Thinking of going again - advice please!

Regarding China, you do need to have a flight booked out

This wasn't true for us either of the times we've been to China even though we were told by everyone it was (including lonely planet). The first was in 2006 and we sent our applications (only the forms and passports) to Edinburgh(?) for some reason but that's not really relevant now as it's all changed they now use an application centre.

The second time was the beginning of last year so although more up to date these things change so I cant guarantee it will be the same now but I've just checked the forms online and nowhere does it mention that onward flights are required, which was the same for us when we filled them out last year. They never asked for proof at the center and we certainly never offered it as we neither knew when we'd be in China or when we'd leave. As for addresses I just Googled some hostels in some Chinese cities and copied and pasted their addresses on the form

For a more detailed explanation of the process we went through last year to get our Russian, Mongolian and Chinese visas see here:

http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/27729-1.html

before you look at this thread I will warn you though it is NOT cheap for visas!!!! we spent £700+ for a family of four for these 3 countries... Still we had a great time so that's the price you have to pay I suppose...

Rather than doing the visas yourself you could always use an agency which although more expensive would probably guarantee you the visas without onward tickets. They do it all the time and at the Russian and Chinese visa application centers I saw many agencies turn up with bags of passports for processing.

On the topic of Anti-Malarials, the first time we stayed in SE-Asia we started to take them when we were in Sumatra but got lazy and complacent and stopped taking them soon after so they were a complete waste of money. This time we never took any either because IMO the risk was too small to put my kids through the possible side effects of taking anti-malarials, they were/are too young to tell us if there are any problems. This was a personal choice though, if you ask any healthcare professional in the UK they will say take them as that's what their literature say you should do but ultimately its up to you....

safe travels...

Mike Reply to this

We don't take anti-malarials and never have. We made a decision that the side effects outweigh the risks. It helps that Neil is a doctor though, so we felt we had the medical knowledge necessary to make the decision. The healthcare professionals in the UK will tell you to take them and will hype up the risk, but when questioned about the risk they really won't have a clue other than what the pharmaceutical companies told them! Neil had a huge discussion with our travel nurse about this and she ended up admitting she didn't know what she was talking about and left the decision to us.

Anti-malarials aren't 100% effective either which a lot of people don't realise; there is also the possibility you can miss a dose, have a stomach upset etc which will disrupt the dosage regime you are on.

We are very, very careful - a lot of people get complacent when taking anti-malarials, forget repellant or forget to cover up - so we always make sure we have DEET repellant and take more precautions at certain times of day. So far (touch wood!) we haven't had a problem with either malaria or dengue (which can't be prevented anyway and is prevalent in SE Asia and very serious if you get it).

At the end of the day, like Mike said, it's an individual choice whether you take the tablets or not. If you decide not to take the tablets then it's a good idea to know the symptoms of malaria and also have a course of doxycycline which you can use if you suspect malaria before you can get to medical treatment.

Our Chinese visa experience was too long ago to be useful (i.e. before the Olympics!) but we only had to show a ticket into the country and list the places we would visit with our first hotel name on the form. You should call the application centre and see what they need before you submit it. Or just add on Hong Kong to get the visa there - it's a fab city, we are going there again in 8 days! Reply to this

So.....just a quick update before I start our new blog and forum post.

On Friday I (Scott) officially handed in my notice at work - Probably one of the hardest things I have had to do, considering I have been with the firm for almost 10 years.
However, it's a huge weight off of my shoulders and I am convinced now that it was the right decision.
I am actually on 3 months notice which I am hoping to negotiate down a little and we aim to start our travels mid October.

Thanks again for all the advice and hopefully we will be able to catch up for a beer or 10 with a few of you in Asia over the next year. Reply to this

Goodness like Tina says that was quick! Well done guys how exciting for you.. we'll look forward to hearing all about it in the very near future and will hope our paths cross at some point in 2013!

Work and family will always be there when you get back... if you decide to go back that is! 😊 Reply to this

Congrats on handing in your notice...makes it all a bit more real now! Yay, very happy for you! Reply to this

Hello Victoria and Scott--
You started this thread nearly a month ago and see you have already made a decision.

BRAVO

In our opinion it won't matter where you go...as long as you are on the road exploring. Hopefully, those struggles with visas will be minimal.

We look forward to reading about your journey.

We are suffering with the same issues you are. We took our sabbatical in 2007-2008 and had a marvelous time. As everyone else stated we are changed and not content doing the 9 to 5 again and not sure we ever will be. (we are fine with that)

We were a bit older than some of those who have responded above-- when we took off on our 1st around the world trip. Just as you have stated once we returned we longed to hit the road again.

We have found balance in saving 50%!o(MISSING)f our discretionary income and saving the other 50%!f(MISSING)or travel. We begin our next around the world adventure on August 10th. We are planning to travel for 5 months this time and can't wait.

You stated your first trip was 5 months and you hope to travel for a longer period of time on this trip. We feel each person is different in their tolerance for being on the road. Our 1st trip was nearly 10 months and when we returned we said we would be more comfortable with a shorter trip next time....hence the reason we are going for 5 months this time around. Looking for the right balance.

Tina and Rob-- I know you had planned 13 months but wonder if you would have done well with two shorter trips. I find it hard being away from friends and family at the holidays. On this 2nd RTW trip we will return on December 21st.

Victoria and Scott,

Good luck, have fun and happy travels. Congrats on handing in your notice!

I did that today.




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