So what did 2019 look like?
After a year of being back in Hong Kong, following the return from Europe, the 2nd year was surprisingly nomadic. I spent most of the year in and out of my base, almost constantly on the road, so this year – perhaps more than ever – pushed my boundaries to the edge. It’s been a rewarding year, but also an exhausting one, where I needed to consider how to find more balance, to be able to roam the world and maintain some feeling of having a base.
Overall summary
This year I’ve explored more of my Hong Kong base, with revisits to mainland China (Guangdong), Portugal, Israel (x3), Thailand, Italy (x2), France, Belgium, Netherlands (x2), Singapore, United States (x2), Central America, Croatia, Austria, Japan, Taiwan, and first visits to Malta, Guatemala, Slovenia, Sweden, and Nepal.
So, here’s a quick summary of my 2019 in travel…
January
Started the year in Portugal…
- Serra da Estrela Natural Park : Portugal
- Leiria castle & Batalha monastery: Portugal
- Viseu and mountains around Porto : Portugal
- Buddha Eden Gardens near Obidos : Portugal
- Visions of Porto : Portugal
- Visions of Coimbra and Obidos : Portugal
- Visions of Viseu and surrounding mountains : Portugal
- Museu De Agua & Amoreiras observation : Lisbon
had a quick visit to Israel…
February
Spent Chinese new year in Thailand, first in Bangkok, then Koh Samui, and finally up north in Chiang Mai, 14 years after this being my first introduction to Asia. Towards end of the month made my way to Italy, to start with a winter school in Padua, then down to Rome, and a quick trip to Malta.
Thailand
Bangkok
- Visions of Bangkok : Thailand
- Icon Siam shopping mall : Bangkok
- Khaosan Road & China Town : Bangkok
- Bangkok Design Week 2019 Fusion Forward
- Siriraj Medical Museum : Bangkok
- Bangkok Art & Culture Centre & Jim Thompson House Museum
- Khaosan Road & China Town : Bangkok
- Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) : Bangkok
- Royal Palace & Wat Arun : Bangkok
- Bangkokian Museum : Bangkok
Chiang Mai
- Visions of Chang Mai : Thailand
- Hmong Village and Doipui Waterfall : Chang Mai
- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep : Chiang Mai
- Bhubing Palace : Chiang Mai
- Royal Park Rajapruek : Chang Mai
- Baan Kang Wat artist village : Chang Mai
- Wat Phra That Doi Kham : Chiang Mai
Islands
Padua, Italy
Malta
- Golden Bay, Bugibba St Pauls Bay, & Red Tower : Malta
- Visions of Mdina Old Town : Malta
- Dingli cliffs, Ħaġar Qim, & Blue Grotto : Malta
- Walking tour of Valletta highlights : Malta
- Visions of Malta
- Gozo island : Malta
March
Made my way to Paris France, then toured up to Belgium, and Netherlands.
When back in Hong Kong, did trips to the nearby mainland China Guangdong province.
Belgium
Netherlands
Hong Kong
Guangdong, China
- Visions of Chaozhou : Guangdong China
- Yingxi Fenglin Corridor Scenic Area : Guangdong
- Gulong Xiayuan Ecology Tourist Zone : Qingyuan Guangdong China
April
Had a visit to Singapore, followed by a trip to the United States.
Singapore
- Singapore Botanical Gardens
- Nanyang Technological University Campus : Singapore
- Singapore walking tour
United States
- Visions of Baltimore : Maryland
- Amish Farm and House : Lancaster
- Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Folks Art Museum
- One Liberty Observation Deck & Rodin Museum : Philadelphia
- Revisiting Philadelphia : Pennsylvania
May
Visited central America, and visited the United States again (Washington)
Mexico
- Coyoacan & Cuicuilco : Mexico City
- Toy Museum Old Mexico Street Art : Mexico City
- Ex-Hacienda de Chautla : Mexico
- Walking tour of Puebla : Mexico
- Ex Convent of Guerrero Cuilapam : Oaxaca Mexico
- Atzompa Archaeological Site : Oaxaca
- Oaxaca Town walking tour : Mexico
- La Mexicana Park : Mexico City
- Visions of Cholula : Mexico
- Visions of Oaxaca : Mexico
- Visions of Puebla : Mexico
- Visions of Orizaba : Mexico
Guatemala
June
Traveled to Israel…
July
Made my way back to Amsterdam, and ventured to Croatia, Italy, Slovenia…
Croatia
- Zagreb walking tour and attractions : Croatia
- Visions of Rijeka : Croatia
- PEEK&POKE Computer Specialty Museum : Rijeka
- Visions of Split : Croatia
- Visions of Hvar Island : Croatia
- Visions of Zagreb : Croatia
- Walking tour of Hvar : Croatia
- Split Walking Tour : Croatia
Italy
Slovenia
August
Austria, Israel, Netherlands, and Sweden
Austria
Netherlands
Sweden
- Visions of Stockholm : Sweden
- Visions of Linkoping : Sweden
- Walking tour of Linkoping : Sweden
- Walking tour of Stockholm : Sweden
Israel:
September
Hong Kong
October
Ishigaki, Okinanawa, Japan
- Visions of Ishigaki Okinawa : Japan
- Ibaruma Sabichi Cave : Ishigaki
- Taketomi Island Iriomote Ishigaki National Park
- Kabira bay : Ishigaki Japan
November
Taiwan
- National Taiwan University campus : Taipei
- National Cheng Kung University campus : Tainan
- Visions of Kaohsiung : Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Pier Harbor Arts Area : Taiwan
- Taiwanese Temples of Lotus Pond Zuoying : Kaohsiung
- British Consulate at Takow : Kaohsiung
- Visions walking tour of Taichung : Taiwan
- Visions and scooter tour of Tainan : Taiwan
December
Nepal
- Visions of Kathmandu : Nepal
- Chandragiri Hills : Kathmandu
- Baber Mahal Vilas Hotel & Shopping : Kathmandu
- Walking tour of Bhaktapur : Nepal
- Visions of Pokhara & Chitwan National Park : Nepal
- Chitwan National Park & Bharatpur : Nepal
- Annapurna basecamp : Nepal
- Chitwan National Park & Bharatpur : Nepal
- Visions of Pokhara & Chitwan National Park : Nepal
- Swayambhu Monkey Temple: Kathmandu
- Pokhara Walking Tour : Nepal
- Durbar Square & Around Kathmandu : Nepal
Not a bad year (compare that with 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009). I hope 2020 will bring lots of new adventures and interesting travels.
What to expect in 2020?
Will continue the same gig in Hong Kong, which is going through some difficult time. I have some trips planned for Australia and New Zealand, and really hoping to make it to South America and Central America. Will most probbaly be in North America and Europe during th summer. It’s going to be a busy travel year. Either way, new adventures coming up, definitely something to look forward to.
Have a great 2020!