and the work that I'd be doing there). This will be sorted out in February (or so).

However, the major factor is the condition of a young chappie down in Canberra with a thing in his head....