Extra Travel? Extra Memories!

Back in September (2013) a friend of mine, Ryan, and I decided to do a spontaneous weekend trip to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore and the Badlands.  Only knowing each other for a few months prior, we were off to test whether we could stand each other, travel independently and get to our desitnation and back before the weekend’s end. With just the start of our adventures, he was asked to be our program’s student advisor in China. I was thrilled to have such a cool guy with me on my China adventure.

Mount Rushmore - South Dakota - September 2013

The City from Victoria Peak

Fast forward eight months and you would find yourself two adventurers ready to take on South Asia. Our program ended in late May and Ryan and I planned an extra 18 days for some independent travel. Leaving for Hong Kong on the 25^th, we successfully traveled out of China and to a SAR (Special Administrative Region) of China. Made up of separate islands, we had to take ferries to travel to different places. I am so impressed and proud that within four days, we were able to navigate buses, boats and ferries to see the amazing things Hong Kong had to offer. Beaches, Big Buddha's and amazing hiking trails line the islands all around the area. 

If you travel to Hong Kong, Macau is a must see! 

Knowing that Hong Kong had a sister SAR, we knew we had to travel to Macau. From our previous adventures across China, we often had unplanned and spontaneous travel ideas. However, this was the real deal! Docking at the port, we walked through customs and found ourselves in a completely new culture. We got ourselves a map and walked into the city center, hitting up all the major sites and having a blast along the way. I thought I was proud of ourselves for navigating Hong Kong, but I was amazed at how we got around Macau. Previously a Portugal Port, I felt like I was in Lisbon for the day - definitely my favorite place of our extra 18 day travel. 

Flying out of Taiwan on the 10th, we set aside five days to travel outside "China." Deciding to take a leap of adventure, we flew to Bangkok, Thailand. With the actual temperature about 101 degrees and a humidity feel of 115, Bangkok was rough! However, this place was one of our favorites and we found ourselves jetting around the city riding in Tuk Tuk's (motor-bike type taxi's). If Bangkok is in your next itinerary, make sure to take a ride in one of these. The drivers are super fun, speak amazing English and know how to make your experience worth while. We visited traditional Thai temples, ate the well-know spicy food and bought extremely cheap clothes at night and day markets. However, the best experience we had was riding and washing elephants in the River Kwai. 

 Flying to our last destination, we traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to see Ryan's relatives. His grandmother, originally born in Taiwan, still has brothers and sisters living on this island. We were lucky enough to have a place to stay at Daniel's, Ryan's Uncle, home for the duration of the trip. Cleaner and more organized than China, we both agreed that Taiwan was more sophisticated than the Mainland. Ryan's family took us to see several historical monuments and museums, treated us to traditional Taiwanese restaurants and drove us to see the beautiful landscapes that were used in America's favorite: Jurassic Park.

Volcano near Taipei City 

With our trip coming to a close, we got to meet up with our friend, Jack, who we studied with us at River Falls. Excited to see him, we went to an Adventure Time Museum Display, ate at a restaurant and went shopping at traditional outdoor and underground markets. Our final day of independent travel was one of the best as we got to see a great friend. 

Our Elephant Tour Guides in Bangkok

Without a doubt, I had an amazing experience the last 18 days. I wouldn't have wanted to travel with anyone else and I learned a lot from Ryan. Good luck working in Scotland, my friend! Thanks for all the amazing memories - you've been a great role model, advisor and friend. I wouldn't have had such a great experience without you (:

The Not So End-End

Travel changes you. 

Seeing the world, living in a different city, consuming the culture, eating the cuisine, respecting different religions; travel makes you learn. Whether you travel from coast to coast or board a plane for a 17 hour, 8,000 mile flight; travel pushes you out of your comfort zone. I have witnessed growth from my study abroad classmates and myself to no end.

My family at the Zhejiang International Studies University in Hangzhou

Four months ago, I was living in my hometown of 900 people. Four months ago, I never traveled out of the country or flew my by myself. Four months ago I didn't know any Mandarin; a language I was going to be completely surrounded in. Four months ago I never thought I would learn so much from this experience. Now that my program has ended, I am speechless that I managed to survive in a city of 9,000,000 people. I am proud that I successfully flew 17 hours across the globe and threw myself into a new culture. Not being able to understand anything on information boards while flying domestically within China, missing a train 1,000 miles from Hangzhou and independently traveling across South Asia all show that I have grown individually.

National Park in Hong Kong

But most importantly, I am proud that I did all this while only being 20 years old. Twenty years old and I lived in one of the most culturally different countries apart from America. America is beautiful, yet the world outside our National Boarders is amazing as well. Climbing the Great Wall of China, biking on the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, independently traveling to Shanghai and climbing mountains in Guilin; I have had the best time of my life. So, with this not so end-end, I say goodbye. I say goodbye to my Chinese friends, the strangers I have met along the way and the countries that I have visited while my time abroad. I am writing this in the Tokyo Airport, watching my plane drive up to the jet bridge. My journey is coming to an end. An end that I knew would come, but never expected it to arrive so soon. Always happens that way, doesn't it?(:

Mountains near Guilin. 

Anyway, this is a not-so-end-end too because I independently traveled to five different places outside China with one of my best friends. I will have a lot to say about those experiences but needed to get this post out of the way first. I loved Asia, the people met and the person I have become. I am headed home now! I can't wait to share my experiences with everyone.

Thank you to my parents, sister and family who have supported me and my decision to come on this adventure. Thank you to my friends at home who have been listening to my stories and looking at my pictures I send them. Thank you to my new friends that I have made in Hangzhou; you all hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to my study abroad classmates and advisors,...I can't explain how much each and every one of you mean to me. Without a doubt, thank you God for blessing me and allowing me to have this experience. I love you all.

See you shortly.

Tyler










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