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Old 01-15-2016, 11:45 AM   #61
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Sounds like a very doable itinerary.
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Old 01-15-2016, 01:48 PM   #62
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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.
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Old 01-15-2016, 02:17 PM   #63
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Looks like a winning itinerary!
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Old 01-26-2016, 11:39 AM   #64
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Looks amazing! Can't wait to follow along!!
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Old 01-26-2016, 09:38 PM   #65
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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.

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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!

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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.
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Old 01-26-2016, 09:44 PM   #66
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Looks like a winning itinerary!
Thanks, Dave! DH is an accomplished adventure traveler, it's sure to push me out of my comfort zone.


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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!
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Old 01-27-2016, 10:55 AM   #67
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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.
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Old 01-27-2016, 11:28 AM   #68
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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.
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Old 01-27-2016, 11:46 AM   #69
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Oh wow, that photo looks amazing!

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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!
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Old 01-27-2016, 12:10 PM   #70
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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.
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Old 01-27-2016, 12:37 PM   #71
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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!
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Old 01-27-2016, 06:42 PM   #72
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The photo of Kunming looks so beautiful. I can see why you want to go there. How cool if you could hold a panda.
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Old 01-27-2016, 07:58 PM   #73
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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.
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Old 01-28-2016, 06:57 PM   #74
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Kunming looks like an amazing place just by the scenery in the photos and unique!
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Old 02-17-2016, 09:53 AM   #75
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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!)
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