Travel China: Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia, as opposed to Outer Mongolia, is actually an autonomous region in northern China with its capital in Hohhot. The majority of its population is Han Chinese and about 17% of the population is ethnic Mongolian. It is also is the hometown of Genghis Khan. Inner Mongolia is known for its vast grasslands and 蒙古包(Mogolian Huts). And lastly...it is one place you should not miss when you visit China!

So, in the summer of 2008, after getting caught up in the Olympic hype and scalping of tickets in the Beijing Olympics, me and 3 other friends decided to take the 12hr train ride from Beijing to Hohhot.

As soon as we got off the train, we were greeted from left to right by endless and endless mobs of tour agents vying for our business. We quickly stormed out of the train station to get away from the mob but knowing that we were foreigners, many of them hastily followed in our footsteps. We pulled out our savior, Lonely Planet, to pinpoint the places we wanted to go to. As soon as we finished deciding, we headed over to a nearby supermarket to stack up on snacks and drinks for our long journey. Equipped with food and drinks and most importantly, our mindsets, we decided to venture back into the train station in order to find a host. Amongst the midst of shouts and people tugging at your arms, we spotted a nice and not so crazy guy and decided to choose him.

We quickly negotiated a price (I believe it was 500yuan for two days for 4 people) and quickly drove off towards the grasslands of Xilamuren. As soon as we left the city, all civilization was replaced by mountains. In a matter of 2hrs, we approached the village in the evening time and we were led to our humble abode, a Mongolian hut! I had heard so much about these Mongolians huts before and to a ctually be there and live in was truly a memorable experience.

As soon as we got settled in, our Host served us dinner. Now what was included in dinner? Traditional Mongolian food of course consisting of lamb, lamb intestines, lamb organs, horse milk, and more lamb. Our Host also served us Mongolian white wine, which he told us he drank a bottle every day. Now, at the time I would say I had an extremely high alcohol tolerance but as soon as I took a shot of it, I already felt slightly buzzed. 151 ain't got nothing on Mongolian alcohol. Our Host later told us how they lived in the grasslands. They herd sheep, play with the young ones, and drink...every day. Our Host looked like he was 40 years old but when he revealed his age to us...we were all surprised to hear that he was only...24 years old. Warning: Do not drink every day from the age of 12, especially not Mongolian wine.

After dinner, our Host led us to the village center as all the other tourist guests gathered in the middle to watch traditional Mongolian wrestling and horse racing.

It was then time for bed...but our Host recommended us to go stargazing at night as you can see everything in the grasslands of Mongolia. And boy was he right. We brought our blankets out into the open grasslands and just sat lying there in the middle of the world gazing at the blue, orange, red, and purple colors of the sky. I had recently taken an Astronomy class and I never thought I'd see such a sight in front of my very own eyes but there, you can literally see galaxies. Best sight ever.

The next morning, we got up bright and early to go horseback riding. I had recently seen the stallions that the Mongolian warriors rode for horse racing and I wanted one of those, but they gave me a pony-like horse. I was heavier than the horse. Not really. But ok, my horse ended up being really cool and cooperative. We rode for miles and went to a wishing well where they forced us to buy these "wishing scarves" to throw onto the wishing well.

We then stopped for lunch and saw a herd of cows in the near distance. These weren't just your normal cows but they were cows on steroids. I was kind of afraid as I steered my way into the middle of the herd. I tried really hard to resist the urge of petting the cow (don't know why) because I knew I'd get in trouble and possibly eaten alive.

After a long day of riding and messing around, we went to bed early and prepared for the next day's adventure: Baotou desert

The next morning, our driver drove us to a bus station for us to board a bus headed to Baotou desert. When we got there, I felt like I was in an Aladdin movie because I had never been in a desert before. We rode an electric lift to the resort, where we found out there were many types of activities we could pursue. We did ATV'ing first hoping that we could rent out our own ATVs and ride them but it was kind of lame...we were just passengers as one of the staffers drove us around for a bit.

We then spotted what we were looking for...camels! We walked over to the pen of camels and chose our camels to ride on. Getting on was kind of fun and scary for some, as you sit on top of the camel and the next thing you know, the camel rises up and you're 7 feet in the air. So one by one, we rode our camels in a line around the desert and kept marveling at the fact that we were on top of a damn camel. Good times.

Our next stop and final stop was sand surfing! With the desert's many sand dunes, we knew that it would be fun to slide down of one. We all went on the steepest and fastest lane and it was sweet and short.

And at the end of the day as we left the desert and grasslands back to civilization, I noticed that I had gotten 3 shades darker.

Bottom Line: Inner Mongolia, although not entirely a complete representation of Mongolia, has a mixture of both Mongolian and Chinese cultures. It is located in the northernmost boundary of China and you can get there by train from Beijing (12hrs) or plane. Once you arrive, be prepared to be swarmed by tons of agents vying for your business. It is shady and dangerous but hey, you have to take chances to get those big rewards. Go to the grasslands whether it be Xilamuren or Huitengxile. Stay in the huts. Stargaze at night. Mongolians eat lamb like Americans eat hamburgers. Do try the Mongolian wine, I dare you. If you really want the full-on Mongolian experience, go visit Mongolia. But Inner Mongolia will provide the same if not better experience in China.

Taiwan: Taroko Gorge 太魯閣國家公園

Behind its bustling night markets and vibrant commercial centers, there lies a place in embedded in the eastern coast of Taiwan that showcases the allure of natural beauty, a rarity in today's commercialized world. Taroko Gorge is one of the seven national parks in Taiwan and spans the counties of Hualien, Taichung, and Nantou. No wonder the Portuguese named the island Formosa ("Beautiful Island"). This is, in my opinion, a must-see when you visit Taiwan.

When I visited Taiwan in the summer of 2009, I had no idea what and where Taroko was but found out about it from locals and decided to venture off one weekend with a few friends...and it was probably the most fun I had in Taiwan.


We took a train headed for Hualien from Taipei Main Station (a few hour train ride) early on a Friday morning. As soon as we got off the train, we decided that our main form of transportation around the city and to Taroko was going to be...SCOOTER!!! And let me tell you an important piece of advice...scootering is the best way to experience Taroko hands down.




And so once we got off the rail station, we headed towards the Help Center to ask for maps and advice on where to rent scooters. The guy told us that there were many shops right outside of the train station and that we would need to have an international drivers license (but there is always a way around something in Asia). So we went to one of the first shops we saw with scooters lined up on the side and asked to rent 2 scooters. The guy asked for our international drivers licenses and so I gave him my California drivers license and what do you know, ACCEPTED (I don't think he read he could read). But then next, we had to pass a "driving test," and I had never rode on a bike/scooter before. So Tim goes...he passes. Then Jade goes...she passes. Then I go...and I almost fall on my ass. So the guy was like, "These Taiwanese scooters are different...you guys don't know how to drive them. I cannot rent these out to you for safety reasons." Of course, it wasn't that formal, but you get the point. DENIED BECAUSE OF ME. Ok, so we go to a few more shops but they were a little smarter than the other guy and knew what an international drivers license looked like. But we finally found a shop that rented us two 150cc bike for 600NTD/day.


But then, none of us really knew how to ride a bike/scooter, so we walked the bikes over to an alley (SHADY) and literally learned how to ride them in a matter of 30 minutes. Then we were off on the road to our hostel...Formosa Backpackers Hostel. Once we packed our bags, we were off again and this time towards Taroko Gorge. Taroko Gorge is about a 45minute scooter ride from Hualien and the journey there is actually quite nice and enjoying.


As we entered the valley of the Gorge, I was just fascinated at how pretty and serene the surrounding environment was (unlike Taipei). With the help of my Lonely Planet, we immediately set off to see as many sights as we could such as Tunnel of Nine Turns and Eternal Spring Shine.









After hours and hours of scootering and hiking around, we found a river nearby and decided to jump in.







As the sun set, we knew we had to leave the Gorge before it got dark, but as soon as we headed for the exit, a storm brew and it started raining like none other. We waited inside a tunnel with a few other locals until the rain died down and we decided to just head out. But on our way back, it started raining again but we weren't going to stop this time. I have to say...it was a brutal ride back especially for me because my helmet did not have a faceplate and so the rain just battered my way the entire ride back. But it did stop raining as we neared Hualien, but we were hungry and decided to check out a ceremony alongside the rode the natives were having.







Bottom Line: If you are ever in Taiwan, please do visit Taroko Gorge as it is one of the world's last remaining natural wonders. From Taipei, it is only a 3hr train ride to Hualien. From the train station, rent out a scooter from a nearby shop. And from there, head over to Taroko Gorge (45min by scooter) and just relax and enjoy the beauty of Taroko.

Europe Packing List: What to Bring?

Whenever backpacking Europe, less is ALWAYS better. Too much luggage will mark you as an outright tourist and lugging baggage around everywhere just kills your travel experience.

Now a lot of people may ask...should I bring a backpack or a rolling suitcase? While a rolling suitcase may be good for the traveler who flies, in my opinion, a backpack is the way to go for the youth backpacker. When you are running late for a train and weaving through the crowds of people, I'd rather have my backpack on me than lugging a suitcase and missing the train. With an internal frame backpack, you have the mobility of two hands whether you need to navigate a map or hang onto the rails of a bustling train.

And in terms of the size of the backpack...anywhere around 4000-5000 cubic inches is fine and you can get even away with just a 3400 cubic inches (55L) backpack. And how much should you bring? You should pack the same amount whether it be a 7 day or 30 day trip.

Here is an advisable packing list for backpackers:

	• Day Pack: (empty when you leave for Europe, full on return trip). You can stuff it in your bigger backpack when you leave for Europe
	• Shorts: 2 pairs, 1 for outdoors 1 for pajamas/sports.
	• Jeans: 1 pair (2 if you plan on going out a lot)
	• Shirts: 6-7 T-shirts, 2 Long-sleeves, 1 heavy-weight for cold weather
	• Underwear: 6 pair
	• Socks: 7 pairs
	• Outerwear: water-proof rain jacket
	• Shoes: 1 pair sandals, 1 pair comfortable tennis/walking shoes, 1 pair leather shoes for going out.
	• Hat: 1
	• Sunglasses: 1 pair
	• Moneybelt: 1 VERY IMPORTANT!

-Use one main bag. Make sure it's the right bag, and please consider foregoing the 2 or 3 suitcases you might normally drag along. Cobblestones aren't friendly environments to wander around on.

-Bring a day pack. During the day you'll probably be doing extensive walking about, so have a small day-pack to bring with you. They are great for gathering picnics at farmer's markets and shops as you go. Some backpacks come with them attached, or just stuff an empty one in your luggage. Bringing it empty means you can fill it up with souvenirs for the trip home.

-Don't overfill your suitcase/backpack. You'll want a few souvenirs and things always seem to spread out a bit. Besides, and again, why spend an hour packing and then unpacking each day? I've also found that it's harder to get everything to pack just the way you did when you spent a lot of time at home stuffing it in the suitcase.

-Electronics. You will want to bring an MP3 player for those long train rides. You'll also need a dual-voltage gadget as Europe's electrical system is different than America's. You'll also want to bring along a camera to capture those special moments.

-Documents. You will want to bring your passport and a few photocopies of your passport to take around with you. Reservations of your hotels, airplanes, hostels, etc. Bring your credit and debit cards (debit cards give better rates at ATMs). You should always have some cash around with you in case of emergencies.

Bottom Line: Remember...LESS IS ALWAYS BETTER!

Backpacking Europe: To Fly or to Eurail?

Nearly every traveler who is thinking about backpacking Europe must first ask themselves...should I fly or should I Eurail? With the deregulation of the airline industry and the abundance of discount airlines, travelers are able to fly one-way for prices as low as $4. With an Eurail pass, you have the flexibility and the convenience factor of hopping on a train and getting off wherever you want to.

Although, there are many conveniences and also inconveniences with either option, it all depends on your length of travel, your travel destinations, and other convenience factors.

FLYING

PROS

1. Flying can save time and money, especially on long distance journeys.
2. A cheap flight may help a tired traveler the inconvenience of sleeping on a night train.
3. Europe has a number of low-cost, budget airlines that (easyJet, RyanAir, germanwings, Air Berlin, etc) offer flights between major European cities for about $100.

CONS

1. Budget airline tickets are usually nonrefundable and nonchangeable.
2. Discount airlines do not wait for late running passengers, since an idle plane waiting for a passenger costs money. (if you are late for check-in even by 5 minutes, you will have missed your flight. Also, if you are over the baggage limit by 1 pound, they will not let you throw it away and charge you for the excess baggage instead)
3. Expensive baggage restrictions - for instance, Ryanair charges a $25 fee for each checked bag (less if you pre-book online). If your checked bag weighs more than 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds), you'll also pay $20 per extra kilo.
4. Food is usually not served during the flight, or it is available for a fee.

Most discount airlines in Europe sell their tickets exclusively over their website or over the phone, and tickets are not available via travel agents. Most are ticketless; you simply turn up at the check-in desk with your passport and confirmation number. A credit or debit card is a very good idea for booking tickets. Most discount airlines sell their tickets as single journeys only.

The pricing structure is complex, with fares fluctuating strongly according to demand, often on an hourly basis, and the same rule "get as much money as a traveler is ready to pay" that invented by traditional carriers. There are no shortcuts for obtaining the cheapest fares. In fact, fares can vary from as little as $2 on special promotions, right up to $700.

The following will however increase your probability of obtaining very inexpensive fares:

• Do fly in mid-week
• Do fly early in the morning or late at night
• Do fly in low season (Spring and Autumn)
• Do make use of sales. These sometimes appear 3-5 weeks prior to departure, however this is by no means guaranteed.
• Don't fly during public holidays.
• Don't book your ticket less than two weeks in advance
• Opt for return tickets, but keep in mind, in most cases airlines will charge extra fees for changes of date or time.

EURAIL

PROS

1. Eurail Select Passes allow travelers to save on train trips, as the cost of individual train tickets can be much higher than that of the pass.
2. Take advantage of an excellent rail system. Unlike the American passenger rail system which has few trains that go few places, the European rail system is an excellent one.
3. Trains are frequent and on time (to the minute, don't be late!), and there are trains to many small destinations. They can get you to a LOT of sights without you having to worry about renting a car and driving in Europe.
4. Spontaneity. Being able to just jump on a train to go anywhere can give you amazing flexibility and spontaneity. Tired of a city, hop on a train to go somewhere else!
5. Different kinds of passes. Different passes are available depending on how much travel you plan to do:


CONS

1. Seats not guaranteed. The Eurail Pass does NOT guarantee you a seat. This kind of uncertainty can be devastating if you are not prepared for it. You can make reservations ahead of time, though this may cut down on spontaneity.

2. Passing through non-participating countries. Also, the Eurail Pass may not cover portions of your trip through non participating countries. For example, traveling from Paris to Dublin, or from Athens to Rome, will require you to purchase tickets in addition to your Eurail Pass.

3. Non-rail portions of your trip. These are not covered by the Eurail pass, so if you have to take a ferry, for example, you'll have to pay for this out of pocket. The Pass may get you a lower price, however.

4. Sites not serviced by a train. Note also that while European countryside is well covered by trains, not everything is accessible by train. Some sites may require you to take a bus or rent a car, which drives the transportation price up. If you want to go to a lot of sites that are inaccessible by train, the Eurail Pass may not make sense for you.

Bottom Line:

It really does depend on your travel itinerary. In order to get the best deal from a Eurail Select Pass, a bit of planning is necessary. Travelers must have a good idea of which countries they wish to visit, and in what time frame, before beginning their trip. Do a comparison between the cost of flying versus the cost of taking the train. In the end, it all depends on your preferences. But for a young traveler like me, I enjoy the thrill of experiencing Europe firsthand before my eyes and the flexibility that comes with an Eurail pass. Eurail all the way baby!