Reinicializar a pesquisa
Vela HuangVela Huang
Editar rota
Vela Huang

Vela Huang

viajou para 16 países Leia mais
SeguirMensagemEstatísticas
    • Our OE

      Home!

      11 de setembro de 2024, Nova Zelândia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

      All good things must come to an end.

      We've been back in NZ for more than a week now and have had a bit of time to reflect on our travels. It's a great feeling to be home, although a little cold, but now we have to face the reality of finding work, a routine, and building a platform from which to continue our lives.

      A few stats for you from the trip:
      - 15 countries visited (14 if you include Taiwan with China)
      - 159 days overseas
      - 115,000km travelled total
      - 96,000km by plane (across 33 individual flights)
      - 8,000km by car
      - 6,000km by train
      - 1,500km of 4WD
      - 700km by bus
      - Over 600km walking and hiking
      - And the balance was made up with a mix of ferries, motor boats, tuktuk, cycling, sailing and cable cars

      Favourite country visited:
      V - Japan for great service, politeness, food and cleanliness
      N - Spain, the beautiful Mediterranean cities, fun vibes, and cheap wine

      Least favourite country visited:
      V - None, everywhere had its highlights
      N - Taiwan, possibly a little travel fatigued by this point, and everything just felt a little bit flat, although the milk tea was delicious!

      Best experience/activity:
      V - Americas cup sailing, boat trip and swimming around Capri, and learning to scuba dive in the Philippines
      N - Difficult choice, tossing up between sailing amongst the America's Cup boats in Barcelona, 4 wheel driving in the Northern Territory, and learning to scuba dive in the Philippines

      Best food eaten:
      V - Japanese Wagyu & Omakase, lamb hock in Xinjiang, Chongqing Hotpot (as always), deep fried baby squid tapas in Valencia, Gelato in Nice, Taiwanese street food & bubble tea
      N - The lamb hock rice in Xinjiang

      Worst food eaten:
      V - None, loved it all
      N - The beachside curry in Taiwan...

      Most memorable moment:
      V - I can't choose, just too many!
      N - Stepping inside Sagrada Familia and experiencing the amazing colours and architectural madness of Gaudi

      And to wrap things up, a collection of cloud photos from our flight home.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Vela, Wudi & Clara
      Some awesome clouds as we flew into Hong KongHotpot at 1am in ChongqingChinese massage timeDifferent type of "cold"pot in ChengduYum!Vela & LeeBreakfast in the hotelTime for a spot of Majiang

      Chengdu

      30 de ago.–2 de set. 2024, China ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

      After a pretty seamless flight back to Chongqing via Hong Kong, we met up with Vela's sailing friends from University, Wudi & Clara. We jumped in a car, and after a quick pit stop at home it was off for a midnight hotpot.

      After hotpot we had a room booked in a Chinese massage parlour. The way this works is pretty awesome, essentially you get a hotel room, breakfast, and a massage all rolled into one. The cost per person was about $65nzd, which is crazy good value when you think about it.

      The following morning - well afternoon really - we got up and caught a high speed train to Chengdu. The train made quick work of the 400km journey, getting us there in under an hour and 10 minutes, top speed about 350km/h. We hung around in a mall until dinner time, the girls doing a bit of window shopping. Dinner was a different style of hotpot, called coldpot, where the food is cooked separately and then delivered to you in a spicy oil/sauce for you to eat at your leisure. Another of Vela's school friends, Lee, joined us for dinner and drinks.

      The following day was pretty cruisy. We found a Majiang table and Nathan proceeded to win the girls money, but Vela gave it all back, and more... We said goodbye to Wudi here, while Nathan, Vela & Clara jumped back on the high speed train to Chongqing.

      A very enjoyable weekend, now just a few more days in Chongqing before we head home to NZ and have to face reality...      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Exploring the streets of Taipei
      Smoked goose for lunchJapanese Wagyu for dinnerPork and chicken kidneyOutside the museumThe Green is Jade, red is coral, and the blue is from bird feathersIvory sphere - 18 layers carved within each otherLooks good enough to eat... Might need a good dentist thoughCan you spot the bugs?Taipei night market

      Taipei

      27–30 de ago. 2024, Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

      We made the journey from Kenting back up the west coast to Taipei. About 2 hours on the bus to Kaohsiung and then a very fast and comfortable hour and a half on a fast train to Taipei. Train travel is definitely elite.

      Nathan still wasn't feeling a hundred percent, so it was a pretty chill couple of days with a little bit of city exploration, food, hanging out in bookstores/libraries, and a trip to the museum. Vela's food highlights were a smoked goose lunch, Japanese bbq dinner with Wagyu beef, and a pork & chicken kidney dish (Nathan still not eating much).

      The museum held a few neat treasures, including some intricate Jade/red coral pieces, a stone polished and carved to look like a piece of meat, and another piece of Jade carved to look like Chinese cabbage. One of the more exceptional items was a piece of ivory that had been carved with 18 spheres inside of each other - mind blowing to imagine the time and skill required. Well worth a look.

      Next stop is back to mainland China before we take our last flight back to NZ.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Vela on a solo mission
      Veggie spaghetti with instant noodles flavour powder, okay...Good sunny dayOn the trailFound itThe most southern point of TaiwanLooking for New ZealandGiant octopus arms - no thanks!DinnerHeading back

      Kenting - the Southernmost Tip of Taiwan

      25–27 de ago. 2024, Taiwan ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

      In a cruel twist of fate, given all of the random things that Vela eats, Nathan was the one to go down with food poisoning from what we believe was a dodgy curry at a beach cafe... What ensued was a pretty miserable 48 hours...

      But to ensure at least one of us was making the most of it, Vela hit out on her own to check out the southernmost tip of Taiwan. Stopping first for some lunch, she then took a bus as far as the road would go. Vela then walked the last couple of kilometres out to the point. Pretty sweet views out there.

      After chilling out and enjoying some "me" time, she headed back home, stopping by the Kenting night market on the way. It felt a bit more touristy than some of the others we had been to. Sushi for dinner before returning home to check her husband was still alive.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Formosa station
      Tainan beef soupKaohsiung fried rice & fishTraining aboutSunset at Kaohsiung waterfrontThunderstorm at sunsetThe regeneration of the industrial Wharf areaOne of the greenest tram stations aroundNot a very efficient way to stack containers...Liouhe night market - Vela with her duck head

      Tainan & Kaohsiung

      23–25 de ago. 2024, Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

      We spent the last two days travelling further south. One night in Tainan (the former Taiwanese capital) and one night in Kaohsiung (the second largest city in Taiwan). Both of these stops were rather brief. The outside temperature was in excess of 35 degrees, so we didn't really head outside until after 5pm.

      In Tainan, we sampled the local delicacy of beef soup for lunch. Afterwards, a little wander through the streets before dinner and back to the hotel room to watch the Americas Cup racing.

      Kaohsiung was a little more interesting. We hid until sunset and managed to perfectly time our arrival at the waterfront for some pretty colours and spectacular thunderclouds. We checked out a few outdoor art installations and sheltered from the 30 minute flash thunderstorm in a little market place.

      We jumped on the metro and headed to Formosa station, which has a colourful light dome as its centrepiece. We then wandered over to the Liouhe night market, where Vela enjoyed an assortment of barbecued duck body parts (including the whole head) while Nathan opted for a Taiwanese hotdog, served in a sticky rice "bun". We topped up with some fried chicken and milk tea before heading home.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Sun Moon Lake
      Wen Wu TempleWen Wu TempleCouple of temple dwellers2Cable car viewPolynesian rootsBlack tea ice-creamMoon on the left, sun on the rightVela on the biking trailCute couples biking

      Sun Moon Lake

      22 de agosto de 2024, Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

      Keen to explore some of the more natural sights in Taiwan, Vela booked us on a day tour to Sun Moon Lake. Sun Moon Lake was named this because if you split it down the middle on a map, it looks a little like one half is the moon, and the other half the sun.

      We were picked up at about 8am in a van and whisked away into the mountains. Just over an hour later we emerged at our first stop, Wen Wu Temple. The temple was pretty large with lots of detailed stone reliefs and artwork, not to mention a pretty decent view of the lake. We paid our respects and lit some incense to wish for good luck, good fortune, and good health. Perhaps there's something to this temple, as pretty shortly afterwards Nathan received an email for a job interview...

      After the temple, we took a cable car over the mountains for an aerial view of the lake. The cable car is designed to take you to a theme park based around the local Aboriginal Formosan people, but we stopped halfway and returned to the lake. It was interesting to see some of the artwork on the entrance to the theme park, you can definitely see the beginnings of Polynesian culture (the Pacific islands were likely populated by people originating from Taiwan)

      After lunch, we took a ferry to a couple of small stops on the lake. Nothing too much to say about these, but we did get some black tea ice cream (something the local area is famous for) which was very nice on a hot day by the lake.

      And to round out our tour, we hired bikes to check out the waterfront bike trail. This was probably the highlight of the day, with nice views of the lake, flat and shaded trails, and a nice breeze to keep us cool. We even spotted a couple of turtles chilling on a floating log, but they jumped off as we approached.

      Costing us a grand total of about $125nzd for both of us, including lunch, all transport, and the bike hire, it was a very easy and cost effective way to check out the lake.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Vela trying her disposable camera on for size
      Post travel day hotpot time!Confucius temple - turtles!Confucius templeThe birthplace of bubble tea!Outdoor local marketChilling in a park, cool trees that put down extra roots/trunks from their branchesBest sales assistant everNight market timeA sample of food for less than 20nzd

      Exploring Taichung

      21 de agosto de 2024, Taiwan ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

      After a stress free travel day yesterday (fly from Bangkok to Taipei, then fast train to Taichung, with a hot pot for dinner) we were ready to explore. When we started, the forecast had a 60% chance of thunderstorms, but luckily this never eventuated. Just some gusty wind which kept the temperature reasonable.

      First stop was the Confucius Temple. It was a pretty nondescript temple, but quite peaceful inside. Very well maintained, and with a pretty garden and pond filled with fish and turtles.

      Taiwan is well known for its bubble tea, and Taichung claims to be the birthplace of bubble tea. So naturally we hunted out the original bubble tea store to sample the goods. We ordered an original bubble tea as well as a jasmine & honey tea. Both were delicious, not too sweet and not overpowering, but with a very flavourful tea taste. The setting was very calm, cool and relaxing, with little water fountains and plants decorating the space. We couldn't help ourselves and also ordered some mochi balls to go with the tea.

      Next we made our way to a little street market, which was selling cute handmade goods, such as fabric coffee/tea holders, jewellery, alongside the other usual market wares. It was nice to see that it was mostly handmade goods, and not mass produced junk that you find in so many other markets. Vela was intrigued by the film camera store at the end of the market street, and having never experienced the disposable camera era of the 90s, she purchased one to play around with - hopefully we can find somewhere to develop them once we're back...

      We passed a cheesecake ice-cream store called "Pretty Wife Eat Cheese", so naturally had to stop for the pretty wife to get a photo eating cheese. Vela spent the rest of the afternoon checking out some stores in a mall, while Nathan found a quiet corner to sit down and read.

      In the evening, we headed back out onto the streets to try out one of the night markets. Full of food, lights, and people, we found plenty of food to feed us both for less than 20nzd. This included deep fried stinky tofu, some barbecued meats (and offal), cheesy corn, deep-fried & flame-grilled chicken, and a green bean milkshake for dessert.

      Yum!      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Bangkok!
      Cute display in one of the mallsWagyu beef on riceThai iced teaTom yum soupShrimp saladKhao soi noodlesPad kra paoCouple of giant prawnsMango sticky rice for dessert

      Bangkok

      18–20 de ago. 2024, Tailândia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

      One thing NZ passport holders don't often realise is how easy travel is for us. Most places we can just show up with our passports and they'll let us in. Chinese passport holders are not always so lucky. Our intended destination is Taiwan, but with a strained relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, China is not allowing their citizens to fly direct to Taiwan. For us, this meant a little side quest to Bangkok.

      We've spent a couple of nights in Bangkok, and we didn't do a lot with our time here. It has felt a bit like "just another city" for us. The main event has been the food and drink. With a wide range of good food and iced tea, we made the most of it.

      The rest of our time here has been spent hiding inside air conditioned malls to get away from the 35 degree heat and 10 thousand percent humidity outside. We even took time out to watch the new Deadpool and Wolverine movie (really good).

      Onwards now to Taiwan!      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Couple of cuties off on an evening walk
      Off into the mountainsFamily lunch, including Vela's grandma, great aunt, and some close family friendsDancing/aerobics in the square - matching outfits are a mustDancing on a hike through the bushAlways time to stop for a photo shootLittle bit of natureHanging out at the top of the hillFamily meals, a giant chicken (to become soup), frog hotpot, and selecting fresh chilliesShowing off the photos from Australia

      Chongqing & Lichuan

      12–17 de ago. 2024, China ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

      After another very average itinerary involving flying 5 hours south (the wrong direction) to Sydney, a 10 hour layover in Sydney, and then a 12 hour flight north, Nathan reunited with Vela in Chongqing.

      We spent two nights in Chongqing, and made sure to have a Chongqing hotpot, before we hopped on a train for Lichuan. Vela's mum owns a small apartment in Lichuan which they use in the summer to escape the heat of Chongqing. A number of Vela's mum's friends and family also have holiday apartments in Lichuan. Lichuan has a permanent population of around 20,000, but in summer the population booms to around 400,000 with people from Chongqing, Sichuan, and other nearby areas heading here for the slightly cooler climate.

      It was nice to experience a bit of nature and get out of the big city. We had plenty of family meals, went for walks in the evening, watched the dancing/aerobics in the square, and enjoyed checking out the local produce at the markets. Of course there was a smattering of Majiang thrown in to pass the time.

      A very nice chance to unwind a little before we head off on our next steps of adventure.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução
    • Our OE
      Time for a beer
      Wangi FallsDeepest creek we drove throughBuley HoleLooks invitingCathedral termites mound - 4m tallLittle bit artsyMagnetic termite moundsBat colonyCroc burger

      Back to Darwin

      10 de agosto de 2024, Austrália ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      Well, our 4wd trip is nearly at an end, so it's time to break camp and head back to Darwin. On the way we stopped for swims at Wangi Falls and Buley Hole. Very strange to see so many people after our week in isolation.

      Bit more 4 wheel driving was required, heading through our deepest creek - measured 0.5m on the stick but it felt deeper...

      We also stopped briefly to check out the magnetic termite mounds. These mounds are different to the cathedral termites as they're wide and flat and all oriented north to south. Very cool but they did make the landscape look a bit like a giant cemetery...

      A short stop outside of Darwin to figure out some logistics and have a bite to eat. We came across a rather large bat colony hanging out (haha) in some nearby trees. We might have disturbed them a bit as they started making a racket and a few took off and flew around the tree.

      Back in Darwin and we headed out for dinner and a beer. Croc burger was on the menu so we had to give that a go. Tasted very much like chicken (cliche) but the meat was a bit firmer. Would definitely eat it again.

      Dropped the rest of the crew off at the airport for their 1am flights home then headed to the campground for a sleep. My plane doesn't leave until the early hours of Monday morning so have a day in Darwin tomorrow to return the vehicles and chill out before flying onwards to Chongqing.      Leia mais

      Ver tradução

    Tenha seu próprio perfil de viagens

    Gratuito

    QR code

    FindPenguins para iOSFindPenguins para Android