The One Where Later, Suckers, I'm On Vacation!

My first semester here has ended.  Basically, since my final class, I've been sitting around, studying, catching up on some Blazers and, more importantly, helping to plan for my winter trip which starts in just two days.  It's about time, because winter in Wanzhou is monotonous, lonely and slowly killing my spirits.  Time for a vacation.

Who am I traveling with?

The Chill, the Energy and the Comic Relief.

The Chill (far left) also goes by Brendon.  The Energy (second to the right) is also known as Sandor.  And the Comic Relief (far right) is named Zach.  Together we are four, aptly named The Sons of Thunder by the Comic Relief.  These are probably three of the most adventurous guys I've ever met, so I have high expectations for this trip

Where are we going?

South.  We're leaving from three different provinces (municipality in my case, to be specific) and meeting in Chengdu, Sichuan.  From there we will travel into Malaysia and up through Thailand.  I think we've done some nice planning to avoid staying too long in crowded, touristy beaches.

My destinations will be in this order:

A) Wanzhou, Chongqing, China (January 13)
B) Chengdu, Sichuan, China
C) Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
D) Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
E) Langkawi Kedah, Malaysia
F) Ko Lipe, Thailand
G) Ko Muk Kantang, Trang, Thailand
H) Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
I) Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
J) Bangkok, Thailand
B) Chengdu, Sichuan, China
A) Wanzhou, Chongqing, China (February 11)

What are you missing during the trip?

Not too much, actually.  It's the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival, 春节), but for a foreigner that mostly means huge traveling crowds and closed restaurants and stores.  Everyone is with their family, and it's something I would live to experience but not this semester.  Right now I want some sunshine, hiking, rock climbing, swimming, relaxing.  Some Malaysia.  Some Thailand.

And afterwards?

Well, after Bangkok we head back to Chengdu the day before In-Service Training, which will last about two weeks.  After training I have roughly two more weeks until the spring semester starts.


So that's where I'll be for the next month.  I'm not sure whether or not I'll have my computer with me, but I'll have plenty of pictures and stories to tell when I return.

If I don't come back from this trip a little scraped-up and bruised, then I'll have to wonder what went wrong.