New Zealand

Being granted a work/holiday visa in New Zealand is what sparked my departure from the States. My goal was to take consecutive trips until I eventually arrived in New Zealand to begin my up-to-one-year-long work/holiday visa status. Once I arrived in New Zealand, I spent many months doing freelance design and various temporary labor jobs. It was such a pleasure getting to know the culture and natural beauty of this country. I only experienced the North Island while there. Although small in comparison to the size of things in the States, there was still much to see on the North Island of New Zealand. The varied elevations and habitats keep things interesting. Whether it be dramatic mountain peaks, giant caldera lakes or sulfuric steaming pools of geothermal activity. There was always something new and exciting to explore. I spent most of my time in the capital, Wellington. Coming from Chicago, the “Windy City,” Wellington gave new meaning to the term with an annual average around 16 knots/hr (18 miles/hr). It is actually the windiest city in the world. The quality of life in New Zealand seemed idyllic, but in terms of career opportunities, it didn’t feel like the right fit at the time. The wind took its toll and I eventually got blown away to Hong Kong when a job opportunity arose after looking online for intriguing roles in the metropolitan city.

Auckland

Cathedral Cove

Hong Kong

After my visit in November, I made my way through Thailand and Australia before ending up in New Zealand for a working holiday stint that lasted several months. I eventually decided to return to Hong Kong in May after finding a role as Marketing Manager for Super Fashions Ltd. a men’s fashion brand (Senszio). The city can be dense and intense and I found the ease of nature-bathing to be a critical component for quality of life amidst the shoulder-to-shoulder city dynamic.

Coming from the USA, a melting pot of cultures, Hong Kong was a melting pot as well but in different ways. Definitely an Asian city, Hong Kong was not much more than a jungle fishing village roughly 150 years ago. Once a British colony, and since handed over back to China, the British years saw it rise to become one of the major financial powerhouses of the world. Many locals do not identify themselves as Chinese as a nationality, but rather Hong Konger. The sentiments I witnessed expressed a unique way of life and identity of their own. Not only is there an east-meets-west dynamic, but the push and pull of the political systems was apparent as my time there was just before the citizens’ major 2019/20 protests that brought the city and economy to a standstill. Inspired by the 2014 Umbrella Movement, what started as peaceful protests began to take a turn to violence and destruction as political changes caused tension.

My time in Hong Kong left a strong impact on my perspective of the world and my place within it.

Australia

Australia's Great ocean Road proved to offer dense rain forests, scenic ocean views and steep craggy cliffs.

Thailand

Much of my week in Thailand was spent traveling from Bangkok to Krabi and back, however, I did get to check out some beautiful temples, ride in several water taxis and tuk tuks and even take a dip in the ocean off the sandy coast of Railay Beach.

The weather was rainy most of my time here, but this evening it let up. It was very peaceful.

War Arun - Temple of the Dawn - Bangkok

Hong Kong

Hong Kong wasn't on my original itinerary but I am so glad I went. Such a vibrant city and breathtaking nature surrounding it.

I had passed through Hong Kong after leaving Japan on my way to Thailand. A week exploring a city surrounded by mountains and jungles. A booming metropolitan city but what surprised me most about Hong Kong is how accessible nature was. The hikes in Hong Kong are amazing and easy to get to from the city center. In less than an hour you can be on a mountainside. With some of the best public transit in the world, I was able to explore a lot in a short time. From Bruce Lee’s statue in Tsim Sha Tsui, to the top of Hong Kong island at Victoria Peak, to the Maclehose Trail overlooking a sea of islands in the New Territories. All could be done in a day for under $20 USD. 

The Hong Kong skyline is... bright - Tsim Sha Tsui Harbour City

Japan

Japan was a place I had always wanted to visit since I was a child. Its culture intrigued me at an early age and visiting the island nation was a bit of a dream.

Shibuya in the rain

The calming presence of Mt Fuji

Washington, USA

I spent a week in Seattle prior to leaving the States for international solo travel. I took the opportunity to camp and hike at Mt Rainier National Park alone. I drove into the park, hiked up to the snow line and pitched a tent to camp. Once sun rose, I continued my hike up into waist-deep fresh snowfall that coated the mountainside the nights before. No cars were able to pass a certain point so it was void of others. I made friends with nature that day on one of the greatest outdoor experiences of my life at the time. A few pictures from the journey.

Misty clouds roll in

Alaskan skier climbs up Mt. Rainier through feet of snow before the slide down

Iceland

Iceland had the most breathtaking scenery per square foot than I thought was possible. There is much to describe but I think it’s more appropriate to be relatively speechless about the whole experience.

Glacier Lagoon they call it - Jökulsárlón

The black pebble beach and home to many wrecked ships - Djúpalónssandur

Fancy seeing you here... - Goðafoss

Peru

A week was too short, but I got around. The flight was free after Spirit airlines awarded me a roundtrip ticket to anywhere they flew for taking a later flight home on a previous trip. I chose the farthest destination they flew to. It would be my first international trip, and a day after I quit my office job to venture out into the world. Immediately after my arrival into Lima, I took another flight to Cusco, then a taxi to a train which took me to Aguas Calientes. A quick nap to shake off the jet lag and I hiked up the mountain, finally arriving in the Incan citadel in the mountains, Machu Picchu. An amazing experience that should have lasted longer but the time was short so I made it back to Lima to explore the city with some friends who were arriving. Ceviche, chifa and a taste of pisco sour to check the local flavors off the bucket list. It really was just a taste of such a rich culture. I would love to go back and see more.

The Incan Citadel high in the Andes Mountains - Machu Picchu

Architecture - Lima