yenew's Blurty

Learning from my backpacking trip
Differences will be more pronounced when you travel, even with the closest of friends. So be warned! But it's really so exciting to discover new facets of our travel mates. When we live with our differences, we know that there's really not much in life that can break this bond down!

Travelling in a land with different tongue can be overcomed by
1) Learning the tongue
2) Using a reliable phrasebook and familiarise yourself with how to find what phrase
3) Pray for the interpretation of tongues (which i failed terribly, but thankfully, Holy Spirit was working through Min instead!)
4) Ganging up with fellow travellers with more experience or command of the tongue than u
5) Hiring a guide who speaks good English and also the native language well

How yenew makes the trip more exciting
1) Talk to locals, albeit with much second-guessing
2) Talk to fellow travellers- share tales, experiences and learn
3) Read up on the history, culture, and geography on that land so you can appreciate the sights and sounds better
4) Find a great travelling partner

Tips on backpacking
1) Pack a light load - clothes and other necessities can always be bought along the way
2) Let the guesthouse laundry service do the washing - no need for soap powder, hangers, too much clothes!
3) Insect repellant, sun block, powder and moisturisers are safe bets for any trips
4) Commonly used medicine - diarrhoea, fever, cold, sore throat and even ENO for overeating
5) Plan enough before the trip to know what you're gonna do when you reach the destination for that day. the rest can be planned along the way - more spontaneity = more thrill!
6) Read read and read - Lonely Planet, and other travel books are good sources of information
7) Get prayer coverage. I shamelessly asked everyone I know who know i'm leaving to pray for me. Never underestimate the power of fervant prayers!

Commonly asked questions
1) How was the trip?

ME: Oh it's really great! Great view, great company and I spent S$740 in total.. inclusive of transport, accomodation, food, and even shopping!

2) What did you do?

ME: We went to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and did a 3D2N trek in the jungle to visit some hill tribes. Saw 2 christian tribes along the way even! Lotsa shopping, eating, and great phenomenal view from the mountains.
Please refer to yahoo photos for all albums!

3) What's the one thing you love most abt the place?

ME: Undoubtably, the food! So much variety at such low prices. Eating is always a pleasure. Padthai, bak chor mee, kuey, ice blended, durian, mangosteen, lychees, mangoes and even fried dough fritters in coffee!

Current Mood: accomplished