My 2015 travel in review

Me looking out to a paranomic view of Verona at Giordan Giusti| Laugh Travel Eat

It’s hard to believe that I had been on the travel blogging journey for a little over a year now! Even though I had always been a bit of a jet-setter, flying between Hong Kong and UK for schoolings and then holidaying with my sister during university holiday – 2015 had been by far the most travel-intense year I have had. I have seen some spectacular places, travelled with great friends and met new people and even embarked on my first solo adventure. Though clichéd, I do believe that this is the best year yet.2015 travel in review Laugh Travel Eat

Jan: Visited Brussels with my sister – we had an amazing 3 days bingeing on Belgium Fries, mussels and chocolate.

Jan 2015 Brussels, Belgium, Laugh travel eat

April: Visited Venice and Verona for 5 days, would have stayed for longer if time allowed! But we have our last exams ever coming up.

It was difficult to cover all the sights in Venice in 3 days, with islands, churches, beautiful lunch spots and just trying to hold back on taking photos (which I didn’t), but we did it!

April 2015, Venice, Italy, Laugh Trave Eat

In Verona – I managed to chase down the gorgeous story of Romeo and Juliet, had arguably the best Ravioli and Gelato ever, and  made a decision to come back again in September…

April 2015 Giordan Giusti, Verona, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Giordan Giusti

June: Our epic 10 days (or 11… since I can’t count) ultimate girls’ trip to Croatia where we moved northwards from Dubrovnik, kayaked, adventured to the Elaphiti Islands and Mjlet National Park before arriving in Split. Then hitting the Krka and Plitvice National Park as well as doing the Ultimate boat trip from Split and ended up in Zadar.

June 2015, Krka National Park, Croatia, Laugh Travel Eat
I did end up liking Krka better than Plitvice because, look at this beautiful waterfall that you can swim in!
June 2015, Plitvice National Park, Croatia, Laugh Travel Eat
Where them girls at <3 This is Plitvice!

July: Went backpacking with my sister when we travelled southward along the coast from South of France, seeing Marseille, Calanques National Park and Nice, with a side trip to Eze and Monaco, before hopping on a train to Cinque Terre.  Unfortunately the trails were closed, so we did a hike to Porto Venere!before making a jump to the beautiful Sicily.

July 2015, Nice, France, Laugh Travel Eat
The coolest water fountain I have seen in Nice
July 2015, Eze, France, Laugh Travel Eat
Exotic Garden in Eze, France
July 2015, Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Me eating a fish in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre
July 2015, top of Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Cheeky selfie on the top of Vulcano
July 2015, boat trips in the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Boat tripin’ life

The Aeolian Islands are perfect for boat trips, where we visited Vulcano, Lipari-Salina and Stromboli (with a night climb up the volcano too!). Not to forget are the towns of Palermo, Taormina and Catania on the mainland!

July 2015, Stromobli, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
July 2015, Stromobli, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy
July 2015, Taormina, Sicily, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
July 2015, Taormina, Sicily, Italy

August: After returning to London briefly where my sister flew home to Hong Kong, I returned to Croatia, this time in the northern district Istria, ticking my bucket list of Pula Area off with two of my course mates before heading to Slovenia! I haven’t even gotten around to write up this part onwards too, so stay tuned. Here’s some sneak peeks:

August 2015, Pula Arena, Croatia, Laugh Travel Eat
Blurred shot of me and my friend Chloe jumping in Pula Arena
August 2015, Ljubljana, Solvenia, Laugh Travel Eat
Me and my gang in Ljubljana, Slovenia
August 2015, Vintgar Gorge, Slovenian, Laugh Travel Eat
A visit to Vintgar Gorge, near the town of Bled, Slovenia
August 2015, Lake Bled, Slovenia
Climbing up to see that legendary panorama of Lake Bled!
August 2015, Mostnica Gorge, Slovenia, Laugh Travel Eat
Mastering the act of self-timer at Mostnica Gorge, Slovenia
August, 2015, Vogel, Slovenia, Laugh Travel Eat
Completed my first solo hike on the Vogel peak, Slovenia

September: I spent the whole month volunteering for Juliet’s Club in Verona, and used the weekends as an opportunity for day trips in the region. I had a great time replying to letters and exploring the beautiful northern Italy and almost didn’t want to leave!

Sept 2015, Verona, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
I may or may not have found an even better gelato place in Verona!
Sept 2015, Padua, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Popping over to visit the gorgeous town of Padua!
Sept 2015, Milan Cathedral, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Another quick self-timer pic on Milan Cathedral
Sept, 2015, Sirmione, Italy, Laugh Travel Eat
Soaking up some of the last sunshine at Sirmione

October: A semi-spontaneous trip where I visited two of my favourite cities plus a new one: Paris-Amsterdam-Berlin! I packed a small carryon and soloed through the three cities via train in two weeks:

Oct 2015, Paris, France, Laugh Travel Eat
Nothing beat a sunset on Alexander III bridge in Paris
Oct 2015, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Laugh Travel Eat
Chilling by the canals of Amsterdam
Oct 2015, Berlin, Germany, Laugh Travel Eat
And freezing my butt off in Berlin.

Then it’s time to return to London to meet up with my family for my graduation, then it’s a family holiday to visit Ireland for 5 days.

Oct 2015, Cliff of Mohers, Ireland, Laugh Travel Eat
A cloudy day on the Cliff of Mohers

November: Where I say goodbye to four months of travelling and moved back to Hong Kong, where I have been writing up my travels and re-exploring my home town ever since! Some sneak peaks ( you will see more on my instagram!)

Hiking deep in the mountains next to Ma On Shan, Hong Kong
Hiking deep in the mountains next to Ma On Shan
Watching the Victoria Harbour on the Peak, Hong Kong
Watching the Victoria Harbour on the Peak
The beautiful Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, Hong Kong
The beautiful Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower
Nan Lian Garden, Hong Kong
Nan Lian Gardens! Isn’t this a beauty?

What’s next for 2016?

Well, I have a job starting soon, and no real trips planned except for a family visit in Penang, Malaysia in February. But I do believe Hong Kong is plenty exciting enough already, and it’s my 2016 travelutions (travel + resolutions, get it?) to explore my home town and get to know it better.

Let me know what your travelutions is!

 

2 thoughts on “My 2015 travel in review

  1. liz says:

    What a fabulous year you’ve had Nam! So wonderful to see all the beautiful places you’ve visited and now I’ve got some inspiration for 2016 travel!! Thanks for sharing!!

    • Nam Cheah says:

      Thank you so much Liz! You got me lusting after going to Venice for the mask carnival 🙂 gosh I am dreaming of its grandeur. Thanks for your comment and I wish your 2016 would be an even bigger adventure!

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