Oulin White

14 April 2009

昨.今.明 Golden Years, Leaving SH, Travel Plans!!!

Posted by oulin under: travel .

Dear friends,

As some of you already knew, I have made my decision to leave Shanghai in middle of May. It is not an easy decision to make whilst it seems to be the most natural thing for me to do at this moment. I know no matter what I say it’ll still sound too light or insufficient for my overwhelmed feelings. Please do tolerate me for a few minutes though, even if I sound too “sentimental” to you

The past 5 years in Shanghai have been one of the most important phases in my life. I have experienced incredibly a lot since the minute I set foot in this city! Laughs and tears, highs and lows, loves, faith, passions, depressions, disappointments and doubts… perhaps just as everybody has in this dazzling, confusing but definitely amazing city. Most importantly, I have found precious friendship, which I will always be grateful for. I can never say enough thanks to my dearest friends who support and even indulge me in all accounts, who inspire me in all ways. The past 5 years wouldn’t have been the same without you!!!

However, as I like to say, it’s all about timing… I felt I have sunk into a “comfort” zone for long enough. It’s time to come out and finally take action to do things that I’m passionate about, the top two – traveling and teaching J I will look into Chinese teaching opportunities most likely in the States for next year. I hope I can make teaching Chinese as my future career. Any advice will be appreciated!!

Well, I don’t know how the teaching will go, but I DO know where I will be traveling from May until probably Xmas 09!!! :p So, this message is not only to tell you that I am leaving SH, but also to let you know where we can be reunited in the coming months!!!!!

My journey will be divided in two parts, China and South East Asia. I’ve made tentative time lines and routes for your reference. The main reason I am posting this note two months before my departure is to hopefully give you enough time to plan your vacation :p It will be great if I can travel with any of you in any part of this journey!!! If you can’t join me this year, I will just have to go to you later on!!!!

China – apprx. 1.5 months from middle of May to early July (my route map here is very poorly photoshopped but it should give you a pretty good idea)

1. It’ll start with an over night train from Shanghai to Xi’an on 18th May (tentatively).
2. Two weeks on the Silk road by bus / train, on camels!!! and on foot, of course:
Lanzhou (兰州) –> Zhangye （张掖）(red rock landscape) –> Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) (beginning of the Ancient Greatwall) –> Dunhuang (敦煌) ( the famous Buddha caves, deserts and lake) –> Tulufan (吐鲁番) ( canyon and vineyards where Xinjiang’s grapes are mostly from) –> hopefully can do a 2 day trekking on Cheshi Ancient Trail in Tianshan mountains from Tulufan into Wulumuqi –> Wulumuqi (乌鲁木齐)
3. Fly to Chengdu. Visit Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟) (one the most beautiful lake areas in china) and Leshan (乐山) ( a 1000+ year old Buddha on the Yangzi River, carved out from a mountain)
4. 10 days through the west Sichuan Tibetan area (Ganzi 甘孜) into Yunnan by local buses / rental car: Chengdu –> Kangding (康定) –> Litang (理塘) (the highest town in China, 4014m altitude) –> Daocheng (稻城) (hot springs, Xiannairi Snow Mt. – one of the 3 Tibetan Buddhist holy mountains) –> Shangri-La (香格里拉)
5. From Shangri-La going go down south by local buses through Lijiang, Kunming (maybe going to Myanmar from Kunming), then train into Xingyi (兴义) Guizhou, rafting on the Maling River (马岭河) to see the jungles and hundreds of 300m high water falls. (probably my favorite part
( http://www.hgscn.com/Article/yryj/20061016104945_754.html )
6. Cross country train from Xingyi to Guangzhou

South East Asia – pretty much a typical route, apprx. 5 months from middle of July till end of Dec. (please do let me know if you have any advice and suggestions here

1. Thailand – Bangkok to the north by train, Ayutthaya, Chiangmai, Chiangrai, for about 10 days
2. 2 days boat from Chiangkhong into N.W. laos – Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane then Don Det (end July – Mid Aug)
3. Cambodia – Kratie, Kompong Chom, Siem Reap, Battambong, Phnom Penh (Mid Aug – Early Sept)
4. Back to Bangkok, train going south into Malaysia, Perhentian, Taman Negara Rainforest, K.L., Borneo, Sipadan (super diving!!) ( Sept )
5. Indonesia – Sulawesi (skeletons!!), Bali, Lombok, Flores (komodo dragons, volcanic lakes) (Oct)
6. Philippines – Apo Reefs, Bohol Island (Chocolate hills), Camote Island , Legaspi (whale sharks!), Bunaue (Infugao Rice Terrace and villages) etc, (Oct – late Nov)
7. Last month TBC

At last… I care about you no matter how far we’re away from each other. I will “harass” you from time to time by emails, facebook, phone calls or a sudden visit!!! Hahahahaha…Please keep in touch!!!

With love,
Oulin

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