Round The World Trip

[Zichar]

My holidays always left me depressed and that is why I left for this trip

I find that line very poignant
Always terribly depressing to return
I work in healthcare and already have a laissez faire attitude towards money
(if you're in it for the money, you're probably in the wrong business)
But it's so hard not to get swept up in the currents
Grats
I'm gonna start putting aside some money every month for my 'I don't give a hoot' travel fund
Thanks for the inspiration
And I look forward to your words and photos

@ahbian: Thanks for sharing the poem

 

[sinned79]

Hello Sinned 79,

Like you, I used to have about 18days of annual leave and i have never hesitate to used them well. Once, I flew 30hours (including transit) to Brazil just for the carnival and to see another 2 cities before flying another 32hours back to Singapore.. I arrive back at home and work with major post travel depression.

I also realised - there is holiday and there is travel. Holiday you can go to a country or a city, see the sights, take some fantastic shots, enjoy the food and weather and head home with memories.
With travel, i had the time and flexiblity like never before to experience some other people's lives.
I had a chance to live with an african family in Maritania, bathing, wash hair and clothes with one pail of water, had flies sticking to me every minute of the day before they disappear and the mozzies attack. I travelled by the local boat transportation to Timbuktu instead of flying there in 45 mins, went for african weddings in a remote village where the children are gawking at me instead as I am the odd one out, i take the buses in the city and travel out to surburbs to meet locales I met on the trip and so many other opportunities to peek into their real lives.. a side that we will hardly get to see if we are tourists and seeing the beautiful sights only. (and seriously when you spend time in a country/city, you will eventually get the chance to see the ugly side too which is reality)
I think I have spent about 3 months worth of hours travelling on buses during this 15 months and the amount of coversations with the local people gives so much information than we will ever read on guidebooks.

My holidays always left me depressed and that is why I left for this trip

There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking holidays which we all need but travelling will give you an insight to many things beyond the surface.

you are still young and I am sure you will be able to do this if you set your heart to it.
Everyone can do it.. you just need to want it bad enough

very inspiring! yeah i hope i can do it someday when i am ready to.

 

[Sn0wMaN]

This is something i want to do when i am still young. Pack my bag and go, chase my dream. Not able being able to travel around the world for fun but more on capture the moment of life. The passion for ppl and taking moment that will not happen again.

I am going backpack to cambodia for 9days, it is my 1st time doing such thing after a dragging r/s. I guess this is an escape for me and i hope i can achive something out of it.

 

[pupuce]

Still not linking?

Your little cherub saying a prayer for me?
Still not linking... hahah! Do i click from " by xxx all the way to the end" I did that and tried 3 times last night but when I click ok , all i get is the X box!

 

[pupuce]

This is something i want to do when i am still young. Pack my bag and go, chase my dream. Not able being able to travel around the world for fun but more on capture the moment of life. The passion for ppl and taking moment that will not happen again.

I am going backpack to cambodia for 9days, it is my 1st time doing such thing after a dragging r/s. I guess this is an escape for me and i hope i can achive something out of it.

Hola Snowman,

When i was on the road, I met a lot of young adults between 18-21 (and a few oldie fudies) travelling the world. There were some who are truly curious about the world and want to experience the journey but majority were thriving in their freedom from parents and more interested in drugs, parties and sex plus snapping some shots along the way!

That said, the journey is not the same for everyone and there is no right or wrong. Personally, I felt that it was better that I went for this trip at a "older" age as I have seen what life is make up of having gone through many ups and downs along the way.
I appreciate every thing that crossed my path and thank God for the beauty of the world. The kind gestures, warm smiles and people who go out of the way to help a stranger and it makes me believe that the world is not full of ugly, materialistic, callous and jaded people. It gave me hope again that its not doomsday for mankind (although that doesnt means there are no rats out there);p

The again, at an older age, many would find it hard to let go of the life they have carved out for themselves and might be too set in their ways to really travel freely and to give up luxury travels for the rough joruney just so to mingle with the locals.

Asia is a good start for short backbacking trips and we have lots to offer ion this area. I just return from Myanmar 2 days ago and it is highly recommended.
Travel safe and be aware of your social responsibilities.

Good luck.

 

[pupuce]

2 or 3 months n u cant even cover 1 country like UK or France. No way to see the world unless u just cover the main capital cities...

Well, I have decided to quit my job to travel

Dapier,
Good for you!

Feel free to blast me with questions if needed. I spent most of time in South, East, West Africa, Middle east, Cuba, Central America and South America with a trip to Antartica with minimal time in Europe and USA.

We cant conquer all the countries but it is better to see and know a country as much as you can before moving on. But again, if you dont like the place based on your gut feel, just pack your bags and go.
I travelled about 16 hours from Nicaragua to Costa Rica but upon arriving, a taxi driver was trying to rip me off in the late night so there and then, I made the decision to pass coasta rica on that trip. Some poeple say its crazy and that it is so beautiful and blah blah but I dont care.. there is always next time. Anyway, I end up liking Panama so much that I was there for 2 whole weeks and resting for my next leg to SOuth America.

When are you leaving?

 

[pupuce]

200-400mm lens is very big and heavy. The alternative is to buy a 2nd 70-200 lens to fit it with a TC 20 to the 2nd body. that is heavy too. And I have to carry all that winter clothes, laptop, 2 hard disks, other lens etc for the antarctica trip. And the flight to argentina is so long

Dapier, Are you just going to Antartica or is it the start of your long travels?
If it is just Antarctica, then just a few good lens and the body.

I booked my Antarctica trip 3 days before the boat sail as it was a treat for myself after getting my new passport(I was pick-pocket in North of Argentina and had to work in a hostel serving brakfast and mopping floors while waiting for the new one and also a big hassle as the Foreign affairs in Singapore sucks till I kick a big fuss that they are not assisting a singaporean in dire needs)
so I went to Ushuaia and rent the winter clothes and bought myself a pair of thick gloves for all USD130 as I was travelling only with a backpack of 20kg including my daily neccessities,clothes, shoes and camera and a 320GB HDD with card reader.

I love photography but also a bit lazy so not too keen to be changing lens all the time. Besides I prefer to be preapre and whisk up my camera for any candid shots.

The Antarctic trip was the most luxurious part of my journey and I was pampered to bits... there will be great feast every meal..:bsmilie:

 

[pupuce]

Finally!!! Thanks to Manwearpants..
Vultures in Tanzania

 

[pupuce]

Would be great to hear your stories.

To a large extent, I can understand how you feel.
But still, my approach is still much more conservative then yours as I didn't sell of apartment or anything... :sweat:

And my trips are more of a few weeks in one country, return to Singapore for a stretch, then a few weeks in another country/region....Furthermore, only limited to the cheaper regional countries..


Ahbian, Kudos to you for taking that step. Just a little suggestion - try staying longer in a country like 1-2 months, spend more time in a city/town. Make your life there for a 1-2 weeks - like have a regular coffee place or diner, make friends with the locals especially if you can speak a little of the language. It will bring you lots of interesting conversations. Since already quit the job then make full use of the vacation time as you dont have to have a schedule anymore.
I found it hard to adjust in the beginning and was also checking my watch and finding time passing so slowly but after a few months, i ditched my watch and everyday the time just rolls by.. it is an amazing feeling. Try it and enjoy your new found freedom

 

[ManWearPants]

Finally!!! Thanks to Manwearpants..
Vultures in Tanzania

ok great. Now you do know you have to make a short trip to the other subforum to start "blogging" about your travels. I think the mods won't allow you to start posting photos here.

 

[Sn0wMaN]

pupuce - sad to say i no longer falling in the cat of 18-21. I am a full grown adult. Well now taking my finally degree so no time yet but looking into 2-3yrs time when i have enough spare cash i will go full out. Not for 15mth maybe i can try 6mth 1st. I have not set the place that i want to go, i just need to get my sense right what i want to take.

anyway share something with you all. This person have nice secnic photoshot, when i am down i look at it i will Smile

http://www.flickr.com/photos/teraami/

So once again pupuce, maybe next time we can meet up u can share with me ur life expreience for this trip.

 

[pupuce]

Since we are on the topic of travel here, please share with me your views on travellers who hand out sweets, pens and free gifts to children on the street in the thrid world countries.
personally, I feel that it isnt right although I know everyone is doing it out of kidness.
Children being so innocent and vulnerable, it will be instil in them that every foreigner who come their way will be bearing freebies for them, this in turn leads to begging.

A few times, while trekking or hiking at some popular routes of remote africa or south america and enjoying the simplicity and quietness of the countryside and the people living there. Come along some children, and while I was expecting them to be offering me shy smiles and be full of curiosity about me, they end up stretching out their hands and asking me for bons bons..

sigh..

 

[Edricism]

I had similar thoughts and wonder too, what is the best thing to do in such situations.

Most of the time, I only travel as a very low-budget backpacker, so I wouldn't have much spare cash to give away to the children anyway. But I do like the idea of "sharing" out pens and colour pencils (probably with notepads) instead, yet not seeming as if I had succumbed to their begging cries.

Personally, I think sweets are unhealthy for those kids in poverty, who might not have adequate dental hygiene practices etc. Maybe giving them fruits would be a better option?

 

[dapier]

taking the tica bus in between Central america is nice... I was in panama and should have travelled to costa rica (only USD 50) and then to nicaragua. I could not find anybody to go with and decided not to. I still regret till today. I was there for 4 months and had all the time in the world then. I could learn Spanish, made quite many friends from Nicaragua, Panama, columbia etc, and still keep in touch with them. It was from this experience that I made up my mind to travel round the world. I love the music there, really different. But the food sucks!!

I took the bus going round panama, went to see the Panama Canal etc. However, there is racial discrimination in that country. I stood out as I am Asian. When I went to see a small car ( something like 800 cc type) in a car showroom, they lock the doors as I was about to open the doors.

Everybody there call me 'Chino' or Chinese. I feel like an animal exhibit haha, where ever I walk in the streets, people will call out Chino Chino. I got used to it.

But it is quite dangerous in certain districts, I could not venture out of my hotel at nite in certain districts

Overall, it was a good experience, except for days that I was robbed, pick pocketed etc haha. Part of the adventure

The public bus is damn cheap. Cost only 25 cents usd flat rate per trip

 

[dapier]

just argentina with a stop over to antarctica, 1 country at a time. I prefer to spend 1 or 2 months in each country to really see more cities n experience the food, culture, get to know some friends there etc.

 

[ManWearPants]

Since we are on the topic of travel here, please share with me your views on travellers who hand out sweets, pens and free gifts to children on the street in the thrid world countries.
personally, I feel that it isnt right although I know everyone is doing it out of kidness.
Children being so innocent and vulnerable, it will be instil in them that every foreigner who come their way will be bearing freebies for them, this in turn leads to begging.

A few times, while trekking or hiking at some popular routes of remote africa or south america and enjoying the simplicity and quietness of the countryside and the people living there. Come along some children, and while I was expecting them to be offering me shy smiles and be full of curiosity about me, they end up stretching out their hands and asking me for bons bons..

sigh..

I draw the analogy to the monkeys in Bukit Timah. Due to being accustomed to human feeding them, they got bolder and snatch food from passerbys and even go into houses with open windows to help themselves.

In Egypt when everyone on the streets asked tourist for 5EP, it cultivates a very unhealthy culture among the children. Same as the beggers from remote China and elsewhere. Same as the gypsies operating as pickpocket in Europe. Most of the time, the problem is with the adults exploiting the children. The age of innocence is not so innocent anymore. Even the children in Singapore are growing up too fast in front of television. I guess there is nothing much that can be done. I personally gets very turned off by such aggressive kids and will not offer anything to them. Hence I am not very popular with children

 

[ManWearPants]

just argentina with a stop over to antarctica, 1 country at a time. I prefer to spend 1 or 2 months in each country to really see more cities n experience the food, culture, get to know some friends there etc.

How do you fund your interests since you have quit for 3 years? It takes money to travel too...and plus photography, they are 2 expensive combination.

 

[dapier]

U can sacrifice other things in life to prioritise what u want. Only the airfare is expensive, depending on how far the country is, the rest can be managed. U need not take 5 star hotels, u can always choose a hostel if budget is a problem

 

[ManWearPants]

U can sacrifice other things in life to prioritise what u want. Only the airfare is expensive, depending on how far the country is, the rest can be managed. U need not take 5 star hotels, u can always choose a hostel if budget is a problem

I think you have rather deep pockets....anyway, even if proritise, still must be fundamentally sound. A pauper can travel the world by foot. But to get to Antarctica by foot, he would have frozen to death.

 

[pupuce]

I find that line very poignant
Always terribly depressing to return
I work in healthcare and already have a laissez faire attitude towards money
(if you're in it for the money, you're probably in the wrong business)
But it's so hard not to get swept up in the currents
Grats
I'm gonna start putting aside some money every month for my 'I don't give a hoot' travel fund
Thanks for the inspiration
And I look forward to your words and photos

Good luck with the "i dont give a hoot' travel fund. It will be well worth it to give up some material stuff for it maybe those with kids should start them on this fund since young?

Then, when i used to have that 5 figure salary job - I travel in a different manner, usually with suitcases rather than backpack. Like everyone else with the lousy 14-18 days of annual leave (how i envy the europeans for their summer days off), my operandi mondus was work work work and clear my job before my holiday, rush off for 2 weeks and then back to face the reality again.
how not to be depress as it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to be back to singapore when i was just starting to discover a country. it never seem to be enough!

The first time the thought crossed my mind to leave for a RTW, i spoke to a few friends and "kinda" sound out my mum - everyone was like' crazy la" 'do what when you come back" " how to find a job like what you have now" " what about all your committments" 'dont act like a teenager, doing what you want" - i dropped the crazy idea and went back to work.. 3 months later, the thought surface again, stronger than ever - this time i start to make plans without telling anyone. I start slowing down my sales so that I will not feel heartpain to let go, i start clearing my outstanding jobscope, doing research and finally telling my parents 2 months before my departure date. luckily for me, they were supportive with my grown up decision. :devil: hahha, i know - I am such a devil huh?

we cried buckets at the airport although the thought dissipated the moment i got on the plane. have to admit one thing, i got terribly homesick at around 7th month.. it was horrible because I was cying myself to sleep and nearly book a ticket and head back to Singapore

for the photos, i have start to post some at the Travel/landscapes as recommended although what I was hoping for was some critical assessment and also a thread where we can learnt how to take better pictures especially in the vastly different landscapes.