The Big Trip

It’s been 10 months since my last big trip to South America, and all the restless genes in my body have been screaming for release. The original plan had been going to London to partake in the Olympics fever once more this summer, but plans changed and some lucky guy in Santa Monica ended up with my tickets to see beach volleyball and table tennis (the gold medal round no less!). As I watched the closing ceremony with some sadness, I realized that it’s time for me to get excited again — for my next Big trip!

For the past few years, my goal has been to leave the country for a couple of weeks every year, and that’s already pretty big for me. But this time, I’m going all out – a 3 month trip in Asia and Australia, followed by a duration TBD trip to Europe. The details are still being ironed out, but I can barely contain my excitement  Here’s my tentative itinerary:

• Japan – Tokyo
• China – Shanghai
• China – Beijing
• China – Changsha
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan – Taipei
• Thailand – Chiang Mai
• Thailand – Krabi
• Thailand – Bangkok
• Cambodia – Siem Reap
• Vietnam – TBD
• Australia – Melbourne
• Australia – Cairns
• Australia – Brisbane
• NZ – Auckland to Coromandel
• NZ – Coromandel to Waitomo
• NZ – Waitomo to Rotorua
• NZ – Rotorua to Taupo
• NZ – Taupo
• NZ – Taupo to Wellington
• NZ – Wellington
• NZ – Wellington to Kaikoura
• NZ – Kaikoura to Christchurch
• NZ – Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
• NZ – Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
• NZ – Queenstown
• NZ – Queenstown to Wanaka
• NZ – Wanaka to Franz Josef
• NZ – Franz Josef
• NZ – Franz Josef to Christchurch
• Australia – Sydney

There are lots of little places I will visit that are not on the itinerary, and the New Zealand part is a lot better planned because it’s a tour  Even though it’s not an around the world trip, still pretty impressive for me! So, let the adventure begin