Author: A. Geraldine

Overnight train from Kunming to Lijiang

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21 Sept 2019 Yunan, China I am lying supine on a hard bed, with a size just nice for my body to turn right and left a little. It is past 9pm and I am on board a sleeper train that will transport us to Lijiang in the next nine hours. I am in Compartment 21, cramped with a six-berth couchette. I am sleeping on the upper bunk. The ceiling is low that it is impossible to sit up straight. The bed, although hard, feels comfortable. Maybe because I am just too tired. I have a pillow and a comforter. Going up the top bunk is challenging and less comfortable. The little steps on the edge are a bit high that I have to step on someone else’s bed while trying to avoid stepping on my fellow ‘roomies’. Outside the compartment, there is a socket installed in front of each sleeper room. First come, first served indeed. The train provides a hot water dispenser. There are open sink and shared toilets with no toilet paper. …

A day in Kunming city

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On 21 September 2019,  I arrived at Kunming Changshui International Airport at about 2am. I traveled with a friend and spent our night napping in an airport bistro. Our travel to Kunming is to trek the Tiger Leaping Gorge. In the morning, we boarded a train to the city center. Here are notes from my travel notebook: *** 21 Sept 2019 The Kunming airport has a subway. To get to Kunming Railway Station from the airport, one has to get on a Line 6 train and stop at East Coach Station. Get on a Line 3 train to Dongfeng Station, then board Line 2 train to Kunming Railway Station. There are basically two Kunming railway stations – one is for subway line, the second is for trains serving far away regions. The latter is where you go to take a sleeper train. It’s about a 10-minute walk down the streets, passing tunnel and back alley. So, we arrive in Kunming city, tired and greeted by a light drizzle. I have not had enough sleep. It …

Gorge carved by Liwu river

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In March, I flew to Taipei, took a train to beautiful Hualien County on the east coast, and explored the Taroko National Park with my mom and seven-year-old nephew. This place holds a special place in my heart. Of the many trails available, we only got to explore four. Definitely, need to return. How did I get here? Is a story for another day. At the moment, this is just a short picture update.

How to build a travel capsule wardrobe

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Overpacking or underpacking. Aren’t we all guilty of this.

In my early days of travelling, I had done countless overpacking. This habit often attributed to my “just in case I need it” reasoning. I would end up with a bulky bag at the beginning of my trip and have no space for travel souvenirs.

However, over the past years and after many travels, I learned to understand my style, what I need and don’t need. Hence, building a travel capsule wardrobe is important to avoid overpacking and underpacking.

Beautiful is the day…

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Today is full of memorable moments. A memorable moment with loved ones having an okay-but-not-so-okay meal at Hilton Hotel, where the staff offered each of us a complimentary chocolate cake in conjunction with Hilton’s 100 years anniversary. A memorable moment when I finally built the courage to say “This is it. We are ready!” A memorable moment when I finally got my hands on Scott Schuman’s book at only RM12. Today is indeed beautiful and I will not say in another way.