2013 Travel Summary, Part II

Resuming the travel summary of 2013, the nomadic year… Read part I here.

JULY – Timor-Leste / The Gili Islands

If you need to leave Bali for a visa run… why not go completely off-script and head to Timor-Leste? Practical info about the place is scarce, so I went in blind — which may be why I loved it so much. That, and my love for raw, unpolished, under-the-radar destinations. It felt like a trip for “advanced” travellers — full of new experiences – like eating dog and meeting fascinating people. Definitely a top 10 contender on my “favourite destinations” list.

Gili islands

After that wild ride, Douglas and I took a breather in the Gili Islands to meet up with some friends from England. I made it my mission to visit all three Gilis — research purposes, obviously. Lazy beach days, fresh grilled fish, Bintang beers, and snorkelling with sea turtles. The perfect beach bum intermission.

 

AUGUST– Borneo, Malaysia

I wrapped up August with a week in Sabah, Borneo. You might not believe it, but traveling around that much can get quite tiring. So I slowed it right down: massages, seafood feasts, long naps on white-sand beaches.

But I didn’t go full sloth — I hiked in the mountains, saw wild orangutans, and visited a refugee village built on stilts above the water (a story that deserves its own post). Kota Kinabalu didn’t impress me at first, but by the time I left, it had quietly worked its way into my heart.

 

SEPTEMBER – The Philippines

I had a travel dream. It took me 13 years to make it happen. But I finally made it to The Philippines — and oh, it was so worth the wait.

I spent most of my time in Palawan, jaw-dropping beauty around every corner. Every single day I turned to Douglas and said:
“LOOK at this! How is this even real?!”

But what really sealed the deal for me was the people. My Pinoy friends showed me the heart of the Filipino spirit — kind, vibrant, humorous, resilient. This country is full of flavour — the good, the bad, and the totally wacky (looking at you, Manila!).

If you missed my full-on gush fest, check out my Palawan recap part I and part II.

 

OCTOBER – Home sweet home, Bali

For the first time in months, I stayed in one place for a full four weeks — sweet, peaceful Bali. It felt like a deep breath after a marathon.

I finally had time to explore the island beyond Ubud: diving and snorkeling trips to Lembongan, swimming alongside majestic manta rays, watching temple sunrises before the tourists rolled in. I signed up for an Indonesian course (I can now survive a conversation and swear like a local), started a yoga practice, and joined a writing workshop during the Ubud Writers Festival.

Routine never felt so rich.

 

NOVEMBER – Vietnam

Visa time again! I visited South Vietnam on a quest to understand why so many visitors dislike it as a destination. Though I understand why, I expereinced nothing but rainbows, sparkles, and chocolate-covered kittens.

The food blew my mind. Fresh, fragrant, complex — Vietnamese cuisine might have changed my life a little. If you’re hungry for the details, read about my trip here.

DECEMBER – Sulawesi

And now I’m writing this blogpost from Sulawesi, Indonesia — surrounded by friends, wrapping up a year that feels like a lifetime.

I’m writing you from Sulawesi, Indonesia where a couple of friends and I will be celebrating the end of a fantastic year and welcoming a new one. Hopefully a new year filled with laughter, friendship, love, adventure and realisation of goals and dreams. Those are my wishes or you.

 

Happy New Year, Everyone!

 

What was the travel highlight of your year?