So many of you over the last few months have asked "why China?" -- so, I'll start there. I wish I had a more poetic explanation, but the truth is I went to China because it was on special.
It happened like this: Sometime in early December, I checked my email before going to bed as I usually do. Travelzoo.com had sent its weekly hot Top 20 deals, and there in big bold letters was the headline: 9 Days in China for $999 - air/accommodations included. Well, I had to investigate it, because I knew that roundtrip airfare alone was typically $1500 or more. And perhaps even more importantly, I had had a couple of glasses of Shiraz with my dinner, and booking a trip to China suddenly seemed like a very reasonable thing to do. I soon discovered that it was only $53 more to depart from DFW Airport and a couple hundred more to sign up for single occupancy accommodations. Then I saw the clencher: the tour extended over my 35th birthday, from Jan 16-24 (my birthday being Jan 20). Clearly, this three-city tour in China was destined to be my birthday present, and Visa - in part - would graciously serve as my sponsor.
But first - I had to do some due diligence: I called my friend Hon Chan, who grew up on that side of the planet, and asked, "What's China like in January?" He said it's FRICKIN COLD, but still well worth my time; just dress appropriately. OK then. Due diligence done! With a mad adrenalin rush, I hopped back on my computer, entered the requested personal information on the travel agency site and clicked "Confirm Reservation."
And that, my friends, is how I came to the conclusion that China was the appropriate setting to celebrate my 35th birthday.
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