Travel - Preparation for my next BIG Trip!

When I have decided to resign and travel I know these places would be where I want to go because 2 of my closer friends have been to Turkey and they loved it, after hearing their stories, I want to visit this place as well!

They went on a package tour but that's not what I was looking for.

Therefore the hard work begun. 

Same as my previous Europe trip, the steps to planning are pretty much similar and over the years of planning, I thought I have become more skillful! >.< But.... each time I plan, I learn MORE things~

Anyway... here comes my planning!!!

Study the map!! Turkey's destinations are much easier to decide! Based on the places my friends shared, I chose to visit these 3 cities - Istanbul, Capodoccia and Selcuk (Ephesus).

I am staying the longest in Selcuk as it will be my base to explore some other nearby places as well (similar to how I made Munich my base then)

Oh, and through this I realised how near is Selcuk to Agean Islands (Greece) and I decided to visit one of my dream place - Santorini.

Hence my target is 3 weeks of travel (my longest trip so far) 2 weeks in Turkey and 1 week of Agean island hopping.

Air Tickets

Qatar was my first choice because of my previous experience but for some reason it was pretty expensive for a return ticket from SIN-IST. After lots of trial and error using www.farecompare.com, I come to the conclusion that Emirates is the best option.

Trust me, air ticket itself actually gave me enough headache.

I wanted to fly Malaysian Airlines at first because of the timing and price of course, but my friend discouraged me. Actually, the big CON of flying Emirates is the 10 HOURS transit at Dubai for my trip to Istanbul (return timing has no issue) Trust me, this is a big turn-off for me... but...... I did some research and realised if my transit is more than 4 hours, Emirates provide meal vouchers and anyway my friend said she will pay for the transit hotel stay (if we are staying).

Anyway I have slept in Kota Kinabalu airport before (literally slept on a chair), I am quite sure Dubai airport is better (at least better chairs??). hahaha.

And so, air ticket was finally settled.

When the air tickets were bought, I know it is coming to past!

Accommodation

I spent a few nights for the Istanbul accommodation "selection"! and because we were booking pretty late, those hostels in Old City we wanted have no more beds, hence.. we decided to settle for a hostel near Taksim Square which looked relatively ok for us. So yep! Below is a picture of what was posted on the hostel website!

Staying in a 3-bed dorm for €16/pax/night

I think due to our age (my friend and I) and my "disability" to sleep in too noisy environment, other than our stay in Istanbul, the rest of our stay are twin/double with ensuite/shared facilities. I really don't think I can stay in those 12 bed dorm. =P Thank God the accommodation in Turkey is so much more affordable than the ones I had in Europe during my last Europe tour. =)

Another platform I have been using is AirBnB, however sometimes the AirBnb service charge can be a little ridiculous, like €9?? Hmm... Anyway, I am only booking 2 nights of my accommodation through there because the room really looks too good to resist!! Other accommodation I booked it through booking.com if not hostelworld.com

Inter-transfers

Turkey is pretty straightforward, I will book my bus transfers only when I am there perhaps through my hostel/hotels, Istanbul to Cappodoccia is a 10 hours bus journey and Cappodoccia to Selcuk is also a 10 hours bus journey. God bless us. >.<

One of the toughest challenge was to figure a way to get from Selcuk to Santorini. I managed to find something useful on Atilla's getaway website but I shall not elaborate on how difficult it was to even check the ferry tickets' timing and dates (I emailed some travel agencies for help though)

Anyway here's my plan KUSADASI port (somewhere near Selcuk) - Samos (1 night) - Syros (1 night) - Paros (2 nights) - Santorini (4 nights).

I insist to stay in Samos for 1 night, because I want to find the statue of Pythagoras. Samos is the birthplace of Pythagoras!!! He is why we are studying Pythagoras theorem in school now! Ok, as some one who teaches Mathematics, I know I have to meet him (as in his statue). Let's hope my friend's Mathematics will improve once she meet Pythagoras! Or at least feel cleverer. HAHAHAHAHA. =P

Other than Samos, Syros and Paros are my transit points to reach Santorini. I have decided not to book the accommodation in Syros as we will be arriving at night and leaving early in the morning, we will see what we can do when we arrive. 

Anyway, I must say Paros has become a highlight for me now because of the accommodation I have booked. I am hoping it will be AWESOME. *fingers cross*

Expenses

Like I have mentioned before, I don't have 10k in my bank account so I am very careful with my travel expenses, I did an excel spreadsheet on the various possible expenses. For every cost I do some form of research, yes, it is this tedious. 

I shared my travel plan with one of my friend, and she said you are gonna be dead tired when you are back from this so-called refreshing trip and you are really like backpacking! I told her yes, I AM BACKPACKING! lol. I don't even see this trip as a holiday or vacation but more of a travel, an adventure and seeing the world. =)

I just want to make it my own way.

Many of my not-so-close friends think I am rich, wonder how I have the money etc etc... But to be honest, I only have money for the air ticket for now, but since I have bought my air ticket, I am going!! Hahaha. I will figure a way from now till then. 

Purposeful Traveller - I am not rich, I just have different priorities. 

Craziest decision ever.

Accomplishing one of my biggest dreams of completing my degree in 2013 and watching Secret Life of Walter Mitty had a profound impact on my life.

(Source: Internet)

Though I was very much inspired, I just felt that I could not do it (the extraordinary travel adventures) because I was bound by responsibilities. I SHOULD be looking for a better paying job with my degree and so I tried to look for jobs which I thought I SHOULD be doing as it is the RIGHT thing to do. I had many open doors but I was NOT happy even when job offers fell onto my lap

(Source: Internet)

I was in a constant struggle, battling between what I SHOULD do and WANT to do. I could not seem to liberate myself from the pool of responsibilities and the pride to live up to everyone's expectations.

Then on the 18th February, after a baking session and a long talk, everything changed.

(Source: Internet)

I realized that the truth behind what was restraining me from doing what I wanted to do, was no one or nothing external but myself. On the 18th February I decided to let go of who I was trying hard to be, the inhibitions and the likes that society attaches to our names with what come responsibilities and the need to fulfill certain expectations. I decided to take that leap of faith to let it all go because I know once I embark on a graduate job, I won't get another moment where I can make such drastic move.

Hence, instead of finding a job that a graduate should be doing, I decided to leave my current job and travel. 

(Source: Internet)

Of course besides travelling, I want to try many other jobs, the kind of jobs where many people may feel a 28 year old graduate should not be doing?

(Source: Internet)

I decided to explore new territories and shed those constraining inhibitions and give more allowance and expressions to my dreams. The day I decided to let go was the same day I decided not to let what others think affect my decision. This is my life and I only live it once. I would rather die trying than live with regrets. 

Of course I still need money to survive, but I have decided to live one day at a time. The moment I decided to let go, I let go of STABILITY.

So, if one day you see me doing some random odd jobs just know that I am saving up for another crazy adventure I have or I am trying out something new in my life! =)

I just want to end this entry with this:

(Source: Internet)

I am on my road to fulfill another crazy dream of mine. May you fulfill your crazy dreams too and if you wish to join me on my journey, follow me on Instagram @sianz1c1013 or this blog. 

Purposeful Traveller - Becoming Purposeful Traveller

Ipoh Old Town - Bringing back childhood memories

On my way back from Penang, I stopover Ipoh for a night. Ipoh had became one of my stopover points in Malaysia after I visited two of the most impressive cafes last year - Burps & Giggles and Buku Tiga Lima. 

This time round I found even more things in Ipoh! The mural paintings that brought back my childhood memories~ We totally enjoyed our mini reminiscing session at this alley where all the paintings are! hehehe. Some photos to share! =)) 

The highlight would be visiting another cafe by the same owner - MISSING MARBLES! At the same time, introduce SLT to these cafes that got me going back Ipoh again and again! hehehe. I really must say the cafes are an art themselves. You have to see it for yourself!! hehehe.

As this road trip ended, I am in preparation of my next BIG trip. Stay tune! 

Purposeful Traveller - Memories made

Art in Georgetown, Penang.

Finally I can have a breather, wanted very much to share the photos from my Penang & Ipoh trip! 

The art and creativity in Georgetown always inspire me =)

Doodling in a cafe~

Waited pretty long for this "art" to be done!

Love the doors and mosaic tiles I saw in Penang.

This door deserves some attention.

Ending off with this quote I saw in The Camera Museum that impacted me.

Purposeful Traveller - So many things to explore~