Now that Nazma’s off work we’ve actually had a chance to talk about the trip. When I live with something for a long time (for instance, the plans for this trip), my thinking tends to get stuck in a very defined groove. In this case, I had consigned our poor tootsies to some frosty temperatures in southern China and northern Vietnam, just because (being an engineer) it seemed most efficient to plan our route contiguously: from Hong Kong, through China, into Vietnam, etc., cold weather be damned. Fortunately, my very practical wife decided she didn’t feel like freezing her ass off, and pointed out that if we did the trip in reverse, we’d end up in these otherwise frigid climes later in the year, when temperatures will be more conducive to boat rides, beach-bumming, and the like. That’s why she’s the queen, and I but a lowly serf. So, we’ve rejigged the trip route:

• Hong Kong, as before. Apparently the relatives are up to having dinner now; most of them will prove to be quite nice in the end, I think now.
• Take the hydrofoil to Macau; fly to Bangkok (thanks to our new best friends at airasia.com, who seem to be giving away seats. Cost for 2 one-way tickets: ~CAD$180)
• Cavort in Thailand; make our way to southern Thailand 4 weeks later to fly into Malaysia (again, our best friend. 2 one-way tickets from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur: CAD$34)
• Malaysia in time for Thaipusam, where Hindu devotees pierce themselves with all manner of hooks and things that have no business going near anyone’s cheeks or nipples. Seriously, very inspiring. During this time also, may hook up (bwa ha ha) with Nazma’s family for a little reunion of sorts (coordinating 7 people from three continents to meet up in a fourth should be a riot)
• MAYBE head out to Manila for a week (2 round-trip tickets from KL to Manila: CAD$50!)
• Depart Malaysia ~4 weeks later, arriving in Cambodia (2 one-way tickets from KL to Siem Reap: CAD$60. Crazy, and thoroughly contrary to my backpacker sensibilities, but sod that, it’s a 1-hour flight vs. a >27-hour-train-ride-plus-5-hour-taxi ride. Screw ruggedness and authenticity.)
• Angkor, Phnom Penh; then boat-ride through Vietnamese border to Mekong-delta region.
• Ho Chi Minh City and up the length of Vietnam, where by now it’ll be nice and warm.
• Into southern China, and back through to Hong Kong. Fly back to mundane lives.

Tickets are booked; resolve is steeled. Mettle remains untested, but that’s the whole point of the trip, isn’t it?