The Adventurous Explorer

Travel & Discovery

2014 – Travel Highlights

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**This is going to be a long post.**

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always made traveling a top priority. Traveling is the main reason why, despite my ability to afford more, I prefer to live in a living room where I only pay $350 a month for rent and utilities, which I’ve been doing since August 2012. Below is a simple reminder to myself on why I travel.

Travel Highlights 

JANUARY: Nashville / Chattanooga / Huntsville

Eating a “Hot Chicken” Sandwich in Nashville.

Hot Chicken from Hattie B's near Vanderbilt University.

Hot Chicken from Hattie B’s near Vanderbilt University. 

Visiting the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, TN.

Jack Daniels' Distillery in Lynchburg, TN.

Jack Daniels’ Distillery in Lynchburg, TN. 

Walking along the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, TN.

Bridge over the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.

Bridge over the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.

Visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

 

FEBRUARY: Zurich / Delhi / Jaipur / Agra / Mumbai 

Exploring Zurich on a day-long layover en route to India. 

Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich

Having High Tea in the Imperial Hotel in Delhi.

High Tea at the Imperial in Delhi.

High Tea at the Imperial in Delhi.

Overlooking Rajasthan atop Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur.

View of Jaipur from Nahargarh Fort.

View of Jaipur from Nahargarh Fort. 

Gazing at the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Visiting the Taj Mahal.

Visiting the Taj Mahal.

Walking along the “Pearl’s Necklace” in Mumbai. 

Pearl's Necklace at Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai.

Pearl’s Necklace at Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai.

 

April: New York City / Shenandoah 

Chilling with friends during a weekend in NYC.

Hanging out on the steps of the library at Columbia University.

Hanging out on the steps of the library at Columbia University. 

Hiking in Shenandoah, VA.

Hiking in Shenandoah Valley.

Hiking in Shenandoah Valley. 

 

May: Annapolis

Feasting on Maryland Crab in Annapolis

Feasting on Maryland Crab in Annapolis.

Feasting on Maryland Crab in Annapolis.

 

June: New York / Philadelphia

Celebrating my first NYC Pride Week.  

NYC Pride Week 2014

NYC Pride Week 2014

Participating in my first Triathlon Relay (swimming). 

Team photo after the 2014 Philadelphia Triathlon.

Team photo after the 2014 Philadelphia Triathlon.

 

July: Portland / Seattle / New York

Getting inspired at my very first World Domination Summit in Portland.

WDS 2014 Party along the Willamette River.

WDS 2014 Party along the Willamette River.

Taking in the Seattle city skyline during my off hours.

Seattle City Skyline

Seattle City Skyline

Discovering a new side of Manhattan. Walking the HighLine

View from the High Line.

View from the High Line.

 

August: Richmond / New York / Orlando

Exploring the James River on a day trip to Richmond, VA.

James River in Richmond, VA.

James River in Richmond, VA.

Catching up with a great high school friend during her visit to NYC. Took her to watch a show! 

Watching Phantom of the Opera with Angelica.

Watching Phantom of the Opera with Angelica.

Discovering the magical world of Disney during my first visit to Disney World!

Fireworks at Disney World!

Fireworks at Disney World!

 

September: Hawaii / Southern California

Hanging out at Airport Beach on Maui.

View of Lanai Island from Airport Beach.

View of Lanai Island from Airport Beach.

Walking the pier in Seal Beach, CA.

Walking the pier in Seal Beach.

Walking the pier in Seal Beach.

 

November: Cross Country Train Trip / Southern California

Taking in the Chicago Skyline during our stop over in Chicago aboard the California Zephyr. 

Chicago Skyline

Chicago Skyline

View of the Colorado River aboard the California Zephyr en route to Emeryville, California.

View of the Colorado River aboard the California Zephyr.

View of the Colorado River aboard the California Zephyr.

Taking in the view of the Downtown LA Skyline from Griffith Observatory.

Downtown LA Skyline from Griffith Observatory.

Downtown LA Skyline from Griffith Observatory.

 

December: Boston / San Francisco

Eating this delicious lobster roll in Boston.

Lobster roll in Boston.

Lobster roll in Boston.

Roadtripping up to NorCal and looking out onto San Francisco from Treasure Island.

San Francisco Skyline

San Francisco Skyline

 

2014 TRAVEL EXPENSES

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! Earlier this year, I began tracking how much I’m spending on traveling. The table below includes information for flights, accommodations and transportation. It doesn’t include the cost of activities. Surprisingly, it’s a lot less than I had initially thought. A big part of that is due to the glitch fare I picked up for my trip to Delhi (only $330 for a round trip flight!) and redeeming my frequent flyer points for several trips.

Month Destination Description Expense
January Nashville US Airways DCA – BNA $5.00
February India Intrepid Tour $612.00
India Visa $200.00
Vaccines $200.00
United Airlines IAD – BOM $321.62
UA Economy Plus Upgrade $153.00
Jet Airways BOM – DEL $292.64
ITC Sheraton $210.00
Residency Hotel Fort $123.98
Anjali Inn $21.70
April New York Megabus $52.00
June New York Greyhound $54.00
AirBnb $66.00
July Portland / Seattle Delta DCA – PDX $5.00
WDS Summit $506.95
Greyhound $43.00
AirBnb $291.00
New York Megabus $60.00
AirBnb $105.00
August New York Amtrak $164.00
Megabus $40.00
Orlando Disney Tickets / Hotel $400.00
JetBlue DCA – MCO $283.00
September Hawaii US Airways DCA – OGG $887.90
Hawaiian Airlines $150.00
Sheraton Keauhou $78.25
Los Angeles US Airways DCA – LAX $372.70
November Cross Country Train Trip US Airways OAK – BWI $167.00
Los Angeles US Airways DCA – LAX $189.00
Delta LAX – IAD $157.50
Amtrak LAX – SBA $60.00
December Boston US Airways DCA – BOS $180.20
Los Angeles United Airlines LAX – IAD $392.00
Change Fee $294.20
Rental Car $127.50
Total $7,266.14

2014 was an incredibly amazing and memorable year of travel for me. Looking forward to more discoveries and experiences in the upcoming year!

2013 Travel Highlights

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I started writing out my annual review, but realized I should probably dedicate a post just to my travel and entertainment highlights. Without a doubt, I did A LOT this past year. Hoping for more excitement in the travel/entertainment department in the new year.

Travel Highlights

  • Visited Istanbul & Athens

    • Saw the Aya Sofya, Sultanhamet Mosque, explored Istanbul

    • Ate and drank in Istanbul: apple tea, soccer game while having nargile

    • Visited the Parthenon and Acropolis

    • Witnessed demonstrations happening at the Greek Parliament

    • Drank a freddocappucino while looking at the Acropolis

    • Watched the sunset over the Aegean Sea atop a hill in Athens.

    • Ate all the delicious feta, gyros, and desserts.

  • Visited Annapolis, MD

    • Ate Maryland crab for the first time!

  • Visited NYC multiple times throughout the year

    • March for my very first Armin van Buuren concert!

    • Headed up for Memorial Day, July 4th Weekend and Labor Day Weekend to meet up with friends, including a trip to both the Jersey Shore and Long Island beaches with friends.

    • Saw my fourth broadway show ever: Newsies

  • Visited Toronto, ON

    • Saw the CN Tower

    • Went to Niagara Falls

    • Visited the largest Asian Mall in North America (Pacific Mall)

    • Visited my very first Microbrewery

    • Experienced the hostel life yet again!

    • Ate poutine and explored Toronto

    • Had the most amazing boba ever — Mango Slush!

  • Went to New Orleans, LA

    • Traveled for the first time with two of my really good friends!

    • Experienced the debauchery of Bourbon Street

    • Ate incredibly delicious food! Dat Dog, Cafe du Monde, Oysters in Biloxi, Gautreau Restaurant (foie gras, rack of lamb)

    • Went on a swamp tour and saw some alligators

    • Went to Biloxi, Mississippi and went to my very first Gulf Coast Beach

    • Visited Ward 9 (Hurricane Katrina)

  • Went to Chicago, IL

    • Explored the city with my roommate and friends

    • Went to the Sears Tower, John Hancock Observatory, Boystown

  • Went to Charlottesville, VA

    • took a day trip with friends down to Charlottesville

    • went to Monticello, hiking at Humpback Rocks, getting chicken at a random gas station, and stopping by a random restaurant for some BBQ

  • Went to Philly, PA

    • First time heading to Penn for homecoming. Made me realize just how long it’s been since I was in college.

  • Heading down the Central Coast and San Diego, CA

    • Drove over 1000 miles in my Chevy Cruze rental along PCH.

    • Visited Hearst Castle. Stunning piece of real estate!

 

Entertainment Highlights

  • Went snowboarding for the second time in my life with friends in Virginia

  • First time watching the Wizards and Capitals at the Verizon Center. Also attended several Nationals baseball games throughout the summer.

  • Saw a lot more concerts than I ever have: Andrew McMahon, National Symphony Orchestra, .fun, Tegan & Sara, Justin Timberlake, King the Kid, Alex Goot, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hot Chelle Rae, Marine Corps Presidential Band,

  • Went to the beach several times: Jersey Shore, Long Island, Rehoboth

  • Went hiking throughout the year: Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville

  • Attended some awesome events: 2013 Presidential Inauguration, YPFP’s Affairs of State, CAPAL Ball, Embassy Walk, Washington PRIDE, YPFP Annual Retreat, summer beer and festivals, and too many YPFP speaker events to recall!

Goal Reviews: Q2 ’13

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A lot has happened since I’ve last updated. Let’s see how I’m progressing on my 2013 goals:

  • HSK: no progress.
  • GMAT: no progress.
  • Half-marathon: Finally signed up for one later this year, but have only loosely stuck to my running schedule.
  • Blog monthly: I have a bunch of unfinished drafts, but haven’t posted any.
  • Attend mass monthly: the only goal that I’ve been able to maintain all year!
So clearly I haven’t maintained focus on most of my goals. After keeping a log of my goals for the past two years, I’ve realized that goals, like everything else, are often subject to change. During the past couple of months, I’ve spent a lot of my time: 
  • Day job. It’s been a hectic couple of months, but I’m glad that I’m at a place where I’m still being challenged on an almost daily basis.
  • Freelancing. I finished my engagement with the Philippine-based foundation several months ago. Haven’t worked on anything else since then, but hoping to gradually build up a client base.
  • YPFP. It’s been a series of transitions and growing pains since I’ve began volunteering with YPFP. At times, I’ve questioned my involvement. Overall though, I truly believe in the organization, and I know I (as well as everyone on staff) can accomplish great things. Now it’s just finding the time, resources, accountability and motivation to ensure things get executed!
That covers it from a professional perspective. Now, for the fun stuff! 
  • Paid off a student loan! Still quite a ways to go, but progress is progress!
  • Traveling. Went on several road trips (Southern California, New York), visited a couple new cities (Toronto, New Orleans), and have gone to the beach several times this summer (Jersey Shore, Long Island).
  • Concerts. Have a slew of concerts lined up over the next couple of weeks through October, including my favorites: Justin Timberlake and Electric Zoo.
Overall, it’s been an exhausting past couple of months. There are some things that I wish I could be doing more of, like catching up on my reading list, bringing my business idea to life and sleeping, but I can honestly say that these past few months have been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling in a way that I haven’t felt in years. That, I think, is a good thing! 

Wanderlust: America’s Heartland

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Every couple of months or so, I hop on a plane and make the 5-hour journey out west back to California. I’ve been flying cross-country for several years now, to the point that the whole process has become something of a ritual. Packing usually happens the day of the flight. Emptying out my pockets, undoing my belt, and removing my laptop from my backpack as I head through security are all perfunctory. Upon boarding the plane, I make my way to my seat, store my backpack, shut the window shades, slip on my headphones, and fall asleep or watch some movies. Several hours later, I arrive at LAX and am on my way.

So, this past weekend, when I made that trip yet again, I expected the journey to be like any other. But it wasn’t. Throughout the flight, I couldn’t help but peer out of my window, looking at the never-ending landscape below. The endless forests of the East gradually giving way to endless flat farmland of the Midwest, then abruptly ending with the Rockies, then hundreds of miles of desert before touching down in Southern California. This whole region, Middle America, or what’s sometimes referred to derogatorily as flyover country, was never on my radar of places where I’d consider visiting. As someone born and raised on an island, I couldn’t imagine living more than a couple of hours away from the Ocean.

However, after reading Joel Kotkin’s book, The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050, I’m intrigued by what life could be like to live in America’s Heartland. Kotkin argues that although there have been growing concerns that America is in decline, he believes America will maintain its role as the world’s preeminent nation, in part, due to the nation’s abundance of land and natural resources. As coastal cities become increasingly unaffordable, Kotkin argues many Americans, both immigrants and citizens, will opt to move to America’s interior. While I have no intention of giving up my bi-coastal lifestyle, I do think it’s kind of ridiculous that, despite living abroad, I’ve never visited nor spent a single night anywhere in America beyond the Coasts. This needs to change. Hope I can make it out there someday.