©2008-2010 SharrieShaw.com. All Rights Reserved.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
What's new in 2006? > Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Estonia, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands!
Jan 2006 -- Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
Mar 2006 -- Indonesia: Jakarta
Mar/Apr 2006 -- Croatia: Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, Mjlet; Slovenia: Ljubljana, Bled; Bosnia & Herzegovina: Neum
Apr 2006 -- Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Matsushiro
May 2006 -- China: Shanghai, Zhangjiajie
Jun 2006 -- Germany: Berlin, Hamburg, Lubeck; Estonia: Tallinn, Tartu; U.S.A.: Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Yosemite, Memphis, Washington DC
Aug 2006 -- Thailand: Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Bangkok
Sep 2006 -- China: Xiamen, Wuyishan
Oct 2006 -- Canada: Toronto; Puerto Rico: San Juan; U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas; China: Beijing, Huhehaote (Hohhot), Baotou
Dec 2006 -- China: Shanghai, Chongqing, Xian
Mar 2006 -- Indonesia: Jakarta
Mar/Apr 2006 -- Croatia: Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, Mjlet; Slovenia: Ljubljana, Bled; Bosnia & Herzegovina: Neum
Apr 2006 -- Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Matsushiro
May 2006 -- China: Shanghai, Zhangjiajie
Jun 2006 -- Germany: Berlin, Hamburg, Lubeck; Estonia: Tallinn, Tartu; U.S.A.: Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Yosemite, Memphis, Washington DC
Aug 2006 -- Thailand: Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Bangkok
Sep 2006 -- China: Xiamen, Wuyishan
Oct 2006 -- Canada: Toronto; Puerto Rico: San Juan; U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas; China: Beijing, Huhehaote (Hohhot), Baotou
Dec 2006 -- China: Shanghai, Chongqing, Xian
Journeys Unlimited
March
The year starts with a day trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to apply for a visa to Croatia. That marks the beginning of an unforgettable trip to 2 Eastern Europe countries which I had long wanted to go. After my short weekend trip to Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend my Canadian cousin's wedding in mid-March, I embarked on my 10-day trip to Croatia. First stop being its capital Zagreb. Before arrival I encountered Austrian Airlines overbooked flight to Vienna & had since vowed to stay clear of that airline in the future. Upon my arrival, my first task was to locate the Slovenian Embassy in Zagreb so as to obtain my entry visa to Slovenia. Fortunately for me, I was on schedule & successfully proceeded to Ljubljana by train after my week stint in Dubrovnik, Split & Trogir.
Of the 4 cities I visited in Croatia, Dubrovnik (a World Heritage site) is most fairy-tale like. It is hard to believe this resort city had actually undergone one of the bloodiest war in Yugoslavia back then in the 80s & 90s. How the world has changed for most Croatians. As Split houses one of the wonders of the world, the Diocletian's Palace, it is a must for anyone heading Croatia. To get to Split from Dubrovnik, one needs to drive through Bosnia & Herzegovina, via the coastal city of Neum. The 5-hour drive is very scenic though & is a delightful journey for me. This is where Croatia is at its best. It showcased many of the rustic rural life of the people of this part of the world. Not to be missed! Split the city itself was generally known to be distinctly unique & going through the maze of its old town is another kind of experience that one needs to live through it to tell its flavors. Diocletian's Palace is not what you'd imagine a palace to be ;-) After a night in Split, I headed back to Zagreb for the train across the border to Slovenia. My first stop is the capital Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is a very pleasant & compact city. It has a very different feel compared to cities in Croatia. I still marvel at how that is possible for 2 ountries that's only 2 hours ride by train from one another. Nonetheless, Ljubljana feels a lot more peaceful than the vibrant cities of Croatia. I enjoyed my stay here very much & hope to return again in the future.
Finally, it's time to head to Lake Bled where I've always wanted to go since first sighting its pictures on the internet! Lake Bled did not disappoint at all. It proves to be one of my most memorable stay throughout my travels this year. For those of you interested, this is an ideal place for honeymooners & for those who want some peace, beauty & relaxation. Spas here are great too & food is definitely excellent. I love it here! Such a beautiful place & yet undiscovered by most people outside Europe. About 1 hour from Bled is the amazing Lake Bohinj. Do take the excursion there! It marvels!
It was then time to leave this paradise & head back to Zagreb after a 2-night stay in this paradise of the world. In Zagreb, I further indulged in its splendor by spending a night at the town's most luxurious hotel, the Regent Zagreb.
Next, it's time to head to the coastal town of Trogir (much nearer to Zagreb Airport than Zagreb itself) for an early night before heading to the airport for my flight home. What a marvelous trip it has been!!!
April
The cherry blossom season is most beautiful in the city of Kyoto, Japan.
I missed many years of cherry blossoms due to global warming & mistiming. This year, I finally made it back to Kyoto, the ancient capital where all things ancient & conventional can still be experienced in this city.
Last year's "Memoirs of a Geisha" brought back the urge to revisit this elegant city where geishas & maikos dwell. It is my 3rd visit to this city but my first visit to the Miyako Odori (cherry blossom dance) where geishas & maikos performed the dance every spring. The history of Miyako Odori dates back as far as 1872 (134 years ago!). It is a fun time of the year, every visitor is exuberant & enjoy the atmospheric city at this time of the year to the utmost. One can even go as far as dressing up & posing as a Geisha or Maiko just for the fun of it all. I did & you should :-)
Kyoto is extremely regal during this time of the year. If you are lucky like I was, you'll probably get to see maikos dancing all the traditional dances at the temples too. It was a rare treat for me at Heian Shrine that sunday morning. The sakura was in full splendor in its fantastic garden as well. A magnificent sight!
May
The journey to Zhangjiajie, China, was conceived way back in 2004 after my 2003 short stint/hike to Huangshan. Huangshan was hardly a great hike for me as it was almost raining the whole time I was there. That made the paths most dangerous & the sceneries most dreadful. Still, it was a challenge I conquered & that kept me hoping for more of great hikes in this vast land. It took sometime b4 I finally made it to Zhangjiajie. Many told me b4 my arrival that it's similar to Huangshan.
It is not similar though...
I had better luck with Zhangjiajie. Of the 4 days I was there, the first was pouring until no one in their decent mind would venture out; well, at least until 2 pm. Later, God took pity on me & the rain stopped. It was still very cold though (due to the rain) & I successfully made my way to a walk in the valley of Jingbianxi. The 2nd & 3rd day (2nd gloomy, 3rd bright sunshine & much too hot!) I spent more time venturing deeper into this huge national park in Hunan. I visited the Tianzhishan section & also Yangjiajie. On the 3rd day, I was at Baofeng lake & Yellow Dragon Cave. Zhangjiajie is interesting & challenging in its own way. Many sightseeing spots & locations are unmarked making it a challenge & tiring task of navigating the park on one's own. But as usual, I like the freedom of going on my own pace too much so I simply went on my way about. In this park, it is worth going off the beaten path though riskier. The sights where most tourists don't venture are worth checking out. Allow more time though, at least a total of 4 days excluding Baofenghu & Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglongdong). As the weather heated up, I finally made my way to Wulongzhai. This is one fine place &
a hike up further into the park promises great stunning views!
June
It was supposed to be summer but it felt very cold here in Berlin, Germany. This had to be one of the very worst time of my life too. I began the trip on receiving news a day after arrival a good friend had passed away due to some work accident. He was an archaeologist in Lisbon, Portugal. His name, Armando. I met Armando 3 years ago in Lisbon & had a great great time during my 4-day stay in Lisbon. We even talked about meeting up in China b4 I left! I'll never ever see him again :(
On top of that, I had another client who passed away while coaching some kids in NZ on the field! He was only in his 40s.
So many deaths of people I personally know. Other than that, I've had other personal problems, severe ones! So, it was a trip that I ought not to have made. & though World Cup was held across Germany & the final in Berlin, I was not even here for that! Still, looking at those photos I took back then, I did enjoy it even in that mental state back then. It is one of many great cities in Europe.
I left for a 4 day-stint in Estonia after Berlin. Too long!!! Tallinn was smaller than I could have imagined & a day trip would suffice. Max: 2 days. It was also a lot colder than I had imagined. For God's sake, it's supposed to be summer & yet it was freezing!!! Those girls in Tallinn told me it's normal to be cold there! I pity them! After exploring the entire old city of Tallinn, I decided to visit its 2nd largest city,, the university town of Tartu. Tartu was unexpectedly pleasant though I wouldn't make a trip all the way here just for it ;)
Finally back to Germany again. This time I headed to Hamburg. The weather finally warms up & it's football fever at its peak! Football fans have arrived from all over the world & to tell you the truth, I've never seen so many men congregated in a place! In fact, in all corners of the city. I met some Croatians (imagine my surprise) & lots of Asians & even Australians! It was crazy time... testosterone at its height! After 2 day-stay, I proceeded to the northern city of Lueback & that marks one of the best day trip of my life! I met a very wise & unforgettable lady!
July
This trip to the U.S. was too complicated to summarize. It was not a properly planned trip but done on the spur of the moment. & there was a heat wave across the U.S. this very summer! It's torturous to do any hikes. My gateway was Portland & after my purchase of the excellent Hood River Marionberry Dessert wine (my favorite of dessert wines to date) at the airport, I headed for San Francisco. It's been quite awhile since my last stay here & I found the city still as pleasant & beautiful as ever. Loved it here... one of my favorites in the States. What's new? Managed to catch the 36th S.F. Gay Pride Parade! What a sight & novelty to see so many people all dressed up & partying. Great fun!
After many years of looking at pictures posted on the internet, I finally get to visit Yosemite. It felt like I had been here before! Due to the heat, I didn't enjoy much of it though as I would have enjoyed most national parks in the States. We also ventured to the Giant Sequoia & I was running out of breath by the time I finished the 2 hour stay there. The heat is killing me!!!
When I reached DC, it was raining cats & dogs. Next day, the weather was back to its normal self! Hot is the word!
August
My very first time to the northern part of Thailand. After landing in Chiangmai I. Airport, it took me less than 10 mins to reach my hotel right in the city! For Thailand, that's call speed!!! In the past, I dreaded going to Thailand because for most part, I had headed for Bangkok which is well known for its traffic jam! Other than Jakarta, nowhere in Asia is traffic that bad!!! So, from the start Chiangmai was endearing & relaxing. During my stay here, I got hooked on the Oasis Spa's massages (tip: ask for Nut, well, that's her name :-)). They were great & at a price much cheaper than most neighboring countries. I vowed to return within the next few months! Heavenly!!! People in Chiangmai is as friendly as other parts of Thailand. I enjoyed their hospitality to the fullest. Loved walking around the city too if not for the hot sun! Still, I managed to see quite a few sights during my short stay here. I was only here for 3 full days & nights. Shopping in Chiangmai (Central Airport Plaza) was fun too. & food... hmmm, as yummy as the rest.
I further took a day tour to Chiangrai just to experience the country side. Visited some local hill tribes & was amazed at the simplicity of lifestyle. Don't think I can ever survived in those places, I've been much too spoilt! ;-)
September
Xiamen & Wuyishan are both in Fujian Province, China. They were both apart by flight by about 45 mins. Xiamen is a lot more compact than I had imagined. The weather is a lot warmer than many other parts of China since it lies to the southeastern tip of China, a lot closer to Taiwan than many other parts of China.
Xiamen is nice for a first visit. It'll be quite some time b4 I'll return here again. However, for anyone interested, Xiamen has a great university, an interesting Buddhist temple (Nanputuo) & a very famous island off its shore (Gulangyu). I found Gulangyu a lot more orderly than Xiamen & has a resort feel to it. Gulangyu is also well known for its extensive nos. of pianos. The view from atop the mountain is fantastic. Worth climbing all the way up to just see the entire Xiamen.
Wuyishan is a famous mountain in China, more for tea-growing than for hiking. Still, it is very popular mountain for most Chinese as it's a holy place for the trinity of Buddhism, Taoism & Confucianism. Wuyishan is also a World Heritage Site; both cultural & natural. I had a great time here especially at the newly opened 5* hotel, one which offers the VERY best service in China. It's one I'll remember for quite some time to come. Excellent hotel: Yue Hua Hotel.
October
It's time for my yearly pilgrimage to clock up the miles required for next year gold/platinum status on my frequent flyer program. Canada in Autumn is most beautiful with the changing color of the Maple leaves. This year though, global warming has delayed the arrival of Fall & hence it still felt like Indian summer somehow. After a week stay in Toronto, I took a short trip to Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas. I've 4 full days here in the Caribbean. Most arrived the two countries by cruise ships, moi... by plane. Remember those miles I acquired? Yep, I managed to redeem both flights to Puerto Rico & St. Thomas.
Puerto Rico (specifically San Juan) has a Spanish touch to it. It's essence is more Spanish than American though its citizens basically hold American passport. It's hard to explain & it's a lot easier to experience :) St. Thomas (U.S.V.I.) is the most beautiful Caribbean island I've been to so far! Hopefully, I'll have a chance to return to explore the other islands of St. John & St. Croix.
Sometimes, life turns out best when it is unplanned. Surprises are not bad per se. Most agree with that especially when they are pleasant ones. Yet, I know many will try their best to steer clear of the unknown & change. This trip is one where I discovered that even for me, at times, I may have unfair preconceived perception of what is & what is not.
I took this trip without knowing exactly where I would eventually end up in. I know it'll be a place in China (somewhere I've not been to). I started planning for Chongqing & Xian, then changed to Datong & Taiyuan, but eventually ended up with Hohhot (Huhehaote in Mandarin) & Baotou in Inner Mongolia. It was not the very best time to travel to Inner Mongolia as it's getting much too cold to go horse riding down its beautiful grasslands. But there is something that called out to me here... the sand dunes & the desert, one that stretches out all the way to Central Asia. Thus, I ventured solo on my own to the Singing Sands Desert (which extend west to Badain Jaran Desert where you'll see some amazing pictures below. It was cold but there was many local tourists on that monday, surprisingly. Hmmm, may be I should have ridden the camel into the inner parts of the desert. I was told they stink though!
Still... perhaps next time :)
December
The year ended with a blast!? No, it really didn't...
It was a turbulent year for me. One which spans many continents (in travel terms), yet, in retrospect, it could well be the worst year of my life. Even now (half a year after year end), it took me a lot of effort to simply round the year off (in writing). There were too many ups & downs in 2006, career-wise, emotional-wise. If life is up to me, I wish this type of roller-coaster doesn't repeat itself ever again!
One day, may be I'll find enough courage to write about it. For now though, since this is mainly a travel site, let's simply concentrate on traveling. Shall we?
Chongqing & Xian - not my fondest cities in China. Not my fondest memories either; it was cold & i was miserable. So, go figure... I fell sick on New Year's Eve in Xian. No, no countdown for me. As I said, I had wished the year simply became a memory, long forgotten.
As for Shanghai, I spent my Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in this city. It was incredibly fun to celebrate Christmas here; yet I was alone. Despite the fact I was alone, I did have fun. So, I wasn't miserable like I was in Xian. I didn't realise that half a year later I would be settling down in this city. That is life for me; full of pleasant surprises :)
When in Japan, my first time to Okinawa, it was a strange feeling.
Firstly, when I landed at the airport (I was traveling alone), the custom officer was very suspicious! Naha alone? How could that be (she must have thought to herself)? So, I was subjected to a very strict "routine" security check (my baggage, ie). Never in Japan was I subjected to such strict checks. So, it was Okinawa afterall (not many enter via this port, I presumed). Later, I found it to be unlike any Japanese city I've been to (& I've been to plenty). This place feels... no, not Japan, not Korea, but may a little combo. Strange... just like my 2006. S T R A N G E !!!
Trips: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 < Last Trip | Next Trip >
The year starts with a day trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to apply for a visa to Croatia. That marks the beginning of an unforgettable trip to 2 Eastern Europe countries which I had long wanted to go. After my short weekend trip to Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend my Canadian cousin's wedding in mid-March, I embarked on my 10-day trip to Croatia. First stop being its capital Zagreb. Before arrival I encountered Austrian Airlines overbooked flight to Vienna & had since vowed to stay clear of that airline in the future. Upon my arrival, my first task was to locate the Slovenian Embassy in Zagreb so as to obtain my entry visa to Slovenia. Fortunately for me, I was on schedule & successfully proceeded to Ljubljana by train after my week stint in Dubrovnik, Split & Trogir.
Of the 4 cities I visited in Croatia, Dubrovnik (a World Heritage site) is most fairy-tale like. It is hard to believe this resort city had actually undergone one of the bloodiest war in Yugoslavia back then in the 80s & 90s. How the world has changed for most Croatians. As Split houses one of the wonders of the world, the Diocletian's Palace, it is a must for anyone heading Croatia. To get to Split from Dubrovnik, one needs to drive through Bosnia & Herzegovina, via the coastal city of Neum. The 5-hour drive is very scenic though & is a delightful journey for me. This is where Croatia is at its best. It showcased many of the rustic rural life of the people of this part of the world. Not to be missed! Split the city itself was generally known to be distinctly unique & going through the maze of its old town is another kind of experience that one needs to live through it to tell its flavors. Diocletian's Palace is not what you'd imagine a palace to be ;-) After a night in Split, I headed back to Zagreb for the train across the border to Slovenia. My first stop is the capital Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is a very pleasant & compact city. It has a very different feel compared to cities in Croatia. I still marvel at how that is possible for 2 ountries that's only 2 hours ride by train from one another. Nonetheless, Ljubljana feels a lot more peaceful than the vibrant cities of Croatia. I enjoyed my stay here very much & hope to return again in the future.
Finally, it's time to head to Lake Bled where I've always wanted to go since first sighting its pictures on the internet! Lake Bled did not disappoint at all. It proves to be one of my most memorable stay throughout my travels this year. For those of you interested, this is an ideal place for honeymooners & for those who want some peace, beauty & relaxation. Spas here are great too & food is definitely excellent. I love it here! Such a beautiful place & yet undiscovered by most people outside Europe. About 1 hour from Bled is the amazing Lake Bohinj. Do take the excursion there! It marvels!
It was then time to leave this paradise & head back to Zagreb after a 2-night stay in this paradise of the world. In Zagreb, I further indulged in its splendor by spending a night at the town's most luxurious hotel, the Regent Zagreb.
Next, it's time to head to the coastal town of Trogir (much nearer to Zagreb Airport than Zagreb itself) for an early night before heading to the airport for my flight home. What a marvelous trip it has been!!!
April
The cherry blossom season is most beautiful in the city of Kyoto, Japan.
I missed many years of cherry blossoms due to global warming & mistiming. This year, I finally made it back to Kyoto, the ancient capital where all things ancient & conventional can still be experienced in this city.
Last year's "Memoirs of a Geisha" brought back the urge to revisit this elegant city where geishas & maikos dwell. It is my 3rd visit to this city but my first visit to the Miyako Odori (cherry blossom dance) where geishas & maikos performed the dance every spring. The history of Miyako Odori dates back as far as 1872 (134 years ago!). It is a fun time of the year, every visitor is exuberant & enjoy the atmospheric city at this time of the year to the utmost. One can even go as far as dressing up & posing as a Geisha or Maiko just for the fun of it all. I did & you should :-)
Kyoto is extremely regal during this time of the year. If you are lucky like I was, you'll probably get to see maikos dancing all the traditional dances at the temples too. It was a rare treat for me at Heian Shrine that sunday morning. The sakura was in full splendor in its fantastic garden as well. A magnificent sight!
May
The journey to Zhangjiajie, China, was conceived way back in 2004 after my 2003 short stint/hike to Huangshan. Huangshan was hardly a great hike for me as it was almost raining the whole time I was there. That made the paths most dangerous & the sceneries most dreadful. Still, it was a challenge I conquered & that kept me hoping for more of great hikes in this vast land. It took sometime b4 I finally made it to Zhangjiajie. Many told me b4 my arrival that it's similar to Huangshan.
It is not similar though...
I had better luck with Zhangjiajie. Of the 4 days I was there, the first was pouring until no one in their decent mind would venture out; well, at least until 2 pm. Later, God took pity on me & the rain stopped. It was still very cold though (due to the rain) & I successfully made my way to a walk in the valley of Jingbianxi. The 2nd & 3rd day (2nd gloomy, 3rd bright sunshine & much too hot!) I spent more time venturing deeper into this huge national park in Hunan. I visited the Tianzhishan section & also Yangjiajie. On the 3rd day, I was at Baofeng lake & Yellow Dragon Cave. Zhangjiajie is interesting & challenging in its own way. Many sightseeing spots & locations are unmarked making it a challenge & tiring task of navigating the park on one's own. But as usual, I like the freedom of going on my own pace too much so I simply went on my way about. In this park, it is worth going off the beaten path though riskier. The sights where most tourists don't venture are worth checking out. Allow more time though, at least a total of 4 days excluding Baofenghu & Yellow Dragon Cave (Huanglongdong). As the weather heated up, I finally made my way to Wulongzhai. This is one fine place &
a hike up further into the park promises great stunning views!
June
It was supposed to be summer but it felt very cold here in Berlin, Germany. This had to be one of the very worst time of my life too. I began the trip on receiving news a day after arrival a good friend had passed away due to some work accident. He was an archaeologist in Lisbon, Portugal. His name, Armando. I met Armando 3 years ago in Lisbon & had a great great time during my 4-day stay in Lisbon. We even talked about meeting up in China b4 I left! I'll never ever see him again :(
On top of that, I had another client who passed away while coaching some kids in NZ on the field! He was only in his 40s.
So many deaths of people I personally know. Other than that, I've had other personal problems, severe ones! So, it was a trip that I ought not to have made. & though World Cup was held across Germany & the final in Berlin, I was not even here for that! Still, looking at those photos I took back then, I did enjoy it even in that mental state back then. It is one of many great cities in Europe.
I left for a 4 day-stint in Estonia after Berlin. Too long!!! Tallinn was smaller than I could have imagined & a day trip would suffice. Max: 2 days. It was also a lot colder than I had imagined. For God's sake, it's supposed to be summer & yet it was freezing!!! Those girls in Tallinn told me it's normal to be cold there! I pity them! After exploring the entire old city of Tallinn, I decided to visit its 2nd largest city,, the university town of Tartu. Tartu was unexpectedly pleasant though I wouldn't make a trip all the way here just for it ;)
Finally back to Germany again. This time I headed to Hamburg. The weather finally warms up & it's football fever at its peak! Football fans have arrived from all over the world & to tell you the truth, I've never seen so many men congregated in a place! In fact, in all corners of the city. I met some Croatians (imagine my surprise) & lots of Asians & even Australians! It was crazy time... testosterone at its height! After 2 day-stay, I proceeded to the northern city of Lueback & that marks one of the best day trip of my life! I met a very wise & unforgettable lady!
July
This trip to the U.S. was too complicated to summarize. It was not a properly planned trip but done on the spur of the moment. & there was a heat wave across the U.S. this very summer! It's torturous to do any hikes. My gateway was Portland & after my purchase of the excellent Hood River Marionberry Dessert wine (my favorite of dessert wines to date) at the airport, I headed for San Francisco. It's been quite awhile since my last stay here & I found the city still as pleasant & beautiful as ever. Loved it here... one of my favorites in the States. What's new? Managed to catch the 36th S.F. Gay Pride Parade! What a sight & novelty to see so many people all dressed up & partying. Great fun!
After many years of looking at pictures posted on the internet, I finally get to visit Yosemite. It felt like I had been here before! Due to the heat, I didn't enjoy much of it though as I would have enjoyed most national parks in the States. We also ventured to the Giant Sequoia & I was running out of breath by the time I finished the 2 hour stay there. The heat is killing me!!!
When I reached DC, it was raining cats & dogs. Next day, the weather was back to its normal self! Hot is the word!
August
My very first time to the northern part of Thailand. After landing in Chiangmai I. Airport, it took me less than 10 mins to reach my hotel right in the city! For Thailand, that's call speed!!! In the past, I dreaded going to Thailand because for most part, I had headed for Bangkok which is well known for its traffic jam! Other than Jakarta, nowhere in Asia is traffic that bad!!! So, from the start Chiangmai was endearing & relaxing. During my stay here, I got hooked on the Oasis Spa's massages (tip: ask for Nut, well, that's her name :-)). They were great & at a price much cheaper than most neighboring countries. I vowed to return within the next few months! Heavenly!!! People in Chiangmai is as friendly as other parts of Thailand. I enjoyed their hospitality to the fullest. Loved walking around the city too if not for the hot sun! Still, I managed to see quite a few sights during my short stay here. I was only here for 3 full days & nights. Shopping in Chiangmai (Central Airport Plaza) was fun too. & food... hmmm, as yummy as the rest.
I further took a day tour to Chiangrai just to experience the country side. Visited some local hill tribes & was amazed at the simplicity of lifestyle. Don't think I can ever survived in those places, I've been much too spoilt! ;-)
September
Xiamen & Wuyishan are both in Fujian Province, China. They were both apart by flight by about 45 mins. Xiamen is a lot more compact than I had imagined. The weather is a lot warmer than many other parts of China since it lies to the southeastern tip of China, a lot closer to Taiwan than many other parts of China.
Xiamen is nice for a first visit. It'll be quite some time b4 I'll return here again. However, for anyone interested, Xiamen has a great university, an interesting Buddhist temple (Nanputuo) & a very famous island off its shore (Gulangyu). I found Gulangyu a lot more orderly than Xiamen & has a resort feel to it. Gulangyu is also well known for its extensive nos. of pianos. The view from atop the mountain is fantastic. Worth climbing all the way up to just see the entire Xiamen.
Wuyishan is a famous mountain in China, more for tea-growing than for hiking. Still, it is very popular mountain for most Chinese as it's a holy place for the trinity of Buddhism, Taoism & Confucianism. Wuyishan is also a World Heritage Site; both cultural & natural. I had a great time here especially at the newly opened 5* hotel, one which offers the VERY best service in China. It's one I'll remember for quite some time to come. Excellent hotel: Yue Hua Hotel.
October
It's time for my yearly pilgrimage to clock up the miles required for next year gold/platinum status on my frequent flyer program. Canada in Autumn is most beautiful with the changing color of the Maple leaves. This year though, global warming has delayed the arrival of Fall & hence it still felt like Indian summer somehow. After a week stay in Toronto, I took a short trip to Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas. I've 4 full days here in the Caribbean. Most arrived the two countries by cruise ships, moi... by plane. Remember those miles I acquired? Yep, I managed to redeem both flights to Puerto Rico & St. Thomas.
Puerto Rico (specifically San Juan) has a Spanish touch to it. It's essence is more Spanish than American though its citizens basically hold American passport. It's hard to explain & it's a lot easier to experience :) St. Thomas (U.S.V.I.) is the most beautiful Caribbean island I've been to so far! Hopefully, I'll have a chance to return to explore the other islands of St. John & St. Croix.
Sometimes, life turns out best when it is unplanned. Surprises are not bad per se. Most agree with that especially when they are pleasant ones. Yet, I know many will try their best to steer clear of the unknown & change. This trip is one where I discovered that even for me, at times, I may have unfair preconceived perception of what is & what is not.
I took this trip without knowing exactly where I would eventually end up in. I know it'll be a place in China (somewhere I've not been to). I started planning for Chongqing & Xian, then changed to Datong & Taiyuan, but eventually ended up with Hohhot (Huhehaote in Mandarin) & Baotou in Inner Mongolia. It was not the very best time to travel to Inner Mongolia as it's getting much too cold to go horse riding down its beautiful grasslands. But there is something that called out to me here... the sand dunes & the desert, one that stretches out all the way to Central Asia. Thus, I ventured solo on my own to the Singing Sands Desert (which extend west to Badain Jaran Desert where you'll see some amazing pictures below. It was cold but there was many local tourists on that monday, surprisingly. Hmmm, may be I should have ridden the camel into the inner parts of the desert. I was told they stink though!
Still... perhaps next time :)
December
The year ended with a blast!? No, it really didn't...
It was a turbulent year for me. One which spans many continents (in travel terms), yet, in retrospect, it could well be the worst year of my life. Even now (half a year after year end), it took me a lot of effort to simply round the year off (in writing). There were too many ups & downs in 2006, career-wise, emotional-wise. If life is up to me, I wish this type of roller-coaster doesn't repeat itself ever again!
One day, may be I'll find enough courage to write about it. For now though, since this is mainly a travel site, let's simply concentrate on traveling. Shall we?
Chongqing & Xian - not my fondest cities in China. Not my fondest memories either; it was cold & i was miserable. So, go figure... I fell sick on New Year's Eve in Xian. No, no countdown for me. As I said, I had wished the year simply became a memory, long forgotten.
As for Shanghai, I spent my Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in this city. It was incredibly fun to celebrate Christmas here; yet I was alone. Despite the fact I was alone, I did have fun. So, I wasn't miserable like I was in Xian. I didn't realise that half a year later I would be settling down in this city. That is life for me; full of pleasant surprises :)
When in Japan, my first time to Okinawa, it was a strange feeling.
Firstly, when I landed at the airport (I was traveling alone), the custom officer was very suspicious! Naha alone? How could that be (she must have thought to herself)? So, I was subjected to a very strict "routine" security check (my baggage, ie). Never in Japan was I subjected to such strict checks. So, it was Okinawa afterall (not many enter via this port, I presumed). Later, I found it to be unlike any Japanese city I've been to (& I've been to plenty). This place feels... no, not Japan, not Korea, but may a little combo. Strange... just like my 2006. S T R A N G E !!!
Trips: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 < Last Trip | Next Trip >