One of many shady jungle hideouts from the sun, a gorgeous restaurant on the river in a grove of palms.
A beautiful morning here in paradise I can’t get over how lush and green everything is here either now, thanks to us being in the tail end of the wet season.
day 6 Today I’m thankful for rest. I’ve been working so hard to meet deadlines that I was finding myself a little burned out. Thankfully a few earlier nights in bed is helping to reset that balance, And I’m working hard to try and take breaks and naps where I can. I’m also thankful that I work for the coolest company, with some pretty rad people. Working flexible hours, and fully remote, doing something I care about and with a product I believe in makes taking on too much with all my study and extra-curricular hobbies, somehow feel less difficult. Picture: throwback to a team meetup we had in Hawaii, where we went out on the water around beautiful Kauai to see spectacular views such as this one
This is me .. well, me a few years ago when I was sitting in a train carriage somewhere in between Northern China and Central Mongolia. ? ? After the passing of my father, I had a sudden urge to find the furthermost corners of the planet. This took the form of a six-month overland Asia journey which I've been piecing back together over these past few years, and compiling into a collection of thoughts, stories & memories of my trip.? .? Mongolia was pretty otherworldly, and the train ride was a highlight in the trip planning. If you're curious, check out my blog at https://buff.ly/3bAXQzM for the latest collection of Overland Asia stories.? .? —? As always, you can find the link in my bio! (or check it out here: https://buff.ly/2T3KoxO) ? —? .?
So, amidst the gardening, baking, and quiet times; I've been spending all this time at home thinking about some of the most wonderful, far-off lands I've been lucky enough to visit.? ? There's only so many times I can share the (albeit beautiful) view out of my home window, so I'm refocusing into sharing some highlights, memories, and favourite bits from my ~6 years on the road, living the #nomadlife? ? Morocco comes instantly to mind as somewhere with a touch of magic, the most amazing food, otherworldly architecture and kind, welcoming people. I fell in love with Marrakesh the moment I arrived, and I've held onto that ever since.? ? Looking through my journals from that time I am immediately transported back to the magic and bustle:? ? "My first time to Marrakesh. Frankincense burns near the pool, leaving a subtle fragrance that intermingles perfectly with the wafts of charring peppers."? ? So today, I blogged about https://buff.ly/2KId7Un or check out the link in my bio!
Made our way back to Bangkok to explore one of my favourite food cities, sit some exams and enjoy the heat.
Quick break for lunch on the beach – just a few minutes wander down from the coworking space. Life here couldn’t be much better!
Day off in Kyoto part two – hanging with cuddly Bengal cats (and wanting desperately to adopt one for our own!), devouring delicious icecream-stuffed melonpan, and sipping hojicha lattes in adorable tea shops.
Welcome to Utsunomiya. About an hour out of Tokyo via bullet train (which my father would’ve loved!) in Tochigi Prefecture is Utsunomiya, home of the delicious Gyoza and also home to family of @scheercharlie who are kindly showing us more of what ‘normal’ Japanese life is like.
Tokyo, day 1. Despite only just arriving, we managed to spend an entire day wandering, eating, working, and training around the city. Devouring katsu, soba and sushi. We explored the cutesy Center of Harajuku and bustling Shibuya – with the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. We explored shrines and found koi ponds, drank matcha and ordered all of our meals off vending machines and touch screens. One day in and Japan is as incredible, wonderful, mysterious and colourful as I’d hoped.. perhaps more so.
Our ten day Christmas trip is coming to a close, and tomorrow we will be leaving the North American continent for the first time since I arrived here almost a year ago! The White Christmas I’d requested arrived a little late, but in time to catch us before we left. Boxing Day was spent visiting the Denver botanical gardens where the entire gardens are done up in the most beautiful fairy lights displays. Today it’s getting down to a chilly -7 Celsius and snow is falling outside while we pack our bags and prepare to head toward Asia tomorrow morning. It’s been a magical Christmas holiday and I’m so thankful for @scheercharlie and his family for welcoming me into their Christmas and home, it’s been such a wonderful trip. Next stop, making our way to Tokyo to see in the new year.
