Wednesday, 4 January 2017

2016 in a (pretty long ass) nutshell

I know it's a little after 2016 but I drafted this post a few days ago and only got to finalizing it today.

2016 felt very much like a dream to me and although I've had my fair share of downs (like every other year) it will probably go down in history as one of the best years of my life because of the many travel opportunities I was blessed with.

A little side story,
I was never an independent girl to begin with. Yes, in Singapore I could survive on my own - order my own food, eat by myself, navigate around easily - but I never felt any sense of achievement because no matter how independent I may seem, c'mon, it's Singapore! It's the safest place I'll ever be. Travelling, on the other hand, really made me test myself. How quick on my feet am I? Can I navigate myself around foreign land? Language barrier? Human anxiety? Dealing with the unexpected? DIRT?????

So the adventure bug, fearless, idgaf, step-independent girl in me decided. Let's travel, explore new ground, meet new people, let the unknown be known.

Japan
(link here)

Japan was one of the most memorable trips of the year because it was the first time I've ever seen or touched Cherry Blossoms! Yes, I might have seen them once a couple of years back in Beijing but that was 1 pathetic tree and the rest were while I was in the cab to the airport so IT DOESN'T COUNT. 


 It was also where I had the best ramen of my life (still dreamin' bout chu baby)

 and where the Potterhead in me unleashed.

 I also finally got on a ride that made me scream my lungs out in excitement

and fell in love with the beauty of shrines.


If given the opportunity, I'd fly back to Japan in a heartbeat. For the ramen, of course.

Thailand - 2 weeks, 4 cities
(link here)

I have never been away from home this long on a holiday and it was my very first time going on a trip with no plan, no schedule, just lodging, commuting from city to city like a local would.

On this trip, I saw a dry waterfall for the first time in my life HAHAHA this was a funny one

 and travelled with the locals (although not so much "local" as "airbnb host" even though she is Thai

 I visited the "Long Neck" village(!!)

 and jumped off a 10m cliff (if it makes me a rebel, unsupervised)

But the newest and most memorable experience for me in this trip was definitely fleeting in and out of sleeps on a 13-hour, non-airconditioned, dust-filled cabin, train ride.

As much as I hated waking up to a literal black face, something in me just felt so happy I didn't do it the expensive, comfortable way. Maybe I'm a little crazy, but I guess we all will be at some point after 6 hours cooped up in a train. 

Bali
(link here)

Bali was a first when it came to planning a trip. My past trips were always me following my parents/friends so it kinda gave me some sort of ego-booster on how independent I can be on foreign ground. Although my parents were around the bulk of the trip, it was the first time I didn't feel so clueless overseas because I knew almost everything I had to know about this city I was in! 

I saw an active volcano, obviously not erupting or I'd be running,

 talked to a barista about coffee (hue hue hue this was so fun!!!),

 and visited 2 cliff temples! Prior to Bali, I barely even saw such a cliff. *suaku alert*

 
I went White Water Rafting,

 and set a baby sea turtle freeeeeeeeeeeee~

 Nasi Campur was legit my best friend,

and I died at ever cliff I saw.

 I roasted marshmallows by a bonfire (not bqq pit hor)

 and discovered the existence of a waterblow!

Last but definitely not the least,
I tried surfing and swore to myself that I'll definitely do this again, and again, AND AGAIN.

Oh right, I almost forgot. BEST WATERPARK EVER


Ipoh
(editing in progress)

Ipoh was more of a chill getaway than an exciting one but no trip is complete without a first AMIRIGHT! 

Me, a born and raised city girl, lived in a kampung, WITHOUT ANY INTERNET FOR 2 DAYS. OK I know it's damn exaggerated but it really was my first time living in a kampung and it definitely did open my eyes to a new lifestyle. 

Waking up early in the morning for yummy freshly grown in the backyard kinda breakfast, strolling around the vicinity, going back home to more yummy food, resume stroll/take a nap bc 0 responsibilities (responsibilities include replying SMSes HA), returns home for dinner, play mahjong, have an early night.

I admit I'd be bored outta my wits if I lived like that every day but it sure was fun experiencing it for a day or two.

Have you ever decided to visit another city a day before and booked an Airbnb the night before? Because YES I DID THAT! HAH! I've never been this erratic overseas before because, being a very rational thinker, everything must be pre-planned swee swee at least a few days before.

 But yay! I did that, and i'm very proud of myself *pats self on back*

Not forgetting how it was my first backpacking trip!

Cebu - Oslob, Moalboal, Bohol
(editing in progress)

Cebu was one heck of a trip. It was a backpacking trip planned by my mum, but I tagged along because the itinerary was too damn interesting to say no to.

(Please make do with my Instavids bc I have yet to finish editing the full vid. Do stick around though, it'll be coming soon with my posts of Cebu!)

 CANYONEERING WTFF
I cliff dived (probably enough for my entire lifetime), slid down a waterfall, albeit mini but still fun, swam in a river and allowed the currents of it to push me while I floated around like a cute lil feather
WHALE SHAKES WTFFFF
This was legit just
breathtaking,
mindblowing,
wew wew wew
(obviously I lost my ability to form proper sentences)

A video posted by 🍣 (@triciatyler) on

Thailand - Bangkok & Hua Hin
(editing in progress)

Thailand? Again? Not so much, my friend.
As mentioned above, no trip is without a first. For this trip, it was my very first time going overseas with my one and only blur sotong, LE. Bali was suppose to be the first but my parents ended up tagging along. Anyway, he helped me unleash my full potential and made me realise how awesome and independent I am overseas. I planned everything, and everything went perfectly as planned. :') oh Tricia, how much you've grown.

I fed the cutest animals everrrrrrrr - alpacas and camels - carrots and was even chased by the super aggressive alpaca :( but still fun!


I climbed up a mountain,

and blessed my eye with the Phraya Nakhon Cave Temple. One thing off my bucket list!

Back when I was Googling around during my first trip to Thailand, I chanced upon a photo of this cave and instantly added it to my bucket list. Never did I imagine I would've been able to tick it off the same year I added it in *cries*

Tbh this would have been the view (even more sob-worthy) if we didn't spend so much time taking photos while on the way up :'( ah well. It was still gorgeous in person.

I obviously have no photo of this because I was too busy shopping but ....
I also shopped till I dropped at Chaktuchak HAHAHA. Not kidding when I say I've never shopped this much in my entire life but OKAY not considered. Just wanted to let it out hehe.

*transforms back into prim and proper writing style*

I'm not here to flaunt (heck, some might not even find it much) but rather just here to express how grateful I am for this year.

To have the financial capabilities to house myself for at least a week overseas for every one of my trips, to live in the moment free of worries, and last but definitely not the least, to see, understand and feel new cultures.

I've matured a lot, grown more independent and definitely, seen the world in a new light. Of course, these few countries cannot really be considered "the World" and I still have much to learn but thanks to these trips, I came to realise how tiny we are in this big big world and that all my problems, they aren't even sizable to the vastness of it all.

Although I won't be able to achieve "SEA by 21" (it was unachievable to begin with, but I enjoy impossible goals) because 2017 will be back-to-school for me, I'll reminisce the past and strive for a better future in hopes of relieving the good ol' days.

I'll also be eternally grateful to those that stood by me and encouraged me as I questioned my own existence and took the road less travelled by by staying rooted to my dreams despite countless futile attempts. For unwaveringly believing in me, I'll prove to you guys that it won't be for naught.

2017 will be an important year for me as I step back into the daily grind, but this time, doing something I love. It will be the year I finally embark on my dreams and, God, I pray it'll work out in the end.

Thank you 2016, you've been more than great to me.
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