Now if only the planner would…

It is probably only amazing to a newbie like me how much a plan changes as it makes its first tentative steps from fantasy to reality. When I began this process my idea was to spend most of my time in Vietnam and Bali using Thailand or Singapore as portals rather than destinations.

Now I’m starting to think that Thailand might be a better choice for a brand-new traveler. I know its been done to death – but not by me. It has modern efficient transportation, a multitude of attractions, and it is centrally located. Of course I’m still going to Bali, if nothing else but to get that free beer from Nick. No, not really. Mainly because Bali is beautiful and I want to give it a vote of confidence with my dollars (no matter how battered and bleeding they are at present).

Also, I’ve had to give some thought to what I’m actually going to do when I get there. I can go to cheap bars and whorehouses in Mexico and still sleep in my own bed, so that’s no thrill. No that I do--go to whorehouses and cheap bars in Mexico, that is. (Sleeping thrill-less in my own bed is, however, a sad reality).

I’ve decided, well decided is probably too strong , so lets say I’m giving strong consideration to going to dive school in Thailand. I’ve wanted to learn since college, but never bothered. And what better incentive to lose weight and get in shape than the threat of a wet-suit. Do they even make wet suits in size XXXXOHMYGOD? If I went now they’d have to let some water out of the ocean before I got in. I’m not sure I want to be responsible for all that crop damage….

I also have an unnatural fear of not speaking the language. So I would probably want to take at least a two-week quickie conversational “where is the toilet, don’t shoot I’m really Canadian” language course. I might also scope out some TESOL schools just for giggles.

One option I’m also considering is taking a CELTA course while I’m there. I’m one of those annoying wonky bastards who actually likes school, and it would be a great way to meet people and add meaning to my trip. Of course that goes against my recent decision to avoid practicality in my life when at all possible.

As for Angkor Wat, I keep flip-flopping on the idea. I want to go, that’s not the issue, I just don’t know how much it will cost and I hate to go alone. I’d really like to share that with a friend.

Undecided at this juncture (I’ve been watching too many Pentagon press conferences) is how much time I spend in Malaysia. Probably because I don’t have a guidebook yet.* Kuala Lampur is a must for me--I was living in Chicago and working in the shadow of the Sears Tower when the Petronas Towers stole the throne. Singapore will be more of a footnote than anything esle, but I do want to go gadget shopping.

From Singapore I pan to travel by PELNI to Bali, though I will probably not brave 3rd class. I'm not a smoker and I understand 3rd class is pretty rank.

As always, I invite anyone with specific advice to puhleeease share it. I’m a baby-huey in the woods when it comes to travel.

*Herein lies** a conundrum. How much influence on my itinerary should I allow guidebooks? On one hand, how can I know if whether I want to visit a place if I don’t have any information? But on the other hand, I don’t want to fall victim to Lonely Planet mind-control. I suppose that’s the beauty of places like B’nA I need to get out of the Forum and Blog rut and look at more of the travel writing and trip reports.

** MS Word grammar says “lays” – I’lll never get that damn rule…

Posted by ebayne on January 10, 2004 12:13 PM
Category: Genesis