With my latest trip to Taiwan, I've officially traveled to 20 countries in my lifetime. A milestone I'm really proud of. Something I don't take lightly in realizing how truly lucky I am to live the life I live.
I believe all the places I've been and all the people I have met have molded me into the person I am right here and right now.
I know as I experience more countries, something I continue to hope to be lucky enough to do, I'll continue to morph into someone better. Someone more intelligent. Someone more curious.
That curious mind has never been stronger than it is right now.
A lot of it instilled in me by my parents. Two people you'll see in some of the pictures from my globe trotting below. It's them, that from a young age instilled a wanderlust into me. The fire has always been there, but only fully ignited in 2017.
But I digress.
Lets take a quick look back at some of the 20 countries I've experienced:
At the age of 15 my parents took me to Paris, France during my high school's spring break. That was a trip of a lifetime. I'm so thankful I was able to see such an incredible place at such a young age.
The Canadian and USA Border during our trip to Vancouver, Canada and Seattle, Washington, USA in 2008. I've also been to Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa in Canada.
Vancouver is a great city to visit, but, don't say I didn't warn you that it rains a lot in the summer.
In 2009 my parents took me to Costa Rica. The people there were so unbelievably friendly. It was so great to see a nation of people that are just so happy and content. They're so very proud of their country and it was great to experience the amazing views.
Costa Rica doesn't have a military and be rest assured, the locals will brag about that.
True story: My parents and I were zip lining in the jungles of Costa Rica's western shores and I saw a girl who attended my high school (a few grades under me). I had never met her before but I recognized her from the hallways.
Small. World. Indeed.
In 2010 we headed back to Europe to experience Amsterdam in the Netherlands. A truly incredible city. Even better, we experienced the Netherlands beating Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup Semifinals to go to the World Cup Final. We celebrated in the streets of Amsterdam with all the locals. What a blast!
During that same trip we made our way over to Berlin in Germany. We got to learn more about and experience a lot of Germany's history and that was really special.
In 2016 I set out for Spain. Seeing the beautiful mountains outside Barcelona and partying the nights away in Ibiza was something I'll never forget.
Having met some Aussies while in Spain I was invited to come to Australia. Did you think I was going to say no?
This trip really changed my outlook on traveling. Especially since it was my first time traveling alone.
I was in a transition period in my life, not really sure what I was going to do or where I was going to go next in life. This trip changed everything. I haven't looked back since!
I highly recommend taking a tour of the Great Ocean Road when you're in Melbourne! Some of the best views on the planet!
Since I was at the bottom of the earth, I figured it would be a mistake to go all the way to Australia and miss out on New Zealand. Man was I glad I got to see New Zealand. What a place!
This is the Lord of The Rings Tour in Erehwon (nowhere spelt backwards) in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. I'm standing on the exact site where the trilogy was filmed. I nerded out really hard that day.
How about those views!
In August of 2018 I headed to Hong Kong to get my Visa to live and work in South Korea. I made the most of my required trip abroad.
This city has so much personality. Honestly, it's a bit overwhelming at times.
Hong Kong has some of the best city skyline views on the planet.
South Korea! I have so much to say about this amazing place but I've written a lot about it in other posts.
It's hard to say for sure how much longer I'll call this place home. It could be forever, it could be for just a few more months but, regardless, South Korea will always hold a special place in my heart.