our year of travel
In 2023 Tony and I left the paths we were on to travel. We had a loose idea of starting in New Zealand and gradually making our way back to the US. The rest came together on the road. We backpacked for 13 months around the world.
Since returning, I’ve aspired to write about these experiences free form rather than a things to do itinerary. Think of it as a public journal that includes notes to myself or those we encountered along the way. If it inspires anything of your own, promise to send me a note would love to hear ALL about it.
Links updated as I complete the journals :)
General
New Zealand 🇳🇿 April 3-28, 2023
van life in new zealand
Australia 🇦🇺 April 29-30, 2023
a day in sydney
Indonesia 🇮🇩 May 1-June 25, 2023
learning to surf in bali among other things
Vietnam 🇻🇳 May 10-14, 2023
five days in vietnam
hai van pass on motorbike
Thailand 🇹🇭 May 25-31, 2023
Singapore 🇸🇬 June 26-29, 2023
the alternate path in singapore
travelogue: you’ve changed
Japan 🇯🇵 June 30-July 25, 2023
art islands in japan
tea ceremony
travelogue: guatemala in japan
travelogue: growing up korean-japanese
* breakthrough in japan - not going back *
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 July 26-September 7, 2023
weligama during off season
the complexity of arugam bay + a jellyfish sting
ayurvedic treatments
rice & curry + potato triangles + coconut banana roti
* breakthrough in sri lanka - i am happy being true to myself *
Malaysia 🇲🇾 September 8, 2023
airport mixup in malaysia
Taiwan 🇹🇼 September 9-Oct 4, 2023
feeling at home in taiwan as an ABC
surfing in taidong
Hong Kong 🇭🇰 October 5-9, 2023
food & typhoons
surprise visit in HK
UAE 🇦🇪 October 10-11, 2023
dubai first impressions + confronting biases
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 October 12-16, 2023
travelogue: being american vs. kazakh
nature and more in kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 October 17-24, 2023
eagle hunting and horseback riding in kyrgyzstan
yurt at son kul lake
travelogue: horses are our wings
India 🇮🇳 October 25-31, 2023
backpacking golden triangle in one week
Nepal 🇳🇵November 1-29, 2023
yoga, sound healing and meditation in nepal
vipassana in kathmandu
kathmandu, bandipur, pokhara
* breakthrough in nepal - live on our own terms, to live intuitively is to live happily *
Turkey 🇹🇷 November 30-Dec 5, 2023
five days in turkey
Bosnia 🇧🇦 December 6-13, 2023
learning to ski in bosnia
travelogue: will shovel snow for rakia
Spain 🇪🇸 December 14, 2023-January 8, 2024
family trip to spain
US 🇺🇸 January 9, 2024
stopping over in the US after 9 months abroad - reverse first impressions
El Salvador 🇸🇻 January 10-February 2, 2024
first worktrade experience at hostel
Nicaragua 🇳🇮 February 3-9, 2024
free diving in nicaragua
growing up in nicaragua
US 🇺🇸 February 10, 2024
growing separately to grow together
Brazil 🇧🇷 February 11-22, 2024
carnaval and other festivities
floripa
Argentina 🇦🇷 Feb 23-29, 2024
five days in buenos aires
Peru 🇵🇪 March 1-30, 2024
surfing in lima
sacred times in sacred valley
ayahuasca in peru
sacred valley ruins
travelogue: boy selling at pisac ruins
* breakthrough in peru - we have the power to create a life that makes us happy *
Mexico 🇲🇽 March 31-May 6, 2024
wedding preparations in mexico city
one flew into the glass (bird)