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~

Two Cafes in Thomson V Two

It's been awhile I blogged about cafes I went. Most of the updates I did it through instagram instead. =)

Anyway just want to mention this 2 cafes I went because they are so near to each other and I feel that these are alternatives to the already crowded Upper Thomson eateries area. Visited OZ Specialty Coffee as we were around Bishan area. A small cafe with only 5 interior seats, the rest are outside, lucky it was at night and pretty windy. hee.

Ordered a cappuccino and waffles and chit chatted with the young owners. I was pleasantly surprised when I was given a latte on the house! =)

Cappuccino and the free latte!

Belgium waffles with frozen berries and ice cream. A slight twist to the usual waffles~

I get to know November 8 through OZ's instagram! We went November 8 on 2 separate occasions. This cafe is much bigger and definitely a good place for gathering. =)

Tried their waffles on both occasions

I will be going Penang in March! I hope to do some cafes in Penang entries then!

Purposeful Traveller - Updates done! 

When you can't have a vacation....

I rarely do staycation because personally I think with the same amount of money I can go for a 2D1N holiday somewhere nearby in Malaysia. 

Nevertheless, I tried it out for the first time and I really enjoyed myself! It was supposed to be a birthday celebration cum "holiday" for 4 of us! My friend managed to bake a strawberry shortcake the day before upon birthday girl's request and thanks to lunnieah, the birthday cake box was beautifully decorated! =))

Anyway after some research, I booked Dorsett Hotel for $175++, the location was awesome because it is within walking distance from the MRT and the CNY market, yet it is situated slightly away from the buzz so it was relatively quiet at night! 

We got a room on the 7th floor!

We figured that was a door bell! Cool!

Cozy looking room with fluffy beds and pillows!

We watched 2.5 movies on the HBO channel. LOL. Slacking our day in the room!

View from our room!

View from the roof top garden~

Another PLUS point about Dorsett is that there are plenty eateries around the hotel! We went down and there is a cafe there! We walked around the hotel and spotted this Irish Pub serving affordable set lunch and we had our lunch there!

Potato & Leek Soup~ Yum

$12.80/$15.80 nett for main course, drink and soup!

<

I pretended I was overseas. Hahaha.

We headed to Cityhall by MRT to visit Public Garden before going to supermarket to buy our dinner! We randomly decided to Lou Hei (we bought the Salmon Yu Sheng for $33.80, not bad!) and have a sushi dinner! =)

Then of course we celebrated the birthday, the prank with inextinguishable candles nearly freak us out with the smoke they produced! We panicked for awhile, thinking if the smoke will activate the smoke sensors!! LOL! 

We headed to CNY market only at 1am! The streets were much quieter and I could take a good picture of the CNY decorations (I was tempted to stand on the road to take a closer picture, tempted.)

Love the colours of CNY!

Because of the awesome location, we were able to have our brunch at The Plain cafe the next morning (@ Craig Road) which is nearby the hotel too.

This staycation was awesome and memorable because of the people and I must say that the location is fantastic especially during pre-CNY season! =D

Purposeful Traveller - A staycation to consider......