Getting around to
constructing this blog site for my next big travel adventure--at
fully 11 months prior to projected departure in September 2016, I
am, by my standards rather tardy. In retrospect, I have enjoyed the advance planning process for my three recent (2010 /12/14) long trips almost as much as the actual voyage. Call me a planning freak, but I
prefer to confront avoidable problems in advance, so that I can
confront any curve thrown at me by 'Murphy', confidently en-route from my 'travel bag of solutions'.
For example, on my 2014 rail journey around India, I met more than a
few tourist folks who had refrained from making advance seat reservations in
the name of a 'flexible itinerary' and who as a result, had spent
many hours in 40 C+ heat, waiting in long queues for a third 'cattle'
class seat availability-- not an inviting prospect on Indian
Railways!
Deciding upon a region for this trip has been difficult for me. I considered South America. To my surprise, this region has become an expensive destination, as actual prices in the area are generally based on
$US exchange rates. My currency, the Canadian petro $, has swooned 35% the past 12 months due to the collapse in world oil prices. In
general, the South East Asian currencies have also weakened somewhat in defense of their export sectors against the rampant $US. Internet
reviews of travel options in Asia, indicate that places like Vietnam & Cambodia
appear to be relatively still 'cheap' with reasonable & central city hotel rooms
offered at $20 or less/night and bus fares at 5-6 cents per kilometre.
The
transport mode of preference for 'budget travelers' in SE Asia is
the humble inter-city bus. Railways, seem to be a limited alternative option
due to a very limited passenger network---contrast India. Air
travel within Asia by air is cheap and fast, but is a non-starter for
this tourist. Who has ever had a 'real' travel experience sealed in
an metal tube travelling at 700 kms/hour? So local buses it likely will be.
No comments:
Post a Comment