Chiang Jing Ying – a Malaysian, artist and art educator.
The idea of traveling around the “world” has been my dream for a substantial length of time. My previous job gave me 13 weeks holiday every year, but still, I was so burned out during work days and I spent most of the holiday recovering my wounded soul.
So, taking one year off is a natural process…
The trip supposes to set off in mid 2004. Unfortunately it didn’t happen due to other unseen commitment. This time (end of 2005), I persuaded Alex, a crazy architect, to quit her job and join me for this adventure…
Alexandra Zech – a German, architect.
I met Jing in early 2005 where she told me about her plan to travel “around the world” for one year. I was very fascinated and cannot admit even envy her for the courage for such a mission. Now finally she is on the way to make her dream come true and I have the chance to join her and to live this dream for myself.
This blog was initially set up to create a communicative platform for our families and friends, to follow us and be a part on our journey “around the world”. After 5 months on the road, it has evolved into a form of serious documentation of what we see and how we feel. We try to capture the nooks and crannies we encounter everyday.
This blog is mostly updated via Internet cafes in countries we travel. Hence, it posts great challenge as most of the Internet cafes in these regions are quite slow. We have come to terms that it is common to sit for hours and nothing gets done. So please be patient if you don’t see any new posts here…
(updated 30 Dec 2007)
Our initial 12 months journey became 16 months. It ended finally when our cash flow ran out. However, we like to keep this site alive. We will still update our new experiences here on a regular basis.
Live in time, live in space! 
46 comments
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July 1, 2006 at 11:20 am
eddie chen
Alex and Jing,
Glad that ure adventure has started, am so jealous. Rite now so busy with my work, havent dive for a while. Keep me updated on ure adventures!! ciao
Eddie,(if u remember me)
July 10, 2006 at 4:48 am
Liling
Sounds like you and Alex are having good fun in Sabah. I haven’t got time to read through your stories yet, too busy at work at moment, I will read them when I get home. Just bought new laptop last weekend, it will be easier for me from now on.
By the way, I have passed on your message to Tashi Phuntsok, the monk from Sera Monastery and will also forward your website to him.
Anyway, he has set up a email address at Yahoo as tashiatsera@yahoo.co.in
July 11, 2006 at 3:39 pm
cell tono
may u be safe and come back to us
till then we meet again, meanwhile stay alive!
cell. tono
July 12, 2006 at 7:45 am
Alex
Eddie, how can I forget u! Ahhh…that hurts, so u thought I send u this blog by accident. NO!!! I guess ur on land now not on iron. After rescue I haven’t been diving too and I am in Sabah now. So sad.
July 12, 2006 at 1:25 pm
winnie
wah….so long not diving. i would have thought you and jing would have gone diving somewhere off sabah..
oh..thanks for the blog address. this way we know where you both are and what you both are up to…ahem..!!! haha.
be safe…ya
July 15, 2006 at 2:13 am
Joerg
Hallo Ihr Urwaldschnecken! Liebe Gruesse aus Singapore und ruf mal an wenn Du Zeit hast (Post)!
July 17, 2006 at 10:17 am
Alex
We are dry fishes Winnie!!! 😦 Diving here is expansive not like shopping with Eugene or you… haha…But we want to come back for diving after our big trip. Maybe with you??? I promise I will not make any rude signs or bad behaviour.
Up to, we???!!! Nothing we are little harmless women… really and safe is my second name…
July 19, 2006 at 6:52 pm
ilona
hallo ihr hübschen, hab eure kommentarabteilung gerade erst entdeckt…passt gut auf euch auf ich hab geträumt ihr werdet entführt…vielleicht läßt es sich auch als metapher verstehen, als entführung in ein anderes leben…knutsch und knuddel euch beiden ilona
July 20, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Alex
Hallo Suesse, es ist soooooo schoen von dir zu hoeren. Irgendwie erwische ich dich in letzter Zeit nicht mehr in msn. Keine Bange wegen Entfuehrungen wir sind sehr gut geschuetzt. Der Shi Fu aus dem Mao San Tempel hat uns ein Mantra mit auf die Reise gegeben das uns warnt vor Gefahren und uns beschuetzt. Also ich sehe eher die Metapher…. 🙂 Knutschi zurueck
July 22, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Cory
Hola chicas!
It looks and sounds like your amazing adventure has begun safely and successfully. This is great news! I sure hope you keep up the reports, they make our world feel like a much smaller space.
I’m here in Canada, hanging out in the wilderness. Been reading like a fiend, grilling fresh veggies on the barbeque every day and swimming at every opportunity. Life is good!
Cory
July 28, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Jing
Hi Cory,
It is very nice to hear from you! Enjoy your holiday in Canada. We are heading off to Myanmar tomorrow… Keep in touch. How’s your preparation to Turkey?
August 2, 2006 at 7:21 am
Sascha
hallo ihr Zwei ! bleibt gesund,streitet euch nicht und passt auf euch auf !! die welt kann auch gemein sein also haltet zusammen !! Die Bückeberger sind in Gedanken immer bei Euch und beschwören die Geister bei einer Flasche kühlem Bier wärend einer Grillzeremonie !
also bis dann !!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Hongy
Enjoy your long holiday…and I am sure you guys will discover a lot of surprises. Be safe and I am looking forward to see you both next year.
🙂
August 4, 2006 at 8:19 am
ilona
hallo mauschen, bin zur zeit viel unterwegs…ich schreibe dir dieser tage ne längere mail…ich habe gute neuigkeiten und ne menge tratsch (die leichte kharma-belastung stecken wir doch weg oder?) knutsch und knuddel ilona
August 7, 2006 at 4:38 am
Colleen
Jing & Alex. Greeting comes across d miles to wish you 2 joy today and show you that in heart and thought u are never far away…
HAPPY JOURNEY
August 8, 2006 at 7:13 am
jing
Thank you so much Colleen. Most people heard about our long pasia trip are excited about it… How’s your second trip to the forest?
I am still working on the long pasia blog… too much to say yet to little time…
August 8, 2006 at 8:41 am
Colleen
Jing, this time went Maga Fall, Nature Garden (have to spend 2 nite stay at maga’s campsite next time) & Gua (guess is Rock Overhang) tired but enjoy…next trip maybe on October to Bukit Rimau and Ulu Padas. All of us like Long Pasia & will be back again.
UWI MAWA LONG PASIA – means I Love Long Pasia ;P
August 12, 2006 at 9:53 am
pc chiang
Happy travelling. Jing’s mom nearly went berzerk when told you two shaved your heads. She was worried you really became monks. More revelations after Long Pasia and confirmed by Felicia. Now in process of ridding ‘too busy at work’ syndrome. Too bad couldn’t coincide with your world trip.
August 28, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Alvin + Natsuki
Hey hey hey guys. I’m pretty shocked myself that you guys are now bald as a billiard ball but well, my Japanese teacher is like that so I’m kinda used to it.
Missing you crazy folks
August 31, 2006 at 2:40 pm
Eunuk
Jind and Alex!!!
Its eunuk from korea. Our meeting was quite accidental but i am as happy as a skylark.
I just wanna be checking jing’s website with artworks and taking pictures by alex on this blog. peaceful, perfectly peace.
Good luck on long trips.
September 13, 2006 at 8:43 am
zangpo
Dear alex,
I saw your photographs and some of the places u have visited in myammar and Malaysia.U seems to be enjoying the nature & beauty of the areas. Should also make program to visit sikkim and enjoy the natural beauty and wonderful climatic condition. I look forward to meeting U.
September 18, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Leo FALK
I want to warn you that it will be very difficult to obtain a Russian (even transit) visa. You definitely won’t get it in Beijing.
When ordering “invitation through internet, better do a business visa, than a tourist one. And when asked by a consul how much you paid for it — exxagerate the amount. In the invitation they will usually write (in Russian) that all the accommodations and tours are paid in advance, though in reality you may buy such invitation for below US$100. While figuring out the amount paid for such prepaid visa, make it around $100 per day. Sure, transit visa is much less.
September 19, 2006 at 3:57 am
Cory
hiya gals! so great to see your pics of Myanmar, they bring back lots of great memories. Nice to hear that you too are living peacefully (??) with cockroaches. They are plentiful in my new home too! Hope your money is going far and that you’ll be able to add Turkey to the itinerary. 🙂 Big hugs to you both, stay safe!
October 13, 2006 at 9:30 am
Cec and Chai
Many thanks for sharing your trip with all of us! Love the pictures! Keep well.
October 18, 2006 at 12:07 pm
dana lam
Hello YOU TWO!
i finally caught up with yor website. brilliant pictures and entries! what an amazing experience it must be!
a couple of funny typos, Jing. Alex is a heroine to the village children. or do you really mean heroin?
and its cut your throat, i think you mean, not cut your thought although thats quite original! the story on communicating with signs is very enjoyable. so are most of the other stories. keep writing!
p.s. have u been sending those letters to your dad, too????
keep on enjoying! love to you and alex. dana
October 19, 2006 at 2:21 am
dana lam
hey grrls
how are you this morning?
Jing, if you get a chance, cld you pls email the title of the book you were reading to prepare for this trip????
thanks very much.
BTW, the addidas transformers (ur new style slippers) are impressive!
smiles. dana
October 22, 2006 at 7:55 am
mike
Hi Jing
Finally looked up your blog and have enjoyed hearing about your adventures. I am jealous of what you have seen and done. Glad that your dream is coming true. I am also anxious to see Myanmar and Laos.
Keep having fun!
Life at CIS is very different now that we are a middle school (BT). I will probably move on this year.
mike:)
October 22, 2006 at 10:08 am
Sean Lacey
Hello my two Edelweisschen!!
I am finally able to view your blog (don’t know why I couln’t all this time). Internet in Serbia is not a reliable thing. I have been waiting two months for it to get installed at home and still waiting….
It is soooo sooooo good to see pictures of you two and read a bit about your travels. I love you both and miss you terribly. I can’t wait till the next time we meet and talk endlessly about the travelling photographs we have collected digitally and mentally. So far I have gone to Croatia and Bosnia/Herzogovina. Am supposed to go to Egypt in November and the middle east + Singpaore for Xmas. The job sucks but the travel is great.
Where can I email you? Albert told me a present came for my birthday. I’ll pick it up at Christmas time. I have been wanting to thank you both but couldn’t until now. Big thank-you hugs and kisses. I can’t wait to see it.
Take care and I will check your blog regularly.
Love,
Sean
November 7, 2006 at 3:34 pm
nida
Hi Ms. Chiang..
gosh it must be a while since anyone called you that. I’ve been following your blog. It sounds like you guys are having an amazing time (:
You should post the pictures once you get a stable internet connection!
All the best,
Nida
November 9, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Millie
Oy JING!!!!
My goodness what a small world! And what a shock I got when we were surfing for info on Sikkim!!
Well first of all, great to hear of your travels – was wondering where u had disapeared to for so long!
Anyway, 4 of us (Sylvia, May & my partner Gel) will be in Gangtok on Dec 7, and then around Sikkim (Pelling, Ringchinpong, Darjeeling – the plan lah) and hope u’ll still be there. Will be great to see you two. Any place we shdn’t miss? Cosy, nice view guest houses to recommend? U’re most welcome to join us around Sikkim and Darjeeling.
Hey we’re wondering if it’s a gd idea to get winter gear like waterproof/windproof shells in Gangtok? Exepnsive?
How’s the weather now? Food? So many questions!
Well, do let us know.
Take care girls!
November 14, 2006 at 12:28 am
terence chan
how i envy you,jing n alex
first visit to your blog, will visit again.
now busy busy with my travelling too, you girls now what i meant, right?
i’m still as busy as b4, never realise that you girls are away for months already….
must be enjoying the process of fulfiling personal goals… ok?
keep in touch,..
love u all n god bless you, jing n alex n everyone you in contact with.
December 20, 2006 at 7:18 pm
mutti und vati
liebe alex und jing,
frohe weihnachten und einen gesunden rutscg ins neue jahr.haben heute eure bilder aus sri lanka angesehen und uns erinnert.
in drei tagen ist weihnachten. dir und jing werden ein grsser teil unserer gedanken unter dem tannenbaum gewidmet sein. wir hoffen auch ihr werdet an uns 2 alte denken.
in gedanken drücken wir euch ganz fest. bleibt gesund und frohen mutes bis zu unserem wiedersehen.
viele grüsse und kuesse mutti und vati
December 24, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Sascha ,William & Janine
hallo Ihr zwei !!
Frohe weihnachten und die besten wünsche, für eure weitere Reise von uns drei Harzböcken !
wir sin immer bei euch
February 18, 2007 at 10:06 am
Sri
Hi Jing,
Hope you reach Delhi by Chinese new year. Wish you a very happy New year. Enjoy the travel. I bet you still miss many more things in India that you can see and enjoy. I picked up my bag in 1978 and still travelling and learning in India. A long long way to go but my life is short. I wish i could join you in your travel across the land of contradiction and culture. All the best to you and to your friend Alex.
February 26, 2007 at 6:10 pm
A-Chi
Hallo board…Namaste ladies,
A greeting from Taipei, how are you there? It’s really my pleasure to meet you in Vanarasi, both of you are so nice people, although just few days passed, but I start to miss you already, I would like say keep open mind on journey and be careful. I sincerely hope both of you everything well and smooth, hope to see you again in the near future.
祝平安,健康,順利
March 5, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Grace Nah
Wow Jing!
What a fantastic time doing unbelievable things! A peaceful way to spend Chinese New Year. Continue to dwell in the joy of whatever you’re doing. Bless you! Oh yes, please email me if you can. It’s about the income tax form. Accounts want to know where to send it…
:)Grace
April 8, 2007 at 9:06 am
chrissoon
It warms my heart and wets my eyes to see you both even though it’s just on the screen. So much has happened in our lives. I’ll love to call you. Could you give me your contact again as my hp crashed and I’ve lost the no. that you’ve given me.
Miss and Love you both loads. Can’t wait to experience the presence of both of you with all my senses.
Take Care & May the Ground of Your Being be with you both Always.
xxxooo
chrissoon
July 24, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Sean Lacey
Hello my two wandering flowers!!
I feel very priveledged to have been a part of this travel and blog experience for five weeks. I was so happy to see you in Budapest. I couldn’t believe it when you told me you were going to meet me there and take this little trip with me. The duck breast with cinnamon and plums in Budapest, the spectacular Schoenbrunn palace in Vienna, shaving my head in Klagenfurt, profound art discussions on boats in Venice, pledges of love in Verona, Albrecht Duerer’s house in Nuernburg, and the little nest of Alex and Jing (and for a short while Sean) in Berlin.
I don’t know how to thank you both for being so wonderful and for giving me such precious friendship. You two have really made my experience in Europe more than special. I’m in my hotel room in Istanbul tonight wishing I was sitting at Freienwalderstrasse 20 having a cup of tea with you and chatting about the day. Istanbul is a remarkable city, but my heart is with you in Berlin.
This blog has turned out to be a beautiful documentary of a year of adventure. What a wonderful idea. I know, it’s my turn.
On Friday I will head back to Singapore, my second home. I will be looking forward to your return and hopefully will have a little nest waiting for you.
I love you both very much. Good night from magnificent Turkey.
Sean
August 14, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Vicki
Hello Jing!!
I am thrilled to know you have travelled so far and are continuing to experience new adventures and create so many valuable memoires! opportunities are endless! Thank you for sharing your travels with me!! I look forward to visiting with you in person again someday !! Any chance or plans to visit Canada? You and Alex are always welcome. Continue to take care of yourselves………..Until next time…..Vicki
August 16, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Bek
I’m so Glad I managed to meet you ladies. you are an inspiration. I admire your ability to work so well together in such tense situations for such an extended period of time. I admire to task you have undertaken and really enjoyed the short time I spent with you. You are both interesting warm and wonderfull people. Thankyou! You are always welcome if you are ever in Oz….Bek
February 18, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Kenichi
Hi, Ms. Chiang~!!
Omg, really long time no see you, coming nearly 6 years i think?!
This is Kenichi, your ex-CIS Japanese Singaporean student who always “kachau” you during your art classes, hehe! =p Do you still remeber me??
Oh btw, happy new year to you and your travel buddy!! Seems like you & your buddy had a really wonderful experience traveling around the world! Hope that I can travel around the world like you someday.
How are you doing these days? Are you still in S’pore on back in Malaysia?? I really miss you and your art classes yah, haha! =p
Oh yah, you don’t mind giving me your personal e-mail address too? So that I can contact you personally and “kachau” you again, hehe!! XD
Hope that we can see each other in S’pore again yah! =D
Kk, please take care & see-ya around!! =D
April 26, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Miss Poh
Hi Jing and Alex, it was great hearing you talk about your travels at Awareness Place, thank you!
If only you both can share more! One session is clearly not enough for a 16-month trip!
Congrats on your new abode!
September 4, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Dawa Tamang
Dear Friend,
Namaste and Tashi Delek!!hi i am Dawa and i am from Briddim village from Tamang Heritage Trail from Rasuwa Langtang area etc..
please you can link me my website is your website etc..hope you know me very well about this.take care yourself.keep in touch with me.hope to here from you.your’s sincerely,Dawa
http://www.dawasnepaltrek.com
January 24, 2010 at 7:53 am
Mick
I was searching for Buddhist Mummies on Google when I chanced to visit your blog. Great posts here. I love what your doing — living life to the fullest. I wish to travel again. My last stop was Singapore.
Mick
March 11, 2010 at 12:00 am
Faça em casa um repelente natural de mosquitos! | zafu.blog.br
[…] foto de: jing e alex […]
September 20, 2011 at 9:01 am
the_bieber
I’m since almost 20 years in South-Asia and read your blog with great interest. What’s the latest, what are your future plans ?