After over 3 years of being away from Asia, being based in North American and Europe, I returned to Hong Kong, to take the next step in my professional career. I enjoyed my life in Europe very much, and was already very familiar with Hong Kong, so was a bit worried how things would work out. Looking back at this year I can conclude this year to far exceeding my expectations. Both personally and professionally things turned out great. Travel wise, I have been able to see many more exciting places around the world and go on many new adventures. Being back in Asia allowed me to explore much more of the region, but also saw more of Europe during the summer.
Overall summary
This year I’ve explored more of my Hong Kong base, with revisits to mainland China (Yunnan, 2x Shenzhen , 3x Guangdong , Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing), South Korea (south, then 2x north), Japan (x2), France (x2), Italy, Israel (x2), Vietnam, Spain, and Portugal, with first visits to Sri-Lanka, Denmark, and Finland.
So, here’s a quick summary of my 2018 in travel…
January
This month was mostly reorienting in Hong Kong. Saw a few new places …
Visited Shenzhen a bit.
February
Spent Chinese new years in Israel.
March
First trip to Sri Lanka, had all kinds of strange adventures there…
- A day in Colombo : Sri Lanka
- Visions of Colombo : Sri Lanka
- Visions of Dambulla and Sigiriya : Sri Lanka
- Kandy Royal Botanic Gardens : Sri Lanka
- Visions of Kandy : Sri Lanka
- Sigiriya Lion Rock ancient fortress hill : Sri Lanka
- Dambulla Rock Temple : Sri Lanka
- Sigiri Safari : Sri Lanka
And experienced my nicest trip to mainland China so far, to Yunnan province…
- Visions of Kunming : Yunnan China
- Green Lake Park and Yunnan University : Kunming China
- Guandu Ancient Town : Kunming
- Shilin Stone Forest : Yunnan China
- Visions of Lijiang : Yunnan China
- Heilongtan Park and Black Dragon Pool : Old Lijiang Yunnan China
- Lion Rock Mountain Wangu Tower : Lijiang China
- Shuhe ancient water town : Yunnan China
- Visions of Shuhe ancient town : Yunnan China
- Visions of Dali : Yunnan China
- Dali old town : Yunnan
- Zhonghe Cableway : Dali China
April
Mostly in Hong Kong, with visitors coming in to see me and explore HK a bit more…
Did a quick trip to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nanjing
- Old residences & Fuxing park : Shanghai
- CEIBS campus : Shanghai
- Visions of Suzhou : China
- Xuanwu Lake and old city walls : Nanjing
- Visions of Nanjing : China
- Ruiguang Tower pagoda and gardens : Suzhou
- Pingjiang historical blocks : Suzhou
- Humble Administrator and Lion Grove Gardens : Suzhou
- Canglang Pavilion : Suzhou
- Gujiming Temple, Confucian Temple, & Qinhuai River : Nanjing
May
Mostly in Hong Kong, wrapping up a very hectic semester, with only quick getaway to Guangdong.
June
Saw southern South Korea for the first time…
- Visions of Busan : South Korea
- Visions of Ulsan : South Korea
- Gyeongju Tomb Park : South Korea
- Bulguksa Temple : Gyeongju South Korea
- Visions of Gyeongju : South Korea
- World Culture Expo Park & Bomun Lake : Gyeongju
- Cable Car To Amnam Park : Busan
- Haeundae Beach, Igidae Coastal Walk & Dongbaek Park : Busan
And started my European summer. First in Paris…
- Visions of Paris : France
- Paris Nanterre University campus visit
- Visions of Chantilly : France
- Château de Chantilly : France
Then the northwestern region, with Rouen…
- Visions of Rouen and Northern Coast : France
- Walking tour of Rouen : France
- Northwest coast France : Fécamp & Étretat
- NEOMA business school campus visit : France
And my first visit to Denmark…
- Visions of Denmark roadtrip
- Visions of Copenhagen : Denmark
- Visiting Hans Christian Andersen in Odense : Denmark
- Møns Klint white chalk cliffs : Denmark
- Thorsvang Denmark Collector Museum
- Medieval Centre Living History Museum: Denmark
- Viking Ship Museum : Roskilde Denmark
- Copenhagen walking tour: Denmark
July
Another visit to Israel, coming back to France and heading down to Italy…
- National Museum of Cinema : Torino Italy
- Visions of Turin and surrounding mountains : Italy
- Visions of Genoa : Italy
- Sacra di San Michele & Lago Grande di Avigliana : Northern Italy
- Galata Museo del Mare Muma : Genoa Italy
- Faro Della Vittoria and Basilica of Superga : Turin
- Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art
Then my first visit to Finland…
- Visions of Helsinki : Finland
- Visions of Tampere & Turku : Finland
- Helsinki walking tour : Finland
- Walking tour of Turku : Finland
August
Trip getaway to South Korea, mostly Seoul area.
South Korea
- Chuncheon : South Korea
- Fuerza Bruta crazy show at Seoul
- Gamcheon Culture Village : Busan
- Haedong Temple : Busan
- Daewangam Park : Ulsan
- Seoraksan National Park : South Korea
- Naksansa temple & Lighthouse Observatory : Sokcho
- Seaside and local life : Sokcho South Korea
September
Not much during September. Hectic work month.
October
Finally made it back to Japan, Fukuoka region…
- Visions of Kitakyushu : Japan
- Visions of Fukuoka : Japan
- Toto toilet museum : Kitakyushu Japan
- Uminonakamichi Seaside Park : Fukuoka
- Mount Sarakura cable car : Fukuoka – Kitakyushu
- Chikuzen Sumiyoshi & Hakata Gion Yamakasa Shrines: Fukuoka
- Maizuru and Ohori Parks : Fukuoka
- Central Kitakyushu walk : Fukuoka
With a visit to north-eastern South Korea…
- Visions of Chuncheon : South Korea
- Visions of Namhansanseong National Park : South Korea
- Visions of Sokcho : South Korea
and a bit in Guangdong…
November
A few new bits in Hong Kong…
Quick getaway to nearby Zhuhai
- Visions of Zhuhai : China
- Opera House : Zhuhai China
- Jingshan Park Sante cable car & Mermaid park coast : Zhuhai
- New Yuan Ming Palace : Zhuhai
And a trip to Japan’s Kagoshima area…
- Visions of Kagoshima : Japan
- Visions of Aso : Kumamoto Japan
- Nabegataki Falls : Kagoshima
- Chojabaru Plateau : Oita Japan
- Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi : Oita Japan
- Sengan-en Gardens : Kagoshima
- Sakurajima volcano : Kagoshima Japan
- Takachiho Gorge : Kumamoto
- Mount Nakadake Aso Kuju Volcano National Park : Kumamoto
December
Going back to visit Vietnam after 13 years being away, and wrapping up the year in Spain and Portugal.
- Visions of Danang : Vietnam
- Visions of Hoi An : Vietnam
- Fresco Village Grafitti neighborhood : Danang
- Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain) Danang Vietnam
- Marble Mountains : Danang Vietnam
- Hoi An Impression Theme Park & Memories show
Spain
Portugal
- Walking tour of Porto : Portugal
- Obidos walking tour : Portugal
- Walking tour of Coimbra : Portugal
- Coastline southwestern drive: Portugal
Not a bad year (compare that with 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009). I hope 2019 will bring lots of new adventures and interesting travels.
What to expect in 2019?
Will continue the same gig in Hong Kong, and hope to explore more in the region. Planned trips coming up to Europe and Northern American, with more explorations in Asia. Hope to be able to venture to South America as well. Either way, new adventures coming up, definitely something to look forward to.
Have a great 2019!