Round the world trip

[Philipkee]

Today, I did nothing much. Went to look for a beach but could not find it so anyway some kind hearted people gave me a ride to a lake where the locals go to swim. Oh yeah. And since I was given a ride to the lake (they dropped me off there), I did not know how to go back. I have a three day pass for the public transport in Moscow but I was lost.

 

So I asked for directions and I hopped on a bus to get to the metro. Unfortunately, unlike Singapore, the metro sign is not obvious so I did not know where to stop. A SYT happened to sit next to me and i used Google translate to ask her to let me know which stop to get off for and metro. She not only say OK but she got off the bus with me and let me to the station (she said she was also getting off at that station but I wasn't sure cos she did not get down until I got down and appeared confused). Shucks. I had all the pickup lines on standby on google translate but never used. Haiz.

 

The first picture is of the area around my hostel, BTW. Anyway did not see many bikini babes there at the river but saw some people playing volleyball. Tempted to join but hahaha no extra clothes to bathe go there is like extra.

 

Also went to visit the train station so I do not get any surprises when I leave Moscow in a few days time.

Edited July 7, 2018 by Philipkee

[Philipkee]

Had a busy day today. It was also raining. Gasp. Who would have thought it would drizzle for much of the day in July?

 

Anyway morning I went out in the rain (lucky I brought an umbrella from singakre) to have a good breakfast and after that I went to the tourist village of izmailovo.

 

Shopping there was so so. Maybe its because of the rain. I ate the bbq there as recommended. OK la. Not bad but a bit expensive (for budget traveller). After that I went to shop for souvenirs. I went into a shop that was selling those figurines where it comes in a set where you open the big figurine and there is a second one inside and inside the second one there is a third one and so on. One set was priced at 1200 rubles. I was just thinking aloud when considering my purchase and I said so it's like 1000 rubles. The shopowner looked at me and wanted to clarify that it's 1200 rubles when he said OK. 1000 rubles it is. I bought two sets (cos I am still going to USA and might be staying with a friend so better have a gift on standby also).

 

After that the rain cleared up so I went to the beach. It is actually Moscow river but there is sand and people go swimming there.

 

Wah after seeing the view I thought of FedExing my resignation letter and stay there for good (half joking. Won't do something so irresponsible but the thought did cross my mind).

 

Finished off the day with some dumplings at a nearby restaurant.

[Heartlander]

Had a busy day today. It was also raining. Gasp. Who would have thought it would drizzle for much of the day in July?

 

Anyway morning I went out in the rain (lucky I brought an umbrella from singakre) to have a good breakfast and after that I went to the tourist village of izmailovo.

 

Shopping there was so so. Maybe its because of the rain. I ate the bbq there as recommended. OK la. Not bad but a bit expensive (for budget traveller). After that I went to shop for souvenirs. I went into a shop that was selling those figurines where it comes in a set where you open the big figurine and there is a second one inside and inside the second one there is a third one and so on. One set was priced at 1200 rubles. I was just thinking aloud when considering my purchase and I said so it's like 1000 rubles. The shopowner looked at me and wanted to clarify that it's 1200 rubles when he said OK. 1000 rubles it is. I bought two sets (cos I am still going to USA and might be staying with a friend so better have a gift on standby also).

 

After that the rain cleared up so I went to the beach. It is actually Moscow river but there is sand and people go swimming there.

 

Wah after seeing the view I thought of FedExing my resignation letter and stay there for good (half joking. Won't do something so irresponsible but the thought did cross my mind).

 

Finished off the day with some dumplings at a nearby restaurant.

Glad you went to Izmailovo. It is a huge place with sectors selling souvenirs, antiques, general arts, food, etc. Too bad it was raining as it would have affected the mood and crowd. There is no place cheaper to get the Russian dolls. With regard to the bbq food, it was highly recommended by local people there, and I found beef, mutton, and mushrooms the better choice, but and we ordered many plates to share among the group. That coupled with the very cold winter weather and eating outdoor due to indoor places all occupied perhaps made the experience more memorable haha.

 

I really regretted not buying more Russian dolls after seeing the prices outside Izmailovo. And the prices could be 40% lower if you good in bargaining, but not every stall engage in that.

 

One thing you must have noticed is that Moscow is a very clean city. I would think comparable to over here. 

 

And you can find almost all the major fast food joints there, also the Hard rock café where the steak is yummy and relatively cheap. I never try the Shake Shack though also highly recommended.

 

Edited July 9, 2018 by Heartlander

[Mercury1]

Wow nice pics mate,

 

Do they still sell weapons at the Izmailovo market? That was one of the things I thought was abit odd cause it was done so openly.

 

Those dolls are definitely a collectors items, the big ones are better and locally made, the smaller ones are from China for general tourist who just want a souvenir..

 

Had a busy day today. It was also raining. Gasp. Who would have thought it would drizzle for much of the day in July?

Anyway morning I went out in the rain (lucky I brought an umbrella from singakre) to have a good breakfast and after that I went to the tourist village of izmailovo.

Shopping there was so so. Maybe its because of the rain. I ate the bbq there as recommended. OK la. Not bad but a bit expensive (for budget traveller). After that I went to shop for souvenirs. I went into a shop that was selling those figurines where it comes in a set where you open the big figurine and there is a second one inside and inside the second one there is a third one and so on. One set was priced at 1200 rubles. I was just thinking aloud when considering my purchase and I said so it's like 1000 rubles. The shopowner looked at me and wanted to clarify that it's 1200 rubles when he said OK. 1000 rubles it is. I bought two sets (cos I am still going to USA and might be staying with a friend so better have a gift on standby also).

After that the rain cleared up so I went to the beach. It is actually Moscow river but there is sand and people go swimming there.

Wah after seeing the view I thought of FedExing my resignation letter and stay there for good (half joking. Won't do something so irresponsible but the thought did cross my mind).

Finished off the day with some dumplings at a nearby restaurant.

 

[Philipkee]

Wow nice pics mate,

 

Do they still sell weapons at the Izmailovo market? That was one of the things I thought was abit odd cause it was done so openly.

 

Those dolls are definitely a collectors items, the big ones are better and locally made, the smaller ones are from China for general tourist who just want a souvenir..

They sell knives openly. Yeah I thought of buying but definitely will be an issue when crossing customs.

 

Handmade ones cost over 5000 rubles. Gasp. Factory ones can liao Unless I am getting married and the girl insist on the Russian hand made Russian doll for happy ending then I will even START to consider.

 

And I learned something about the subway passes that even the locals did not know (even the subway info counter) but my suspicions were confirmed by the ticketing staff.

 

When you buy the three day unlimited pass, the three days are 72 hours and not three calender days. So I bought the pass on Friday afternon. Yesterday, Sunday, I asked the hostel staff and even the person at the info counter of the subway station if my pass expires yesterday 12 mid night (or close of service) or today afternoon since I bought the card on Friday afternoon (3 days is 3 calender days or 72 hours).

 

Everyone told me it will expire at 12 midnight (surprisingly no one said close of service which was past midnight so was this just something they never said or it meant something) but I confirmed with the ticketing crew it's 72 hrs after they checked my ticket. Today is Monday morning and I am still using the pass.....

 

When I came to Moscow I was confused initially but now OK. I do refrain from taking buses unless I know where the bus goes (from metro my hostel), though the occasions I got lost on a bus and tram (irkutsk) I had syt helping me...

 

Anyway some pictures of the subway map. Don't think I will do much today. Just make sure clothings are washed and everything stocked up. Tomorrow I will take the train to Paris. Will reach on Thursday morning.

 

And more dumplings. This one with potatoes and mushrooms as fillings.

Edited July 9, 2018 by Philipkee

[Lala81]

not going st petersberg? I thought that's a must visit if going russia

[Philipkee]

not going st petersberg? I thought that's a must visit if going russia

Nah. Not part of original route. Maybe one day in the future.

[Mercury1]

Handmade knife wow, I would consider haha that would be a conversation starter. But getting customs and stuff would probably put me off haha. What I saw last time ranged from pistols,  old WWII machine guns to automatic grenade launchers lol definitely not a souvenir to bring home although that said the only time my bag was check post Russia was in Malaysia and it wasn't even that thorough 

 

Haha yeah their subways are crazy, normally had to compare the guidebook to make sure its the right stop.

 

There is this snack thats quite nice, its a hollowed out french roll where they squirt in mayo and ketchup and stuff a hotdog in, not the healthiest but worth a try 

 

Chio bu's there a plenty, don't get a sprained neck from looking around 

 

Safe travels to Paris 

 

 

They sell knives openly. Yeah I thought of buying but definitely will be an issue when crossing customs.

Handmade ones cost over 5000 rubles. Gasp. Factory ones can liao Unless I am getting married and the girl insist on the Russian hand made Russian doll for happy ending then I will even START to consider.

And I learned something about the subway passes that even the locals did not know (even the subway info counter) but my suspicions were confirmed by the ticketing staff.

When you buy the three day unlimited pass, the three days are 72 hours and not three calender days. So I bought the pass on Friday afternon. Yesterday, Sunday, I asked the hostel staff and even the person at the info counter of the subway station if my pass expires yesterday 12 mid night (or close of service) or today afternoon since I bought the card on Friday afternoon (3 days is 3 calender days or 72 hours).

Everyone told me it will expire at 12 midnight (surprisingly no one said close of service which was past midnight so was this just something they never said or it meant something) but I confirmed with the ticketing crew it's 72 hrs after they checked my ticket. Today is Monday morning and I am still using the pass.....

When I came to Moscow I was confused initially but now OK. I do refrain from taking buses unless I know where the bus goes (from metro my hostel), though the occasions I got lost on a bus and tram (irkutsk) I had syt helping me...

Anyway some pictures of the subway map. Don't think I will do much today. Just make sure clothings are washed and everything stocked up. Tomorrow I will take the train to Paris. Will reach on Thursday morning.

And more dumplings. This one with potatoes and mushrooms as fillings.

 

I think if he goes he needs to double back to Moscow for the train to europe, quite lei chey

 

not going st petersberg? I thought that's a must visit if going russia

 

[Philipkee]

Been a long past few days travelling.

Some more dumplings with butter and curry powder. Price:a sandwich which I was having. Cooked by a fellow hostelite.

 

Tall chairs at a cafe while waiting for the train to paris. I admit I freaked out when a man came and sat near me and started stroking my bag saying he is keen thief and want open my bag to steal things. I did have some things there (i split my money) and I was sure he did not know that but I freaked out and left and nd waited outside after quickly finishing my drink

 

Don't know if you can see the quality of train is better from Moscow to Paris as compared to previous trains

 

Some scenery

 

At Brest, while waiting for passport control to do their thing, we had to change wheels again in the train. Basically the carriages are lifted up and the wheel are switched. This is a picture of a train opposite mine doing the switching.

 

Warsaw station. Saw a sign "refugees welcome" and I wanna ask can I stay?

 

 

Some more scenery

 

Finally reached Paris

Edited July 12, 2018 by Philipkee

[Philipkee]

Some thoughts for the first part of my trip (south Korea, China and Russia)

 

South Korea - nothing special to add

 

China - yea people were friendly and not like what you see product read on social media in Singapore. I hitched to to Beijing with no issues. I consider it a hitch cos I was not asked to pay but offered to pay.

 

Trans siberian - should do it once in your life, no need to do it twice

 

Russia - people were friendly and helpful. I got free rides three times on their public transport (maybe it was easier for them). I hitched a ride also in Moscow. The gals are pretty no doubt.

 

Misconception - we thing English is widely spoken but when backpacking, you mix with the normal people (not those on tourist industry like tour guides) and many don't speak English. In Russia, I thought with world cup everyone at least in Moscow can speak English. Not true. The guides at nd volunteers can but not the man in the street.

 

Some minor boo boo-

lost my slippers on the trans siberian (not a big issue as I planned to throw it away after this trip and buy a new one. End up buying new pair of slippers in irkutsk).

 

Getting drunk on the trans siberian. Not sure what you peeps think about this but I feel it's kind of dangerous to get drunk in public areas esp for independent traveller. Not drunk as I made a fool of myself but just passed out on my bed. Maybe I was like the scene in Mr Bean movie where he said oui to everything. Haha. One shot of vodka? Oui. Another shot? Oui. Some beer to go with it? Oui.

 

Things I discovered about myself.

I can really sleep a lot. Not sure if it's because I was sleep deprived in Singapore or put me in a horizonatal position for long and I will sleep. OMG. The number of hours I slept on the trans siberian...

[Philipkee]

Picture of Paris

 

River in Paris

Room mate from a life time ago. We met on the trans siberian from Beijing to irkutsk. He was headed to Moscow and then Paris while I dropped off at irkutsk. We met up with his wife in Paris.

 

Me at eiffel tower.

[Philipkee]

When I was leaving France, the immigration officer was holding my passport when he asked if I liked France and how do I rate France's chances in the world cup.

 

I replied, "viva la France!"

 

He smiled and stamped my passport. I wonder what would have happened if I said I supported croatia.

 

Anyway, now in the land of the free and home of the brave.

[Wt_know]

Has anyone ever been on a round the world trip? Been dreaming of one since 2004. As I get older I think to myself my life is half over....

 

I plan

Singapore to Seoul by plane

Seoul to China by ship

China to Paris by train via transfer sobering and whatever rail there is

Paris to new York by plane

New York to West coast by land

West coast to Japan by plane

Japan to Singapore by plane

 

Anyone ever had such dreams? Anyone ever travelled from Seoul to China by plane or china to Paris by train?

 

As I get older I thinking to myself just yolo.

bro Philip are you still following this Aug 2017 plan?

what is your updated / finalised plan?

next time i can copy&paste your plan ... lol

Edited July 14, 2018 by Wt_know

[Philipkee]

bro Philip are you still following this Aug 2017 plan?

what is your updated / finalised plan?

next time i can copy&paste your plan ... lol

My plan has been EXACTLY what I wrote. Just that now I am in the new York to West coast by land part which is the most vague.

 

For this part I plan

NYC - CHARLOTTESVILLE (cos I am meeting a friend not for anot other reason) - ? Chicago - SEATTLE - LOS ANGELES

 

Oh and why ?Chicago? Cos not yet decided where but I wanna stop somewhere between CHARLOTTESVILLE and SEATTLE. Reason I wanna go to SEATTLE is cos there is supposed to be a fun fish market there. Lol.

 

 

And the plan is not the August 2017 plan lol. It is the 2004 plan but I posted this only in 2017. Every year I scared to try the trip esp the Beijing to Paris by train portion but this time I say just do it. So I did.

[Philipkee]

 

World trade centre memorial

 

 

Statue of liberty from the ferry to staten island

 

Staten island and a view of manhatten from there

 

 

Trump tower and a view of the protesters there. Initially I was afraid to ask for directions to trump tower fearing a backlash but it seems life goes on as per normal

 

 

Grand central park. Saw a syt topless there but dunno for what as she is facing a couple and is not PDA or even like business proposition. Wanted to ask what's going on but hey, just enjoy the view but don't be suicidal. Never know what is actually going on so I left without finding out more.

 

 

 

 

Grand central park station.

[kdash]

@philipkee bro, try to take landscape pics as much as you can. keep the updates coming

[Philipkee]

Hiking at bear mountain.

[Philipkee]

Coney island beach. Wah so many NSFW photos to be taken there

 

Rockefeller concourse and plaza

 

 

United Nations

 

Empire state building

 

New York stock exchange

 

Statue of George Washington

 

Brooklyn bridge and picture from surrounding area

 

St Patrick's cathedral

 

 

Times square. The third picture is a picture of a building where they will drop the ball on new years day

 

 

Tomorrow I will take the train to Charlottesville. Not sure if there will be good pictures there as I am there mainly to meet a friend.

Edited July 17, 2018 by Philipkee