c h i n a

It's time to sip green tea in an old chaguan in Beijing, venture to Simatai to grab untouched views of The Great Wall, wallow in a mud bath in Yangshou, or just find peace along the Li River. Whether it's Xi'an, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Sichuan, Three Gorges or any other significant place in China, the goal is to discover all that is China within my month of travel.

This time it's a bit different. Back in 2006, I was a fresh graduate of university, looking for adventure and beaches on my journey through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It was my boyhood fantasy to take in rock climbing over the ocean while also enjoying the quintessential definition of paradise in a whirlwind parade of enjoyable memories through the backcountry of Southeast Asia. Now, I've grown up considerably. Rather than being a freshly minted American student, I'm a semi-veteran of the workforce and business. I've mellowed out, made money, and have somewhat become used to the adult life which we all live. Who knows? Maybe I'll settle down soon. Ha. Yeah. So, this is definitely different.

Interestingly enough, I booked this trip just a week and a half ago. China. The Middle Kingdom. It's a chance to see the world's second largest economy coming of age, currently amidst protests, but generally quite successfully. It's simply everywhere, too. Look at almost any consumer product you possess and find that famous tag, "Made in China". It's unbelievable how many products are produced by this behemoth. There is so much business potential, too. The population continues to increase its personal wealth, driving a growing middle class that is slowly becoming a consumer-oriented nation. The idea of exporting items to China from first world countries makes me smile, but there genuinely is a great opportunity. So, I'll definitely be looking at opportunities (as always :) while I'm traveling.

Beyond the sheer brilliance of the rise of China as an economic powerhouse, I am drawn by the amazing historical sights, incredible landscapes and traditions that simply cannot be found in the West. I'm want to fully absorb myself in this, for me, unusual culture. That means learning Mandarin (Nin hao), eating everything I can that the average Chinese would eat, and discovering the rhythm of life that exists there. I have too many questions to list, whether social, spiritual, political or economic. I would love to attend traditional dinners, enjoy the Chinese sport of choice, take in local entertainment and read what the populace reads. Only by fully immersing myself, will those questions be answered.

Lastly, because I have an abundance of testosterone and love challenges, I want adventure. That means rafting, hiking, biking, jumping off of things, climbing up things and sweating through things. Just writing these words gets my heart racing and my spirits sky high.

hui tou jian, see you soon in Mandarin

p r e m

The trip of a lifetime.

There isn't much more to say. Glorious. Fantastic. Fulfilling. My spiritual journey through Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore was thrilling, breathtaking, relaxing, unforgettable, inspiring, and most of all FUN. The landscapes, cultures, cities, and peoples are the what sticks with me every night and leaves me awake and wanting more. While I sit either at home or at work, all I can think about are the good times had and the urge to break into new grounds around this amazing planet of ours. Traveling is for everyone if they just Do it... it takes a lot of courage and guts to make that first trip, and especially by yourself! But once it's done, it's done. The ball is rolling, the heart wants more. That's how traveling gets you, by the heart. I am forever changed again. Funny to say that everytime I travel, that process occurs. No travel is the same...even to the same place. It's always different because people change. You change. and change for the better. My friends, I implore you to escape this bubble of ours, the comforts of the West and the US of A and blaze your own trails abroad, while you are young, fit and ambitious. Whether you see this as a simple speech, a salespitch or just a friend giving advice to another friend, take it! Tak. Ciao. Hej Hej. Adios. Sawasdee Krup.

cheers,
prem .

Kuala Lumpur

Here in KL for the past three days.

Note: I know I haven't updated you guys on any of my travels, but I've been pretty selfish and I think its a good thing!

Ok, so I've seen the Petronas towers (spectacular), the Batu Caves (where the famous Thaipusam Hindu festival takes place with the hooks and things going through people's backs), Chinatown, and Little India.

KL is definitely a great city in terms of Southeast Asia and has plenty for one to do in a week..but beyond that..it's a city. That's skimming the surface, but that's all you are going to get from me! Unless, we end up chatting over some tea when I get back or something...then the stories will flow, but I don't want to expose anything or anyone!

Cheers,
p r e m

Schedule of Travels

• Leave Dallas for Bangkok on July 2nd, 2006

• In Thailand from July 3rd to July 17th, 2006

• In Malaysia from July 18th to July 21st, 2006

• In Singapore from July 22nd to July 24th, 2006

• In Bali from July 25th to July 29th, 2006

• Leave for Dallas from Singapore on July 30th, 2006

Southeast Asia 2006

July 2nd is the big day! I leave for Bangkok at around 10:30 am from DFW and land around 9 pm at night on the 3rd! Lonnnnnnnnng days of travel, but definitely worth it, since I'll be on the most picturesque beaches in the world (Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, ecc.) Super excited and the planning and packing is almost over. I'll be posting pictures up here as I encounter strange peoples and do crazy things! For now, it's sionara...

Ciao,
World Traveler
Prem Panchal