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| 100CAD - 100CNY A Day: 30 days in China | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 25 2014, 02:43 PM (1,502 Views) | |
| Trotsky | Aug 17 2016, 05:33 AM Post #31 |
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Big City Boy
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They TERRIFY me. |
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| blizzard | Aug 19 2016, 05:09 AM Post #32 |
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Gold Star Member
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I think returning to a country I am quite familiar with is cheating a little. Now on my itinerary, Jiuzhaigou, elevation high enough to be an introduction to Tibet. I am now looking at how to deal with altitude sickness if I should suffer from it. Besides having s bottle of oxygen nearby. |
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| swing | Aug 19 2016, 05:22 AM Post #33 |
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swing
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They TERRIFY me. With all the terrorism taking place, I have to agree. I was at a Y luncheon the other day, sat with several ladies who were discussing travel, where they have been and where they are going. Two of them it seems have seen the world and are now duplicating travel. One lady has been to Australia 12 times, as her daughter lives and works there. Australia is a place I would like to visit, maybe someday if my daughter moves! I'm not a tourist, but do miss my winters in the south! |
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| blizzard | Aug 20 2016, 07:26 AM Post #34 |
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Gold Star Member
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I try very hard to not think about things like terrorism. To do so only encourages the misguided. |
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| blizzard | Sep 4 2016, 03:22 PM Post #35 |
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Gold Star Member
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Oh my September already. I have been asked if I am excited yet, well not really. I think that is wisest, no disappointments if things do not go as planned. What I want to do is just let things happen with only a little planning of trains, accommodations and sites to see. The rest will be decided when I arrive wherever. I did decide to visit a travel clinic, waste of 40CAD. I will include it as a China expense. I do have an Rx for altitude sickness, or the prevention of, one side effect is having to pee all the time. Great. The other is for traveller's diarrhea. I am not expecting to need the latter but have suffered greatly when in China so the precaution is best. Still have to work at setting up my blog. Not sure photos will be possible to be sent directly to Instagram - unattendedgrandma if anyone is interested. Making lists of lists. Some still in my head. |
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| FuzzyO | Sep 4 2016, 03:40 PM Post #36 |
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Please post the link to your blog when you get a chance. Thanks! |
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| sooty | Sep 5 2016, 01:30 AM Post #37 |
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Blue Star Member
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Love the making lists of lists. The trouble with lists in your head is that you can't remember it all or check it off. I can't wait to read your exploits, even if you have to post it when back in Canada. Count down started! |
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| blizzard | Sep 8 2016, 04:15 AM Post #38 |
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Gold Star Member
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Gnashing of teeth and hand wringing done. I finally heard about my ticket from Shanghai to Chengdu. First it was a matter of 'you can't get there from here', or not on the date I wanted. Was I willing to change my dates? Valid query but it would have meant changing my hostel stays also and everything is booking up fast. I responded to day I had to look at my itinerary; this was nearly 10:00pm so I was already heading to bed. My main thought was just to ask for a refund. This morning I had two emails from the agency. A first class ticket was available, being held for me, do I want it? Factor in the 12 hour time difference and juggling such things becomes a bit of a dance. Lay out another 18USD, they think in that currency or CNY only, to keep to my plan or cancel and take my chances. I opted to try making a payment using my debit visa - an epic failure last time - and it worked! Fast travel in China is not cheap, Although well aware of this it was a bit of sticker shock to realize I was paying 160CAD for a 15 hour train trip. I believe I get bottled water for the privilege of only one seat mate and more wiggle room. This will not be a bullet train but the slightly slower D series. Still better than the much slower sleeper trains. I will be taking those later in my trip. To answer the question about being excited yet, maybe a little. Once I add on this latest expense and some others I might be back to gnashing my teeth. I still have to pay for travel insurance, first time ever, and my Rx for altitude sickness. Thank goodness I like noodles and boa.zi - not great for blood sugar levels but filling and cheap. Good thing I have done this before. |
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| blizzard | Sep 11 2016, 04:58 AM Post #39 |
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Gold Star Member
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Countdown started. This generally happens when I deal with the money end of any trip. 10,000CNY now tucked away in an envelope, ready to be dispersed to various bags and pockets prior to departure. It is s lot of cas to travel with, necessary for the autonomous regions I am heading to where international ATMs are not available. I do not know if any form of emergency funds is for that matter. Minor irritation, this prepares me for deal in with bungling ticket masters (an apt title when in China), was getting the currency. I tend to go where I once worked while juggling school, teenagers, cats and finances, I know how exchange works and they nearly always have what I need. Indeed they had enough (most likely ten times over) and the transaction was started. Damned if it was not even 100CAD over my daily limit, which is the highest one can get. A call usually fixes such things; on hold for ten minutes after going through the gauntlet of choices, then disconnected! I was not pleased. I marched to the nearest branch of my bank, asked for a note of what occurred be noted, upped my limit - which, thank you very much, would take 24 hours because I was doing it in branch - withdrew the necessary funds and walked back to the exchange office. I really do not like carrying + 2000 about. However, transaction done and if need be I can withdraw more once in Shanghai. That will be for my D if she is successful in obtaining a visa for China when in Hanoi. Unpacked and repacked my backpack. Leaving the binoculars behind. Still room for a few items to bring for my D. |
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| sooty | Sep 11 2016, 08:59 PM Post #40 |
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Blue Star Member
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GO GIRL, can't wait to read about your trip. Cheers Sooty |
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| blizzard | Sep 12 2016, 04:18 AM Post #41 |
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Gold Star Member
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I splurged on a compact Mac, (which must mean mackintosh although it does not look like one) rolls up and fits into s little bag of its own. I love all these little self contained items. Switched out my heavier raincoat and now have space for the first aid kit and nifty travel espresso all in one mug I was given for my birthday! |
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| agate | Sep 12 2016, 07:04 AM Post #42 |
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sounds like you have it all under control. Happy birthday to you ...enjoy your day :cake: |
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| blizzard | Sep 13 2016, 08:30 AM Post #43 |
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Gold Star Member
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Tested my Javapress, must remember to put in less grounds! My third D sent me $100 to treat myself here or in Shanghai to a spa treatment of some sort. She and I looked up a favourite place in Shanghai, still in business at its original location - has expanded to other cities - so just up the street from s favourite eatery that is also still open. I know what I am doing on the 30th! $100 will still cover a 1 1/2 hour massage including a very nice foot massage, in a relaxing atmosphere, which is why I am waiting until after I get there. Dinner will not be terribly expensive as the place caters to locals and foreigners. Sort of a step up from a hole in the wall. |
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| blizzard | Sep 22 2016, 05:06 AM Post #44 |
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Gold Star Member
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I am now the proud owner of a new blog. Of course nothing posted yet. Not even a header or static photo. My D assured me it is easy, Ha! However, I shall persevere. All lower case, unattendedgrandma.wordpress.com I am dubious about my posting anything while in China without a proxy, unsure I can get one for use on my iPad, which means counting on my D to receive emails with photos then posting on my behalf. She did our trip across Canada - mainly her photos and my writing that time. |
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| agate | Sep 22 2016, 05:12 AM Post #45 |
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Hey that's great Blizzard. We can keep track of you. |
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