I want to keep my world traveller spirit in 2015. In order to operationalise my goal, I need to look into where I’ve been in the past year.
Kansai area, Japan
Finally I visited Japan for the first time in my life in 2014. It was absolutely wonderful! Japan is undoubtedly my favourite!
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- Nice English instructions on paper to guide non-Japanese speakers in the airport!
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- This is right next to our hostel! Only 3 minutes walk!
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- Amazing Ichiran ramen
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- Transportation card that allow you to take train and local metro.
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- The best reason to be in Japan…
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- No reason to miss out Yamazaki distillery if you are in Kaisai
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- Jees, I am overwhelmed by the vast beauty of flowers. I will gladly go back again for the flower blossoms.
Taipei, Taiwan
I went back to Taiwan for Chinese new year. It was wonderful to be home.
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- Baby metal’s concert in Taipei. Quiet interesting…
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- Min Nan style building in Taipei.
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- Taiwanese tapas! These are the food that I will die for!
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- Great monty python joke right inside your elevator!
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- Yangmingshan national park, Taiwan.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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- This is one of the ‘coffee shops’ that you don’t want to go. It got popular because of the movie and became too overpriced.
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- Magic muffin. I didn’t dare to try to eat the whole one at once because I was afraid that it might be too strong.
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- Red light district.
New York City and LA, the United States
I went to NYC again for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. I learned tremulously from my two-week stay there. I met friends, old and new. After NYC I went to LA immediately via Virgin America. It was a budget airline with a night club touch: with pop music style and purple inflight lights. It was real to meet my best friend before she embark her journey with peace corp.
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- In the United Nations HQ. It was quiet frustrating to just go to the meeting and listen to people complaining about the human rights violations. I hope I am able to do something for my people someday.
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- This view was from the apartment of my friend who is working as attorney who specialized in advancing indigenous human rights. I should rent a place from this apartment if I am going to the UN again.
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- Yosemite National Park. Unforgettable experience!
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- Griffith observatory at Hollywood.
Leiden and Utrecht, Netherlands
A professor from Leiden University invited me to share my experience as an indigenous researcher in a conference he hosted. It was great. I had a feeling that I might be able to survive the academic life. People were really helpful and kind there. I went to Utrecht briefly after Leiden to visit friends. The train was convenient and comfortable.
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- Night view of Leiden. I took it during an evening walk with other researchers.
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- A snapshot during the conference.
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- Wonderful beer in Utrecht.
Como lake and Tuscany, Italy
Como lake was absolutely breathtaking. The landscape reminded me of Game of Thrones for some reason. I enjoy exploring the surrounding by boat and foot. Tuscany was amazing, too. I wasn’t so impressed by the food though. I need to go to Southern Italy for good food, it seems.
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- Como lake situated right between the mountains. It was very convenient to take a boat from one place to another. And there were several hiking route you can follow for day trips.
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- Nothing is better than watching the sunset by the beautiful lake side.
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- Though it’s quiet a crèches view for Tuscany, you still can’t resist it.
Brussels, Brugge, Antwerp, Ghent, Belgium
Relaxing trip with friends. I really enjoyed the Belgium beer 🙂
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- Have you heard of Trappist beer? I learned it for the first time in my life in Brussels! And I wholeheartedly recommend this Westmalle Trappist beer. It was heavenly!
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- Best dinner I had in Belgium. Thanks to Tripadvisor!
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- I enjoyed the great city view from the top of the church. It was a great way to explore European cities… by climbing up their churches.
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- I just realize that I fell in love with la chouffe beer. It was unbearable to live without it 😛
So in total I travelled to six countries in 2014. I was in Japan approximately 12 days, in Taiwan for a month, in Amsterdam for 4 days, in the US for a month, in Leiden and Utrecht for 4 days, in Italy for two weeks and Belgium for 5 days. So in total around 100 days! Honestly I didn’t realized I backpacked for such a long time! I hope in 2015 I am able to keep up the spirit and enjoy every moment of living.
¡VOLA! 沒啦 