I’m off to Asia tomorrow for a family trip. I still have to pack and do a million other things beforehand, but it should be awesome!
Although I love to travel, I never buy souvenirs (except as gifts). I try to follow the “take only pictures, leave only footprints” policy, except for buying a postcard from each place. My ultimate goal is to have an entire wall covered with postcards. Right now I have only have about a 3′ x 3′ block, so I’ve got lots to go =)
As for the cost, it did cost a pretty penny, about $4,000. I have been paying it in installments through the travel agency for the last few months, and the final payment was this month, so it is already rolled up in my net worth updates. To save money, we got a package deal with an early booking discount, and will also be staying at relatives for part of the trip.
I’ll be actively seeking internet access there to keep up with everything, but things will be slower around here. I’m also trying to test out this auto-posting thing…
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hey awesome. hope you enjoy the trip, have a safe flight.
Thanks!
I went to China last Christmas. From that experience, I found that I got better exchange rate in China for currency conversion from US dollar to RMB than I did here in the states. How are you doing this currency conversion?
Good question. My tour book tells me that you can’t convert RMB in the US anyways. Was it wrong?
I am bringing US cash and converting it at a bank or worst case at the hotel. I thought I read somewhere that the rate is set by the government and is the same everywhere now, due to previous abuse of travellers. If I can’t, I’m just going to withdraw at an ATM (see next post).
the RMB to US rate used to be a fixed rate. Now it floats a bit. You can convert from US to RMB at the hotels and the airport. Keep your conversion receipt. You will need it to convert the leftover RMB back to USD at the airport. I found the Lonely Planet guide book on China extremely useful even though i joined a tour. I used the guide during my free time. Plus will give you more insight into China.
Have fun.
If you are going to change money in China, I suggest doing at a bank rather than at a hotel or the airport – the rates tend to be a bit better.
China has liberalised a lot over the last decade or so. Many places will accept US$ (or Hong Kong dollars) readily so you may not have to convert if you can pay cash (this may come too late if you have already left for your trip).
Have fun – China can be an amazing experience. Are you just going to China or other parts of Asia as well?
Enjoy your exotic vacation and don’t think about the markets while you are traveling. Bon voyage!
For internet access, it depends on where you are going to stay. I was at a conference in the best convention center in Shanghai last fall. The free wifi access provided by the conference organizer was not that impressive, and I had to sit next the route to connect my laptop through the wire. One alternative is to use internet cafe on the street for a fee – very inexpensive.
You are right about the exchange rate in China – it is fixed by the government. You may get a “better” rate on the street, but be aware of fake bills. One helpful note is that do not bring your wallet with you when you go out.
I had a flight to Beijing that arrived around midnight. So I didn’t want to take a chance with getting RMB at the airport at that time. I converted for a few hundred RMB in Bank of America in the US, just to have enough to take a taxi to the hotel. Not every branch of bofa has foreign currency. I recall that the rates at the hotel and bank in China were similar, but the fees were different.
I tend to like expensive, rare coins — made of gold — just in case you were thinking of getting something for me. 😉
there is a Citibank ATM in the baggage claim in Beijing Capital airport. I travel to China 4-5 times a year and find that the Bank of China and other major bank give a good rate and the only added fee is “foreign” ATM fee from my US bank. I recommend using ATMs rather than exchanging at the hotel as you will occassionally run into problems if you bills are worn and tattered as counterfeit currency is a major concern as well as the risk of carrying cash.
You do need cash at many shops as they will add-on 2-3% to the price if you want to pay for your silk rug or painting with a credit card.
Currently in Beijing heading to Nanjing/YangZhou/Shanghai over the next three days. Enjoy your trip.
Can’t wait to hear about your trip when you get back. Let me know if you take any pictures of Olympic related stuff.