Looking Back at 2017 and Looking Forward to 2018

As 2017 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on all the ups and downs which I’ve gone through this past year. It wasn’t an easy journey for me, but I’m thankful for all the obstacles that shaped me into who I am today, and made me even stronger than before. I’m grateful to those who have entered my life and have continuously stood by me. But, I’m also filled with gratitude to those who have shown me the dark side of human nature, taught me hard lessons, and eventually walked out of my life. It’s time to wash out all the negativity, and only remember the best moments of 2017.

In the second half of the year, I became my own lady boss, and embarked on many adventures I never knew I would have gone on. I’ve always explored Europe and Oceania in the prior years, but this time round, I targeted many Asian countries. These are my top 3 favourite experiences in 2017.

Taiwan (Besides Taipei)

I travelled to Taiwan twice this year – the first trip was with my girlfriends whom I’ve known for half of my life, while the second trip was with my special one. Perhaps, they are the ones who made both the trips memorable, but the scenery, atmosphere, and food also contributed to making the trips amazing. I really enjoyed self-driving along the coastal roads, and stopping whenever possible to take in the beautiful sights. It’s so tough to pick one favourite location. I definitely recommend doing a day trip along Taiwan’s North-Eastern coast, or visiting a few of Taichung’s magnificent sites.

Hoi An

I’ve always wanted to explore Vietnam, and am elated that I finally made my dream trip come true this year. Out of all the cities that I’ve visited, Hoi An is the only place which I’ve left my heart in. I fell in love with the friendly shop vendors, scrumptious street food, colourfully-decorated streets, and the lively atmosphere. However, it would be better if the city isn’t overcrowded with tourists.

Malacca and Penang

I’m a die-hard foodie, and while people eat to live, I live to eat. These two cities in Malaysia offer a huge variety of delicious eats, and my trips were made even better because my travel companions were all hearty diners.

Tomorrow is the first blank page of my 365-page travel book, and I’ll be writing a good one. Thank you to those who have been following my stories and adventures and supporting me all these while. I promise to improve on my photography and produce more interesting and exciting content in the upcoming year. Here’s a toast to 2018!