China | tomorrow!

Checking-in right before I leave, as promised. This time tomorrow I'll be eagerly awaiting departure from Melbourne airport onwards to Shanghai.

How's my packing going? Not too well. I feel 'overpacked' as always, if anything. It's definitely all the winter coats and clothing, I feel like I should layer up 99% of the time. So that means bringing twice as many clothes as I should.

Am I excited? It still hasn't fully sunk in yet. It's getting there. I can imagine the hustle and bustle of airports now. I'm dead tired right now, I'll be dead tired on the flight from Adelaide to Melbourne, I'll probably drop dead on my international flight. I just want to SLEEP! - I'm too tired to be excited.

What have I got planned? I've got lists of what I want to do in each city. The only thing I've really sussed out (and by 'really sussed' I mean transport/location/pricing) are the Hello Kitty cafes/restaurants. There's one in Taipei and a couple around Seoul (I think the one in Beijing is long gone). There's also the infamous Hello Kitty house in Shanghai that I've been linked to on Facebook a billion times. Also hunting down K-Pop artists in Seoul, K-Drama filming locations (Stairway to Heaven's carousel in Lotte World) and roaming the streets of Taipei in hopes of seeing my decade-long boyband crushes, F4.

What camera(s) am I bringing? For past trips I've bought my Pentax K-R DSLR and my little Samsung ST700 digital camera. DSLR for sightseeing days obviously and the Samsung for selfies/everyday use (and as a back-up when my DSLR/phone runs out of batteries). I've been lusting for the Nikon J1 for years and finally bought it a few months back. I'll be replacing my Samsung with that one for every day use and hopefully it'll be good enough to take sightseeing too. The only reason (and I mean quite literally, the only reason) I'm bringing my DSLR is so I can continue on with this 'thing':

I call it 'posing in front of landmarks with my pink DSLR'. It could probably do with a more creative name. But I figured, hey, I've got two photos and a lot of trips lined up - might as well make it a 'thing' (And seriously, how cool would it look at the Great Wall of China? .. or maybe that's just me).

Am I looking forward to business class? I guess so. I read some reviews about business class on China Eastern and most of them were pretty average. One reviewer said business class was like "economy on any other airline". I'm not too fussed, hopefully it's a bit better than economy and the price of the ticket isn't anything to get worked up over (tickets were quite cheap IMO). The last long-haul flight I went on was from Singapore to London and vice versa with British Airways. It was about 12 hours or something of flying alone and being cramped up against the seat in front - not too fun. So 'business class' from MEL-PVG, even if only average, I anticipate will be a much better long-haul experience.

I just activated my new global SIM yesterday. The one I was using previously cost me 60 bucks (!!!!!) and didn't have data enabled. The rates on my new one (from Covermore) are a tad bit more expensive, but I'll have data. Here's hoping that WiFi is easily accessible in Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul and Beijing though, as I'm already cringing at the thought of being disconnected from Facebook along for the majority of my time overseas.

May check-in during the trip, may not. Back in three weeks!

China | 8 days to go

It's hard to believe that this time next month I'll be on a plane back to dreary Adelaide.

I impulse-booked cheap return flights to China before I left for Malaysia earlier this year (around January). Time has dwindled down to single digits and in just eight short days, I'll be on my way to the land where all things are made.

Jokes aside, really, it's just over a week already?! I don't even feel like I'm about to embark on a three-week trip to unknown territory: to a lovely big city, the country where my 10-year celebrity crush is located, the land where everyone is constantly running through the streets crying, and going to look at a wall. Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, Beijing, it's almost time!

At this point, I don't really have many expectations. I'm not really sure what's there, even though I've sussed out what I want to visit. What will the people be like? Will the streets be clean? Will it be easy to get around? How do I order food? Google searches can only answer so much. I think that's why I enjoy travelling - I like to be able to answer these questions, and more, by myself.

For starters, I know it will be cold. But how cold? 'Average Adelaide' cold, 'Freezing Tokyo' cold or 'London in Summer but still cold' sort of cold.

This trip will mark a lot of firsts for me: first time to China, Taiwan and South Korea; first time in business class (yay!); FIRST TIME ON A HELLO KITTY PLANE!; first time experiencing sub-zero (so I've been told); and probably the first real challenge of getting around non-English friendly places.

I'll check back in here in about a week or so, right before I leave. It still hasn't sunk in that I'm leaving soon, but I'm glad I will be - 35 degrees expected top tomorrow, I may melt before I make it to Shanghai.

Hong Kong | The journey for water

My first visit to Hong Kong was in May 2012. I was staying at a hostel-esque place in Tsim Sha Tsui, that, like many accommodation options in the area, was located in a large building. My accommodation only occupied one floor - level twelve - with the other levels reserved for private dwellings and other hotels. The ground floor was filled with an array of shops and market stalls: everything from jewellery to cheap eats. I'd dare say the accurate term for the area was 'run down'; but nevertheless, it was a place to sleep, it was central and it was cheap.

One morning I woke up in desperate need of water. I wearily wandered in my pajamas to the reception desk on the same floor at about 7:30am, only to find it closed. Never mind, I figured, I'd just go back to the room, get changed and head downstairs to 7-Eleven.

Now, the place I was staying at was a bit odd. There was a large steel gate that blocked off a certain area, almost like the bars of a jail cell. You had to swipe your card to get into the corridor of your jail cell, which then broke into about 4-5 rooms. The jail cell bars to my area were almost never closed as there were always people in and out (the two rooms that occupied either end of the hallway knew each other and constantly had loud cross-corridor conversations with their doors open).

I emphasize the "almost never" part and also the fact that I had just wandered out of the room, walked five metres to reception, realised it was closed, then made my way back to the entrance of the jail cell within about 30 seconds.

It was closed.

And just my luck, I didn't have my room card with me.

In an ideal situation, the main corridor would lead directly to the rooms. But nope, your area was barricaded by bars, essentially holding your prisoner.

Or in this case, keeping me out.

So there I was, 7:30am, stranded in a sense in the hotel/hostel/jail. Reception didn't open until 8am. I didn't have my phone on me to call someone to open the door. I slumped down on a chair in the hallway, clutching the loose change I had bought with me to buy water. I figured I'd only have to wait half an hour max until someone came to reception so I could get some water (and, you know, maybe get let back into my room).

Lo and behold, the above mentioned people (the loud chatterboxes from my jail cell area) had come along and released the gates of forbidden territory with their trusty swipe card. Why they were wandering around so early in the morning, I'll never know.

Back in my room, swapped my pajama shorts for something more appropriate and this time made sure to take my phone. Still clutching my coins, I made my way down to the ground level and around the corner to the 7-Eleven.

So much effort just for water. #firstworldproblems

I made my way back into the building, water in tow. I shuffled through the shady-looking stores which were still closed, barred by rusty, wonky shutters.

"Hello?"

I heard someone shout something, but I ignored it and continued shuffling towards the elevator.

"Hello, friend?" "Friend, hello!"

By now I had realised that a man was following me through the building. He was some distance away, but nevertheless trying to grab my attention.

"Hello!"

I paused.

"Hi" I muffled angrily, continuing to walk away.

By that time my light stroll had turned into a brisk power-walk away from this weirdo who had nothing better to do than float around closed stores at 8 o'clock in the morning.

I should mention that the building had two sets of elevators. One was closed off during a certain time and each set only had one elevator that serviced the twelfth floor. Of the eight elevators in the building, I could only take one.

I turned a corner into the elevator service area and frantically pushed the button to call for my elevator. I kept my eyes forward, hoping the guy wouldn't find me. I saw him walk past the corridor I was in before noticing me and turning around, into my corridor.

I was cornered. Oh gosh, no. I thought I was going to be killed.

I continued looking forward, waiting for my elevator to arrive.

"Hello, friend?"

I ignored him.

"...Sex?"

What. The. Hell.

"NO!" I replied with disgust.

Thankfully my elevator arrived at that moment and I ran in, pounding the 'close door' button and hoping that he wouldn't follow me in. He simply stood there as the doors closed slowly and I ascended back up to the twelfth floor and into the safety of my jail cell.

All that hassle just for a bottle of water.

Whew.

adelaide - auckland direct route

So basically, this happened today:

HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to book direct flights from Adelaide to Auckland from December after Jetstar launches its latest low-fare route. 
 
Flights on an Airbus A320 will depart Auckland three times a week - on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday - and return from Adelaide later the same day, beginning December 16.

Jetstar is the first budget airline to offer direct flights between the two cities.

The tourism industry expects the new route will attract more Kiwi tourists to SA, as well as giving Adelaide travellers more options.

- Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/low-budget-airline-jetstar-to-start-direct-flights-between-adelaide-and-auckland/story-fnii5yv7-1226709657222



Living in lil' ol' Adelaide isn't too bad sometimes. Everything is within easy access, the drivers are tame and general everyday expenses are low. That, for me, just means more money to spend on other things - like leaving the state constantly.

Following on from my previous post, it seems Adelaide is becoming quite accessible for overseas visitors with new direct routes introduced, which in turn makes various overseas destinations cheaper and more accessible for us.

The timeframe for booking Jetstar's introductory fare for their new direct route, Adelaide - Auckland was narrow - about two hours. Naturally, I jumped on their $99 one-way fares (excluding baggage and fees and the like).

I guess the idea of visiting New Zealand had been simmering in my mind for a while, but I just couldn't bring myself to pay the price to get there. Especially considering that before today, Australia's neighbour was only accessible budget-airline wise via Melbourne or Sydney from Adelaide.

Really, it's not too bad living here with all the blooming opportunities for travel. I still don't see why anyone would come here, but maybe it's because I spend too much time loathing Adelaide and leaving it instead of living. Nevertheless, accessibility + Adelaide = happy little traveller.

airasia now flying to adelaide

If you're unaware, AirAsia launched its new Kuala Lumpur - Adelaide route yesterday, making Adelaide its sixth Australian destination.

How good is this for Adelaidians? Beyond words.

Sometimes it feels like we're contained in this tiny city (or big city-town), where shops close at 5pm and your only options for food at 2 in the morning is McDonald's or the 24/7 bakeries in and around the CBD (because let's face it, driving into the city at any hour of the day is not really a hassle, brownie points for us).

There was one year, namely 2010, where I left Adelaide nine times. Nine. Times (I'm a university student, for crying out loud). Budget airline Tiger operated three flights a day to/from Melbourne and they still flew to Sydney from Adelaide, so it felt like I was never here.

Then Tiger ceased operations in Adelaide. Then I was stuck here, having to actually pay full fare to fulfill my need *ahem* desire to leave Adelaide.

.. then they came back, and off I went again.

Anyway, my point is, THIS IS GREAT. Budget flights out of Adelaide to overseas destinations? Awesome.

Have I taken advantage of this yet? Of course. 

I've locked in two return flights to Kuala Lumpur next year with the $99 fares and intend to wait until later to book flights out of KL to other destinations.

The dates I've locked in have now gone up in price, but there are still a few $99 fares floating around. But come on, $149 one way of Adelaide is still fairly decent.

And here's a tip: book with Paypal to avoid nasty credit card fees.

AirAsia begins flying to KL from Adelaide from the 30th of October 2013. Sale fares available 30/10/13 until 5/8/14, book before 4/8/13. Plenty of time to plot your escape plan your next trip from Adelaide.

Happy travels!

a travel space

It's about time that after wandering the streets of various cities aimlessly, capturing thousands of photos and boring everyone around me with my tales and never-ending bucket list, I create a single space to share them all. All that I have experienced and all that is yet to come! Expect photo spams, lengthy stories of spontaneous adventures and my ramblings as I try to plan my holidays (and sometimes even pack up and leave out of the blue).

Sounds good? Good. I'll aim to start from the beginning, but let's face it, I'll probably just pick a random location and chuck a whole bunch of photos on here and leave you thinking "what?" But we'll see.