Travel Love : Lessons and Realizations from the Big Trip

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Nepal

Almost three months of traveling in six countries. Some were short stays,others were long. But all these countries have offered me so many adventures and unique experiences. But more than anything, the Big Trip had taught me so many important lessons and realizations that somehow changed and bettered my views of how I want to live my life, how I look at the world, race, faith, and religion, and made me realize how amazing the Creator is.

A Beautiful Ending in Vietnam

Sunset, Mui Ne, Vietnam

Five days in Vietnam with a Nepal hangover – reminiscing about those great mountains, amazing landscapes, warm people, and great friends I made throughout the whole journey. Five days of thinking about going home – anticipating and getting anxious over what’s going to be my life next year. 

And then there was that taxi ride, after two transfers to go to the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Hue. Confused, I asked you “Are you also going to Hue?” 

Post-BigTrip : A Big Thank You and Updates

Sand Dunes, Mui Ne, Vietnam 

The best 77 days of my life so far. :)

Who could have thought that someone who got lost so many times before in life, or at least she thought she did, could have fulfilled her dreams of traveling? Of having the best and most memorable three months of her life? 

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek : Days 6 and 7 'Breathtaking Mountains'

nearing the Annapurna Base Camp

Two Months. Two Weeks.

trekking in Nepal

*while in transit from Bangkok - Vietnam

In two weeks I'll be in another flight on my way back home. HOME. Where I grew up, where the people I love are. But I'm also leaving my OTHER HOME - TRAVELING.

Not a geographical location - not a country, not a city, not a place. But a state of happiness that no other activity or material possession has ever given me. I try to fight back tears. I try not to be sad as this journey is about to take a break.

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek : Days 4 and 5 "26th"

26th :)

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek : Day 3 'Early Gift'

Day 3, Nov 19 (day before  my 26th birthday) :  Landruk (1620m) - Himal Qu (1410 m) - Jhinu Danda (1750m) - Taglung (2190m) - Chomrong (2210m)

Still didn't sleep well last night. But I was dreaming of the Annapurna Peaks. Wishing that I get to see them soon. Woke up at around 6:30am. The view from our hotel was two mountain ranges of rice terraces with a river at the middle. There was fog still but only down by the river. But the mountain ranges and river was beautiful, mystical.

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek : Days 1 and 2 "Dreaming of Annapurna"

on the way to Tolka

Background: As I've mentioned previously, we were supposed to go to Lukla and do the Everest Base Camp Trek but the weather was not on our side. We waited for two days and decided to just go to Pokhara and do the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek instead. We wanted to do the Annapurna Circuit but we didn't have enough time for it. I've read and watched Michael Palin's Himalaya where he also did the Sanctuary Trek, but the images of the Annapurna Base Camp was never really retained in my memory. Which I think was a good thing as I had no expectation of what the trek or the base camp would look like.