Part 3? More destinations have been fulfilled, I am ready to leave Europe behind me! Asia has taken a hold on my heart and my passport, since returning to China I have been able to spread my wings and be free! From Nanjing to Hong Kong, I made my way outside of the Mainland once that APP was axed! Malaysia and the Philippines both gave me life, I needed to get away!
Now, I love to love traveling but those first two months after I had returned to a post-COVID China didn't see me making those connections like I had done pre-2020! My friend Chris told me to book my high speed rail tickets from Ningbo to Nanjing, I followed his orders and pushed those 'Back To China' nerves to one side. I had absolutely no need to worry nor need to wear a mask, that was one thing that I didn't want to do! I stayed at the Sofitel and thought that the check-in measures were a lot, Chris assured me that since restrictions had been taken away, I was lucky! We spent a beautiful Saturday within the city, after the previous nights drinks at 'Secco'. It was lovely to meet his boyfriend and friends, I felt blessed to enter that new era in Nanjing! Our Saturday saw us soak in the culture and charm of 'Xuan Wu Men' with a former 'hangout in view', that was the 'Zifeng Tower!' Spring had sprung, it was a wonderfully mild day in Nanjing, it was a blessing to be back in Nanjing. Where would we go to next? Let's have a can!
'Mochu Lake' was darling, I had the pleasure of completing a QR Code upon entry, they needed to be eradicated! Sitting by the lake with a can of Wusu Beer was lovely, it was wonderful to catch up with Chris after returning to China after three years! Meeting up with his boyfriend was ace, I felt that being encouraged to book those tickets had kicked me out of my unhealthy 'Ningbo bubble!' It was time to get some scran, we chose a wings hangout that had a lovely happy hour promotion! I was having such a super Saturday, although I needed a cocktail to block out the emotions I felt after my nephew thought I'd be popping back for the family function. Yes, those strong long island iced tea were very much needed! Baring all, we went to an 'onsen spa', that was a rather freeing experience because other 'clothing optional' places had been a lot less brighter than that establishment. There I got to see what I had been missing out on, a good hot bath! Oh, I knew from there on, I would going back to Nanjing! Thank you, Chris!
I had planned my 2023 summer holiday within Mainland China, I had my reasons for the next trip to test the waters. I was cautious about travel outside of the Mainland whilst rumours floated around about the 'COVID APP' being discontinued, I'd had enough of waiting! 'Hong Kong' posed as the perfect test-run, I was technically overseas according the international border but essentially I was still connected to the Mainland. Landing back into Hong Kong after watching the events of the previous three years felt surreal, I knew it was the right time to serve up 'I'm Back, Back, Back Again!' 'Tsim Sha Tsui' was clocked without any mistakes, I had been flippant during my original visit in 2016 and COVID had taught me to not leave any stone unturned! I loved the ice cream van and train clock tower, those Colonial reminders impressed me! I had big plans for Hong Kong and a reunion had been planned with my friend, Kelly! I had a lot planned during that 'May Day Holiday! I wanted to reignite 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner!'
Day two was spent running around Hong Kong Island, I hadn't spent much time on that side of Hong Kong during my previous trip. I clocked the Instagram worthy 'Yik Cheong Building'. Before I headed back under 'Victoria Harbour', I managed to eat an 'All Day Breakfast' after not long finishing my 'Dim Sum' breakfast. Sheung Wan and Western Market were brought back to me, plus those trams unlocked new city views! Those night-time lights stood under a mysterious layer of mist, it was grand to be back! The following morning I reunited with my dear friend, Kelly! We headed to a 'Cha Chaan Teng' for tea and toast, it was lovely reuniting with her again! Both Tai Kwun Police Station and Victoria Park were taken in, we took the Star Ferry back over to the Tsim Sha Tsui part of HK where we said 'See You Soon!' Heading back over to 'Central' was key, I wanted to find 'Lan Kwai Fong' for a night out at one of the Gay bars! 'Petticoat Lane' served a drink fueled night of fun and Filipino Drag performances. Hong Kong was unlocked!
Christmas 2023 saw me visit a new country, better still Malaysia had been one of my 'COVID-19 Travel Plan' destinations! Taking in the city of Kuala Lumpur for two days was immense, embracing the Halal nature, I kept things moving completely sober! I tried Nasi Goreng and visited a cracking mosque, I embraced those KL settings with consciousness. I loved seeing 'Batu Caves', those brightly coloured temples taught me that Malaysia would present a roledex of religions! When evening fell, I headed towards 'KLCC' so I could marvel at the dazzling 'Petronas Towers!' I had showcased those towers within that 'Lockdown Travel Blog' series and to see it in real-time felt absolutely correct, I had done the damn thing! Stepping outside of KL meant that I visited both 'Malacca' and 'Cameron Highlands'. I didn't waste any time, I wanted to discover the Dutch and Portuguese history within 'Melaka' with an open mind. I trusted that tour programme and with luck and light, I was able to see everything I had planned to see. So, I loved Malaysia!
Tea for who? I had chosen to visit 'Cameron Highlands' during my final day based in Kuala Lumpur. I wanted to see those lush and well crafted Malaysian tea plantations because I naively never knew that Malaysia produced tea! I loved the concept of those roadside 'R&R's!' Jetting over to Sabah, I first stopped in 'Sandakan' for two days, my plan was to see the orangutan at the famous 'Sepilok' reserve. I loved the tranquil settings around my rainforest lodge, it was a dash though to reach the airport! 'Kota Kinabalu' turned the party up and saw me don some mosque appropriate attire, I loved it all! Hopping over to Penang for the final part of my self-guided tour was where I spent getting paracletic drunk on Christmas Day! Georgetown taught me a lot, it was where I met with an old friend who I had met in Beijing! Malaysia kept me moving, I did the most and still I couldn't seem to spend all of my Malaysian Ringgits! Feeling recharged and fulfilled, I headed back to work for a little bit before my next trip! Yes MY, I had done the most!
I was beside myself with excitement during that Manila bound flight because February 2024 saw my first of two trips to the Philippines! Yes, I didn't know it as I experienced the Spanish nature of 'Intramuros' that 2024 would present two completely different visits to the Philippines, I had fallen in love! Manila served life, there wasn't a dull moment and that's why I returned in December 2024! Capturing those Spanish words being used as part of 'Tagalog' in the street, well that made me feel like I had truly arrived. I saw churches and cathedrals galore, from Manila to Antipolo I prayed to Mother Maria for thanks! Taal showed me the biggest basilica in Asia and served me a cracking 'Logsilog' for lunch! I was getting a 'New Spain' vibe, research about that Mexican connection proved to plant the seed for a future trip! Manila kept me on my toes, I didn't use any guides and I got on fine, things did get real but I embraced those moments with love and caution! I left Luzon behind me, I headed over to Palawan to see paradise! Sigue!
The flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa was rapid, before I knew it I had been crammed into a mini-van with a six hour drive ahead of me! Heading towards 'El Nido' saw that van passing through some show-stopping scenes, it was lush even though my signal kept cutting out! Spending the evening at my 'Stunning Republic Hotel' with the waves lapping on the shores, well it was paradise personified. I enjoyed a very boozy day 'Beside The Sea', I sipped on those pineapple and rum drinks and enjoyed 'Chicken Adobo' for lunch. The island hopping boat tour didn't do well having a hangover but the views were out of this world, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven! Afterwards, I spent two nights in Puerto Princesa! I found a brewery, a singing show and learned about a place called 'Zamboanga!' I felt a Hispanic vibe whilst I walked through those PPS streets, I knew that another visit to the Philippines was in order! A 'COVID Travel Dream' had come true, it was a blessing! Syempre, I'm planning a 2025 trip to Mexico!
Travel Is The Only Way!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
