Budget SE Asia trip, Summer 2016 Updated real-time - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter Universe: General Trip Planning and Discussion > Globetrotting: General Trip Reports
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-15-2016, 11:45 AM   #61
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like a very doable itinerary.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2016, 01:48 PM   #62
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Oh wow, that is one amazing itinerary! I know people often say they envy our itineraries, but yours is definitely way better than anything we've ever done.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2016, 02:17 PM   #63
SuperDave
Community Rank: Explorer
 
SuperDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southwestern Connecticut
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 11,588

Post Thanks / Like
Looks like a winning itinerary!
__________________

October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew

My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World
Orlando Trifecta TR
-Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!





My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips1995-2000, 2006-Various in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Lichtenstein, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco; 1998-U.S. National Parks (California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada) 1999-Las Vegas, 2001-Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, 2005-Memphis, 2011-Austin, TX: ACL Festival and Orlando: Bay Hill Lodge; 2013-Paris and Eastern France's Wine Country, 2015-Memphis for 7 WDW: 2002-WL, 2003-CSR, 2004-AKL, 2005-BWI, 2007-POR, BC, 2008-Offsite Championsgate Omni & CBR, 2009-Poly, POR (Decade of Dreams), 2010-POFQ, GF, 2011-POFQ, 2012-CSR,WL, 2014-POR, 2015-DCL Magic in Western Caribbean, 2016-B Resort in DS, 2017-USF: Royal Pacific /WDW: Dolphin
SuperDave is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2016, 11:39 AM   #64
SharonK0527
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
SharonK0527's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 2,739

Post Thanks / Like
Looks amazing! Can't wait to follow along!!
__________________

Sharon
Magic Kingdom, March 2015
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips3/15 * 11/14 * 3/14 * 10/11 * 10/10 - Summer Bay; 11/08 * 10/07 - Summer Bay & POFQ; 5/07 - CSR & Mystic Dunes; 12/06 - Summer Bay; 9/06 - Oasis Lakes @ The Fountains; 10/05 - Sheraton Safari & Orange Lake; 7/05 - WL & Celebration World; 12/04 - POFQ; 10/03 - GF & AKL; 6 trips from 1974-2002
SharonK0527 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2016, 09:38 PM   #65
KimmyAnn1147
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
KimmyAnn1147's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,987

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR View Post
You have a great itinerary! You're going to be visiting so many amazing places.
Yup, it's awesome to work for the school district and have a shared interest in international travel.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Sounds like a very doable itinerary.
Agreed. What threw me about our trip to Nicaragua (same time-frame, much smaller geographic area) was how little we could actually get to in 9 weeks of relaxed travel. We could push it, but then I'd need a vacation from my whole summer!

Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh wow, that is one amazing itinerary! I know people often say they envy our itineraries, but yours is definitely way better than anything we've ever done.
Well, that's saying something, isn't it? I never considered doing Shanghai, since DH isn't a theme park fan at all, but it was his idea. I'm still surprised that he is supporting me in this questionable hobby.
__________________
Themed environment junkie

My Countdown Counting down to: Challengers Meet at WDW
Did it happen?
My Previous TripsDisneyland 1985 (age 8); Disneyland 1991 (age 13); Disneyland 1998 x 3; WDW 1999; Disneyland Paris 2007; Disneyland 2013; WDW 2014; Disneyland 2015; DL Hong Kong 2016; DL Shanghai 2016 (!), Disneyland 2016
KimmyAnn1147 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2016, 09:44 PM   #66
KimmyAnn1147
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
KimmyAnn1147's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,987

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave View Post
Looks like a winning itinerary!
Thanks, Dave! DH is an accomplished adventure traveler, it's sure to push me out of my comfort zone.


Quote:
Originally Posted by SharonK0527
Looks amazing! Can't wait to follow along!!
Thanks, Sharon. I doubt I'll be posting much from the road, but it's sure to be a great trip.


I'm enjoying the slow pace of planning, but starting to get my heart rate up. We need to renew our passports and get travel medicine apts to look at our shots and get Rx for traveler's diarrhea illness and antimalarials. I'm hoping we can take chlorquinolone again. Once I got used to it, it was FUN. One day a week my dreams were an adventure!
__________________
Themed environment junkie

My Countdown Counting down to: Challengers Meet at WDW
Did it happen?
My Previous TripsDisneyland 1985 (age 8); Disneyland 1991 (age 13); Disneyland 1998 x 3; WDW 1999; Disneyland Paris 2007; Disneyland 2013; WDW 2014; Disneyland 2015; DL Hong Kong 2016; DL Shanghai 2016 (!), Disneyland 2016
KimmyAnn1147 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 10:55 AM   #67
KimmyAnn1147
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
KimmyAnn1147's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,987

Post Thanks / Like
Today, my research takes me to the first leg of the train ride from Laos to Shanghai. We both would like to take the more inland route, so I'll be looking at the first leg, Kunming to Chengdu.

Kunming photo from TripAdvisor:


OK, that's enough for today! Definitely want to see this.
__________________
Themed environment junkie

My Countdown Counting down to: Challengers Meet at WDW
Did it happen?
My Previous TripsDisneyland 1985 (age 8); Disneyland 1991 (age 13); Disneyland 1998 x 3; WDW 1999; Disneyland Paris 2007; Disneyland 2013; WDW 2014; Disneyland 2015; DL Hong Kong 2016; DL Shanghai 2016 (!), Disneyland 2016
KimmyAnn1147 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 11:28 AM   #68
Tanzanite
Community Rank: Day-Tripper
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 14

Post Thanks / Like
Chengdu

What a wonderful trip someone said that Chengdu is the only place you can interact with Pandas.I would love to do that. Cant wait to hear all your plans thanks for sharing.
Tanzanite is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 11:46 AM   #69
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Oh wow, that photo looks amazing!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanzanite View Post
What a wonderful trip someone said that Chengdu is the only place you can interact with Pandas.I would love to do that. Cant wait to hear all your plans thanks for sharing.
I'm not sure if you can interact with them, but you can definitely see them - and there are lots of panda babies there. That's why I want to visit to see the panda babies, just too cute!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 12:10 PM   #70
Tanzanite
Community Rank: Day-Tripper
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 14

Post Thanks / Like
chengdu

Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp View Post
Oh wow, that photo looks amazing!
I'm not sure if you can interact with them, but you can definitely see them - and there are lots of panda babies there. That's why I want to visit to see the panda babies, just too cute!
I checked the research institute and it says due to a Distemper outbreak in Xian they are not allowing Pandas to be held but normally they do .Its says they will post when it is allowed again. The pandas are so cute. I would love to see them also.
Tanzanite is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 12:37 PM   #71
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanzanite View Post
I checked the research institute and it says due to a Distemper outbreak in Xian they are not allowing Pandas to be held but normally they do .Its says they will post when it is allowed again. The pandas are so cute. I would love to see them also.
Oh wow, that would be amazing!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 06:42 PM   #72
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
The photo of Kunming looks so beautiful. I can see why you want to go there. How cool if you could hold a panda.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2016, 07:58 PM   #73
KimmyAnn1147
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
KimmyAnn1147's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,987

Post Thanks / Like
I have no real interest in holding a panda, honestly. I just have to wonder if holding them is good for the survival of the species! But the reserve looks neat and I bet will will go. Pandas are really beautiful and cool, don't get me wrong, but holding them isn't my thing. I'm more of a primate girl, I think. If it were orangutans or something, I'd be more stoked.

I've had a closer look at Chengdu on Wikipedia, it looks amazing, including being a UNESCO culinary heritage site! Sichuan!!!! There's oodles of history, temples, market streets, teahouses and stuff. It's probably worth at least 2 nights.

Shoot, any of the places we are visiting would be worth a trip in their own right, but that's not how this travel stuff works, is it?

Next leg will be Chengdu-Xian.
__________________
Themed environment junkie

My Countdown Counting down to: Challengers Meet at WDW
Did it happen?
My Previous TripsDisneyland 1985 (age 8); Disneyland 1991 (age 13); Disneyland 1998 x 3; WDW 1999; Disneyland Paris 2007; Disneyland 2013; WDW 2014; Disneyland 2015; DL Hong Kong 2016; DL Shanghai 2016 (!), Disneyland 2016
KimmyAnn1147 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2016, 06:57 PM   #74
SuperDave
Community Rank: Explorer
 
SuperDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southwestern Connecticut
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 11,588

Post Thanks / Like
Kunming looks like an amazing place just by the scenery in the photos and unique!
__________________

October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew

My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World
Orlando Trifecta TR
-Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!





My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips1995-2000, 2006-Various in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Holland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Lichtenstein, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco; 1998-U.S. National Parks (California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada) 1999-Las Vegas, 2001-Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, 2005-Memphis, 2011-Austin, TX: ACL Festival and Orlando: Bay Hill Lodge; 2013-Paris and Eastern France's Wine Country, 2015-Memphis for 7 WDW: 2002-WL, 2003-CSR, 2004-AKL, 2005-BWI, 2007-POR, BC, 2008-Offsite Championsgate Omni & CBR, 2009-Poly, POR (Decade of Dreams), 2010-POFQ, GF, 2011-POFQ, 2012-CSR,WL, 2014-POR, 2015-DCL Magic in Western Caribbean, 2016-B Resort in DS, 2017-USF: Royal Pacific /WDW: Dolphin
SuperDave is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2016, 09:53 AM   #75
KimmyAnn1147
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
KimmyAnn1147's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,987

Post Thanks / Like
Savings Update!

I just filed my taxes, and we are getting a 2k return (normal, cause we are below pov. line with a kid). Yay! Because we live below our means and don't count on this $ to do things like home repairs (we rent), this return is going with us to SE Asia.

At this point, once we get the return, we'll have exceeded my own personal goal for savings for this trip! Of course, unexpected things can happen, and we will be spending about 200 on a spring break camping trip, but Im feeling pretty THRILLED!!!

(Doing serious happy dance in my nightie!)
__________________
Themed environment junkie

My Countdown Counting down to: Challengers Meet at WDW
Did it happen?
My Previous TripsDisneyland 1985 (age 8); Disneyland 1991 (age 13); Disneyland 1998 x 3; WDW 1999; Disneyland Paris 2007; Disneyland 2013; WDW 2014; Disneyland 2015; DL Hong Kong 2016; DL Shanghai 2016 (!), Disneyland 2016
KimmyAnn1147 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:01 AM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger