Day 1 - Miraflores in Lima, Peru

Finally I got my room around 11:00am, after chatted with a friend online, I was planning to sleep for 2 hours before going out, but my room is right next a busy street, the traffic noise is unbelievable. And not only that, it's very very weird, you know, those car alarms come on every 20-30 mins. So, once in a while, I hear this "Rite Of Spring" kind of sound all day long. Well, I didn't stay here all day really, but whenever I am in my room. At night, it is slightly better. Anyway, since I couldn't filter out the street noise this morning, I decided to get up, took a shower and walked around the neighborhood, despite my body was really begging for rest. Maybe 4 blocks from my hostel is the clifftop already, people are doing para-gliding, is that what it's called? There is also, rather surprising, a lighthouse near my hostel. Guess the guidebook can't never tell you everything. Took some pictures, and do a lot of walking. The neighborhood of my hostel, Miraflores, is probably a middle class neighborhood, some of the houses look very beautiful.

I walked to the center area of this neighborhood, with the buses, taxis, streaming in and out. They stopped pretty much wherever they want, yelling their destinations, grabbing people in, throwing people out . I just carried my tired body, continued to walk, took pictures whenever my finger got the calling. I think around 2pm, I started to feel hungry so I found this small restaurant behind the alley, there were a few women, and an obviously traveller eating there, they had this menu board standing up front in which all I recognize was the first one with pollo, some kind of dishes with chicken. Everything else was unrecognizable, for me anyway. The Señorita (waitress) tried to explain to me what this and that are, with her best effort I am sure. Oh this one, beef, sopa = soup. Soup with beef, ok, sounds good, so I took that. And also the chicken with rice too. I didn't realize it was like a set menu, so it had a drink, 1st course was the soup and the 2nd course was chicken with rice. They tasted ok, very strong favors all of them, a little too strong in my opinion, but I am happy that I didn't end up eating McDonalds or Burger King. There were two prices on the board, Soles 6.5 and 13 (equivalent to USD 2 and 4), I thought maybe when you do two courses and drink, it's like 13. When I was done, the bill handed to me was 6.5, that wasn't bad. And the lunch was huge too. According to Lonely Planet, the lunch is the main meal of the day, people usually eat very light dinner. It will probably take me a while to get accustomed to.

After lunch, it was only 2:30pm, still early, I didn't think the street noise would quiet down, so I just kept walking, I was tempted to hop on a bus to Centro Lima to see things. I waited and waited, looking at the buses streaming by, I felt really lost, which one to take. Based on the guidebook, I am supposed to look for a specific sign in the front but I didn't see anything I could recognize. Even Lonely Planet said the buses in Lima are rather chaotic. There is something called Colectivo, the cheap fixed price taxi, but I didn't know what they look. My last option is just regular taxi, which I need to bargain with them (like in China, come on people, use a meter), I hate bargain, especially when I am tired. So, my first day's adventure ended there, tiny little dingy bit disappointed at myself not having the balls to just hop on one of the buses. I know the worst case scenario is that I would have to take a taxi back the hostel. But still, I decided to go back to the hostel. By the time I got back, it's about 3:30 or 4:00pm, after writing an email, my body finally collapsed, and slept a good 3 hours. Since I left Chicago, I only slept 4 hours in total. Not counting the night before I was not sleeping much either. I need to catch up with some rest tonight.

See photos here: Day 1

Footnote: I am feeling more nervous than ever, not speaking Spanish might be a bigger obstacle than I anticipated. It makes me feel more alone. Anyhow, hopefully I will get by these next few days in Lima, and when I get to Cuzco, the Spanish class will help me to adapt this culture.

Señor Antonio

Before I talk about Antonio, the person who picked me up at the airport. I must add one more note about my Lima airport experience. The airport is very efficient, immigration staffs are friendly. As a Hong Kong citizen, I don't require a visa to visit Peru. But the Lonely Planet guidebook recommends people like me on a backpacking trip should request for a 90 days stamp, otherwise they would just give 30 days. The one thing the guidebook doesn't mention is how to say it. Instead of asking some flight attentants, I tried on my own first, combining parts from my Spanish phrasebook, I composed my first Spanish sentence, ¿Ma de un visa por noventa días? It probably has some mistakes, but he understood me. That's like Oh My God! It's like you are waiting for your 12 months old baby to call Pa-pa, except this time, you are the baby and you have said something people understand you. I get so much pleasures out of that, you have no idea. :)

Now back to the main character of this entry, his name is Antonio, he is the one who came to pick me up at the airport at 4:30am in the morning. The efficiency of the Peruvian immigration is impressive, although at 4am, I bet it would be efficient at any airport. I got my 90 days visiting stamp on my passport, picked up my backpack, exchanged some money, I know the official exchange rate should be around US$1 to 3 Soles. But the rate at the airport is like 1 to 2.81, no commission. I just exchanged US$50 for petty cash. Will see if I will get a better rate in town. Anyway, walked out of the baggage claim, we are required to walk pass some machine, I think it may be related to your body temperature or something, I am not sure really, but I got a green light. Off I went, walked out of the hallway, there he was, no need to search. Antonio was holding a sign with my name on it, and he recognized me right away, I bet asian man with a backpack at 4am in Lima airport is not a common scene. He signaled me to walk outside from my side. I went out, walked toward him, say Hola, shaked his hand. Inside I worried if he spoke any english, what was I gonna say during the ride...etc. At the same time, I have that adventurous mood kicked in after making my first Spanish sentence. I wanted to talk to people.

He was really friendly actually, straight as a hard wood floor, and shot away at me in a very macho way, where're you from? I told him I was a student in the US and originally from Hong Kong. I briefly told him what I will be doing in Peru, he even taught me some Spanish words already, although I really don't remember what it is, I only slept 1 hour for the past 24 hours. Anyway, during that 40 mins ride from the airport to the hostel named Hitchhikers B&B Backpackers Hostel, we talked a little and kept silence for a little, mainly I was observing what outside of the windows. The sun is getting ready to rise, there are actually some people running on the street, like morning exercise or something. Kind of interesting to see them running alongside the highway in 5am in the morning. Anyway, I can feel that Antonio is a very friendly person, just by the way he smiled and the way he wanted to help...etc. I wonder if I would bump into more of this kind of people.

Got to the hostel, the main entrance was actually locked, he rang the bell and told me to pay the pick up with another staffs, I asked if he was not coming in, he said no, so I knew I should really tip him. I mean the man came to pick me up at 4:30am in the morning, but I have no idea how much to tip. So, I just gave him the coins I got back from the airport parking booth, which is equivalent to about US$2. I don't know, am I a cheap ass? The pick up fee is like US$15 already, I think US$2 maybe ok.

I arrived at the hostel maybe around 5:30am, the girl said since there is people staying in the room I gonna stay the night before, I have to wait for them to check out before they can check me in. So, I have been sitting here in the TV room waiting for 3 hours already. Typed 4 blog entries. I don't mind the waiting really, but I do want some sleeps soon if possible. I'll talk more about the hotel after I stay here a day or two.

Butt Light

This little side story happened on the plane from Miami to Lima, just a few hours ago. The airline is LAN, they run services mainly connecting to South America. The flight itself was only 5 hours and 5 mins long. We were served an incredibly late dinner, provided that our flight didn't take off until almost midnight, I had some kind of beef with beans and mashed potato, it sucked be honest, but everything else about this airline are not bad at all. They have this so called IN-Flight entertainment center in front of each seat, there are 54 movies, over 100 CDs, 19 games, TV, Radio and other features for you to entertain yourself during this slightly over 5 hours journey. I would have watched the Angels And Demons movie if I wasn't that tired. After vaporized my dinner, I tried so hard to make myself to fall asleep. I wished to at least turn in a few hours of sleep, so I would not need to spend my first day in Lima sleeping. But it's hard, knowing that you are arriving just a few hours, there are a few things on the immigration form you have no idea what they are asking, and you are heading to a place that is completely new to you. Anyhow, after they switched off the main light, I took off my glasses, hanged it on my shirt under my chin, month opened, and I just dosed away. Maybe an hour later, I re-adjusted my position, my butt accidentally hit on the "ultra-sensitive" light button on the remote for the In-Flight Entertainment Center, my light went on, bright as hell, it brought back straight back to the dry aircraft from my la la land. And I was trying to switch the light off. I had already waken myself up, no intention to awaken others. I reached to the light, there was no button up on the ceiling, that's just great. I looked down at the remote on the side with my half asleep eyes. Holy shit, I couldn't barely look at the icons, which is which. I ended up trying all the button, but also worried that some loud radio might come on. So, I told myself to chill, and looked more clearly which button might be for the light. Voila...when Jesus said, may there be light, there is light. I operated the opposite direction. The light was finally off. But thanks to this incident, I got wide awake. (Now, I feel extremely tired and want a bed to just lay down, waiting at the hostel, when will my room be ready?)

Back to the flight, the staffs are young and handsome, I must say, very Peruvians looking, with dark hairs, clear dark brown eyes, and sharp features. They would speak Spanish to you first, but are happy to speak English if you don't understand. They speak rather well actually. The seat is comfortable enough, I am kind of to the skinny body frame myself, so the leg room is never a problem for me, if the flight is slightly longer, perhaps I would sleep much better.

One coincidence, sitting next to me is also a Chinese, she is a Taiwanese girl. For some reasons, her boyfriend was taking the AA flight arriving 30 minutes earlier, they are going to travel in Peru for 3 weeks. Maybe they couldn't get a seat together or something, the flight I was on was rather full. She spoke mandarin to me, and I answered in English. We really didn't talk that much.

Day 0 - Bon Voyage!

Sep 28, 5:35pm, my flight takes off from Chicago O'Hare airport, gate H11B. the gate was changed, I find out just a few minutes before the boarding begins. hurry to the gate, take a seat. My boarding number is 5, so it isn't my turn until 10-15 minutes later anyway. The flight isn't full, I have an aisle seat and the two seats next to me are empty. We start off a little bit bumpy, since the weather in Chicago isn't so great, cloudy and windy. A drink is offered, agua con ice, por favor. We watch the movie The Proposal in the 2 hours 30 minutes flight. It is ok, typical Sandra Bullock, Betty White is terrific though. (As I am typing this, I realize I need a dictionary or internet to check spell, since I can't spell, have I made any mistakes yet?)

Arrive at Miami Int'l airport at about 9pm (eastern time), my head is singing "...Miami is nice, so I say it twice, Miami is nice, Miami is nice..." from one of the Golden Girls episodes, Dorothea and Rose entered a song composition contest together. (My God...I must be completely poisoned by that show). Anyway, it's a pity that I can't quite see if Miami is all that nice, since it's already dark outside. The airport is quiet, I am surprised this airport is quite modern styled actually, the design I mean. Maybe this is a new terminal. I am kind of hungry after getting my flight from Chicago even though just before boarding, I have had a super tall Starbucks coffee and the banana nut cake Curt gave me at home. The cake is wonderful, thanks to Curt. :) I buy a caesar chicken sandwiches and a bottle of orange juice, for US$12.08. That's my last luxurious dinner (just kidding). One thing I notice, I have heard more Spanish than English here in Miami already. I guess I started to zone out from the English world and entering the Spanish world. Hopefully, I will be able to get around in Lima, and survive the first few days before I will start my Spanish class in Cuzco.

J18 is the gate I am waiting in Miami, a hour and half more to wait. Officially, this should really be the Day 0, since I am still within the US border, the flight will take off at 11:55pm. I will arrive in Lima at 4:30am. The hostel is supposed to pick me up. Now I only wish they will show up, otherwise... ha..ha.. it will be the first challenge I face in South America - to find another hostel in the middle of the night. This is just the 'ready for all occasion' me speaking. I am sure they would be there, since I just reconfirmed with them yesterday. They will hold a sign saying Benny Chan, and their hostel name Hitchhiker. Yes, a Hostel called hitchhiker, this is something I can't tell my mom, she will begin to worry, where I am heading to. :P Alrighty, hasta luego, my friends in America. It's my pleasure knowing you all. Thanks again for your friendships and tolerance to this somewhat wicked stubborn Chinese man.

More thoughts in Lima.

Hong Kong - a place I call "home"

About me going back to Hong Kong, although some friends would prefer me to stay here in Chicago, they know that if I must go somewhere it's good that I am going home. We all need a "home" to return to I guess, where your family and friends are. That is the safety net, the one place that if you get all hurt from relationships or from works you can go back to and find your comforts. I admit, here in Chicago, it has been the closest I feel like a home for all my time I spent in the US, the friends I have gained, the city I have begun to know and man, I don't need to drive to live here. That's very important to a city boy like moi. And it's just a good feeling to know that if I suddenly lose a home here or someday I would want to come back to visit, there are a number of people who would let me crash in for a while.

Anyhow, decision's a decision. It's time for me to return home, I am content with that. In fact, I am filled with positive thoughts ever since I made the decision.

There are a few things I am definitely looking forward to...
- see my family and friends, especially my mother and a few really close friends. There I was, living aboard for 7 years, my friends and I are as close as yesterday. I know who they are and they know who I am. What else can one ask for? They are my safety net.

- meet some new people, ever since I started my music blog, got to know some new people who share the same passion in music with me, they are from Beijing, Hong Kong, everywhere on the globe. It would be great to meet them in person and maybe go to a concert or something. That would not be a bad idea.

- find a job. This is in fact THE most important thing on my head after I get back home. I am 34 years old. It is almost too late to start a career. But we'll see. (Hey people... this is the time, you should say something like, oh it's never too late kind of crap!)

- eat my mom's home cooking again. OMG...! Although my own cooking skills has improved over the years, nothing's great, but if I am left alone, I'd be able to fix myself something to eat (other than instant noodle, that's a change!). Still, mmmh, my mom's potato cake, the daily soup, chicken wing, pork cake, and just some pan-fried sausage are all I need now. They can not be more simple comfort foods, but it's mom's cooking, it always tastes better.

- earn some money, rent a place to live on my own, so I can invite all of you to visit me!

- learn fishing. Think I only told Ted before. When I went to Hawaii, I find that I really enjoyed fishing. It is a good patience training activity. Hope I can find some occasion to do that back home

- cafe chats with friends, basically it is like bar drinking with friends here in the States. The difference is that we are much more healthy! Haha..

Things I am not so much looking forward to...
- the rain: I don't like the monsoon rain, you get soaking wet no matter how well you prepared for it. I can stand the heat, but the typhoon and the rain, I can live without.

- the crowds: another thing that is unavoidable in Hong Kong. After living there for over 25 years, I would probably be able to find my way to deal with it. But still, it is not something I look forward to.

- my father would probably find some chances to remind me that it's time to find a girlfriend?!... Yeah right! It's not on the agenda, if you know what I mean. Luckily, my family is never controlling, so I don't think it'll be too big a problem.

Chicago - a place I would miss!

Leaving Chicago in less than 24 hours. I can't quite sleep tonight, probably because my feelings are quite mixed, I am glad that I will finally go back to my "home" home - Hong Kong - to be with my family and friends again, but at the same times, leaving a place you have lived for a few years is never easy, especially I have grown quite fond of Chicago over the past 3 years, the city, the lifestyle, and more importantly, I do have a circle of friends here. If I would have stayed in the United States, this is the place for me. Although selfishly the planning of my South America trip has helped me not to deal with the leaving sentiment until now, it's the last day, I guess I just do have to face it finally.

I have been thinking what I will miss about this place the most and what I will not care to remember. Here is a quick list:

Things I'd miss...
- A good number of people who have welcomed me to their homes and make me a part of their lives. You know who you are. Thank you. You have made America a much friendlier place than what it looks like on the news.

- Snow: definitely! It's still magical to me and since I don't drive, it can snow all day I'd be happy.

- Chicago winter: believe it or not, that icy feeling on my cheeks when walking down the street in Feb, love it, make my head crisp and sharp. Alright, I admit, when the wind starts to scratch my face like a cat claw, I hate it too.

- Dishwasher: such a genius creation unfortunately is not popular in most households in Asia.

- Bravo! TV Programs: Ah... Top Chef, ah... Project Runaway. I can watch no more. Luckily, I bought the whole DVD series of The Golden Girls. At least I can still watch them in Hong Kong. :P

- A few restaurants: Bistro Champagne and Indie, in particular. I have lots of good meals there. (As weird as it may sound, I also miss Steak N Shake too, in my mind, it associates with Louisville, KY, not Chicago though)

- Ebay: it gonna be hard for me to bid CDs overseas. For that, I almost have tears in my eyes.

- The Queen size bed in my room here in Chicago, my bed in Hong Kong is literally half of it, the room too.

- The Lake Michigan Lighthouse trips, I have visited over 30 of them, I may still finish the rest of them someday. Who knows.

- Swimming in a freshwater lake: I grew up swimming in the salty sea back in the East, here swimming in a lake is tasteless. That is odd, I tell you.

- The "crab rangoon" (raccoon) on the highway, ie the road kills. I won't see any of those in Hong Kong for sure.

- The Fall colors, definitely no color changing trees and falling leaves in the fall in Hong Kong.

Things I care less to remember:
- Political drama: on MSNBC, Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC... lies, bullshits, long talks about nothing, religious nonsense, attacking each other personally, sorry guys, those TV negative ads about another individual to me is democracy at its worst. I won't miss any of those. I don't know how people can stand that for all these years.

- The 15-20% tipping: I can't never get accustomed to that.

Moneybelt - be a MAN about it!

Gone to the bank to get some cash in smaller bills (20,10,5,1) for my South America trip today. I carried my money belt with me, thought I'd do some test run, see what it's like to wear a money belt all day. The last time I wore a money belt was like back in 1998 when I travelled to Europe. It's the hip belt kind, but I remember I wore it up to my chest, it felt much safer somehow, cause I can definitely feel it kept close against my body. I liked that secure feeling without the string hanging down my neck. Anyway, because of that, I have got the same kind for this trip again. The recommended way to wear that kind of money belt is to wear underneath the pant, just around the hip. Ta... that's why it calls the hip belt kind, don't you think people name something for a reason? But, not me, I have determined to convert that to a chest belt. And...mmmmmh, I can't say I get the same feeling I had many years ago, it's really more complicated than I envisioned.

Anyway, this is what happened: I wear the money belt up to my chest again, there are some HK dollars and my old passport in it, just to give it some weights. At first, it feels fine. Kind of like wearing a bra actually. I was a curious kid as a child and did try my mom's bra at the age of 8! It didn't look good on me, so I never picked up that fashion. ;) Anyway, so I tight it up, the money belt is literally wrapping my chest, and leaving the long belt hanging down after I buckle it up. I tuck it around the other side so I don't get a tail behind me. If I lift up my shirt, there it is, a bra without a breast. Yak! That's what it looks like, kinda warm but it feels fine. So I went out.

As I am walking down the street, I try to raise my chest up high, feel proud and all, like doing a commercial. I run across to the bus stop on the other side and hop on the bus, it is still ok, it stays where it is supposed to be. After I get off the bus, however, it starts to slipping downwards as I am walking to the bank, so I re-adjust it. I don't think that's how women do the re-adjusting. I basically grab that belt from the outside of my shirt, pull upwards, and then my shirts get all tucked underneath the belt, you know it's like, so obvious that there is something inside my shirt. I loosen the shirt up again, and try to pull the buckle tighter hoping it will stay still. Nope.. once it starts slipping down, it keeps doing it. And because of the constant re-adjusting, it rubs against my chest, it is getting kind of warm in there, and I start to sweat. Oh jesus! So I just let it hang around my belly as long as it stays, I hope, and it doesn't, it jiggles around. Instantly, a wonder bra downgrade to a cheap dubou (肚兜) - the anicent chinese under garment which were used to wrap around the belly, you don't show your belly button to anyone in those days. That's a sin back then! I know why... it's more like a tube top instead of bra really, there is nothing hanging over my shoulder, and I am no 36D, so it doesn't stay on my chest.

Admit it: This is not working! Back to the basics, follow the instructions, I am wearing it in the front under my pant as I am typing this post, it's actually not uncomfortable, except that I feel like a security guard, wearing something to protect my manhood! It is a little warmer down there too, feel like I am hatching an egg or something in all the wrong places. Also, I guess when I need to pee, there will have one more obstacle to get past now. Don't think they accept wet bills down in South America!

Shipment pickup - almost an heart attack

The shipping company has come to pick up my stuffs for shipping back to Hong Kong today. At the end, I decided to go with Shannon Express, since they seem to be most attentive, clear and require the least paperworks, besides they will store my stuffs for 2 months in their warehouse in very low cost. I think time wise, it will work for me better to ship out my stuffs in November, so I can be in HK in person to pick them up in December. Anyway, I was expecting them to come by in the afternoon, but they really didn't arrive until after 5:00pm. This guy, full beard tattooed kind of trunky in shorts and black t-shirt, parked his truck up front, I brought the boxes out and he lifted onto the trucks. After he finished, I asked him if he has any receipt for me.

He said: No
I said then: How do you know those boxes are mine? They only have a number on them. And you have a bunch of other boxes in the truck
He said: It'll be alright, I know what the other two are, and the rest are wrapped. It won't be confused
I asked: So you are going back to warehouse now
He said: Yeah

Even though he tried to convince me that it was all regular, they have done this many times before, I still really felt uncomfortable, man. I mean I don't have much, probably the least expensive shipment they have done in a long time, but it's a big part of my life and belongings packed in those boxes. I walked back inside and ran out again after I thought about it. I told him to wait and called the shipping company. Said, hey your guy came to pick up my stuffs but have no receipt or any documents for me, what can be done? The lady told me to print my own documents and have him sign it as a receipt. She explained that it was because when they made the pick up arrangement the driver was already on the road, so he could not have brought the paperwork. I was like, are you serious? But what can I do? So I did what she told me to. Meanwhile, I was all freaked out, trying to find the freaking battery for the laptop so that I can take it upstairs to print a packing slip for him to sign. The full beard tattooed guy was still waiting stone-faced in a truck outside. I was hurrying the printer, come on! I did what I was instructed anyway. He signed my packing slip, I made him a copy. Off he went.

Oh shit! I should have written down his trucks license number, and his name, I suddenly realized. What am I thinking? How much does his signature worth? Anyone can sign anything. So now, the truck has gone, I am REALLY freaked out. I called the shipping company, acted as calm as I can be, I asked for the same person who set up the paperwork for me and charged me money. She is very friendly, thanks god. I told her about the situation, that I felt really uncomfortable that there is no receipt. She said she understands and apologizes that they didn't bring the paperwork because they switched the driver in the morning or something like that. She confirmed me that this is their guy. I still asked her if possible, once confirmed that my boxes are received at their warehouse, P-L-E-A-S-E~~~ send me a receipt via email as soon as possible. In fact, she did it right away. I felt much better after I saw the temporary receipt she sent. But man, this episode has really tested my patience and reaction to crisis.

Disclaimer: In this episode, there may be some rising heart beats, but no animal or human have an actual heart attack.

Cash or Debit/Credit Cards?

I already know this is going to be "the" most expensive trip I have ever done, only the one way ticket from US to South America to Australia to HK cost me nearly US$3000. (Please don't let my mom ever see this post, she will honestly kill me for doing that). Haha... Mind you I don't really have that many $3000 to begin with. But I still think it's gonna worth it, I am the type that I want to see things with my own eyes, get experience from actual actions instead of reading a book, or browsing internet. I mean as a child, I already learned about the moais (the gigantic stone faces standing like guards) on an isolated land called Easter Island somewhere on the Pacific Ocean. Always felt proud that I was able to locate it on the map, always found it a mystery and dreamt about visiting there a thousand times, but never expected that I will be "actually" going to see the moai myself one day. For that, I already think it's worth for the whole trip. But the truth is, unless I'll find a really good-paying job in Hong Kong, I highly doubt I would be able to do this kind of trip again. Not even that, once I will have a regular job back home, it's quite impossible for me to get 2 months holiday. It is almost like a bacholar party, I feel it's the last time I can do extensive trip like this. I am not getting any younger too. So, I really hope to get as many experience and absorb as many sceneries in my memory as possible in this trip.

Expect to spend another 3500-4000 dollars, literally clearing the last penny in my pocket! Just my 3 weeks Spanish class + homestay will use up 820 already. There are still 40 some nights hostel fee awaiting. So, this is a fairly tight budget. I may have to skip some cheesy museums and focus on the biggies - the places that I must see. Now, the problem is how I should bring my money down to South America. For instance, for the spanish class & homestay, I already got the invoice, I can pay by credit card online or on location (plus an extra 6% admin fee), or I can pay cash when I get there. If South America is known to be pretty safe, I would just pay everything in cash. However, the reality is just the opposite, both my guidebook and the spanish school do not recommend me to carry a large amount of cash because of the notorious pickpocketing. To use credit card, you may avoid the human robber, but you encounter the other kind - electronic robber. For every transaction, the bank charges you 3% of the amount you spent as transaction fee, plus they would apply the low exchange rate of course. For that spanish class bill, for instance, the transaction fee is gonna be US$25 already! Not including the extra 6% admin fee the school will charge me for using credit card on top of that. That's like adding 10% to the bill. To a frugal chinese man, this is ridiculous. I could bring a debit card and use ATM to withdraw cash down there as well, there is still a 1% transaction fee + $5 admin fee for each transaction. The local bank might add a fee as well.

I can accept the fact you pay a fee to buy the so called "security", now the task is to balance how much I want to pay for that security. I think for the spanish class, I would probably pay in cash, half I will bring with me and the other half left for withdrawal down there. For the hostel, provided that there is no 6% admin fee from using credit card, I may just use credit card. Everything else is just gonna be cash from the ATM machine. I will try to keep no more US$500 cash with me at any time. Hope that is secure enough. With 6 admin fee + 3 % transaction fee is a big no no for using credit card.

I have not mentioned traveler's cheque, per Lonely Planet, because of the common use of the ATM card nowadays, the traveler's cheque is becoming obsolete. It's still available of course, and has security I needed, but I still need to pay a fee to get it and then pay a fee to redeem the value. So it does not really do much saving. There are also something called traveler's check card, kind of a mixture of traveler's cheque and visa card, kind of like a stored value card, most of them has some kind of transaction fee. So, I might as well just use my credit card.

Believe me, for shorter trips, I wouldn't really care about all these. But this trip is different. I really need a good management on how I spend my money.

Which shipper to choose

Another week has almost gone. It's 9/11, I have about 2 weeks before I will take off. My stuffs to return to Hong Kong are still sitting in the dinning room, in boxes and numbered, but not sealed. I am still debating on which shipper to choose. There are a few options, all have pros and cons. Turned out even the ocean freight, it will only take about 4 weeks or 25-35 days to get to Hong Kong. I really prefer door-to-door service, so that they come to pick up my stuffs, get it shipped, and deliver to my home in Hong Kong. Nobody needs to do anything, no fuss. Se perfecto! But life is never that easy, door-to-door service is much more expensive than the amount of money I wanted to spend on shipping. So, I will have to consider door-to-port service, and by the time my stuffs get to Hong Kong, I can either ask a friend to drive me there to pick up my stuffs up or just rent a van (with driver) for pickup (which is not too expensive in HK if I remember correctly, but geez, that was like 8 years ago at least, so who knows how much it costs now).

Apart from the type of service, there is another issue, I won't be back to HK until Dec 8 myself, even if I ship the stuffs by ocean, it will get there before me. If it is door-to-door service, it will be fine, my family will receive the stuffs for me. But if it is door-to-port service, it is be better for me to be there to clear the customs myself (as I was told) since it's all my personal belonging. If that is the case, my stuffs will either have to be stored here in the US for a month and half to 2 months before shipping out, or store at the warehouse in HK, which is quite expensive. I do not want to leave troubles to my roommate, so I think I will just let the shipper charge me storage fee. So, I am really down to a few choices:

1. Shannon Express, seems to be more well-estabished since mid-90s, the person who corresponds with me is very clear and helpful. The ocean freight (US$470) and insurance (US$100) are not the cheapest, but so far their shipping procedure seems to be the clearest and they only charge US$45/month to store my stuffs, which I thought it is quite reasonable. Combining all (shipping+insurance+storage), I would be charged US$660 to my stuffs to HK port, then I need to pick them up after I get back.

2. Prime Shipping, they have given the cheapest quote, ocean freight+insurance US$460. Not sure if they do storage. But I have serious doubt about this company. Not even because they responded me with a gmail email address, ok maybe it's a small company and they use free email account to do business. But I actually walked down to this company's office, it's a in residential building, no sign, all the windows are covered with blinds. So, I don't know, I don't feel comfortable with that.

3. MHX Int'l, the quote they give me is comparable to the above 2, for shipping+insurance (US$460). But this is not including pick up, storage or anything, I need to find a way to get my stuffs to their warehouse in the suburb. AND...they have already sent me like 5 different lengthy shipping documents that I need to fill. That's like, oh geez, can you be more complicated? Anyway, I have sent them back an email to see if they do pick up and see if their HK agent might be able to do custom clearance and delivery. I am waiting on their response.

The other quotes I got are all over US$900-US$1400. So, I won't even consider those. If no. 3 above does not give me a response by Monday, I probably will go ahead and use the first shipper.

Travel Insurance is in Place

I have finally decided to buy a travel insurance, despite the fact that I am not a big believer in the insurance system at all. They make it sound like it's all for your security, for your own good, for the family... bullshit! It is just another form of gambling, they are gambling whether you will have accident, and people who buy insurance are placing a bet. I know... I know... this is just my prejustice toward the insurance companies, I admit that actually. I have nothing against people who buy insurance. In fact, there are a few categories of insurance, I would consider buying myself, such as those types for the house if I will ever own one myself. Other than that, probably travel insurance is the only one I would purchase from time to time.

Like this time!

Because of the duration of my trip, because of the regions I am visiting, I thought it might be wise to have some insurance in place. There are a few things I particularly want to have in the coverage are some basic and instant medical assistance, emergency evacuation and lost buggage. I like to have trip delay too, since I have learned how laid back the train and bus systems can be in South America, but unfortunately the one I am buying does not cover trip delay. Actually, to find a universal traveller insurance is not as easy as it sounds for THIS particular trip, because I am not a US-citizen, I will be departing from the US but not returning here at the end of my trip. It is a one way trip, from US to South America to Australia to Hong Kong. A lot of generic travel insurance REQUIRES that you depart and return to the same place. I checked with numerous insurance companies in both US and HK. The IMG's Patriot America is the only one that I am eligible to get for my kind of trip. I have no idea why they name it like that, but whatever, it fits what I need. It's a little more expensive than what I want to spend on insurance, because I chose the zero deductible kind. But it's done now, so I am happy and can put this behind my mind.

The Life Saver: Chinese Embassy

This is more of an information for myself in case anything shall happen!

Chinese Embassy in Peru


Ambassador: Mr. Gao Zhengyue (高正月)
Address: Jr. José Granda 150, San Isidro, Lima 27, Perú
Tel: +51-1-4429458, +51-1-2220841, +51-1-99363368, +51-1-99274089 (Mobile Phone)
Fax: +51-1-4429467
Office Hours: 09:00-13:00, 15:00-17:30, Monday-Friday (except holidays)
Email: chinaemb_pe@mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://pe.china-embassy.org/esp/

Consular Office
Tel: +51-1-4429466
Office Hours: 09:00-12:00, Monday, Wednesday, Friday (except holidays)

Chinese Embassy in Chile


Ambassador: Ms. Liu Yuqin (劉玉琴)
Address: Avenue Pedro de Valdivia 550, Santiago, Chile
Tel: +56-2-2339880, +56-2-2049443, +56-9-8798101, +56-9-8798029, +56-9-8832210 (Mobile Phone)
Fax: +56-2-2341129, +56-2-3352755
Office Hours: 09:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00, Monday-Friday (except holidays)
Email: embajadachina@entelchile.net
Website: http://cl.chineseembassy.org/esp/

Consular Office
Tel: +56-2-2339898
Office Hours: 09:30-12:00, 15:00-17:00, Monday-Friday (except holidays)

Packing, Packing, Packing!

I have spent most of my times packing for Hong Kong the past few days. At first, I only got 3 shipping boxes from Home Depot (the hardware store) hoping that everything would fit into them. Turned out they can't, especially the books which are extremely heavy, I had to get some smaller boxes and split them up. As you see in the picture above, the original 3 boxes have already been doubled and more. I really worry that this is going to be outragously expensive just to get my stuffs back to Hong Kong. I might as well buy a plane ticket and have a friend come to help me to take stuffs home! It's probably too late now.

Apart from the books, I have a box of CDs & DVDs, a box of shoes (which is unbelievable since I usually only wear a pair of shoes all the times) - have no idea when and where I got 4 other pairs which I intend to keep now, a box of clothing and some bags, and finally a box of computer stuffs with various other things. I thought of getting rid of some clothing, but I am really not good at that, throwing things away. I am very frugal, I have to admit!

Bought a mini laptop last month, intending to bring this with me to South America. One of the big projects to get it ready for SA is to transfer some 40GB of music files over. I have spent hours tonight doing that. My eyes are blinded now, looking at the two laptops for hours! Have to stop....!

Tentative Itinerary

9/28 Chicago - Miami - Lima (flight)

9/29-10/2 Lima

Highlights: Try to get around the city without speaking a word of Spanish!

10/2 Lima - Cuzco (flight)

10/2-10/25 Cuzco

Highlights: Attend a Spanish class for 3 weeks; 2 days trekking to Machu Picchu

10/26 Cuzco - Puno (train)

10/26-10/31 Lake Titicaca Areas

Highlights: Visit and stay overnight on some floating islands on the lake

10/31 Puno - Arequipa (bus)

10/31-11/4 Southern Peru Canyon Areas

Highlights: See the frozen mummy "The Ice Princess"; visit the Canon del Colca

11/4 Arequipa - Nazca (bus)

11/4-11/9 Nazca/Ica/Pisco Coastal Areas

Highlights: Take a local flight to see the Nazca Lines; stay a night at Huacachina - an oasis in the desert; visit Islas Ballestas - Peruian version of Galapagos - and Reserva Nacional De Paracas

11/9 Ica - Tacna (bus)

11/10-11/12 Tacna/Arica

Highlights: Broder Crossing from Tacna, Peru to Arica, Chile

11/12 Arica - San Pedro de Atacama (bus)

11/12-11/17 Atacama Desert Areas

Highlights: Join some local tours to visit El Tatio geysers, altiplano lakes, Valla de La Luna, Salar de Atacama; and probably some star gazing in the desert

11/17 San Pedro de Atacama - Antofagasta (bus)

11/17-11/18 Antofagasta

Highlights: Stop by that giant hand sculpture in the middle of the desert

11/19 Antofagasta - Santiago (bus)

11/19-11/24 Santiago/Valparaiso

Highlights: Spend some time in Valparaiso feel the poems of Neruda

11/25 Santiago - Easter Island (flight)

11/25-11/29 Easter Island

Highlights: Try not to be eaten by the Moais.

11/29 Easter Island - Santiago (flight)

11/29-12/2 Santiago

Highlights: Just chill out the last few days in the American continent

12/2 Santiago - Sydney (flight)

12/2-12/8 Sydney

Highlights: Visiting a friend

12/8 Sydney - Hong Kong (flight)

Highlights: Home sweet home!

Preparation of a Travel Blog

After living in the US for 7 years, I have finally decided to go back home in Hong Kong. Instead of going direct, I am gonna take on a much longer and possibly more challenging journey, which will take 2 months and 10 days. My journey will hit Peru and Chile in South America, via Sydney, Australia, and finally will be back home in Hong Kong on Dec 8 - my mother's birthday. It has been my dream to visit all 7 continents in my lifetime. And South America has been, or will be really, the 6th continent on earth I have ever visited. I am 34 years old, near the midpoint of my life I guess. At this point, I am pretty confident that this dream stands a good chance to be accomplished. Someday... Antarctica, be ready for me! :)

The most challenging part of this South America trip is in fact the language. I don't speak any Spanish! Even though I have been learning with some language software for the past 5-6 weeks, I am NOWHERE near the stage that I can carry a conservation. So, I can foresee that it gonna be tough, but at the same time, what kids do when they are born - observe and learn! That's the talent we were given ever since a child. So, I am sure I'll be fine. :) Usually tough challenges are good challenges anyway, it sharpens you up. Haha... If I'll survive from these 2 months without too many disasters and I will have seen all the things I plan to see, I'll be a happy man.

Anyway, this is going to be a reality show, I can tell, and it's gonna be mine too. I plan on keeping this online travel journal, droping down all the happenings, feelings, sharing photos and all. You are most welcome to come along joining me on this amazing journey, well, except that you will be at home reading while I am doing all the leg works! Haha...