Final Up to date on January 12, 2024 by Nellie Huang
It’s that point of the 12 months once more, to replicate and look again at the place I’ve traveled and what I’ve executed this 12 months. 2023 has been a fantastic 12 months for me in each sense of the phrase. I wrote one other guidebook for Lonely Planet, began monetizing my second web site, traveled to 5 new nations, introduced Kaleya to our favourite locations in South America, and reunited with household in each Spain and Singapore.
The largest change in my life this 12 months was leaving our laidback life in Playa del Carmen and transferring to San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico! Simply final week, we packed our stuff up and drove 5 days throughout Mexico to achieve our new residence. I’ll be sharing extra on our new life beneath, right here’s a have a look at the place I traveled and what I bought as much as in 2023.
2023: My 12 months in Pictures
January: Belize
On the primary day of 2023, we took off on a street journey to Belize, which was only a 4-hour drive from us! Our first journey to Belize was greater than 13 years in the past and we had been wanting to revisit the locations we beloved. This time our associates joined us, and we had a good time chilling out on the laidback isle of Caye Caulker and snorkeling with nurse sharks in Hol-Chan Marine Reserve. We additionally drove inland to San Ignacio and had been so impressed by the large-scale Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins. Belize stays certainly one of our favourite spots in Central America. [Read our Belize itinerary.]
February: Alberta, Canada
In February, it was lastly time for our winter journey in Alberta! Banff was certainly the winter wonderland I’d imagined, with the entire city and surrounding mountains lined in white. We did a lot exploring in and round Banff, however the spotlight for us was using the Banff Gondola as much as the highest of the mountain and soaking within the sizzling springs after. Ice skating on the frozen Lake Louise was one other main spotlight, and so was ingesting on the Ice Bar at Fairmont. In Jasper, we spent our days snowboarding and even noticed a herd of moose simply outdoors our resort!
February: Isla Holbox, Mexico
After returning to Mexico, we scooted off to Isla Holbox on a weekend journey (simply 2 hours from Playa del Carmen). Holbox turned out to be my favourite spot within the Yucatan Peninsula! The dreamy island is gloriously car-free and largely undeveloped. Solely a small a part of the island is inhabited, and even then, it by no means feels overrun with guests. No paved roads, no automobiles, no hassling. Simply miles and miles of spearmint water and powder-puff white sand seaside. Regardless of being in a touristy area, Holbox has retained its sleepy, laidback island vibes and small-town really feel.
March: Bacalar, Mexico
In March, we revisited Bacalar with our associates. Bacalar Lagoon (or Laguna Bacalar) is understood for its crystal clear, spearmint blue waters, and swinging hammocks hanging from overwater palapa. In recent times, Laguna Bacalar earned the nickname “the Maldives of Mexico” and is drawing vacationers looking for offbeat locations. The lagoon is completely beautiful and I extremely advocate a go to right here when you’re ever in Cancun or Tulum.
April: Ecuador
To rejoice Kaleya’s birthday, we went on an epic journey to Ecuador and Galapagos Islands! We first backpacked round Ecuador 15 years in the past, and haven’t been again since then. We first spent just a few days wandering the historic heart of Quito, then we drove to the Andean city of Otavalo and finally the Cotopaxi Nationwide Park. Sadly we weren’t so fortunate with the climate and it was too foggy for us to hike as much as the refugio of Mount Cotopaxi. The clouds lastly cleared up on our final day there to see Ecuador’s second highest peak in its full glory. After that, we flew to the Galapagos Islands and met up with my sister and nephew, and had an incredible time island-hopping and seeing the wildlife up shut and private.
Might: Florida
Simply two weeks later, we headed off to Florida on a street journey that we’d deliberate since pre-covid days (however bought canceled repeatedly throughout the pandemic). Orlando was a success with Kaleya in fact; the spotlight for me was swimming with manatees in Crystal River which turned out to be one of many coolest wildlife experiences I’ve had. We additionally bought to spend just a few days in Miami, revisiting many elderly haunts that we used to hang around at and the college the place Alberto and I met. It was so good to take a stroll down reminiscence lane.
June: Suriname
In mid-June, it was time for a solo journey! I flew to Suriname (my nation #146) and met up with my good friend Janet to discover the capital metropolis, Paramaribo, and the encircling fort, plantations and reserves. Visiting the sloth sanctuary was the spotlight for me; we met a sloth who had been rehabilitated into the jungle however saved returning to the sanctuary for meals (and luxury!).
June: Guyana
From Suriname, we continued our journey to Guyana (nation #147) the place we had been joined by my outdated good friend, Hannah. Sadly we solely bought to discover Georgetown, the capital metropolis, as we needed to wait round for our flight to Kaieteur Falls to get crammed. Fortunately we did handle to go to Kaieteur Falls and it turned out to one of many most spectacular waterfalls I’ve seen.
June: Trinidad
Then our journey continued on to Trinidad (nation #148), the place my good friend Hannah is from. I’ve been wanting to go to Hannah in Trinidad since we met in 2008! It was superb to satisfy her household and get to know her nation and tradition. Trinidadian meals fully blew me away; I notably beloved the roti and curry goat! Trinidad was nothing like what I’d imagined and I beloved having the ability to expertise it via my native good friend.
July: Singapore
In July, I used to be commissioned to put in writing Lonely Planet’s new Singapore guidebook, so I flew residence to Singapore to do some on-the-ground analysis for the guide. I used to be born and raised in Singapore; I do know it higher than some other nation. It was such a particular task for me, having the ability to share my residence nation with the world. On this journey, I bought to take a look at a number of new spots, revisit outdated haunts and dig deeper than typical. Hold a lookout for the guide which can be revealed in April 2024!
August: Spain
In summer season, we lastly went on our much-anticipated 6-week journey again to Europe! Spain is sort of a second residence for us (Alberto is from Spain and we lived in Spain collectively for 8+ years). We had been excited to spend summer season there, see household and discover the area. Our summer season journey began with per week in Madrid, a metropolis we used to name residence. The Spanish capital metropolis has modified a lot for the reason that final time we had been there and I completely beloved the lengthy summer season days and superb culinary scene there. Thereafter, we stayed for a few nights in a citadel resort in Salamanca, and spent per week in Granada with Alberto’s household, having fun with tapas and bar-hopping within the lazy summer season evenings.
August: Greece
Whereas Kaleya spent the remainder of summer season together with her grandparents in Spain, Alberto and I flew off to Corfu island to sail the Greek Islands with Yacht Getaways. It’d been years since we went on a visit with out Kaleya, and this was the right {couples} retreat for us. Our days onboard the catamaran concerned swimming in turquoise waters, napping beneath the sail with the wind in our face, mountain climbing as much as spectacular viewpoints, wandering round stunning little villages consuming the freshest seafood and sipping essentially the most scrumptious wine. We actually beloved each minute of our Greece crusing vacation. It confirmed us a facet of Greece we didn’t know existed — secret coves, empty seashores and ridiculously charming fishing villages that solely Greeks go to.
August: Albania
From Greece, I continued onto Albania to journey solo for per week whereas Alberto went again to Spain. I’d truly been to Albania a very long time in the past, however Albania had modified a lot I might hardly recognise it. It’s turn out to be very talked-about with younger backpackers (it’s no marvel, with the attractive sights and low price), and there’s much more tourism infrastructure in place now. I additionally made a very good good friend on the journey and had a blast together with her in Tirana. Then I traveled solo to Berat and Gjirokaster, two locations that I completely beloved and extremely advocate visiting!
September: Portugal
After Albania, I met up with Alberto and Kaleya in Madrid for the final leg of our journey. Alberto rented a Tesla for our street journey to Portugal, and I’d booked a lovely Airbnb within the countryside of Porto. The French couple who owned the place, not solely made the place so beautiful, additionally they made us really feel extraordinarily welcomed and ready an incredible unfold of breakfast for us every morning. We loved the down time, but additionally did fairly a little bit of exploring: wandering across the antiquated streets of Porto, visiting vineyards within the beautiful Douro Valley, and cruising the waters of Aveiro. This area was so spectacular we wanna come again and dwell right here sometime!
September: Paraguay
On the finish of September, I flew to Asuncion, Paraguay, to journey with certainly one of my finest associates Melinda. Truthfully, I wasn’t blown away by Paraguay (my nation #149); we struggled to seek out something fascinating to see within the capital metropolis and the environment. Asuncion, in contrast to most capital cities in South America, didn’t have a lot going for it. Granted, we didn’t spend sufficient time in Paraguay, however we had been keen to maneuver onto Uruguay.
September: Uruguay
Montevideo was an enormous distinction to Asuncion; the energetic metropolis had an old-world aptitude, with a number of colonial structure, historic monuments and superb eating places. We wandered the markets within the day, strolled the waterfront boulevard by sundown and indulged in good wine and steak every night time. From there, it was a straightforward 2-hour bus journey to Punta del Este, a small however charming seaside city additionally with extensive, windswept seashores. My favourite spot was undoubtedly Colonia del Sacramento, one of many oldest cities in Uruguay with cobblestoned streets and restored whitewashed homes. Uruguay (nation #150) undoubtedly swept me off my toes.
October: Guadalajara, Mexico
On the finish of October, we flew to Guadalajara for essentially the most magical time of the 12 months in Mexico: Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Useless. It’s one of many greatest Mexican holidays and it’s celebrated in fervor everywhere in the nation. Elaborate ofrendas and altars are arrange at main squares, whereas folks dance on the streets in parades. In Guadalajara, we visited the Calaverandia (a Day of the Useless themed park), which was such a distinction to the standard celebrations that we’d seen in Oaxaca but it surely was nonetheless a enjoyable expertise.
November: Michoacan, Mexico
From Guadalajara, it was only a quick drive to Michoacan, the state recognized for its deeply-rooted Dia de Muertos traditions. On the night time of 1 November, a candlelit procession leads from the pueblo mágico of Pátzcuaro to the close by island of Janitzio. This occasion, generally known as “Noche de Muertos,” options colourful canoes and boats adorned with candles and flowers. Lots of of flickering candle, the scent of burning copal incense, and the sound of music made it such a religious and transferring sight.
November: Singapore
After we returned residence, I obtained information that my father wanted surgical procedure urgently. Within the midst of our transfer, I needed to drop every part and fly again to Singapore to see my dad. It was most likely some of the annoying journeys I’ve executed. It didn’t assist that Singapore was a 24-hour flight away from Mexico! Thank goodness every part went properly and the surgical procedure was successful. My father got here out of surgical procedure wanting nice and he’s now in restoration.
December: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Simply two weeks after flying again to Mexico, it was time to maneuver! We beloved residing in Playa del Carmen, exploring the cenotes, seashores and Mayan ruins within the space. We made nice associates there and undoubtedly felt prefer it left a mark in our lives. However after 2.5 years in Playa del Carmen, it was time for a change. So we packed up our stuff, stated goodbye to all our associates, and drove 5 days throughout Mexico to lastly arrive at our new residence in San Miguel de Allende.
Christmas in San Miguel is a magical time; the historic heart is clad in Christmas decorations and glowing beneath the attractive lights. We’ve been doing Christmassy issues like cooking and watching Christmas motion pictures. However we’re additionally exploring San Miguel and the encircling nature. Can’t wait to see what the brand new 12 months has in retailer for us right here!
What’s Subsequent?
In 2024, we’re wanting ahead to exploring our yard in central Mexico. However we have already got a number of journey plans, together with a weekend journey to see the Monarch Butterfly migration in January, ski journey to Colorado in February, Baja California in March for Kaleya’s birthday, and Tulum in April to get the keys for our funding property! For our six-week summer season journey, we’re considering of heading additional, maybe to South Africa and Namibia. Within the new 12 months, I additionally hope to journey to the previous couple of locations within the Americas that I haven’t been, together with Venezuela, Grenada and Dominica.
Right here’s wishing that 2024 can be a 12 months of journey for all of you! Don’t cease exploring!
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