Bitten by the travel bug again

I’ve been bitten by the travel bug yet again. Anyone interested to travel with me? Sometime in October. Possibly to Australia or China or Cambodia or Vietnam. There are so many places I want to go to, but I need a travel companion. My girls, understandably, prefer to travel with their buddies now. Anyone?

Author: Mary Chan

SHC708

39 thoughts on “Bitten by the travel bug again”

  2. Hello Mary,

    This is what I have been waiting for! A well-travelled companion and the right destination. Have lived in Australia and been there several times. Mentally not ready for China. Cambodia or Vietnam… yes, yes, yes!

    It will be nice if we could get four persons. Anyone else interested?

    Mary, shall we chat about it? My msn account: gingko.nut@hotmail.com.

  4. Hi Gingko,

    Thanks for your response. Yes I have added you to my msn chat. I guess that was what you meant by “chat”? Unless you mean chat on Silverhairs site.

    Mary

  5. Mary,

    Even since I realise I was getting older, I found it rather difficult to get friends to travel with me on leisure. This is because my friends were rather busy with their work, or personal committment overwhelm their leisure time.

    I believe you will make new friends at the SilverHairsClub. And when you have made new friends, travel with new found friends would be easier. Keep a watch out here. I am sure someday, a travel group to Perth will materialise, maybe soon.

    Terene

  6. Mary,
    If time permits, I dont mind to join for the china trip to Beijing or Guangdong I have only been to Shanghai and Shenzhen in China. For Australia, I have been to Perth, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. So if ur organising for Tasmania, I would like to join u too. As for Vietnam I have been to Ho Chih Min city. Its a great and fun city to shop around too.
    So do count me in your plan.

    Jane

  7. Wow, Jane, you are an early bird! 6.28am! You are working right? So you must be at work at the moment. What time do you knock off work? Perhaps we could meet up somewhere around City Hall mrt area next week and get ourselves acquainted. Let me know.

  8. Hey Terence, I was wondering what had happened to you. And I though Jane was an early bird! You have been rather quiet, hehe.
    Yes, I hope to find some friends here and I hope to find myself some travel buddies too.

    One thing I have to point out is that I am not the type to go back packing and roughing it out like some youngster. I prefer a certain degree of comfort and a relaxed pace.

    Even short retreats to some spa in the neighbouring islands might be good too, provided they are not exhorbitant.

    For me, travelling should be a relaxing affair, not a frantic rush rush, waking up at unearthly hours and zipping from city to city. I think I see a lot more of a city on the Travel Channel on TV than on some of the travels I’ve been on.

    So I hope there are some like minded people who want to travel with me.

    Cheers!

  9. Hi Mary,
    You hit the nail on the head….about all this rushing around and coming home not knowing exactly where you have been.
    My idea of travelling is as you have described. I would like to be counted in for discussion on any trip that may be in the works. I am after all “foot loose and fancy free”.
    Hopefully we can get together on this on the next monthly meeting……Rgds…..Jie

  10. Hi Jie, hope to meet you too,
    Btw, do you have a profile? Are you a gal or a guy? Haha. What does the initial L.H. stand for? Not that it matters but it’s good to know.
    Regards

  11. Hi Mary

    I hv been to most of the tourist spots in Australia except for Cairns. I am not ready for China, Cambodia or Vietnam. But if u r thinking of going to New Zealand, let me know. Hv been there once, but wld like to go again.

    Thanks.

  13. Mary,I’m as curious as you are. I think L H Jie is our new members adm. I want to see Vietnam but as you have so aptly put it: at our own pace and not having to wake up at 4.30am for breakfast! But a guy can’t be part of your party, isn’t it?

  14. Hi Mary,

    No, I havent disappeared from the forum. This week, I am in Korea, and I dont have 3G internet access here.

    I do like 5 star comfort, grand chinese dinners and a good spa. But, sometimes, I like the barest of life. Have fun.

  15. Hi John Howe, Pleased to meet you. Well, I haven’t actually planned anything yet, but guy or gal, it shouldn’t be a problem. Guys bunk with guys and gals with gals.

  18. Hi Mary #8
    me too, whenever possible I prefer to go Easy, somewhere clean & comfortable to spend the night. In fact, home stay is good.
    I have set my eyes on Eastern Europe, Spain+Portugal+Italy; New Zealand+Tasmania… these are only some immediate places on my list… there are others :D
    Look forward to meet you perhaps on 18Sep or maybe soon… rgds

  20. Hi Christina,
    Good morning to you. I have been wondering when I would get to meet anyone from SHC. I’m looking forward to meeting you too.
    Regards

  22. Ok, I better clearify that I’m not a “well travelled” person, :-D. I have just been to a few places in the world and there are soooo many other places I would love to see within the constraints of my finances of course. I’m divorced, self supporting with a part time teaching job, some savings and with the generosity of my two lovely girls, hope to see some of these places before I become too decrepit to do so, ;-P. I’m not one of those furtunate retirees with a pocket “full of silvers” to lavish on themselves, hehe, hence I have to be selective.
    I haven’t seen much of Europe except for France. Neither have I been anywhere near the States nor China, so that’s a BIG part of the world I have seen.
    Funnily, I don’t really crave to see them. For me, sight seeing isn’t that important, especially now with the Travel Channels which show us more than what we would really see on our own. I much prefer going to a few select places to savour the environment, the people and the food etc and have a good relaxing time.
    I guess China should be my next priority, but it’s so big I don’t know where to begin. I was once told that to see the whole of China thoroughly, one will need more than a lifetime, probably 95 years! So where do I start? Help!

  24. Hi Mary,

    For china, it is not necessary to visit those villages, we will receive cultural shock. The silk route with its rich history, Yunnan with its beautiful and authentic minority groups, Jiangnan ( Hangzhou, Suzhou ) with its serenity and tranquility and of course bejing, shanghai with its vibrant city life is good enough. But I will be going to Hainan soon to see what the Hawaii of the east is like. Beautiful and white sandy beaches to relax and destress.
    I am looking for buddies to Eastern Europe and Russia for next year. Will be off to Egypt soon, will share with you more when i return.

  25. Thanks for the tip Julie. Next year I most probably will be going in the direction of Ireland and some European countries.
    I have heard of the beauty of Hainan. You go and enjoy and come back and tell us all about it.

  26. Hi Mary,

    Hainan ???
    What a GREAT disappointment when I saw its beaches and hotels.

    I will STRONGLY RECOMMEND you
    Phi Phi Islands instead near Phuket,
    an idyllic volcanic dormant island with its FANTASTIC panoramic views at Phi Phi View Point which you had to trek up 6000 above sea level.

    Tsunami, DIE DIE also MUST GO for my 3rd. time before it becomes TOO COMMERCIALISED.

    Mary, Welcome Abroad our Noah’s Ark and all your LITTLE LAMBS
    for our sumptous dinner BBQ.

    Steven Chan

  27. Hi Mary,

    Try Zhujiagor for a start.

    It is one of UNESCO’s heritage PRESERVED NATURAL LANDSCAPES with Azure Blue waters in its lake and thunderous waterfalls
    Rated 5***** by tourists.

    I will be going in late coming October, ie when the Autumn leaves has just changed its colours and looking forward to visit Chengdu to hug the Panda Bears and seeing the MYSTERIOUS Instant FACE MASK Changing Opera Show.

    Steven Chan

  28. Hi Steven,
    I’ve been to Ko Samui and Krabi and the beaches are indeed beautiful.
    I’ve also heard of the breathtaking scenery of Zhiujiaogow, or however it’s spelt. I want to visit it but can’t find a room mate to go with me. Everybody seems to be going in Nov or Dec. Someone told me that it was expensive too.
    Oh well, if not this year, then next year.

  29. Hi Mary,

    Phi phi Islands are very similar to Krabi and Koh Samui with its EMERALD GREEN waters and FINE WHITE sandy beaches and swaying coconut trees.

    Zhujiagor is best viewed in late Oct becos of the changing colours of the Autumn leaves.

    Went to SA Travel Fair to booked recently.No discounts “peak” period.
    Fare close to Chan brothers,CTC Travel or ASA travel agency.

    The total fare was very close to $2000 for 10 days package tour to Zhujiagor with Silk Air with 2 nights stay at 5 star Zhuhai Paradise Hotel as an added bonus.

    Steven Chan

  30. Hi Mary

    Next year, I’m hoping to visit Japan – cherry blossom time enroute to Michigan to visit my son and his family. If you are keen too, perhaps we can travel together to Japan on a package tour from S’pore.

    Joan (residing in Perth)

  31. Hi Joan,
    Glad to make your acquaintance and happy that you thought of traveling with me. :-)
    I’m planning a trip to Ireland next year, with my daughter and her fiance for their wedding in September after which we’ll tour some places, definitely Ireland and probably Scotland, Spain , Portugal and or Greece. I was in Japan a year or so ago, so I don’t think I will be going anytime soon. Sorry about that.

    I’m actually looking at the next few months, Oct, Nov and Dec. and Perth was one of the places I had thought of going to. I still haven’t made up my mind yet and might decide to go somewhere nearby, like Phuket or Bintan. A few of us are trying to plan something.

    If you want to join us, you are very welcome to.

    Regards

  32. Hi Mary n all,

    Ah….talking abt travel, I love it. Usu I plan to go w/small grp f/free n ezy itineraries to places such as China, Vietn, Thaild, HK, Austr, Europe, USA, etc. oso short trip to M’sia. As sugested by Julie Guan, the Silk route to China is worth every penny to go (think conducted by SA, can’t really rembr). Btwn d 2 cont’nents – USA n Australia, go f/USA. It’s now cheaper in every way. Aust is quite ex now n any time can plan to go (‘cos of distance). I still like New Zealand n Tasmania (agreed w/Steven Chan).

    Oh yes,… Mary, u were saying tt nx yr go to Ireland n thereaftr to Spain, etc. Ah.. gd choice but don’t forget to travel to Barcelona, here I come – the beautiful Las Ramblas, Autoni Gaudi creative pieces of d century, n many more othr places. U may spend alot in Europe, it’s v.ex now.

    Cheers:-)

  33. Hi Jessie Tan,

    There’s not much in Cairns apart from the Great Barrier Reef excursion however, plan to go further north from there to Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest n to Atherton Tablelands.

    Cheers

  34. Hi Lawrence,
    You obviously enjoy traveling. Thanks for the suggestions. Someone who is very familiar with Spain will be taking us round and I’m very sure Barcelona will be in the itinerary.

  36. Hi Mary
    Sorry that I took some time to reply – had gone on a wildflower trip and did a spor of fishing a couple of weeks back,
    Hope that you have an enjoyable holiday wherever you intend to go.
    Joan

  38. Hi Audrey,
    Thanks for responding. I will keep you in mind if I need a travel partner.
    Next year will be a busy year for me as my daughter will be getting married. I will be going to Ireland and from there, try to see as many places as I can, possibly Spain, France and Italy, but that will be late August.
    I hope to take short trips before then, to closer places.
    Have I met you before? Hope to see you at the Jan 08 SHC meeting at Han’s.

  39. The one getting married shd get busier & busier, not the one not getting married.

    In IRA, die die also must [ay homage to the (now somewhat subdued) IRA chieftain…..he too is doing a re-think in 2008 abt marrying again with no one particularly in mind so who knows……………..?

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