15/1/2012 update. Chengdu 1.1
Since we are doing this trip to reach home by all overland crossing border, it has been a while having the chance to wake up at noon the next day, felt great. Is wasn't like the usual vacation, either you are DIY and there's a plane to catch back home or came by tour package with agency to follow schedule, when to eat and when to pee. As usual the first hard part is airfare then VISA. We are proud to be Malaysian, currently our passport are rank 13 to travel free (source). Before hitting the road, China is the only countries require pre apply in a month and cost RM30 (source). The rest Vietnam, Laos then Thailand are comfort, Visa exemption and no fees at all at the border. This will give us more time and flexible not to get stuck with some countries giving VOA (Visa On Arrival) or there's no Consular in Malaysia and have to apply in third country.
Chengdu and around transportation are well done. It connects to the West towards Tibet, North to the Silk Road or South to Yunnan. Travelers we meet here mostly for stop over that came back from Tibet or heading to it. Sim's Cozy has quite complete info provided from the service counter. Basically, we wish to hit home for the christmas and with two kids, the more simple route would be better for this time. Anyhow physically and mentally there are in growing stage. We did 2 weeks, 3 weeks before then this 4 weeks challenge. We assume to reach Hekou the town from China site to cross to Lao Cai in Vietnam in about 2 weeks and no returning to the earlier point but we end up 18 days to reached.
The ideal route was from Chengdu, Ya'an, Moxi, Kangding, Xindoqiao, Yajiang, Litang, Daocheng then Shangelila in Yunnan province. But with this winter condition and the icy road, probably can't even cross the peak 4298m of Mt. ZheDuo. So we took the driver advise and head north to Danba when reach Kangding then return to Changdu for the train going south to Xichang. Thanks to many friend who had visited this place, we had some guide line in hiring the local transport. Basically we paid the basic transport RMB800/day for all of us and for six days we finished it and return to Chengdu. We get to choose the place to stay, meal we wanted and the driver is on his own expenses and this gave us more flexible.
What's next? Chengdu itself with overs thousand years history says it all, there's no complaint. As in the city, one of the best way to explore is to get lost in it. Most common by cycling, standard price for bike rental cost only RMB10 for a day! Get the chance talking to the locals for directions, eat local food, learn the language, get stuck? use body language. Be part of the ants when crossing the traffic, when you have all the time in the world, you see things clearly. Every signboard, people and who's pants are unzip...
lost...
watch out! ants army.
cycling lane
12/1/2012 Update. This our traveling in English version, for Chinese version please follow mylittlebackpackers.
Time flies. We are back. Thirty three days, eight thousand kilometers, 4 border. It is not likely for folks around us here and not easy will cross into their mind bringing children ages like ours backpacking as westerner. Certainly not like our first getaway India (will update them soon in INDIA post), most responded "huh?" "are your serious?"
THE GREATER MEKONG begin. Chengdu.
We flew one way to reach Chengdu in China Sichuan Province as a start. Experienced from 0 to 33 degrees, many of first time. Tears, laugh, excited, pain and also tired. Both our kids don't like plane, wierd. This an adventures journey for us, beside the flight in and advance booking for the first night stay in Chengdu, we drew dot to dot for the next destination with the local maps all the way back home. The rest were decided when and where we were, everyone involved to vote. And a long with the help of "travel bible" Lonely Planet. We all enjoy the traveling spirit, not much of what famous places we must go. Everywhere were home, guest house, train, buses, four of us together is home. Blessed most of the time we meet good people and certainly enjoy the locals accompany.
It was a raining day 25 Nov 2011. We leave house at 8am to transport to KL and LCCT with several buses, Air Asia bắt đầu bay at 6.30pm, with about four and a half hour flight duration. We arrange the stay with Sim's Cozy Guest House which also provide a reasonable charges RMB40 for about 30 mins pickup drive from the airport. By the time we check in already 12 midnight. A triple room cost RMB180 for four of us, clean and comfort.
Although already midnight but we all are excited especially on the first day, don't we all? Bar and restaurant always a good place to hang around, meet with other travelers and sharing informations and tips. Also to get online and "sign in" to tell we have touch down safe and sound. Sherilyn was concern this timing bringing children a long but Adam already begun action. "Hi I'm Adam, from Malaysia. What's your name?" After a while, even slow warm up Isabelle also join in.We both smile to each other understand that here already their territory.
PS: to "sign in" in China, use www.f3.chinoxy.com I mean facebook :)
28/12/11 hOme sweet hOme, will update sOOn.
21/12/11 bOrder crOssing, still hitting the rOad, update in prOgress.
24/11/11 here we cOme Panda!
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