Like everything in life, travel has its high and low points. It also introduces us to the unfamiliar, which is part of what makes it so enriching. As we close in on the end of the year, here are the best, worst, and strangest moments of our 2015 travels.
THE BEST
Upgrade in Hong Kong
We were only there for one night on our way to Vietnam, but upon arriving at the Conrad Hilton in Hong Kong, Steve’s loyalty membership scored us an upgrade to a suite overlooking Hong Kong Bay. Hands down the most palatial hotel stay I’ve had complete with complementary handmade chocolates, tea service, and rubber duck for the bath.
Kayaking Ha Long Bay
Touring Ha Long Bay in Vietnam comes with a lot of hype, but there is no questioning its appeal. Turquoise water, fascinating rock formations and little secluded beaches make it perfect for kayaking.
We also had one of the most picturesque BBQ lunches ever as part of the adventure. You can experience more of our adventure in my IslandHopping tour posts.
London Pride
We had no idea that London Pride week was happening when we visited in the summer for Steve’s business travel. When we found out about it, we knew we had to brace for the crowds and head out to the parade. Very glad we did. It was equal parts over-the-top and moving.
Visiting the Future in Singapore
We were blown away with the futuristic architecture in Singapore. It truly felt as though we had not only crossed the globe but advanced decades into the future too. Every structure makes a statement in this remarkable city state.
Taking a breath on Vancouver Island
We spend most of our time travelling outside of our home country, so it was great to tack on a stop in British Columbia on our way to Steve’s business gig in Seattle this fall. Kicking around in rainy Victoria and hiking the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail for the first time was a literal breath of fresh air.
THE WORST
Getting sick on our Vietnam bike tour
If you’re going to have major stomach trouble, being on a bike tour is close to the worst time to do it. About half of our Vietnam tour mates experienced the same intense vomiting, chills and extreme fatigue. Brutal! The day it happened involved cycling, a transfer on a bus, and then boarding our junk boat to leave for Ha Long Bay. It felt like the longest day of my life. I didn’t eat a thing for two days, which is crazy for someone who often finds it hard to last between breakfast and lunch.
Most outrageous cost for a cocktail in Singapore
Our impromptu visit to Raffles Hotel to sample a Singapore Sling in the location of its invention resulted in some jaw dropping sticker shock. The bill for two drinks and a handful of complementary peanuts (unshelled) was more than $60 CAD. Ouch! Note to self: always read the menu before ordering.
Seeing stuff solo Steve would have enjoyed
It’s one of those bittersweet things. I love being able to tag along on Steve’s business travel and I’m fine heading out on my own to sightsee while he’s working. But, that means that I get to see a lot of things that Steve doesn’t.
While in London I visited the fascinating Victoria and Albert Museum:
In Washington D.C. I took a lovely boat ride to Alexandria to enjoy the day:
I also saw the ginormous Lord Shiva idol at a Bengaluru temple strangely located behind a shopping mall parkade. Steve missed out on this too:
THE STRANGE
Food that stared back at you in Vietnam
I love getting out of my cultural comfort zone. Visiting the major market in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta was a real eye-opener. In more ways than one.
Bengaluru’s contrasts
I’m not sure exactly what we expected to experience on our first visit to India, but the contrast between opulence and poverty can’t be described as anything else but jarring. Steve’s business in Bengaluru had us staying in a shiny, gated tech park where just beyond the fence the neighbourhood looked entirely different— including the many wandering cows.
Going incognito at Agile 2015
I tagged along with Steve to the Agile 2015 conference in Washington D.C. and experienced a moment right out of the movie Up In The Air. I snuck into the conference’s closing party using the I.D. of one of Steve’s colleagues who had to depart early. We were brats and proceeded to stage funny Instagram photos of “Patricia” behaving badly at the superhero-themed bash. She was a good sport about it.
What kind of travel fun and funk did you experience in 2015? I’d love to hear about it.
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Oh no, sick on a bike tour?? That sounds horrific. Did everybody eat at the same place and food poisoning or something? That is definitely the worst of the worst on your list.
Amanda I’m not exactly sure what it was. I thought it might have been food poisoning as well, but everyone ate at the same restaurant for dinner the night before with a set menu and only a handful of us got sick. Whatever it was, it was bad!
All my travels in 2015 were good. Highlights included meeting up with friends and encountering delightful surprises in small, unexpected places. But the biggest highlight was a long overdue trip to the U.K. The U.K. is always great to visit but this was especially so because we caught up with friends we hadn’t seen in eight years, one of whom designed a couple of personal tours of London, the city he grew up in and loves, and showed us places and a side to the city we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. I certainly didn’t encounter anything as strange as the eyes staring back at you on the plate. I usually have a pretty good appetite, but I think that might have killed it.
Donna I’ve been following your U.K. posts on your blog and it looks like you had a fabulous time with unique experiences.
I am certainly happy that that plate of meat with the eyes was not on our lunch menu that day. It fascinates me though. I think I might have had to try a very small bit had I been offered, just to brag that I was brave enough to do it.
[…] Like the rest of life, travel has its high and low points. Fortunately, the good generally outweighs the bad. Some highlights from this year in travel. […]