LiW Travel Help

[Jessie702]

So, the SO and i were talking the other day about traveling. So far this year we have a few trips planned, but are pretty much done. We both agree with want to see Japan/China( Help Bg!) and im ust wondering, in a case like this, would your recommded going through a travel agency, and giving a list of possibly cities we would like to see, or possibly plan it ourselves. We both agree with want to see more of the countryside of these two countries, and more of the scenic parts than the touristy parts.Also, would it be a good idea to possibly take a language course, and if so, what would be the language. He has this thing with seeing the local spots, which is great, but bad if you dont know the language.

 

[sillyberry]

I would investigate a bit on your own, seeing what you can come up with online and how you might structure a trip. A lot of websites have pre-planned itineraries, even outside the normal touristy plans. You can also call a few travel agents that specialize in Asia and see what they might be able to offer you at what price. Compare those two and make a decision!

I went to Japan (alone!) a few years ago without a travel agent. I think I was overall okay without one, but I also only hit Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima, and I also ended up on the floor of the Japanese Cultural Center crying after I inadvertently came to Japan during a major holiday and to rearrange all my mental plans...

 

[Jessie702]

thanks silly, i will do some research. Did you learn the language or were you okay without? Im just wondering, since neither of us speaking an Asain Languages. Hmmm, maybe ill go to the libary to see if they a language guide we can start studying.

 

[beezygal]

Hey Jessie!

Sorry, I can't help you with your trip. I don't know much about China. I'm from HK. I haven't been to HK forever too. I'm so useless even though I'm Chinese. Anyways, I think if you're going to China, you HAVE to see the great wall. I've never been but I really really want to go. It's something you have to see before you die that kinda thing. I soooo wanna go to Japan!

I might be able to "help" you and stuff. My dad sometimes live in China too.

 

[sillyberry]

thanks silly, i will do some research. Did you learn the language or were you okay without? Im just wondering, since neither of us speaking an Asain Languages. Hmmm, maybe ill go to the libary to see if they a language guide we can start studying.

I know NO Japanese. I listened to some Japanese language podcasts on the plane ride over, and thought I had learned something but when it came time to speak I became completely incompetent - about the most I could manage was "hello" and "thank you." The language wasn't super easy, but I definitely managed getting around despite myself. Part of the problem was feeling like I had NO ONE to talk to, but it wouldn't have been quite so bad if I hadn't been alone.

 

[Jessie702]

Thanks BG, Thanks Silly.....we talked about it, and we might try to go next year. I get more time off at my job( the ONLY perk) but he doesnt, and we dont like to be away from the doggies too long, so we are going to attemped maybe a 10 day vacation so i ahve to find the COOLEST, Prettiest locations over there EVER!

Also, i think i will feel silly going to another country and not speaking the language, espically when it comes to go to the bathroom, and asking for simple things. Its a good thing we are shooting for next year, ill have plenty of time to firgure out how to say Hello, Thank you, and ask where the bathroom is, along with some other things

 

[Pushin40]

Hi Jesse702,

I, unfortunately, haven't been to Asia yet, but plan on getting there eventually!

Check out this website that list tours for Asia. Even if you wouldn't consider using a toru group, this can give you a really good idea about where people go and what there is to see.

If you book on your own this can help you come up with a plan!

Good luck!

http://www.tourvacationstogo.com/asia_tours.cfm

 

[Jessie702]

Thanks Pushin, ill check it out

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I can't help much with planning specifically (I lived in Japan over the summer 2 years ago), but the last couple vacations I took (2 weeks each to New Zealand and Costa Rica) me and then BF planned ourselves. I definitely preferred doing it that way versus going with an agency. We basically sat and made a list of all the places we wanted to see, figured out an itinerary, figured out transportation (rented a car for NZ, did buses for CR) and went through a bunch of guide books and got a short list of hotels for each place. I don't think we really booked in advance for any hotels, though we definitely did for certain activities which book quickly (like the all-day glacier hike, or the glowworm cave tour). It was a lot more work initially, but very relaxing during the trip since we also gave ourselves a day or so extra in case we wanted to spend more time at a certain place. Plus we were on our schedule so much more convenient.

Btw, when I was in Japan I knew no Japanese. I took some basic conversational lessons while living there, but really, all I know how to say is hello, thank you, good bye, and jeez it's hot. It's tough in Japan because not all that many people speak English, and at first it's intimidating going into restaurants. Thankfully, many restaurants have pictures so you can just point to what you want. And travel around Japan isn't too bad either. The high speed shinkansen train is awesome. I went to Nagoya and Kyoto via the shinkansen. If you're going to Tokyo, don't touch cab doors (they'll open and close for you), and get a good map of the train system because it's huge and complex. And get a good map. If you're going to Kyoto, there are some amazing, gorgeous temples that you really should see - I have pics on my latest thread for favorite vacation pictures here - https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/post-your-favorite-vacation-pics.148530/ - and you should definitely check out a sumo match. And also check out the early morning Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo for amazingly fresh sushi (but it's really early morning).

Anyway, if you have any questions about Japan feel free to ask!

 

[Jessie702]

Thank you so mcuh, ill remeber all of that, and talk over what you said with him. We havent really made a list, but this will give me something to do on our road trip next week. Also, Wow...what beautiful pictures. Goodness, that might be going on the list.

Also, i will pick up some langauge tapes....i dont like being somewhere and not knowing the langauge enough to communicate

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Thank you so mcuh, ill remeber all of that, and talk over what you said with him. We havent really made a list, but this will give me something to do on our road trip next week. Also, Wow...what beautiful pictures. Goodness, that might be going on the list.

Also, i will pick up some langauge tapes....i dont like being somewhere and not knowing the langauge enough to communicate

I totally hear ya on the language. I thought Japan was fascinating and exciting and beautiful, but I felt very cut off living there on my own without knowing the language. I love talking, so not even being able to communicate with sales staff while shopping was frustrating.

 

[Jessie702]

Thank you so mcuh, ill remeber all of that, and talk over what you said with him. We havent really made a list, but this will give me something to do on our road trip next week. Also, Wow...what beautiful pictures. Goodness, that might be going on the list.

Also, i will pick up some langauge tapes....i dont like being somewhere and not knowing the langauge enough to communicate

I totally hear ya on the language. I thought Japan was fascinating and exciting and beautiful, but I felt very cut off living there on my own without knowing the language. I love talking, so not even being able to communicate with sales staff while shopping was frustrating.

Understandable. I wouldnt be able to do it. I also love to talk too, so i must learn the language.