HOMELY PLANET

I have decided where I want to go during the summer break this year. I'd like to travel overland across China, starting in Shanghai, and make it all the way into Kyrgyzstan (if I survive the pollution), where I would do a mountain backpacking trek.

I've just done a little research, and it appears that it is impossible to cross from China into Kyrgyzstan by road. So I would either have to fly, or go through a part of Kazakstan, which could be interesting.

I'm just in the beginning stages of planning the trip. I have no idea what it would cost or if I can even pull it off in the time allotted, but from all reports Kyrgyzstan is gorgeous, relatively unspoiled, as well as unvisited.

Hell, I may even get kidnapped by some bearded mountain people.