So it seems that I gave myselft 4 months for an itinerary that will take a little over three. So now the question is where should I go next? Before I even make that decision, I need to decide when to leave Cambodia.

I had planned 30 days, but I don't think I need more then 11 which would put me back in Thailand on April 15th and my flight home is on May 11th.

In Cambodia, I could go to Kompot and then Siem Riep in Cambodia. If I go to Kompot it is to go to an abandoned French hill station and a waterfall. It could be cool but unless I meet someone to do the activities with, it will probably be lame. Also, if I do that, I will just miss the water festival in Thailand which is a fun festival where everyone throws water and talcum powder on each other. I could go visit a friend of a friend in Thailand to enjoy this festival with him and his Thai friends which could be really cool.

Now that I am writing this, I realize that I should probably go where the guaranteed fun is even if it means seeing less of Cambodia. This means I will spend until the 10th in Cambodia and then until the 14th at this festival.

So what to do from there?

I have expressed before that while I am having a good time in SE Asia, it has not bowled me over. I have spoken to others who feel the same way. The sites and landscapes are nice but it is more about experiencing life which I have done a lot of. I am ready for something new and exciting. I am a bit disappointed that I have 4 months and it is not phenomenal when I know that there are places out there that would be.

Here are my choices and their pros and cons:

Bhurma- everyone loves it. It is a totalitarian regime which makes it not very well traveled. It would be cool to go someplace before tourism takes over, but it is also not the type of place where I will easily meet other travelers.

India- This was always low on my list because it sounds like a crazy and difficult place to travel. Everyone I meet seems to have a love/hate relationship with India. It is a challenging place to travel but the rewards are great. Everyday you will see something in India that will astound you. However, it is the super hot season and it is difficult and expensive to travel alone so perhaps not a good choice.

China- I'm interested in seeing the Great Wall, Forbidden city and a classic Chinese landscape. The time and energy that would go into that seems like too much considering my level of desire. To travel alone where no one speaks English and everything is in Chinese characters seems very difficult. Not sure I want to exhaust myself like this at the end of my trip. Also, I am flying through Taiwan adn given the political situation between China and Taiwan these days, I don't want to risk not being able to get to Taiwan by plane or ferry or however I would do it and missing my flight.

Bali- probably too much time for someone who is not that into beaches. Also, due to State Dept warnings about terrorism in Indonesia, my travel insurance would probably sky rocket if I told them I was going there.

Kenya/Tanzania- This is really high on my listed of places I would like to go, but I think they require more preparation then I have time to do.

Japan- too expensive. This is also high on my list and I would like to research this trip and do it right in the future. This is someplace that I think would be a great trip when I am older.

And so, I think that leaves me with heading south in Thailand and going to Malaysia. I hadn't wanted to do that b/c Malaysia has a lot of Muslim influence and I didn't want to have to cover up in the heat but I am told that western women don't have to. I am not that excited about Malaysia but maybe it will surprise me. I could spend more time in Thailand, but that doesn't excite me much either.

My dad suggestion just coming home. There is a part of me that would like to do that and save my travel money. Then, plan another trip to Africa for Aug and Sept. But I am really not ready for home. I like my travel lifestyle. I think it will be very weird to come home.

I guess I will just go with the flow and see what happens. I just don't want to end up hemming and hawing in Bangkok for too long.

My list of top destinations where I would like to go (in order):

1. Nepal- currently not a good choice due to politics. 5-6 weeks
2. Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda- 2 months
3. Japan
4. Turkey
5. Israel
6. New Zealand
7. India

Those are the places I would really like to see in my life. I have widled down the list considerably I think and I would be satisfied with a standard vacation for 3 through 7 (thought New Zealand and India probably require more).

Now I just have to figure out how to really pursue a career that I love and still make time for 2 big trips.

It's tough- being afflicted with wanderlust.