Patagonia and Antarctica Itinerary

 

Days 1-4 Puerto Varas/Volcán Osorno 
Day 5 Punta Arenas
Days 6-11 Antarctica
Day 12 Punta Arenas
Day 13-17 Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine

Colombia: COVID Testing sites

 

This will be my first out of the country trip since the beginning of COVID. We are living with the virus these days, there are so many protocols and local policies one need to follow. From US to Colombia, there is no quarantine requirement nor negative PCR testing requirement, from my understanding, they do have mask mandate locally, and people do comply to it. When I come back from Colombia, I am required to take a COVID PCR test and have a negative result within 3 days from my return flight. Finding these COVID testing sites that provide COVID tests that US authority accepts is crucial.

There are a good number of COVID testing in Bogota. But based on the location of my airbnb, I will likely be using the one below:

Clinica del Country | Cra. 16 # 82-95, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Appointment is not needed. Go to Cra 16 # 82-57, first floor laboratory. 

Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Contact: 5300470 - Bogotá

Antibodies: Delivery of results the same day.

Antigen: Delivery of results after 48 hours.

PCR: Delivery of results after 48 hours.

(Alternative option) Laboratorios Synlab | Carrera 16 # 82 - 95 Local 102 Unidad Médica Clínica Country, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia

More details on travel conditions in Colombia: 

US State Department - Travel Advisory

US Embassy in Colombia 

Colombian Health Ministry

COVID Testing Sites in Colombia (PDF)

Note on COVID test requirement: Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). 

Preparing for Colombia: Time difference, money, foods, sim cards for phone...

 

Time

Colombia is in the same time zone as US Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, there is no time difference Bogota and Boston.

Money

1 US dollar is roughly equal to 3500 to 4000 Colombian Pesos (more or less). This rate is around Nov 2021.  

Foods

• Bandeja Paisa (Antioquian Tray)
• Arepa de Huevo (Deep-fried corn cakes with egg)
• Ajiaco (Andean chicken soup)
• Lechona (Colombian roasted pig)
• Buñuelos (cheese fritters)
• Sancocho (hearty Colombian stew)
• Chicharron (Colombian fried pork belly)
• Patacones (fried plantain)
• Pescado frito (fried whole fish)
• Colombian Tamales
• Mondongo (soup)
• Fiambre (cold cut plate)
• Changua (Milk-based soup)
• Cazuela de Mariscos (Seafood soup)

More on Colombian foods:

Nomadicboys, Chef's Pencil, The Culture Trip

Sim cards for (unlocked) cell phone
3 of the biggest and more reliable networks

Sample options:

• Claro 1GB valid for 7 days (COP 10000 = USD 2.5)
• Claro 2GB valid for 15 days (COP 20000 = USD 5)
• Claro 2GB valid for 30 days (COP 43000 = USD 11)
• Movistar 1.4GB for 7 days (COP 14000 = USD 3.5)
• Movistar 2.5GB for 15 days (COP 25000 = USD 6.3)
• Movistar 3GB for 30 days (COP 50000 = USD 12.5)
• Tigo 2GB for 15 days (COP 20000 = USD 5)

More on Colombian sim cards:

Gamintraveler
   

Colombia Itinerary

 

Could This Be My Second Chance?

Almost a year and 9 months later since I canceled my supposedly 4th South America trip, I am finally giving Columbia a second try next week. Would I make it this time around? I sure hope so. It has been a crazy 2 years we ALL have had. The pre-COVID travels seemed like a lifetime away, I don't think this trip will be at all back to normal, but we have to start somewhere and hopefully within reasons, things can still be enjoyable. This is actually gonna my very first trip outside of US since COVID. To say I am absolutely not nervous, that would be a lie. But I am vaccinated, will wear mask among crowds and on the plane, use common sense whenever possible, I think I will be alright. 

My original Colombia itinerary has changed quite a bit, instead of starting from Cartagena, I am actually going to Bogota first for a few days, then Cartagena, Medellin, and back to Bogota again before coming back to the US. I am no longer going to Santa Marta to see friends, since they have other plan already. Instead I am going to see some friends in Bogota and some friends in Medellin. That's actually a difference compared to my other South America solo trip, I am actually meeting a few people this time, some new friends and some old friends. I am kind of excited actually. Hopefully my friend in Bogota will show me around a little bit. At other times, I will just venture out and explore on my own as my usual self, head to some record shops, try my broken Spanish in restaurants, relax... I want some relaxation this trip instead of always go go go. I was told that it is raining season in Bogota right now. Normally, I would try all effort to avoid it, since I hate rains. But I don't even care about the rains, I just want to travel again. 

How much the world has changed in these 2 long suppressing years? How much people have changed? How many people lost? How much pain has incurred? How much could I document in a small post... Personally, my mother in Hong Kong passed away during the COVID time, I could not go back to see her, not even to say goodbye at her funeral, or to see my aging father. Hong Kong, to this date, is still in lockdown and have very strict COVID quarantine policy, to a point of irrationality. The incompetent of the current Hong Kong government is unsightly. I hope I can finally go back in 2022, but we shall see. 

Nonetheless, let's start from Colombia, shall we?

It's A No Go... Boo..

I was on facebook today, just reading through people's post on my news feed. One of them has a comment, something about making a responsible decision for yourself and others at this difficult time. It was like light bulb hitting my head for that moment, I was pretty much ready to call off the trip given the circumstance with the coronavirus, I think that is really the more responsible action to take. I found that both airbnb and jetblue will provide me full refunds, so I don't have to lose much, maybe only the travel insurance. It was hard to give up the trip though after I have planned it for month, and later in the evening, my Colombian friends texted me and shared this news: Colombia to impose travel ban on all foreigners, except residents and diplomats. I guess I have no choice but to postpone my trip. So disappointed but I will survive. I will just have to go a little later.

The Beginning of Solo in South America - Part 4, a maybe?

Per my original and still the current plan, in exactly 2 weeks from today, I will be flying to Cartagena in Colombia, embarking on a 12-day adventure including a diving and a hang gliding activities all planned. It would have been my 4th trip to South America, and Colombia would have been the 6th country I have visited in Latin America thus far. I have just googled, there are only 12 countries in South America, in other words, I would have visited half the continent in a way! Unfortunately, there is a very very tiny but major obstacle standing in front of me, the coronavirus! This little thing called coronavirus has put China, Korea and Italy in a complete lockdown, and now US has ceased all flights to continental Europe for 30 days. Today, I believe I can still fly to Colombia, but in two weeks, who knows what kind of traveling condition it would be. My concern is not so much about getting the virus, not even about flight cancellations, but rather, if the virus situation is getting severe in the US, a complete lockdown is enforced, I may be trapped outside of the country for a while. That's more concerning than getting the virus for me. My work place has already sent us all to work from home for the rest of March, and there is a small print saying for anyone who has traveled overseas, regardless where, they are recommended to work remotely until further notice. That would be me if I am able to go on my Colombia trip. Even after I come back safe and sound, still I would not be able to go back to my office. It is that crazy a time! Nonetheless, something we can control, like be more vigilant, like washing that freaking hands, like avoiding getting too close to huge crowds or sick people; something we cannot control, like when we are going to die. In any case, we cannot let the fear eat us up, we cannot stop living. We just have to be more careful when we are on the roads, that's all. For some people, probably they would opt to cancel or postpone the trip, para me, I think I will still sit and wait, and see what happens for a little bit. If by any chance, the situation stabilizes for a while and my flight is allowed to fly, I will go on with the original plan. If the situation gets worse, so serious that US ceases all international flights, then I would have no choice but postpone my trip. We'll see... vamos a ver... :)

Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain...

Looking at the weather forecast tonight. Look like it gonna be pretty wet for the next 10 days wherever I go. Oh! Well! :) Will try to enjoy the best I can anyway. 

The Beginning of Solo in South America - Part 3

When I decided to go to Argentina 4 years ago and started the Part 2 of this blog, I knew there would be a third, and the third has come at last. Time has passed by so fast, it has been another 4 years since Argentina. I cannot believe it took me so long to go back to South America, which I love. It has become one of my missions to visit all the countries in South America, and blog about my experience and things I see there. This time I am going to visit Ecuador for 10 days. I am not going to Galapagos Islands this time because of the limit time I have. I will, however, stay close to the mountains and volcanoes. I plan to travel between Quito and Cuenca, and all the little towns in between. I want to take the Devil's Nose Train, and visit Guamote Market which is said to be one of the biggest and most traditional indigenous market in South America. I also want to join some local tours to see some lagoons and volcanoes, do some hiking perhaps. What else? Just to throw myself back out there, to figure it out how to get from place to place, to experience some completely different cultures, and just meet some new faces. I think deep inside, I don't only like to have those adventures, I need those adventures to keep myself motivated. It is a time for me to reflect and re-center myself.

I fell in love with South America ever since my first trip. People are generally nice, friendly and simple. I wouldn't forget their smiles when I tried so hard to say something in Spanish, they had no clue what I was saying, or the overnight bus ride on the Pan-American Highway from southern Peru to Atacama Desert in Chile. It was like I visited a different planet. The 3 weeks in Cuzco studying Spanish and sightseeing around the Sacred Valley, or the 2 weeks trip in Argentina. In both trips, I met some cool people and have become friends on Facebook. Occasionally, we see each other taking on new trips in their life. And it is cool to think at one point of our lives, we shared an experience in a foreign countries, whether we shared a meal, or a local tour to some penguins colony or the Inca ruins.

Still have two months I will go to Ecaudor, despite I have already booked all my flights and accommodations. Will continue to research and refine the trip in the next 60 days or so. So, stay tuned.

Packing for the Four Seasons!

I have just checked the current temperatures in those cities I am visiting, since I really should start packing here! The countdown has started, I am leaving in less than 6 days from now technically. I have a few commitments during the evenings of this week. So, I really don't have much time to pack. Anyway, the range of temperatures are insane, in Ushuaia, it gonna be like Boston's temperature, in the lower 30 to 50 (0-10 C); Baroliche is like 40s and 50s (8-15 C), Buenos Aires is nice in 70s (20-25 C), and Iguazu gonna be in the 90s (30-32 C). It is like going through 4 seasons in 2 weeks. How am I going to pack for this!?

Aside from packing, at least I have now all the planes, trains and buses arranged. Accommodations are all set. The only things I have not paid in full or finalized are some individual local tours. I am praying, even though I am not religious, that the penguins are still there, and give me a few sunny days for pictures please.... I will be dancing happily with the penguins. :)

La Trochita - The Patagonian Express ticket

Before I have even gone to Argentina, I have already got my old fashion Patagonian Express (La Trochita) ticket in the email. About a month ago, I asked around on Tripadvisor about this train, and I bumped into a nice guy who run a B&B in the town of Esquel where the La Trochita starts the journey. Because I am going there around Easter holiday, I expect it to be crowded and the train is kind of historical and only run tourist train once or twice a day these days, I have a difficulty finding anywhere to pre-purchase the train ticket online. Apparently, I simply can't.

This very nice gentleman offered to help me buy the ticket there despite we only briefly exchanged a few message on tripadvisor, he would also reserve a cab for me too for my return journey (since I will have to catch a bus at a certain time to return to where I will be staying). At first, I felt skeptical and wondered if I can really trust him, kind of weird to send money to some stranger thousands of miles away to help me buy ticket. But it is not a lot of money, and he seemed very sincere. So, I did it.

Seeing the ticket now makes me even excited about the trip. You gotta trust somebody and give everything a try. As Dorothy said: "when you give something a try, sometimes good thing happens, sometimes bad thing happens. If you don't ever try anything, nothing will ever happen to you." I like that. I have a hard time focusing at work these days to be honest!

The Beginning of Solo in South America - Part 2

Never would have thought that this blog would have a part 2. But that's life I guess, you never know what you are going to end up doing.

To give a brief intro and also make a bridge between the last South America trip and my upcoming one. This is what has happened to me during the last 4 years almost 5 years. The last South America trip brought me back home to Hong Kong, that was in Nov 2009. I was looking for jobs in Hong Kong for months and it went nowhere. So, I ended up asking my sister in Boston if her company would still take me in. They already gave me an offer before I left the US, I just didn't want to work with my sister in the same company, so I declined. Anyhow, I am not one who can just sit and do nothing day after day, month after month. I went crazy, depressed and all that not so good stuff. So that was it, the job in Boston was still open. By Oct 2010, I returned back to the US and started working in Boston. Sometimes, you just need to walk a full circle to go back to where you have been after all.

So far, I have enjoyed my life here I have to say, about the work I do, about the future ahead of me, it looks promising. I have met many friends in Boston, formed a good social network. But this is a college town, people come and people go. I have at least 3 or 4 friends whom I have become quite close to but they ended up moving away for work, going back to their countries or for other reasons. Boston is a little small for me too, but very livable nonetheless. Would I stay here forever? I am not sure about that, but I certainly would be staying here for a while, especially if I am thinking about applying for a green card. I would probably have to stick with my current job for a while.

The good thing about having a stable job is the financial independence and the sense of belonging, but the bad thing about it is that I would not be able to easily take 2 months vacation to go to South America or any exotic places in the world. I do have traveled quite a bit for the past few years, short trips mostly. I went to Puerto Rico for 5 days, Japan for a 10, went to half of dozen national parks around Utah/Arizona, all the New England states in the US. I also did a cross country road trip from Phenoix to Boston too, and went to Alaska last year with my partner at the time as well. All fantastic experience and memories I will treasure for a long long time. But nothing like another solo trip to South America, just the thought of it kind of blow my mind. South America, for some reasons, is like a sanctuary for me, a place where I bring myself back to center and focus on the direction I am heading in life. It is not going to be a 2 months trip, but a 2 weeks trip in Argentina, from the very bottom of the Patagonia, Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, up to the Iguazu Falls by the Brazilian border.

Yes! The movie Happy Together has inspired me on the planning of this route. I just wanted to see the lighthouse at the end of the world even since I first saw the movie a zillion years ago. I will write about the itinerary in the next post.

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)