As 2011 comes to a close, a number of travel bloggers have been doing so-called “year-end reviews” of their travels, and I thought that I’d do the same. 2011, like 2010, was a year of changes, surprises, and an abundance of travels. Care to come with me as I recap what I did and where?
JANUARY: Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Hospital
The first day of 2011 saw me very sick and in bed in Berlin, where I spent the holidays with Liebling and his family. I had been suffering from debilitating nausea and stomach pain for weeks, and despite rounds of medications was not feeling better. I boarded the plane back to Hong Kong in tears, dreading the 15 hours of travel and scared that I would feel even more sick on the plane. I somehow made it back to Hong Kong in one piece, but despite going to the doctor there and getting medicated, I only succeeded in feeling worse, and had to be admitted to the hospital for a week. It was a distressing time- I lost a bunch of weight and really didn’t think I would get better. I had to cancel a trip that I had scheduled to Malaysia and lost most of the money I had spent on the tickets. I was on bed rest for the better part of 5 weeks and missed 3 weeks of work.
FEBRUARY: Hong Kong, Macau, China
I was still recovering from my mystery illness in February, so kept things relatively uncluttered on the travel front. I hung out in Hong Kong with *ahem* Chippendale dancers new friends, took the ferry to Macau to watch a performance from the Cirque du Soleil, and went away with Liebling for a romantic weekend trip to Shenzhen, China, where we barely left the hotel since it was so cushy and opulent.
MARCH: Hong Kong
In March, I FINALLY started to feel like myself again, but found myself too busy with work and too short on time to travel anywhere at all. However, I took the opportunity to discover more places in my adopted hometown of Hong Kong, taking hikes around the island and engaging in some of the debauchery events Hong Kong offers year round.
APRIL: Hong Kong, Indonesia
Liebling and I met up in Bali, Indonesia where we gorged ourselves on food, history, and wondrous views for 12 days. We took silly pictures on the beach, explored tiny towns by scooter, and watched an American girl nearly get mauled by a yucky monkey. Oh, and I shook my groove thang on the beach and discovered that I’m not a fan of Ubud. Indonesia is bad ass.
MAY: Hong Kong, Singapore
I was barely back in Hong Kong for 3 days before we took off for Singapore for a three-day trip.
JUNE: Hong Kong, Malaysia, USA
June was a sad month. The school year was winding down and it was time for me to pack up and say goodbye to Hong Kong. But not before a quick trip to Malaysia, where I was underwhelmed by the Petronas Towers. I lugged my huge bags directly to Washington State in the USA, where I stayed for a month to finish up some courses for my Master’s degree. I had a bit of trouble acclimating to my new digs, and my new neighbourhood, which were both vastly different from the life I was leading in Hong Kong. Still, I managed to keep things interesting by taking a quick trip to Seattle to visit some family.
JULY: USA, Canada
After more than a year away from home, I made my triumphant return to Toronto, Canada, where I reconnected with friends and family, ate a LOT of good food, and donned a teensy-weensy bejeweled bikini and massive feather headpiece so I could dance in the street in Toronto’s Caribana parade. It is probably one of the coolest things I’ve done. Ever. I also ran my second 10k race!
AUGUST: Canada, USA, Guatemala, Honduras
At the beginning of August I went on a trip with my girlfriends to New York City. Through serendipity, I was given the opportunity to regularly have my travel writing featured on the Huffington Post. Then, near the end of the month, Liebling came to visit me in Canada, and I took him all around my beloved city and to Niagara Falls! After a week of fun, we jetted off to Guatemala for a month, going to Honduras for two days to check out some ancient ruins. In Guatemala I nearly didn’t hike a volcano, but am so glad that I did.
SEPTEMBER: Guatemala, Chile
The summer of fun continued right on into the fall, but you wouldn’t know that from the sizzling temps on the beach in Guatemala. Liebling left me to go back to work in the UK, and I stayed on in Guatemala and did a Spanish course. Then I went to Chile and realized that my Spanish course in Guatemala didn’t prepare me for the ridiculously hard Chilean brand of Spanish. Lots of smiling and nodding done while in Chile.
OCTOBER: Chile, Canada, UK
October, like June, was a pivotal month. After exploring the deserts of Chile and meeting up with some of my favourite bloggers in Santiago, the capital, I made the long journey back to Canada, where I attended my cousin’s wedding. Then, days later, I packed my bags and moved to London, UK to be with Liebling (finally!) in one place.
NOVEMBER: UK, Germany
I spent most of November discovering London, meeting up with travel bloggers, and looking for a job. I figured out that my North American accent is pretty exotic in the UK. I also went to Berlin for the weekend and witnessed a tree-cutting contest. You know, as you do.
DECEMBER: UK, Malta, Germany
December was an exciting month, particularly professionally: I got a new job! I also got to visit a new country, Malta, which always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. My trip to Malta was breathtaking and inspiring, and made all the sweeter because HostelBookers hooked me up with an amazing hotel! I spent Christmas in Berlin with Liebling and his family, and have been using this opportunity to learn more about German traditions and fattening delectable German food.
THE RESULT
Hospital stay aside, 2011 was THE BOMB. This year I visited 13 countries, 7 of them new. I swapped countries, changed jobs, and moved in with my best friend . I reached out and have met more of my readers, as well people in the travel industry, and formed a few interesting partnerships that I hope to elaborate on in the new year. 2011 ROCKED.
2012 Travels?
I have literally been a booking machine, researching trips and experiences left and right. So far, my travel plans up to June of next year are confirmed. In the first half of 2012 I’ll be travelling to Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Dubai(!), Peru(!!), Nice & Monaco, Cornwall UK, and Norway. I leave for Brussels next Wednesday and am already salivating at the prospect of chocolate and waffles. 2012 is gonna be big!
Psst! Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Your support is much appreciated!
63 Comments
you have been busy, young lady and made the move to be with the booface. awww! i need to do this too. But maybe with pictures LOL.
Happy New Year! Here is to finally meeting in 2012!!!
NIIIIIIIIICE! You rockin' the Caribana feathers, gul.
Live. Fly.
What a fantastic way to sum up your experiences of 2011. Now that you are settling in the UK for a while, I hope you have a great 2012 with lots more travel.
Good luck and happy travels.
Very inspiring blog post, Oneika. Happy New Year! I wish you all the best in 2012.
Busy is such an understatement! Keep doing your thing. Hope to meet on the road one day.
OMG! Yes, 2011 was amazing for you but it looks like 2012 will reval it. You are my travel hero Oneika. Can't wait to travel to these places alongside with you.
What an amazing year of travels for you! Here's to an even more amazing 2012. Cheers!
What an amazing year of travels for you! Here's to an even more amazing 2012. Cheers!
What a year! This is very inspiring and you clearly seemed to have made the most of 2011. It was really nice meeting you, however briefly and I hope we can connect again soon.
Now, time to check out all the links in the article 🙂
There's busy like: I have to wash the dishes, fold the clothes, go to the grocery store and finish that TPS Report. THEN there's busy like, I have to get catch the ferry to Macau, buy a ticket to Malta, catch a flight to Chile and do a costume check for the Carnaval outfit. I definitely prefer YOUR type of busy. Congrats on all that you've done and keep doing more of the same in 2012. I hope to be in London next summer (braving the Olympics maddness) so hope we can actually meet in person.
Wow, you made it to some pretty amazing places this year! From what I've heard, 2012 is going to be a good year of travel for you too!
wow!!! what an awesome year!! I have no plans yet and im starting to get desperate to plan a vacation! I will try not to go home next year or to Ecuador so that we can go somewhere FAR and stay for a while!!!! Feliz 2012!!
What a beautiful year you had…jealous. Happy New Year.
Looking forward to your post on Cornwall UK. That place sounds romantic and dreamy and definitely somewhere I wouldn't mind retiring.
Have a wonderful, fun start!
Awesome!! I love that photo of you in Guatemala. I must go there! 🙂 Happy new year fellow Tribe sister!!
Oneika,
You have had a busy year! I thought mine was crazy…..when will you be in Peru? I will be there in May. Let me know….
You truly had a amazing year and I am convinced your sunny disposition and awesome spirit contributed to all the fun and positivity!
Here's looking forward to seeing whats up for 2012!
@nicole: Yes, definitely do a review!
@Fly Brother: Thanks love! I trust you're doing the same.
@Victoria: Thank you! You too!
@Shells: Rock it out in Norway!!
@ADT: We defo need to make it happen. I havent been to JA in a while so..
@Rhona: Glad you'll stick around for the ride!
@Lola: I can't wait to see what you get to either! I love looking through your lens, Lola.
@Carmenlitta: Looking forward to meeting again in the new year!!
@Nailah: Keep me posted on your travel plans- would be a pleasure to link up in LDN!
@Lady: It should be fabulous. I'm trying to elevate myself to your world status 🙂
@Cata: In my experience the early bird gets the worm! Can't wait to see where you end up going!
@'Lara: Don't be! I want to go to Africa like you!
@Foosrock: I actually got the tickets for Liebling for Xmas! I've seen pics and it looks stunning.
@Lily: You should- it's so close to Belize! Great country.
@View: I was thinking about that! Will just miss you. Going for the first two weeks of April!
@sprite: Thank you! It's not always easy but I try to stay positive!
Such a fun year, and I'm glad I could be a part of it!
In terms of 2012 travel, you are seriously organized, and I need to follow your lead a little bit – that list of places made me supremely jealous, but I know nothing's stopping me from having my own list (albeit not quite such an impressive one) beyond sitting Rodolfo down to coordinate schedules. Soon!
Happy New Year Oneika! What a wonderful travel review for the year; you went to so many places in ONE year. I can't wait to do more travelling like that. I'm glad that the London move worked out for you, it's a good place to be based for travel. I'm still catching up on your archieves from the move but loved reading about your Chile trip and the Tate modern (love that museum). I may be in London in early April for a conference so I'll be in touch. Wishing you the very best!
Nice job!
@Emily: Because my time off is relegated to school holidays (READ: the most expensive time to travel) it really pays to book in advance- I end up saving so much money on tickets! Liebling and I also enjoy always having a trip on the horizon to look forward to!
@Samantha: Thanks for reading along! I'll be in Peru the first two weeks in April but will hopefully catch up with you somewhere else in the world at some point! Happy New Year!
@Perfect 10: Thanks!
omg. seriously. you rock. ROCK!
i had no idea you were that sick in january – it sounds like it was horrible! so glad you recovered from whatever it was!
happy new years to you! here's hoping 2012 is even MORE exciting than 2011!
What an amazing year – you have a lot of great stories to tell. Hong Kong is at the top of my list of places to visit soon.
Niiiiiice year girl! You get around 😉
I've been to Cornwall 2 times, by the way. Lovely spot with a random surf following in the summer (they get great waves then).
Happy New Year! All the best to you and Liebling. I enjoy your posts and look forward to more adventures for 2012 and beyond. Cuidate.
Peru sounds VERY nice, I've never been but I know there's a LOT of Inca history and cultural sites to see. It's too bad I'll miss you in April, I was planning on squeezing in London for my spring break before going home for a bit. I'm still in Cayman for most of the year, so you're always welcome. It's a popular travel spot for the Brits, especially those London bankers, it's like their playground, lol.
@Scott: Thanks for dropping by! Don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions about Hong Kong!
@Ashley: Cool! I might be hitting you up for recommendations!
@kvowels: Muchas gracias, nina y a tu tambien!!
@Samantha: I might just take you up on your offer!! How far is Cayman from Jamaica? 😉
Fantastic!! Your post is so inspirational – makes me want to get off my butt and do something about it!
okay okay, i'll do it! all my blogging friends have 'year in review' posts, so i think it's my turn now.
@signorina: Grazie mille! Come join me!
@withinireland: Please do!
Wowwwww, look at you! When you said Oneika the Traveller, you were not lying!!! I love this blog!
@Erika: Thanks lady! Just trying to see and learn as much as I can!
Cayman is pretty close to Jamaica. The island was actually part of Jamaica (owned/governed) for a really long time. After Jamacia got it's independence in the 60s, Cayman decided to stay British, and Jamacia went independent. Hence, Cayman is still a UK territory. Culturally speaking though, many Caymanians still consider themself Jamaican and a lot Jamacians work and live on the island. The history of the island is pretty interesting.
You go, girl!! Literally! Looking forward to reading more of your wonderful travel adventures in 2012!
OMG I think I have a pic from the SAME time with the SAME German department store. Is that at KaDeWe in Berlin? too funny!
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