Busan

After four trips to Seoul, it was time to venture out and see what else South Korea had to offer. I took a weekend trip to Busan, pronounced Pusan, and didn’t want to go home. A city of perfect contrasts, Busan boasts a coastline and mountains, and an urban city center with friendly locals.

I really wanted Sashimi. The presentation at this restaurant was perfection.

Should’ve made a wish.

Adorable railing on the walk up to Gamcheon Culture Village.

Gamcheon Culture Village. It has a scavenger hunt, but I was too hungover for all that jazz.

Next time, I want to get some hiking in.

I was eating, buddy. Mandu and cold noodles.

Fish cake with cheese and green onions wrapped around a crab stick. The best thing I ate in Busan!

The Ahjumma who ran this stall gave me a fork. I boldly asked for chopsticks.

Korean BBQ is very much a group meal, but solo, I loosened my belt and did what I had to do.

Kyoto

Kyoto showcases the best example of history and the future existing simultaneously as if I’ve ever seen it. The people are gracious and friendly and I had a life-changingly good time.

Zhangjiajie

A last minute trip during Chinese New Year led me to a most unexpected place: The Zhangjiajie National Park, home to the mountains that inspired the floating mountains featured in the movie Avatar. The weather was intensely cold, the mountains elusive behind the clouds, but still it was a magical experience.

We took a 24 hour sleeper train to and from Zhangjiajie. Once was enough for me.

Hunan province is known for spicy food. This was one of the hottest dishes I’ve eaten in China. 10/10 would cry again.

Up and down the streets at night you can find vendors selling various meats and veggies on a stick. Do not miss out!

I kept thinking, “Well, this would be a good death story.”

Cold but happy. This is only half the crew!

Meal times were my favorite. Each man for himself.

a big no from me

Gotham needs a hero.

I purchased these “shoes” for 20 RMB and that was money well-spent. I didn’t slip once.

Into the fog.

Natural land bridge

I was not at all close to this monkey.

Posed among the wishes

Porto

My first trip to Europe was for a month-long stay in Porto, Portugal. 

We drank so much Port, as you should in Porto. Also try a port tonic, if you can. 

The Stairs of Lies AKA The Stairs of Truth

A few members of the Unsettled crew

A most perfect day.

Where the river met the ocean

Amarante. A town just outside the city in the Douro Valley.

Seoul (again)

On my third visit to Seoul, I wasn't alone. Arno and I traveled from Beijing to spend five days and four nights in one of my favorite cities. Because I'd been there twice already alone, there were places I wanted to go with another person and so we did. We also ate too much and drank too much and I'd do it all again. 

The view from Namsan Tower

We had perfect weather

Birthday girl unprepared for her own photoshoot.

Locks of love

Korean food is my jam, for real.

This is a staged photo. I made him walk across the bridge so many times. 

Presentation *Kisses fingers*

About the extent of my ballroom dancing skills.

Do I look smug? I shouldn't! Burned my mouth two seconds later.

We found Chad. He was hanging out in an Indian restaurant in Insadong

Shanghai

Shanghai is a truly international city. I could see the outside influences everywhere, but especially in the architecture. It's beautiful, frenetic, and a little overwhelming. I went with my coworker, Abby, a quiet, young Chinese woman whose easy-going and see-the-good-in-everything nature made her the best travel companion. 

I love the mash of time & culture in this picture.

Lovely. What you can't see is the crush of people behind me.

We took these organic coconuts on the train!

Abby & her best friend. They took me to Beer Lady, a famous beer spot. 

The world famous Oriental Pearl Tower

Outside Moller Villa 

The Bund at night

Soup dumplings. I never knew love like this. 

Sending a postcard to the future. Set to go out January 5, 2018.

Sanya

In Sanya, I found myself in one of the most beautiful places I'd ever been and the loneliest I'd ever felt. I often sat on the balcony in my underwear. If anyone spotted me thirteen stories up, they deserved the view. 

on the last day, bought a coconut for 8 kuai

Came all the way to China to get a vanilla ice cream pop

I think this park was closed. Oops. 

Anchovies, crab, & shrimp fried rice. Incredibly spicy.

Every night these buildings put on a light show. People sat on the beach and watched 

Dalian

I met a man in Dalian who thought it was strange that a single woman would travel to a city just because. I drank the drink he bought me and left him to his archaic ideas. 

Peaceful 

Two friends of one of my coworkers took me out to dinner and sightseeing. 

They also bought me flowers that housekeeping put into a water bottle. I splurged on a nice hotel.

A fog rolling in.