Across Asia over land, with Kristia

03 Jul, 2024

We had Kristia from Jakarta joining us to talk about her trip from Jakarta to Jordan, most of it over land and solo. Here is the recording.

Here are some notes from our discussions.

Kristia's overland journey covered a vast stretch from Southeast Asia to the Middle East. Here's a summary of her route:

• Started in Jakarta, Indonesia
• Flew to Singapore
• Traveled through Malaysia, focusing on the eastern part
• Went to Thailand, visiting the northern areas
• Entered Laos
• Took the new China-Laos railway to enter China
• Explored western China, including Yunnan province and areas with Tibetan culture
• Visited Tibet (with required permits)
• Entered Nepal
• Traveled across India, visiting cities like Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi
• Crossed into Pakistan
• Made an unplanned detour into Afghanistan
• Entered Iran
• Took a ferry from southern Iran to Dubai, UAE
• Traveled to Saudi Arabia
• Ended the journey in Jordan

Kristia mostly traveled overland, with a few exceptions like flying from Jakarta to Singapore and taking a ferry from Iran to Dubai. Her route through western China (Tibetan areas in Sichuan and Yunnan) allowed her to experience Tibetan culture without needing special permits required for the Tibet Autonomous Region. The trip to Afghanistan was not initially planned but added after researching its feasibility. The entire journey took about 6 months.

Kristia's experience in Afghanistan was quite interesting and different from what many people might expect. Here are the key points about her time there:

• Unplanned visit: She initially didn't plan to go to Afghanistan but decided to visit after her brother went there.
• Safety perception: Kristia mentioned that some travelers told her it was currently the safest time to visit Afghanistan in decades, due to the lack of active warfare following the Taliban takeover.
• Permits: She obtained necessary permits to travel between provinces, which is required for foreigners.
• Information gathering: Kristia relied heavily on WhatsApp and Facebook groups for up-to-date information from other travelers and locals about safety and logistics.
• Local reception: She found that being Indonesian was viewed positively by the Taliban, who were generally accepting of her presence.
• Security measures: Despite the relative calm, there were still strict security measures in place, such as hotels with security barriers.
• Travel method: She mentioned sharing taxis with other travelers to visit places like Bamyan, known for its destroyed Buddha statues.
• Precautions: Kristia contacted the Indonesian embassy in Afghanistan and kept them informed of her whereabouts for safety reasons.
• Cultural considerations: She had to be mindful of appropriate dress and behavior, especially as a woman.
• Comparison to expectations: Kristia found the experience less dangerous than many might assume, though she acknowledged the need for caution and awareness.

Overall, while Kristia's experience in Afghanistan was positive, she emphasized the importance of staying informed, respecting local customs, and taking necessary precautions when traveling in such regions.

Questions

Q: Did you ever feel unsafe traveling solo in Shangri-La? A: Kristia felt very safe in China, including Shangri-La. She mentioned the high level of control and surveillance actually made her feel safer.

Q: How did you get around? How to know where to catch a ride or transport? A: Kristia relied on online research, asking locals, and using Google Translate. She emphasized figuring things out step-by-step rather than planning everything in advance.

Q: How do you get data access during your journey? Or are you off the grid most of the time? A: She used a combination of roaming with her Indonesian SIM card and buying local SIM cards. She recommended getting local SIM cards when possible for easier access to local apps.

Q: What concerns did you have during your long trip? How did you do your banking? A: Kristia could use her Indonesian credit cards in most countries except Iran. She advised having multiple cards and some cash. For Iran, she brought US dollars and Chinese yuan.

Q: How did you navigate safety as a solo female traveler? A: Kristia mentioned paying more for safer accommodations and transport, avoiding traveling at night, and always sharing her location with family. She also contacted Indonesian embassies in countries she perceived as riskier.

Q: Did you need additional permits to travel around Shangri-La? A: No additional permits were needed for Shangri-La, only for the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Q: What was your favorite place in the whole trip? A: While she enjoyed aspects of every country, Kristia mentioned Pakistan and Iran as places she'd like to revisit and explore more thoroughly.

Q: Were people in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan familiar with Indonesia? A: Yes, Kristia found that Indonesia had a good reputation in Islamic countries. Many people were familiar with Indonesia, often through Indonesian foreign workers or Indonesia's stance on issues important to Islamic countries.

Thanks to Kristia for joining us. Thanks to Nico for connecting me to Kristia and thanks to al the participants for the questions and interesting discussions.

Links: Kristia Davina Sianipar (@kristiasianipar) • Instagram photos and videos by Krisita