Travel
Feeling Nervous This October
It’s October 1st, and let me be honest, I am feeling a bit anxious. What the actual banana peels am I doing at my age? Life seems like a collection of surprising moments, and it’s only getting more adventurous. Despite my initial nerves, each trip I’ve undertaken has been a testament to my love for exploration. I’ve traveled, probably more than the average person based on the comments I receive, but now, with 66 days of adventure lined up, the butterflies in my stomach are fluttering harder than ever.
Upcoming Travels: A Dream Itinerary
So here’s the scoop. I’m gearing up for some epic travels! On October 15th, I’ll kick off a 66-day Southeast Asia trip that I’ve been dreaming about for months. Before that, I was basking in the sun in Costa Rica for 16 days in December 2024 and a Mediterranean adventure in May 2025 for 21 days. June 2025 found me on the beautiful beaches of Aruba for a week. Can you say, “Exciting”? Every single trip promises new experiences, delicious food, and beautiful cultures that spark joy in my life's journey.
The Journey Begins: Flying to Singapore
The journey to Southeast Asia begins on the afternoon of October 15th. I snagged an awesome deal with Air Canada on a flight from Toronto to Singapore. I’ll be taking a 13-hour flight to Tokyo, Japan, with a 2-hour 45-minute layover. Then, I hop onto All Nippon Airways for a 7-hour journey to arrive in Singapore on the 17th. It feels surreal, doesn’t it? I can already imagine the exotic landscapes, mouthwatering street food, and vibrant cultures waiting for me.
Leaving Toronto on the 15th, I’ll technically be arriving in Japan on the 16th but the excitement builds because it means I’m tackling a whole new time zone before finally getting to Singapore on the 17th. With each day that approaches, my mix of excitement and slight panic turns into a countdown filled with adrenaline.
Each time zone I cross, each new landscape I see, the idea of travel begins to redefine my notion of home and belonging. It’s not just about the destinations; it’s about the people I meet, the stories I’ll have, and the lessons I’ll learn as I travel through life.
So here’s to October! It’s not just a month; it's a gateway to new adventures and memories waiting to be created.
October 14
I'm on the train to Toronto. Trains are rickety. I couldn't read, and writing is challenging too.
Let's talk about costs. I aim to make this trip Interesting and not break the bank. The problem is that we are made to think that travelling is expensive.
I found a flight to Singapore with a short layover on the way there and on the way back. 1414.00. It is a 13-hour haul from Toronto to Tokyo, 2 hours, 45 minute layover and then 7 hours from Japan to Singapore. I arrive at 12:45 AM. Hopefully, I can sleep when I arrive. Coming back, the flight will be Singapore to Vancouver to Toronto with about the same time.
It's all the little things. I have a cat. Two are with Mitchell, but one is his. My good friend has kindly offered to care for her for 2 months.
October 15, 16, 17.
It isn't very easy. I am in Tokyo, and it is 7 hours behind. But when I reach Singapore further west, it'll be 12 hours. I need to read about this.
The trip from Toronto on Air Canada was good, exhausting. I couldn't sleep, and I'm worried about jet lag. I arrive at 12:45 AM in Singapore. Hopeful ly I will get to my hotel without incident and just sleep till morning.
I sat with a couple from Toronto, but originally from Vietnam. The husband was so helpful. He has been in Toronto for 35 years. His English is still very week, but maybe it's not used often?
The food sucked!! I have travelled a lot this year, and there really is no excuse. My last AC was Barcelona and Rome, and I don't remember it being that bad.
The flight from Toronto was 13 hours. It felt like forever.
Big tip. I am a huge water person. I always have a bottle with me. BUY BUY BUY water after security. You can't bring ot through security so load up. A glass of about 4oz every 6hours is not cool.
And I always have snacks, especially since some food is not edible. I'd rather make a meal of jelly beans.
FAQs
Packing tips?
In the past, I have rolled clothes to save space. This time I went with some space bags to compress my clothes. Either way would work great for me. I have shower hats to cover my shoes because ewww, who wants other people's DNA in their suitcase.
Currency exchange?
Use local currency for better rates. So far, I have linked my credit cards to some essential apps, such as Grab. GRAB in Southeast Asia is just like UBER in North America. I'll talk about some useful apps later.
Credit card usage?
Credit cards are widely accepted in cities. I have cash, but I don't always trust a bank not to lock my card, thinking it has been fraudulently used. So far, one card has been locked, but it is from my former bank, and they've done this to me before.
I emailed my current bank to let them know I was going away for a couple of months and what countries I would be in so that my transactions wouldn't be flagged. The banks say you don't have to anymore, but I've heard that too many times.
Laundry facilities?
I am not looking for laundromats. I carry a small container of handwash soap called Forever New. I wash as I go; it takes me a couple of minutes. Most of my accommodations have facilities so I can attempt a big freshen in one go.
Travel insurance?
Definitely a good choice for safety. If I ever had to go to an emergency room, I would probably look into the costs in my current country. During my time in Paris, I discovered that I could visit a doctor for emergencies, receive X-rays, consult with the doctor again, and get prescriptions for under 200.00 EURO. I had pneumonia. But what if I were in the US? It’s a different story; they would drain your finances even for a simple cold.
Right now, I have CAA insurance. I purchased a one-year policy allowing unlimited 15-day trips from Canada. If I planned on being away for a longer duration, I would opt for additional days. It can add up quickly.
For this journey, I compared various insurance providers. This time around, I chose Medi-pac. I have a 66-day coverage plan with a built-in 33-day extension. I can add more days if necessary. In terms of cost, it offered a significantly better deal. Additionally, it covers unlimited trips outside the country.
Best packing strategy?
Prioritize essentials and versatile clothing. I try to use a rule that I recently explained to a good friend, but I think I went brain dead packing with so much on my mind. I start with black and white, my go-to palette. Then I add one colour as my accent. It was supposed to be army green, but now I have a bunch of colours.