TS,
I suggest you try a challenging bucket list trip.
1- What about Annapurna or Everest trek circuit in Nepal?
2- Visit Grand Canyon but avoid doing those selfies at the side of the cliff
3- Go to London West End and do binge theatre watching.
4- Climb the dolomites in Italy
5- Go to Kenya and climb Mount Kilimanjaro

What kind of job are these?

consultancy, professional accountancy

Bro, that's got nothing to do with the ASEAN scholarship, but everything to do with the recipient's character & values.

It sounds tiring. Enjoy your retirement.

These are early days, and I'm sure the plans will change or be modified, but the general aim is there for a round the world trip in First Class.

I'll update this when I've done it in a couple of years' time, and let all of you know whether it's a good idea, or a fool's errand haha!

Personally to me, trips are tiring AF indeed because wanna go as much places as possible given limited time and money, but I think for TS, the whole point is to enjoy his retirement slowly - time and money are not the constraints but energy is (old age.. no offense uncle), so it's all the more important to plan the itinerary well.

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I extended business trip to go on a short personal trip with a colleague to Belgium. The places were like +/-1km apart all the way, so we ended up walking a total of 12km in a day, which is a crazy feat for sedentary IT people like us lmao. So yeah, even though I planned all the route so optimised they're close to each other, problem was that I did not consider our energy levels - in hindsight I really loved it anyway because we managed it and had a lot of fun, but we were complaining to each other KAKI PATAH as we walked.

P.S. I kasi Google my location at all times, so I get to enjoy a timeline of my trip and the distance + places covered. This can be a fun thing if you don't mind giving away your privacy to Google (note that they're all private information by default anyway).

I'd travel around Japan more if it was me. Tokyo just to visit some friends there but not gonna stay long.

China i'd recommend Gui Lin, Hangzhou and Suzhou.

Rental cars in Germany allows it... because on Tourisfarthen days, the ring is considered public roads (with tolls - the entry lap ticket). Only thing is, you will need to buy additional track insurance, in case you damage barriers and run-off areas. Worth it man, once in a lifetime experience...

Sounds like a lifetime adventure.

Adding some input about driving:

1. Driving at the mountain roads of Switzerland is satisfying
2. Drive at cinque terre at Italy coastal area and to visit Manorala

For Europe, I recommend Madeira, Iceland and Tromsø. Bratislava is a small but interesting town, easily accessible from Vienna.

I did enjoy Belgium as well. Mix of French/Dutch and most people are fluent in English which is less painful than in France

Scandinavian countries and eastern eu doesn’t deserve some love?

Adding on to the reply above, i enjoyed Tromso a lot. Should try Latvia too.

This post has been edited by pjbucket: Feb 5 2024, 04:54 PM

Everyone got nice holiday plans. Enjoy and take care. But me wanna highlight, for those travelling long term overseas, better be safe and make sure got good international private healthcare insurance. Got few real stories, I pray that it won't happen to anyone. That also have to read the T&C for country coverage. When I type INTERNATIONAL private healthcare means, from Lloyd's or equivalent level for elite travellers here. Travel safe and stay healthy everyone.

Now, about Taiwan, I've only been for a week. I liked it but, as a tourist destination, it has its limitations. The effects of decades of Chinese interference means they've had limited investment and have been fairly isolated from the international community... and it sort of shows.

It's a nice place to chill and connect with traditional Chinese culture, though.

That’s a great reminder. I’m currently with Allianz and it’s pretty good, but I’ll definitely look into the fine print for the round the world trip when the time comes and upgrade accordingly!

Dream destination but you really need to find a country and spend more time to relax before hitting the next destination..

Seems like 100% travel without resting?
But since it's high spending travelling so you don't need to bring many things which ease the journey ? Everything just buy?

Anyhow jelesnye
Happy retirement

Considering 365days world cruise?

This post has been edited by Koranshita: Feb 5 2024, 11:14 PM

I've done and I'm done with trekking up mountains and hills. I did a retreat to a secluded island off the coast of NSW and did the 7 peaks... and I swore to myself, I'm never ever doing anything remotely like that ever again. Never.

Thank you bro. Yes, we intend to take like a year to do the round the world trip, which means we should have more than enough time to take in the sights and sounds and smells of each destination. No rush... we'll be retired by then!

Istanbul.is actually in europe. 😃 but yeah, Turkey has many interesting places. Istanbul alone is worth a few days to explore. But nowadys be watchful.of beggars and pickpockets.

Dubai..as one poster.mentioned is over rated. Unless u love bling bling shopping. Modern and progtessive? For tourists yes. But also absolute monarchy, no democracy, citizens can only be of one race and financial.backing by its richer big brother Abu Dhabi (who defacto rule the place). We cant emulate that.

If you want to really see the middle east esp Arab culture and history go to Jordan, Oman or even Saudi (now open for tourist).

One of my most memorable dining experience was at a wadi oasis in the middle of a desert in Jordan. There is something spiritually beautiful about a desert.

Im guessing Dubai is just a short layover, so I guess its ok.

But since you are going there, u should cross to Abu Dhabi. Maybe this place suit your budget.

https://www.nodestinations.com/blog/qasr-al...hotel-abu-dhabi

This post has been edited by Cubalagi: Feb 6 2024, 12:18 AM

Each time I see people's retirement journey or itinery, Im jealous.

The jealous is mainly on how colorful you guys could made it to be, instead of my own boring, makan minum jalan jalan without storyline type of escapade. I might be good in planning things for others to scam the money off their pocket, but for my own, it felt like there's no point going down the memory lane, like how I used to lepak KL IPOH PENANG LANGKAWI MELACCA PD JOHOR SG GEYLANG eat jiken rice trip.

Either its because I've worked in this industry, seen too much, and already lost the color it used to give me, or its because I've cared too much, and simply looking for a life to angkat a cangkul plant my own veggie and bela my own pig to slaughter every CNY to make bacon.

Still, congrats. Do keep us updated, hopefully as long as it is until I cannot surf K after pergi China and convert to CMLINK telco card there lolz.