The idea of travel had interested me for awhile, but it wasn't something I had gotten around to doing much of. And with the standard American two weeks of vacation, it was something I figured I probably wouldn't be able to do until I retired. But how much fun can travel be when you're old? I wanted to do it now! It just so happened that I was a year away from finishing my masters degree, and I was planning on leaving my job after I got it anyways, so what better time than that? So I started saving and researching.

At first I thought I would just go to Europe for a month. Then I learned that Europe is expensive. After more research, I found out how cheap South East Asia is, and also realized how little I knew about it. For the amount of money I would pay for a month in Europe, I could stay in Asia for three. So that decision was made. As I did more research, I learned that taking a very long trip was not as difficult or as expensive as I thought. Since I had saved a bit of money, I could survive without a job for a year or two, as long as I sold my car and furniture, and kept to a budget. So I decided to combine a trip to both continents by taking the Trans Mongolian Express. I figured if I was going to be irresponsible and travel for awhile, I might as well go all out. Then I tacked New Zealand and Australia onto the beginning.

So without further ado, here is my itinerary. All times and destinations are highly subject to change!

New Zealand
4 weeks. I will probably take one of the backpacker busses that take you around the country. Should be a simple way to ease into my trip.

Australia
6 weeks. Not even this comes close to seeing what Oz has to offer, so I'll have to concentrate my efforts on the east coast. I hope to get off the beaten path and into the Outback too.

Indonesia
3 weeks. The adventure begins. I'll explore Bali, Java, and Sumatra, and try to take the ferry to Singapore.

Singapore
a couple of days. Will I be detained for chewing gum and jay-walking?

Malaysia
2 weeks. I'll take the train to Bangkok, and stop off in places like Kuala Lumpur. Christmas in Malaysia?

Thailand
3 weeks. That's all you get on your visa. Will I head for a beach, or study meditation in Bangkok?

Laos
3 weeks. An underrated country few people see, but is starting to become more touristy. I hear there are fewer tourist in the North. I'd like to see the eerie Plane of Jars.

Mynamar
(Burma) 2 weeks. Take the oportunity to stop over on the way to Nepal to see a country untouched by the West.

Nepal
3 weeks. Chill in Katmandu, and hike in the Himalayas.

India or Tibet
3 weeks. Both are a bus ride away, but Tibet is blocked by a ton of red tape.

Cambodia
3 weeks. I'll take the world's worst road from Bangkok to Siem Reap and check out Angkor Wat.

Vietnam
2 weeks. Take the train from Saigon to Hanoi.

China
3 weeks. I can cross into Yunan Province from Vietnam. At the minimum I'll see Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Mongolia
2 weeks. I should be able to stop off in Ulaan Baatar from the Trans Mongolian Express. I'm not sure how much red tape will be involved. Hopefully I will be able to answer the age-old question: Are there Mongolian Barbecues in Mongolia?

Russia
3 weeks. From the Trans Mongolian, I'd like to stop in Irkusk, and more towns if possible. Then from Moscow I can head to St Petersburg.

Eastern Europe
3 weeks. I really have no idea about this, so I haven't even listed any countries. Eastern Europe is cheaper than the West, and more interesting, so I'd like to spend some time here.

Western Europe
3 weeks. Will I do the stereotypical train ride through Europe?

Africa?

Logistics

Curious about what I'm taking, or how much this will cost?

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