I managed to calm myself, though, by drawing an illustrated map of my route. I'm flying to Beijing in February and starting from there, travelling through China to Tibet and Vietnam by sleeper trains.
Seeing the places I'm going in a nice sans-serif font and colour-coded countries gives me a great deal of comfort. I'm not sure it's entirely accurate, though, so don't set off with it folded up in your pocket just yet, hey.
They spit a lot in China. A lot. Just so you know.
ReplyDeleteSo are you flipping a coin when you get to Xining? Definitely agree with you on the soothing effects of color-coding and sans serif. And that is one excellent-looking map.
ReplyDeleteNo! I'm going to Tibet first then back to Xining and then south. Damnit, illustrated map beautiful but dysfunctional.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie, Happy new year. This looks like a wonderful trip. Per chance is someone traveling with you with a movie camera? T
ReplyDeleteHey Annie, love your map! You'll have a fabulous time, China is so beautiful and the food is to die for! Hey if you're interested, I know a really cool girl in Hanoi if you feel like meeting up for a drink with someone :)
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous! I've been to Vietnam! (only place I've been further east than Streatham) nearly passed out with excitement at seeing water buffalo as soon as we left the airport. Have fun...
ReplyDeleteThis is what I have in mind for my mental image of you: http://www.globe-trotterltd.com/main.html. I think it would coordinate nicely with your map.
ReplyDeleteThat's a neat little map, makes the trip look easy-peasy. Tootle along here, tootle along there, what could be simpler? All dragons, tigers, alligators and Chinese Jumping Mice carefully omitted.
ReplyDeletehey annie, love your map! China by train is so beautiful, you won't have time to fret...enjoy every second!
ReplyDeleteMise: I fear my typography has given you a wrong impression... I've never owned a suitcase in my life. They are beautiful though. But I think it'll be an old backpack.
ReplyDeleteNick: Conor just assured me there is no such thing as Chinese Jumping Mice. Then I googled them.
Tim: No cameras following me, no. Conor's staying in Dublin working.
May Lee: I would love that! Think I'll be in Hanoi for a week or so.
Eilis & Annie: Yes, when I think about things like water buffalo and long train journeys I feel much happier about everything.
I was taught in school that it wasn't a map unless it had a compass and a scale, therefore I am forced to conclude that this is not a map but a drawing. Attractive as it may be. Therefore, having concluded that it's not a map, why not add a picture of a friendly whale in the sea, or a smiling dragon.
ReplyDeleteBut it can't be a proper trip unless there's terra incognita, and a few formerly crouching tigers.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely map that is. Looks like such an exciting trip. A photo of a water buffalo is now mandatory!
ReplyDeleteTrotter here Annie. Sid Trotter of the Aardvark clan.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do avoid Nyangying. Its full of potholes and pot noodles. Even Pol pot couldn't abide the place.
Onwards and upwards. Just remember the sharks
Have fun It sounds like a great adventure when I'm able I'm going to travel through europe to Ankara but It's not for a few years. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great opportunity for adventure. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAmazing what a font can do to calm ones nerves. (And yes, you are on my Reader.
ReplyDeleteYou're a lucky divil so you are. What an exciting trip. Never been to that part of the world. I tried talking a friend into doing the London to Mongolia rally but he phoned me the next morning with a stinking hangover and said his wife would kill him.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie,
ReplyDeleteI just came back from India visiting a friend who just did the exact same trip as you. I can email her and get handy info and she did it alone too! It will be brilliant.
You could further reassure yourself by adding smiling faces, cups of tea and bottles of beer along the rail route.
ReplyDeleteNo need for compass points - just one arrow pointing home.
Annie,
ReplyDeleteI see you're going to Yangshuo. I'm jealous, it's the best part of China that I've seen so far. Take a boat up the Li River and get some of the most spectacular photos you've ever taken.
Li River resort in Yangshuo is the place that I stayed and it was amazing. You couldn't do any better. Also go to yangshuocooking school they do amazing half day courses - wonderful food, good company and great photo opportunities!
Enjoy.
Mark
Annie, I just saw this, andI'm jealous. Yangshuo is spectacular, you'll love it there, once you get a little out of town - don't stay anywhere near West Street. I stayed in the Li River Resort and it was amazing. It's small and right on the river and the view are superb.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the cormorant fishing and get a boat up to Yangdi. I did that, all the boats come to Yangshuo but when you go upriver you have the whole boat to yourself. Ask if the Dragons Back rice terraces are good to see, I was there in November so they were all brown and dried up after the harvest.
Also, how come no Yellow Mountain? If you can get a train there do it, it's spectacular and the traditional Guangxi villages near there are a must. You'll get some great photos there.
Anyway, enjoy it.