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Awaiting the sunset from a deserted beach on Siboya Island, southern Thailand

During the last two weeks of August, my friend Matt and I adventured around southern Thailand. Our adventures dabbled in (death) kayaking, jungle exploring, motorbike riding (and crashing), rock climbing, fire-breathing (after eating curry, that is), and periods of pure relaxation. Since meeting over two years ago, Matt and I have bounced around business ideas and jumped off 50 foot waterfalls. Needless to say, our friendship has become quite strong. So, I asked Matt to write a few brief articles to highlight his travel experience to which he enthusiastically agreed. Matt earned an MBA and is currently a big-time consultant who makes like a gazillion dollars per hour - but you’re getting his advice for free! Consider yourself lucky. Matt’s first article touches on pre-trip planning.

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Onward Bound for Fun.

Hello, my name is Matt and I work for a company in which I travel approximately 11 months out of the year. I’ve developed a good routine for pre-trip planning and would like to share it with you.

My first writing is to describe my preparation for Thailand. I told Adrian that I would visit him sometime on his journey through Asia in 2009. We decided on meeting in Thailand in August. We both wanted to visit the country. Also, I was looking for another country that was not China since I visited in 2007. Once Thailand was decided, we then decided where to go during the two weeks I was there. Adrian and I selected a couple of days in Bangkok and southern Thailand called Krabi (”Grahbee”) province.
Read the rest of this entry →

Travel isn’t inherently dangerous, but sometimes shit happens. Not to scare you, but people want your money, credit cards, and other things. It’s a sad reality. But one that we must face. And one that we can face with a little care, attention, and preparation.

Introducing the world’s greatest invention… Read the rest of this entry →

“Cities that start with U for $1000, Alex.”

“This city is the capital of Mongolia.”

“What is…where is….ummmm…??????” EN-EN-EN (buzzer sound obviously)

From Wikipedia:

Ulan Bator, or Ulaanbaatar (Mongolian: Улаанбаатар), is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. The city is an independent municipality not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is just over 1 million.^[2]

Located in the north central part of the country, the city lies at an elevation of about 1,310 metres (4,300 ft) in a valley on the Tuul River. It is the cultural, industrial, and financial heart of the country. It is also the center of Mongolia’s road network, and connected by rail to the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Chinese railway network.^[3]

Yeah, that one.

Letting travel happen to me

I’m convinced the single most important skill to be a traveler is adaptability. Life is always changing. The routine is never the same. And there will ALWAYS be circumstances out of your control.

After exploring Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou as planned, I easily made it to Beijing last Sunday, where I would extend my visa which expires on July 2, giving me another 30 days to explore the hinter-lands of China. On the list - Tibet, Yunnan, and Sichuan - provinces where life’s a little slower and the air’s a little cleaner. Read the rest of this entry →

Hello from Beijing.

As some of you know,  On June 13-14 I played in the Shanghai 2009 Ultimate Tournament: Emperor’s Reign. If you don’t know what Ultimate frisbee is yet, educate yourself. It’s no longer hippies and barefoot (although there’s nothing wrong with that!!!). It’s a revolution. Just so you know.

In a nutshell, I met some fantastic people, played intense frisbee, and had a great time.

Weekend Recap

As I flew into Shanghai on Friday the 12th, I thought it was particularly cloudy since I wasn’t able to see any buildings on approach and landing. It was later that I realized it was smog. Pure smog. Yes, it was that bad. Shanghai locals told me it had turned bad over the past few months, most likely because of summer and all of the construction in Shanghai. During 2 days of frisbee, I could feel the heat but could not see the sun, which was hidden behind that impenetrable smog. I wasn’t enthused.

Upon checking in a the hotel on Friday night, I met my teammate, roommate, and cool guy, Michael Stout, a former Ultimate frisbee player at Claremont College in California. At first, I didn’t take him too seriously with his shoulder-length curly red hair and glasses (he put contacts in later), but he proved to be the All-American he earned in college. Here’s what you won’t believe and why I’m more jealous of Michal than I am of Bill Gates- Michael is traveling the world playing Ultimate frisbee. Seriously. Read the rest of this entry →

Yello everyone. Last Friday I flew from Shenzhen, China to Shanghai -
for only $50. The ticket was $80 cheaper than I found anywhere else. I
booked online and had no problems when I arrived to the airport.

The site - http://www.english.ctrip.com/

In addition, Ctrip.com has a support line with English speakers who
were happy to answer some of my questions. One note: I only received a
receipt email, not an e-ticket (this is what my question was about).
When I got to the airport I just showed my reservation number and
passport and hopped on my plane.

Oh, and I flew China Southern Airlines. My $50 tic and 2 hour flight
included a delcious hot meal. So, if you’re ever flying in China,
check out Ctrip.com first.

From China With Love,
Adrian

“One’s destination is never a place,

but a new way of seeing things.”

Henry Miller

space

Hello! Nihao! Sain baina uu! Tashi delek! Hola! Gutentag! Tudo bem? Sawat Dii! Sua s’dei! Sabai dii!(more to come)

Welcome to Friendly Planet - a blog about a new way to see the world. My name is Adrian and I just want to do some good. I’m currently traveling in Asia.

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