2022
The continuation of what was meant to be a year-long trip. Venturing into more of the Americas, while finally getting to return home (for Cassie).
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Locations:
USA, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France, USA, Mexico
Jan 2022
New York, USA
+ Minnesota > Wisconsin > Chicago
From 2 weeks in Minnesota and Wisconsin for the holidays, to 2 weeks in Chicago, we spent another 4 weeks (and a lot of $$) in New York – while realising that unlike in Europe, cities in America generally feel more or less similar to one another. I think my excitement for America had waned a little, but I was really glad I got to catch up with my longtime friends, Aran and Hanchih. New York, I like you, but I don't.
Feb 2022
Lisbon, Portugal
+ Belém > Sintra > Colares > Cascais > Porto
There was so much more of Europe to see. Eric had been toying with the idea of relocating to Portugal, but we wanted to experience it first. We had a very romantic and delicious Valentine's Day meal that started "too early" at 7pm. This was also where my college friends from Colorado, Hope and Allison, joined us on our travels!
Mar 2022
Southern Spain (Andalucia)
Seville > Cádiz > Ronda > Granada > Córdoba
Heard amazing things about Andalucia from so many friends – from the Moorish architecture to the incredible food, everything was truly M A G I C A L. It was particularly interesting to see both Islamic and Christian influences in the churches. Will return in a heartbeat.
Apr 2022
Barcelona, Spain
+ Montserrat > Girona > Figueres
Made our way up to the most well-known city of Spain to say "Oh My Gaudi!" and soak in the local F&B scene. We had an unforgettable One Michelin Star meal there, and my opinion of Gaudi's work changed gradually overtime. Here, my high school friends, Marie and Clarisse, joined us from the UK and Sweden separately.
A 3-MONTH HIATUS
May–Jul 2022
I finally returned home to Singapore for the first time in 20 months! Eric also went back to the USA in the meantime, so we both caught up with friends and family, while I also reverted to the 9–6 lifestyle.
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Back to long-distance for us it was!
Aug 2022
Gent, Belgium
+ Bruges > Brussels
And the travels resumed! Clearly we hadn't had enough of Europe yet, and so picked a country that we had not yet been to together. We hadn't heard great things about Brussels in Belgium, and so decided on Gent, where we cat-sat for our airbnb hosts and met Maurice, the blue British Shorthair :') Bernice also joined us for a few days from Singapore!
Sep 2022
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ Delft > The Hague > Zaandam > Volendam > Edam > Marken
How could we go to Belgium without popping by the Netherlands too? We made our way up north and crossed the border into more canal villages and towns. Very classic and memorable! Netherlands ranks pretty highly on our list of favourites, I think...
Oct 2022
Germany & France
Munich > Paris
Eric's brother and mom, Craig and Lori, had plans to visit Europe together and we made it a point to join them for Oktoberfest in Munich! We put up at Rex+Jiahui's, my friends who then lived in Germany, before heading to the overrated Paris for a week for some "romance".
Oct 2022
Colorado & California, USA
Breckenridge > Telluride > Boulder > San Diego > Encinitas > Los Angeles
Eric had to be back in the US for an offsite, and I had the blessing of flying back to Denver with him! We took the opportunity to retrace my steps living in Boulder 10 years ago, visit more jaw-dropping mountain towns, before flying to San Diego for Hope's wedding. After that we met up with Craig & Marina in Joshua Tree National Park, checking off another item on the List-of-Things-We-Wanna-Do.
Nov–Dec 2022
Mexico City, Mexico
+ Teotihuacan > Oaxaca > Mitla
To get away from the high costs in the US, we decided to head down south into Mexico! We first started in Oaxaca, where we got food poisoning, but also saw many beautiful natural sights. Then we headed to Mexico City where I found things to be not that cheap afterall! Granted we had chosen to stay in an expat area that was also supposedly more safe...
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Then it was Christmas in America as usual!