Visa Expyreation
So the expiry of my first visa entry approaches...and I must decide where to go. I have several options, and not wanting to leave Kunming complicates my choosing between them.
I can take the bus to Jinghong, then sail down the Mekong River into Northern Thailand for a while.
*or*
I can fly to Hong Kong and spend a few weeks there and in Macau.
-or-
I can fly to Vientiane, capital of Laos, and spend 15 days in Laos.
Choice 2 takes the lead right now, because it puts me in a good location to explore coastal China with my next entry. Going to Thailand or Laos would put me back in Yunnan to finish exploring Xishuangbanna, Baoshan, Dehong, etc., but I'd rather do Thailand all at once; for this reason Laos has a bit of a lead over fair Siam.
I'm nearly at circular preference ordering, which is driving me mad. I have to decide tomorrow.
Lately I have done little other than enjoy the Kunming food, drink "Black Cat" whiskey from Thailand in the bar quarter, and drink tea. I suffered a strong bout of homesickness today, but I think that listening to Little Earthquakes at the bar last night brought this on. Also, homesickness might signify a need to move on to a new destination. I love Kunming. I love all the tea. But Kunming has trapped me as much as Chengdu, and this visa expiry is coming at a good time.
I will have to return here to apply for my Vietnamese visa, so Kunming may trap me once again, but hopefully I'll use my time to slum around the villages and see the other sights in the province.
I can take the bus to Jinghong, then sail down the Mekong River into Northern Thailand for a while.
*or*
I can fly to Hong Kong and spend a few weeks there and in Macau.
-or-
I can fly to Vientiane, capital of Laos, and spend 15 days in Laos.
Choice 2 takes the lead right now, because it puts me in a good location to explore coastal China with my next entry. Going to Thailand or Laos would put me back in Yunnan to finish exploring Xishuangbanna, Baoshan, Dehong, etc., but I'd rather do Thailand all at once; for this reason Laos has a bit of a lead over fair Siam.
I'm nearly at circular preference ordering, which is driving me mad. I have to decide tomorrow.
Lately I have done little other than enjoy the Kunming food, drink "Black Cat" whiskey from Thailand in the bar quarter, and drink tea. I suffered a strong bout of homesickness today, but I think that listening to Little Earthquakes at the bar last night brought this on. Also, homesickness might signify a need to move on to a new destination. I love Kunming. I love all the tea. But Kunming has trapped me as much as Chengdu, and this visa expiry is coming at a good time.
I will have to return here to apply for my Vietnamese visa, so Kunming may trap me once again, but hopefully I'll use my time to slum around the villages and see the other sights in the province.