2023
The end of the pandemic did not put an end to our travels. Instead, it opened up more doors~
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Locations:
Guatemala, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Canada, Denmark, Slovenia, Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, England, Scotland
Jan 2023
Guatemala
Antigua > Lake Atitlan > Guatemala City
According to legal documents, anytime spent in Canada or Mexico (direct borders with the US) would count towards my 90-day limit on my US visa. So we looked at the map and randomly pointed at a country in Central America to visit in order to "reset my clock". Guatemala is SO underrated, we loved it!
Jan–Feb 2023
Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia
Singapore > Kuching > Samarinda
Finally Eric made it to Asia for Lunar New Year celebrations! As my parents were originally from Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) we also made a trip back for festivities. It was also the first reunion for all my extended family after the long drawn-out pandemic. Eric even went on a fly-fishing trip in Indonesian Borneo!
Mar 2023
Kyoto, Japan
+ Osaka > Nara > Hiroshima > Miyajima
If you know us, you probably know that WE LOVE JAPAN. There was no way we weren't going to make it to the country at all while travelling full-time – and having been to Kyoto before myself, I knew it was a place I HAD to return to with Eric. We booked everything for Sakura season BEFORE Japan even announced their reopening. That's how badly we wanted it to happen. And I'm so glad it did. Mummy Sim also joined us here for 2 weeks!
Apr 2023
Kyushu, Japan
Nagasaki > Beppu > Yufuin > Kuju > Aso > Takachiho > Miyazaki > Kirishima > Kagoshima > Chiran > Ibusuki > Yakushima > Fukuoka
Our excitement for Japan really culminated here as we headed westward towards the Kyushu area, an extremely volcanic region of Japan lesser known to international tourists and bubbling with hot springs. We switched gears and moved every few days to fully soak in every place (and onsen) we found. Pher and Faith also flew in from the Philippines to join us here! It was an extremely tiring month but also ULTRA fulfilling.
May 2023
Busan, Korea
+Gyeongju
Due to Korea's proximity to Japan, we thought it was time for us to give it a chance (we never really had a desire to visit prior to this). And if you were like me and thought Korea would be very similar to Japan – then you are so very wrong! We recuperated and rested a lot in a wonderful, modern airbnb with wonderful views here.
Jun 2023
Jeju, South Korea
+Seoul
To experience a more laidback and scenic part of South Korea, we headed to the island of Jeju, which further led us to Udo Island and more. We spent a week here before Eric returned to the US for a hiking trip, afterwhich Yujie joined me from Singapore, continuing our trip into Seoul, the capitalist paradise of South Korea. I also managed to squeeze in a short 2-week trip back home in Singapore!
Jul 2023
The Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada & USA
Cochrane > Calgary > Banff > Jasper > Kananaskis
+ San Diego > Minneapolis > Wisconsin
After years of saying "I really want to go to Banff" to literally anyone who brought up the Canadian Rockies, we finally made it there to witness all the incredible nature it had to offer. This was followed by two weeks in San Diego and Eric's parents' home (where I finally experienced Minnesotan summer for the first time) before heading to Europe. Again.
Aug 2023
Copenhagen, Denmark
+ Malmö & Lund
Our first foray into Northern Europe / Scandinavia – and it turned out to be one of our favourite places in the whole of Europe. So VERY liveable, but also so VERY expensive. Maybe for the future ;)
Sep 2023
Slovenia/Germany, Italy & Austria
Soca Valley/Berlin > Munich > Dolomites > Salzburg
While Eric went fly-fishing in the Slovenia, I met up with my friend Marie in Berlin! Then we reunited in Munich, along with Eric's family and our friends at Oktoberfest 2023. We had a blast and got Covid for the first time ever, went hiking in the Italian Alps after, and visited Mozart's birthplace. It was a month jam-packed with activities!
Oct 2023
Budapest, Hungary
Retired from our hectic pace for a while on the Pest side of Budapest. This was a month of R&R, cheap expenses consisting of lots of SPAR croissants and pastries. We made multiple trips to Buda, and even left the city borders to meet up with Eric's friend who now lives in Budapest!
Nov 2023
Prague, Czech Republic & London, England
Checking off another country on Central Europe off our list. We entered the most touristy yet romantic part of all, and I sure could see why it was such a popular destination! Things were not cheap for Central/Eastern European standards, but it was a good week-long vacay before he headed into the UK as our 90-day Schengen limit was nearing its end.​
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Dec 2023
Gdansk, Poland & Edinburgh, Scotland & USA
While we were in London, my mum visited and we stayed at Marie's apartment (while she was back in Singapore, how timely). We made side-trips to Gdansk and Edinburgh, exploring a small, coastal part of Poland and revisting some of our favourite sites in Scotland. What a way to come full circle after three years of nomad life together :) Ended our year by spending Christmas in Minnesota and Wisconsin!