Today is the last day of work. However, my bosses have offered to let me use their computer and e-mail access in January. Since I don't have a computer or internet at home, that's GREAT! So, I haven't yet moved out, but intend to. My charming co-worker also offered to let me camp out in front of his computer for my remaining time here. There are just plain options everywhere now. Because I already wrapped up my work last week, I spent today planning for the future. I considered cell phone plans, requested an unlocked phone - that means free text message and phone calls from abroad while I'm in Thailand, at least! Got that everyone? You can text me right after I get a SIM card from Thailand and figure out what my local number will be...details to come...next question is what sort of insurance to get and where to store my items at home - any ideas anyone?? next question is whether if I want to write a book (which I'm considering), I should bring a fold out keyboard attached to a blackberry or something like that. Remember I said I'm a luddite. Any ideas on this anyone??? BTW, I appreciate the responses I got from everyone on my hotmail account from cell phones to spirituality - very helpful, thank you. I would love to get together with each of you, absolutely! Whenever is fine with me now. You CAN post to my blog rather than e-mailing on hotmail, it's up to you. I think you can also subscribe to the blog, too.
Now for the trip part. I wanted to just flow with no plans. However, while looking at entry and visa requirements, I can't get either a visa or enter the country for many countries unless I have an onward bound ticket. That means my desire to surrender to the flow is slightly inhibited. Hence, an agenda is needed to firm up with STA Travel. Hopefully, an agenda alone will suffice (it did for Thailand). We'll have to see. Below is the preliminary agenda with several tours with Intrepid Travels (b/c I'm kinda intimidated to travel Egypy, Middle East and Morocco alone).
There are slots (in italics in below agenda) for people to join me in my independent travels during the month of May in Cambodia or Indonesia; July to August in Turkey and Greece; October trekking in Nepal; Christmas and NYE in Goa followed by ???? in India. Goa is by all accounts a real Ibiza type of scene with cows on the beach and lots of yoga and international chill going on. So.....who's in?? Let's celebrate the birth of 2009 year in Goa! Of course, anyone is welcome to join the Intrepid Tours as well, if interested. See: www.intrepidtravel.com. The tours' names, dates and prices are in my itinerary.
Here's the plan with my budget exc. airfares (to save you time from doing your own).
1/23/08 Flight: SFO to Bangkok
2/3-4/24 - Yoga @ Koh Phangan @ Pyramid Yoga Center - on weekends, lots of scuba diving to be had at the nearby island of Koh Tao, where I got my diving license 10 years ago for free w/an A-frame bungalow on the beach in exchange for waiting tables at a restaurant. Great place!
4/26 Flight: Koh Samui to Bangkok to Cambodia or Bali
4/26 - 5/25 - go to Cambodia and/or Bali on my own (budget $33/day x 30 = $1,000)
5/24 - Flight - Cambodia or Bali to Bangkok
5/25/08 - Flight: Bangkok to Cairo
5/26 - 5/31 - Egypt (Dahab Beach Break - Intrepid 6 days) - $250 ($50/day) - I may do this on my own - lots of scuba diving to be had!!!! Imagine Bedoin tents and low tables on the Red Sea, as well.
6/1-6/15 - Cairo to Cairo - last two days in Cairo (Egypt Explorer - Intrepid 15 days) $1,055 ($70/day)
6/14-7/4 (start tour on 6/15 - Cairo to Istanbul (Cairo to Istanbul - Intrepid 21 days) $1,995 ($95/day)
7/5-8/15 - Turkey and Greece on my own (6 weeks) (budget $40/day x 42 = $1,680 or get a job here - remember Koh Tao??)
8/15/08 Flight: Athens to Casablanca
8/16/08 - 9/5/08 - Casablanca to Marrakesh (Morocco Encompassed - Intrepid 21 days) - $1,900 ($90/day)
9/14/08 - 9/25/08 - Marrakesh to Marrakesh (Southern Morocco Explorer) - $1,482 ($123/day)
9/27/08: Flight: Marrakesh to Kathmandu
9/28-11/1 - trek in Nepal and explore No. India (Dharamsala/Ladakh) on my own - budget $30/day x 31 = $930
11/1/08: Flight: Kathmandu to Mumbai
11/2-12/22 - Mumbai to Goa (Circle India -Intrepid 51 days) $2,995 ($60/day)
Xmas/NYE in Goa (10 days on my own) Goa - budget $20/day x 10 = $200.00.
From there, explore India (or study in an ashram) on my own for as long as I desire.
1/20/-09 arbitrary return date from Delhi, India to SFO, USA
Budget w/all pre-arranged trips plus yoga plus budgets plus transport, insurance, shots, souveniers and just plain being comfy when I want to is $25,000. Steep, but comes out to just under $70/day. Right now, I pay $54/night in accomodation/rent, alone plus $5 for breakfast and $10 for lunch, not to mention dinner and entertainment in our fine city, so it's pretty much the same, but oh so much more! The fact I don't have an income is only slightly problematic. ha ha! Fortunately, I am spending my savings. When I return to the USA, I should have $5,000 left to get me started. If it turns out that I want to stay abroad, we'll see...
Tomorrow, I visit my father in Monterey with my sister and niece; then pick up my other niece for a slumber party at mine in San Francisco while my apt. is still intact. As for NYE, I still haven't figured out what to do that evening (family in So. Bay, Sea of Dreams, yoga w/Janet Stone incl. tibetan bells w/Karma Moffet, Mt. Madonna Center w/Baba Hari Dass, Stacey's party in San Francisco, etc., etc., etc.) - what a blessing to have so many options. New Year's day is a co-worker's party (if I'm in San Francisco), then I will begin to gather boxes and pack my place. Any ideas re. boxes here?? Those of you interested in buying stuff, now's the time to call and pick it up. I decided to sell my furniture, after all, btw. Move out date 1/15. I'm also looking for movers. Again, any ideas?
Just in case I don't blog until 1/2/08, have a lovely NYE everyone! I hope the year finds you healthy, loved and truly content. 2007 has been exceptional! Love, Kyra
