As one of its benefits, Our company arranges physical examination at end of every year, this year being on 15th and 20th this month at Hangzhou No.1 hospital,from 8-9:30. Since I am not in town on 20th, the only chance for me would be today.
The whole test package includes: blood, urine, surgical, internal, X-ray ultra-B, heart diagram, ENT. About one hour it took for me and other around 80 people, to complete all the tests, one after another before we got one free breakfast box each. The major chemical test results( blood, blood, heart) will be available one week later, we got all results of other items right there .
My good ones are: surgical,ears,nose,internal, ultrasonic, Xray, blood pressure 119/79. However, doctors suggest that I be more careful with my eye trachoma and avoid irritative foods for my chronical angina.
Dec 15, 2006
Dec 14, 2006
so ready to go
For the last weeks I 've been so concentrated on my planning of this coming trip, like:
developed passport size photoes for application for visa upon arrival;
checked and printed the flight plans;
booked some hotels but not all, usually I will book the hotel for my first city in a different country, like in Yangon, Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, since I have finalized the flight to those cities alreay;
bought some medicine, like Imodium and antibiotic against SOME problems etc;
exchanged some Thai baht and other small notes like American dollars, singaporean dollars and Hong Kong dollars;
other toilettry and sunblocks;
opened my international call function for my cell phone no.;
...
Many friends doubted my idea of travelling alone again although actually I'm not so particular about it. But I like this kind of freedom of choosing the time and hostel and all other changes during the journey. Surely I am going to meet some other lonely travellers during the trip,( as it has happened during my last trip to Combodia) when we feel any need of being together for some parts.
I'm telling mysefl I will be right. But meanwhile to be honest, I am becoming a little bit nervous. It's anyway a solo but long travel to totally foreign countries. I'm not sure what will happen, good and bad ? Last night I even had a dream in which I kinda lost all my wallets and cash. I do remember shouted to the parking lot guard for not taking good care of my car. I forget then how this incident ended.
So it's a travel, a very independant one. Surely it's going to be fun. If I will be open minded and careful enough. I will go travel light, flexible with smiles on my face.
Just in short, I know I will be fine.
developed passport size photoes for application for visa upon arrival;
checked and printed the flight plans;
booked some hotels but not all, usually I will book the hotel for my first city in a different country, like in Yangon, Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, since I have finalized the flight to those cities alreay;
bought some medicine, like Imodium and antibiotic against SOME problems etc;
exchanged some Thai baht and other small notes like American dollars, singaporean dollars and Hong Kong dollars;
other toilettry and sunblocks;
opened my international call function for my cell phone no.;
...
Many friends doubted my idea of travelling alone again although actually I'm not so particular about it. But I like this kind of freedom of choosing the time and hostel and all other changes during the journey. Surely I am going to meet some other lonely travellers during the trip,( as it has happened during my last trip to Combodia) when we feel any need of being together for some parts.
I'm telling mysefl I will be right. But meanwhile to be honest, I am becoming a little bit nervous. It's anyway a solo but long travel to totally foreign countries. I'm not sure what will happen, good and bad ? Last night I even had a dream in which I kinda lost all my wallets and cash. I do remember shouted to the parking lot guard for not taking good care of my car. I forget then how this incident ended.
So it's a travel, a very independant one. Surely it's going to be fun. If I will be open minded and careful enough. I will go travel light, flexible with smiles on my face.
Just in short, I know I will be fine.
Dec 12, 2006
trip-planning advice 3: packing
Five golden rules for packing
1) Get everything you want to pack in a pile. Put half of the stuff back in the cupboard.
2) Don't pack trekking boots. Unless you're planning on serious climbing you will not need them.
3) Leave the sleeping bag at home (unless you're planning on camping).
4) Pack one book and one only. There's loads of bookstores and bookswaps across the region. Read and swap -- carry less.
5) The biggest mistake of all - don't leave with a full pack!
What to pack
First on your list should be an open mind and a sense of humour. Don't come with too many preconceived ideas about what Southeast Asia is like, as media and friends' experiences have a habit of distorting reality.
Otherwise, bring as little as possible. If you forget something, you can probably buy it once you're on the ground travelling. Take enough padlocks for every double zipper to stop wandering hands and lock up your sacred belongings, even in your hotel room.
Essentials are a swimming costume, a day pack, a raincoat/umbrella in rainy season and some warm clothes if travelling in October to December, as some areas get cool. You will only need a couple of changes of clothes as you can get washing done anywhere cheaply. Remember dark clothes do not need to be washed as often, as long as you do not have a BO problem or sweat profusely. Sandals for when your hiking shoes are too hot can be bought cheaply in-country, although large sizes for women are hard to come by.
Take snorkelling gear or buy it on arrival if you plan to spend a lot of your time in the water. Alternatively put up a notice looking for gear from someone who is leaving. A tent for camping if you're a national park buff is a good idea, as is a compass. You might like to bring compact binoculars too if wildlife is your thing. A good map is also handy.
Take earplugs for when you're stuck in a noisy room or want to sleep on the bus. Take a mirror for shaving, as often budget places won't have any. String is very handy for hanging up washing. Travel scrabble can be great. Cigarette papers can be difficult to find, except in tourist centres. Climbing shoes for rock climbing are useful as the region has some of the best cliffs in Southeast Asia.
A spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses plus a copy of your prescription is a good idea. Bring a book you're prepared to swap. A personal music player is great as a huge range of cheap music is available everywhere.
Into the toiletries bag throw sun screen and insect repellent. Mosquito coils are also a good idea. A small pocket size torch will come in handy when the electricity goes out or for investigating caves. Condoms, of course. Passport photos come in handy for visas.
If you plan to travel long distances by motorbike, purchase a good quality helmet. Last but not least, pack your stuff in plastic bags to stop them from getting wet, especially when travelling in the rainy season or on boats.
Aside from the above, the following are essential:
Passport with minimum 6 month validity left
Travel insurance
Blood donor/type card
Details of your next of kin
Prescriptions for any medication you require. Most chemists will sell medicine over the counter without a script, but if you are searched by immigration it's good to be able to show you require what you're carrying.
A second photo ID other than your passport
1) Get everything you want to pack in a pile. Put half of the stuff back in the cupboard.
2) Don't pack trekking boots. Unless you're planning on serious climbing you will not need them.
3) Leave the sleeping bag at home (unless you're planning on camping).
4) Pack one book and one only. There's loads of bookstores and bookswaps across the region. Read and swap -- carry less.
5) The biggest mistake of all - don't leave with a full pack!
What to pack
First on your list should be an open mind and a sense of humour. Don't come with too many preconceived ideas about what Southeast Asia is like, as media and friends' experiences have a habit of distorting reality.
Otherwise, bring as little as possible. If you forget something, you can probably buy it once you're on the ground travelling. Take enough padlocks for every double zipper to stop wandering hands and lock up your sacred belongings, even in your hotel room.
Essentials are a swimming costume, a day pack, a raincoat/umbrella in rainy season and some warm clothes if travelling in October to December, as some areas get cool. You will only need a couple of changes of clothes as you can get washing done anywhere cheaply. Remember dark clothes do not need to be washed as often, as long as you do not have a BO problem or sweat profusely. Sandals for when your hiking shoes are too hot can be bought cheaply in-country, although large sizes for women are hard to come by.
Take snorkelling gear or buy it on arrival if you plan to spend a lot of your time in the water. Alternatively put up a notice looking for gear from someone who is leaving. A tent for camping if you're a national park buff is a good idea, as is a compass. You might like to bring compact binoculars too if wildlife is your thing. A good map is also handy.
Take earplugs for when you're stuck in a noisy room or want to sleep on the bus. Take a mirror for shaving, as often budget places won't have any. String is very handy for hanging up washing. Travel scrabble can be great. Cigarette papers can be difficult to find, except in tourist centres. Climbing shoes for rock climbing are useful as the region has some of the best cliffs in Southeast Asia.
A spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses plus a copy of your prescription is a good idea. Bring a book you're prepared to swap. A personal music player is great as a huge range of cheap music is available everywhere.
Into the toiletries bag throw sun screen and insect repellent. Mosquito coils are also a good idea. A small pocket size torch will come in handy when the electricity goes out or for investigating caves. Condoms, of course. Passport photos come in handy for visas.
If you plan to travel long distances by motorbike, purchase a good quality helmet. Last but not least, pack your stuff in plastic bags to stop them from getting wet, especially when travelling in the rainy season or on boats.
Aside from the above, the following are essential:
Passport with minimum 6 month validity left
Travel insurance
Blood donor/type card
Details of your next of kin
Prescriptions for any medication you require. Most chemists will sell medicine over the counter without a script, but if you are searched by immigration it's good to be able to show you require what you're carrying.
A second photo ID other than your passport
Dec 10, 2006
trip-planning advice 2:don't over-plan
Travel planning should be easy and need not be too detailed. One of the more disappointing experiences is when your trip is nothing but a series of missed deadlines and connections.
When you're trip planning, concentrate on the broad strokes -- getting from A to B -- don't worry about what you're actually going to see, nor how you're going to see it. How broad the strokes depends on the individual.
Some people are happy with something like:
Laos 2 weeks, Vietnam 3 weeks
Others may go for:
Northern Laos 10 days, southern Laos 4 days, Hoi An 4 days, Nha Trang 5 days, southern Vietnam 12 days
While others still may opt for:
Luang Prabang 5 days, Vang Vieng 3 days, Vientiane 2 days, Tha Khaek 2 days, Savannakhet 2 days and so on
There's nothing wrong with any of the above, though when you see a trip plan which starts like the following you start to worry:
Luang Prabang Day 1 morning: Breakfast and morning market
Luang Prabang Day 1 mid-morning: Shopping and 1 temple
you get the idea
Having some kind of trip plan is a good idea. It will help you organise your time and get the most out of your trip.
Just don't forget that one of the ideas of having a holiday is to relax, unwind and have a goodtime. A trip plan which tries to fit in too much or is the length of a thesis will not help you relax, nor will it help you have fun.
When you're trip planning, concentrate on the broad strokes -- getting from A to B -- don't worry about what you're actually going to see, nor how you're going to see it. How broad the strokes depends on the individual.
Some people are happy with something like:
Laos 2 weeks, Vietnam 3 weeks
Others may go for:
Northern Laos 10 days, southern Laos 4 days, Hoi An 4 days, Nha Trang 5 days, southern Vietnam 12 days
While others still may opt for:
Luang Prabang 5 days, Vang Vieng 3 days, Vientiane 2 days, Tha Khaek 2 days, Savannakhet 2 days and so on
There's nothing wrong with any of the above, though when you see a trip plan which starts like the following you start to worry:
Luang Prabang Day 1 morning: Breakfast and morning market
Luang Prabang Day 1 mid-morning: Shopping and 1 temple
you get the idea
Having some kind of trip plan is a good idea. It will help you organise your time and get the most out of your trip.
Just don't forget that one of the ideas of having a holiday is to relax, unwind and have a goodtime. A trip plan which tries to fit in too much or is the length of a thesis will not help you relax, nor will it help you have fun.
Dec 9, 2006
trip-planning advice 1:less is more
Less is more
When it comes to planning your trip to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the most important point to remember by far is LESS IS MORE. Unless you have a particular fetish for being in a plane, train or automobile every day, try to travel as little as possible. If your plan requires you to be on the road (or in the air) every other day, then you are trying to see too much.
Make a list
Make a list of everywhere you're planning on visiting along with how long you're planning on spending in each spot. Multiply the total number of days by two and a half and if the total is more than your total trip time, chances are you're trying to see too much.
Getting around takes time
One of the big mistakes people make is they forget to take into account how long it takes to get from A to B. Unlike Europe, travel in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam doesn't really lend itself to doing lots of overnight trips to save time (and money).
Of course there are some trunk routes -- Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to the southern islands, Bangkok to Nong Khai -- which are all very popular night routes, but most spots are too close together to make for a convenient overnight trip or, as in Laos or Cambodia, there just isn't much overnight transport.
Travel can be tiring
Your trip-plan may look great on a sheet of paper, but don't forget that travelling in Southeast Asia can be uncomfortable, hot and tiring. If you're travelling every other day -- particularly long distances -- you'll rapidly become tired and grumpy.
Factor in a day off here and there. By day off we mean Day Off! No sightseeing and no activities other than putting your feet up, reding the paper and writing a few postcards -- if nothing else your feet won't be so sore and your Grandma will love the postcard.
Get a map
Get a map and mark on it where you want to go. At each point you're overnighting at write the number of days you're planning on spending there. Allow a day for travel between each point -- while the travel will often take less than a day, planning this way gives you padding to compensate for other, less realistic points of your plan.
Be realistic
You're on holiday remember? Trying to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, The Teak Mansion, The National Museum, Jim Thompson's House and doing a khlong trip all in one day is insane -- yet people try and do it all the time. Aim for two to four sights in a day of heavy sightseeing. If you try for more you'll most likely under-appreciate whatever you cram into the afternoon.
Be flexible
Timetables are best taken as a rough guideline. Trains and flights leave on time -- flights arrive on time. Buses sometimes leave on time and sometimes arrive on time. Timetables in Laos should be taken with about six kilos of salt. When you're told the bus leaves in the morning that could mean anywhere between 05:00 and midday. Transport often stops for meals and for the bus driver to drop off and see his grandma.
Less is More
Don't try to see too many things
Don't forget to factor in how long a trip takes
Don't forget to factor in a few days of rest here and there
Don't forget to sketch out a plan
Don't be unrealistic
Don't be inflexible
Do have a terrific, well planned but not rushed trip!
When it comes to planning your trip to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the most important point to remember by far is LESS IS MORE. Unless you have a particular fetish for being in a plane, train or automobile every day, try to travel as little as possible. If your plan requires you to be on the road (or in the air) every other day, then you are trying to see too much.
Make a list
Make a list of everywhere you're planning on visiting along with how long you're planning on spending in each spot. Multiply the total number of days by two and a half and if the total is more than your total trip time, chances are you're trying to see too much.
Getting around takes time
One of the big mistakes people make is they forget to take into account how long it takes to get from A to B. Unlike Europe, travel in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam doesn't really lend itself to doing lots of overnight trips to save time (and money).
Of course there are some trunk routes -- Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to the southern islands, Bangkok to Nong Khai -- which are all very popular night routes, but most spots are too close together to make for a convenient overnight trip or, as in Laos or Cambodia, there just isn't much overnight transport.
Travel can be tiring
Your trip-plan may look great on a sheet of paper, but don't forget that travelling in Southeast Asia can be uncomfortable, hot and tiring. If you're travelling every other day -- particularly long distances -- you'll rapidly become tired and grumpy.
Factor in a day off here and there. By day off we mean Day Off! No sightseeing and no activities other than putting your feet up, reding the paper and writing a few postcards -- if nothing else your feet won't be so sore and your Grandma will love the postcard.
Get a map
Get a map and mark on it where you want to go. At each point you're overnighting at write the number of days you're planning on spending there. Allow a day for travel between each point -- while the travel will often take less than a day, planning this way gives you padding to compensate for other, less realistic points of your plan.
Be realistic
You're on holiday remember? Trying to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, The Teak Mansion, The National Museum, Jim Thompson's House and doing a khlong trip all in one day is insane -- yet people try and do it all the time. Aim for two to four sights in a day of heavy sightseeing. If you try for more you'll most likely under-appreciate whatever you cram into the afternoon.
Be flexible
Timetables are best taken as a rough guideline. Trains and flights leave on time -- flights arrive on time. Buses sometimes leave on time and sometimes arrive on time. Timetables in Laos should be taken with about six kilos of salt. When you're told the bus leaves in the morning that could mean anywhere between 05:00 and midday. Transport often stops for meals and for the bus driver to drop off and see his grandma.
Less is More
Don't try to see too many things
Don't forget to factor in how long a trip takes
Don't forget to factor in a few days of rest here and there
Don't forget to sketch out a plan
Don't be unrealistic
Don't be inflexible
Do have a terrific, well planned but not rushed trip!
Dec 5, 2006
Dec 1, 2006
aquarium people's lunch
At first thought the lunch I had today together with three clients was not so special. What my vip clients ordered were:
Shrimps with longjing green tea leaves;
Shark's fin soup;
Steamed carp with spring onion;
Soup of Clams and shrimps;
But let me tell their profession first. The couple were Korean Canadian. The husband is the general manager of Asian-pacific office,( based in Busan, Korea) of an Australian aquarium company. And third guy, Chinese, works in their Shanghai aquarium.
So clear now? I so wonder if they just love or hate fish (as job or food).
Shrimps with longjing green tea leaves;
Shark's fin soup;
Steamed carp with spring onion;
Soup of Clams and shrimps;
But let me tell their profession first. The couple were Korean Canadian. The husband is the general manager of Asian-pacific office,( based in Busan, Korea) of an Australian aquarium company. And third guy, Chinese, works in their Shanghai aquarium.
So clear now? I so wonder if they just love or hate fish (as job or food).
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