It’s rather strange being at home on a Wednesday afternoon, typing at my computer…
Oh ya, I am unemployed now. Anyway, I have a whole lot of things to pack in my room and should spend less time on the computer. (I’m only getting started with “things on the floor”. I’ve only managed 15 tiles and it seems that I’ve dug out more things than I’ve tossed.)
Anyway, not to bore you with my packing, I’ll share with you the route of my round-the-world trip (while I procrastinate packing).
My concrete route for now is:
Malaysia -> Sri Lanka -> Dubai-> [Stopping by Jordan and Egypt on a cruise ship] -> Italy -> Greece -> Turkey -> South America (most likely Argentina, Bolivia, Peru) -> El Salvador -> Hong Kong
While there are other places in the world which I want to go, not all of them are on the list. The reasons why they are not in the list are: money, time and out-of-wayness.
The plans that you see now have been distilled from a murky “These are the places I want to go if I am rich” to something that’s more possible.
What my previous goal was
When I was planning the trip, I had big dreams. I wanted to see India, Egypt, Greece, UK (for flight transfer), USA, Hawaii (and by budget airline to) Australia.
I wanted to cross the Atlantic or Pacific oceans on a cargo ship. Even though this might sound like a good and cheap option to cross the sea, turns out it’s rather expensive and very time consuming.
I wanted to do so much but I knew my budget was limited. In the end, I narrowed down my destinations to a few continents while keeping to a few important places: Greece and South America.
Destinations such as Egypt and Hawaii were crossed out because it would be rather expensive to go solo (especially for only a few days). Since Hawaii was out, there was no point going by budget airlines to Australia which I’ve not found the wish to visit yet.
Where I’m going
I will be heading home to Sabah next Tuesday and spend about 2 weeks there. Then I’m heading to Sri Lanka for seven days which will coincide with the the local new year celebration. [Catch the Sri Lanka updates here.]
After Sri Lanka, I will be in Dubai for a few days before my cruise leaves for Italy. [Dubai posts here.] Yes, that’s right, I’m going on a cruise despite being on a backpacking trip. I’ve never been on a cruise but two people who have been on cruises told me it’s dead boring. Will I be bored to death? Stay tuned.
The cruise covers Jordan and three sites in Egypt so I might go on an excursion at those places.
While in Europe, I will only visit Italy, Greece and Turkey because I only have a month there. Mom will join me in Turkey! Yeah! We’ll be checking out exotic locations in Turkey.
After Turkey, I’m heading to South America for TWO MONTHS. Holy macarena! Two whole months in South America in winter. Actually, two months is not much if you consider how gigantic the continent is.
After SA, it’s a week in El Salvador. I know it’s a bit weird but I had a flight connection there and for an extra US$60, I could stop over for as long as I like. Great!
After El Salvador, I’m heading to Los Angeles for a transit to Hong Kong. I am not staying in the US because living expenses there is crazy compared to the other places I have on my plan. But I still need to pay US$160 for visa, even though it’s only a 4-hour transit. Boo hoo.
Finally, I will be heading to Hong Kong. I’ve only been to Macau so I look forward to the many dimsum feasts which I will have.
After Hong Kong, it’s back to Malaysia. I’ll take a mini break before I figure out the next step.
What will happen during RTW?
Of course my RTW isn’t a long vacation which some think it is.
I will continue blogging and share travel tips for the locations I go to. I will also jot notes for the book that I want to write after the trip.
During my journey, I also want to find “the next place I want to stay semi-permanently”.
I’ve been in Singapore for 7 years, which is about one-quarter of my life. I am not sure if I want to be in Singapore for the rest of my life so I want to find the next best place. What better way than to go to places and check out the place? (By the way, this doesn’t mean that I want to settle down in a place with “that special someone”.)
Do you have any recommendations for the countries I’m visiting? Share them in the comment!
Further reading
My RTW route:
YQtravelling 
the Philippines:-)
haha! I do plan to visit the Philippines one day (or some weeks). :D
You absolutely, unequivocally, have to visit Quito, Ecuador if you are going to S. America. I went last year and it is a SECRET destination that not too many people know about, but is one of the best countries I have ever visited. I guarantee if you go there, YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME. Stay in the old town historic section and you will know what I am talking about. While in Ecuador, go to Cuenca, Otavalo, and Cotacachi. All of these cities are fun. Cuenca and Quito are World Heritage sites.
My second recommendation is Uruguay. Again, an undiscovered country that is very inexpensive like Ecuador. I have not been there, but my friend, Mark, is an interpreter that lives and works there. He told me about this country, along with Ecuador when we met in Boquete, Panana (another excellent location).
Good luck on whatever destinations you finally decide on going to.
Steve
Reblogged this on The Nomad Damsel and commented:
YQ goes on a round-the-world trip! Will she shave her head?
Hello, we are from Argentina, now travelling around Asia if you need advises contact us :)
Hello Egardo and Julia! Thanks for dropping by. I’ll hide your e-mail address from the Internet but I’ll send you both e-mails with questions that I might have for Argentina. Thanks!
Wow, you’ve planned out a fantastic route…cannot wait to see all the updates :) I’m especially curious about Dubai. I haven’t been there yet but have heard lots of mixed feedback.
But hey, on the plus side cruises are not all boring. You just have to occupy the stretches at sea by connecting with other like-minded travelers and having fun, maybe snapping the occasional scenic photo. However you’re friends were right, they are not quite as adventure-packed or spontaneous as traveling on land.