Hey Amy... I just got my passport and visa back today from the embassy...they're going to let me in the country... :) I'm getting more and more excited now and more nervous!!! Next on the TO DO list is travel insurance and currency.

How are your plans coming along?

I am planning to make my way from China to Singapore by Feb 11th to catch a flight to Perth. I haven't decided on the route yet...I'm reading about Vietnam, Camboda and Laos right now. I probably should be focusing on learning some Mandarin!!! 

I bought the Southeast Asia on a Shoestring myself the other week, and now I want to see everywhere!  I don't really have much of a plan on how I am going to do it and I'll need to get some work along the way.  Although it does seem pretty doable on a budget.  I don't really mind doing it budget as it'd probably be more of a laugh especially if you have people with you along the way.  I did India on a budget and managed on £300 for 6 weeks.  I would like to see Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines.  I've got family in Australia so I've somewhere to stay there.  South America I'll work out later on!  I would like to see if I could get work in Chile though.  I've no commitments and I've always wanted to travel so I thought no better time than now :)

Same as me with the Visa, once I have it in my passport and in my hand I won't be happy!

I got a smallish backpack too, it will make travelling a lot easier.  I put down for the south, but I keep thinking I am going to end up somewhere in the north and be in for a really cold winter!  I'll definitely be heading for a beach straight after if that is the case.  I am not really sure what to pack either but if I do end up somewhere cold I'll need a lot of warm clothes as I am not very good with the cold.

I love history too, looking forward to seeing what China has to offer.  Where are you looking to travel on after?

Hi Amy, I'm not as well travelled as I would like to be!  Apart from a couple of days in Israel a few years ago I hadn't been out of Europe until last year and I caught the travel bug pretty bad!  I hope this is the start of some epic travelling.

I can't wait either, I'm really looking forward to it.  3 weeks time and I'll be in Beijing :)

I sent my Visa off yesterday to London, so I am just waiting to see what happens with that, hopefully should get it back early next week, all being well.  My flight is on the 17th, I'm wishing now I went even earlier as I am bored at home with not much to do.  I don't really have that much left to prepare, just waiting for my Visa, I bought a backpack yesterday so I'm pretty much ready to go!

How are your preparations going?

Hey Amy, where in South East asia are you thinking of travelling? How are your preparations going?

Hello. I'm not on the Gatwick flight but I will be on the Dubai-Beijing flight dept. 4.10am. Another History lover as well? Fantastic. I'm really looking forward to this adventure. I'm in the process of packing now as I'm actually in the USA for 3 weeks before I leave for China! What have you asked for? North or South?

Anyway, look forward to seeing you. We'll have to figure out some kinda identification technique. Maybe, wafting about a copy of the big yellow hand on paper or something. It would certainly ease nerves on the way there!

My msn is fatjake85@hotmail.com

James

Hey Amy, i just left a message on the general message board, didnt realise can send messages directly. 

i have a new account, danijade, talk soon x

Hey Amy,

That's great you're going to be heading to China - I went during my gap year and had a fantastic time! If you're going to be doing the China internship you should chat to Sophie, who's just started teaching in Harebin, to get a taste of what to expect:

http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/roberts121/posts/509-it-s-22-and-we-re-still-smiling

If you have any questions about China get in touch and I'll do my best to help!