The 2022 World Tour – Revenge Travel After COVID-19
“Can I go out now? Good” says normal me. “You’ll never see me again” says instead the travel bug as it explodes with a vengeance.
8 months. A loop around the world going eastward. 17 countries visited, Over 55,000 kms flown, and 11,000 kms driven across 3 massive road trips.
Nothing is off the table. From the ice cold temperatures of Australia and Canada, to the boiling hot ones of Thailand, Cambodia and Mexico.
City escapes for long weekends in cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Amsterdam, San Diego, Mexico City, San Francisco, Vancouver, and others.
Relaxing stays to recharge the batteries in the paradisiac beaches of Fiji, Hawaii, Isla Holbox and Railay, in Mexico and Thailand respectively.
Jumping in a campervan and driving in Australia from south to north on the east coast while being terrified by the laughing Kookaburras. Driving in Canada in British Columbia and Alberta while visiting some of the best national parks in the world such as Jasper, Banff, and Yoho. Exploring the Big Island of Hawai’i, and admiring natures playground of rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes, and black beaches. And a massive loop in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, and in Guatemala and Belize, visiting pueblos and ancient Mayan cities.
Because of the still strict entry restrictions to many countries in 2022, traveling was a bit harder, but even more rewarding and allowed for example to visit the Angkor ruins in Cambodia almost completely empty, a truly once in a lifetime experience. Other “time-based” were visiting the Gardens of Europe at Keukenhof, near Amsterdam, admiring the explosion of colors of tulips during Easter. Later in the year celebrating the iconic Day of the Dead in Oaxaca on November 1st was a magnificent overload of festivity and traditions.
This trip started as an escape, but soon the theme turned to hunger. Voracious, greedy, and seemingly unstoppable. All accompanied by an echo repeating: “Dear world, never do this again”.
Trip overview
- Best sunrise and dawn: Tikal, Guatemala. Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
- Best sunset and dusk: Temple of Wat Arun, Bangkok. Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Victorville, USA. Isla Holbox, Mexico
- Peak quiet moment: Tikal at dawn. The city of arts and sciences, Valencia.
Worst moments
- The unbearable heat and humidity in Cambodia.
- Driving for hours to escape a tropical storm in Belize.
- Ice storm in Australia.
- Week-long illness in Hawaii.
- Power outage in Canada leading to lack of petrol for hundreds of miles.
Best moments
- Angkor ruins in Cambodia without crowds.
- Celebrating the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Visiting Tikal, Guatemala at dawn in the morning with no one there.
- Visiting Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands at peak third tulip blooming.
- Wandering through la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and Turia Gardens in Valencia, Spain.
- Cuddly cats at each relaxing beach stay.
The journey
Valencia, Spain
City escape
The first stop, simply because of cheap flights, was Valencia, the third “forgotten sister” of Barcelona and Madrid, but not less beautiful. Also, the simple act (well-known but almost forgotten, after so many months) of sitting outside, enjoying late desayunos, and mierendas, while observing the day to day life of the city, was soothing and a literal breath of fresh air. It was still cold but the Spanish charm was all there. Already as soon as I arrived I experienced something similar to Maslow’s peak experiences: Those moments of bliss and quiet communion with everything that surrounds you. It was while visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, and the long stretch of Gardens of Turia. Every bench offered surrealist views, while immersed in green and tranquil atmosphere and silent statues, each with their own perched bird.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
City escape
I’ve visited Amsterdam multiple times so this round I opted to stay outside the city in the traditional village of Zaandjik, and took a car to do some visits to the capital. In Zaanddjik I witnessed a wonderful dawn, with a fiery orange sun peaking out of horizon, and windmills partially covering its timid rays. I visited museums, sat in cafes by the canals observing the passers by and enjoyed the beautiful springtime days.
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Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands
Event
The first of the “specials”/timed-events of 2022 was when I visited the Gardens of Europe at Keukenhof. These are open only 3 weeks a year (and that is only because the merciful gardeners plant 3 distinct layers of tulip bulbs to prolong the full blooming period). I visited on Easter Sunday and it was jam packed to say the least. It seemed as if every flower had it’s own private photographer. Still, despite the crowds, it was an awe-inspiring visit and the little corners of the gardens tucked away from the crowds were filled with a wonderful and soothing atmosphere. So many clors, so many wonderful scents. So many, many pictures.
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Bangkok, Thailand
City escape
After a brief stop in Copenhagen I flew to Thailand. This was my second time in Bangkok and I was already dreading the wall of humidity that greets you when you exit the airport. I almost welcomed the forced quarantine inside the air-conditioned hotel room for one day, waiting for the covid test results. After that, I visited classic tourist spots like the Grand Palace, and Wat Pho. I also spent way too much time traveling around in the subway just to escape the humidity, only occasionally popping out above ground to enjoy some steaming street food amidst the smog-filled bustling city traffic. Peak moment was surely the awe-inspiring sunset at Wat Arun – the temple of dawn – which assumed an almost otherworldly level of detailed “resolution”, and pink hues when hit by the receding sun rays.
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Railay, Thailand
Battery Recharge
Railay in the Krabi province is near Ao Nang and is one of the many blessed paradises in the Gulf of Thailand. Turquoise waters, lack of crowds being monsoon season, and (oddly) peaceful monkeys. Peak moments where visiting the Bat Cave and Phra Nam shrine and beach on the 1st of May in the early morning, before the high tide, the crowds, tour guides and limestone climbers washing over the place. Pure bliss of solitude among the silent waters (and ravenous mosquitoes)
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Singapore
City escape
This was my second time staying in Singapore, and I was intent on visiting the Gardens by the Bay which had not been yet constructed last time I visited. This is another place which I cherish and add to the “peak moments”. The architectural marvel that blends gracefully with the surrounding nature is awe-inspiring. I explored also Little India, Chinatown, and the Botanical Gardens, but the Garden by the Bay was the highlight of the visit.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Visit
The absolute highlight of this trip was the visit to the Angkor complex. Entrance into the country was hard, and the weather was unforgiving with unbearable humidity, but the lack of crowds both due to the monsoon season and with tourism not yet in full gear due to COVID entry restrictions, made the experience even more special. Walking alone among the iconic ruins of Ta Phrom, Preah Kahn, Bayon and the ultra famous Angkor Wat, and smaller, lesser-known but arguably even more fascinating Ta Som, Neak Poun was a once in a lifetime experience. Even Pub Street was quiet and unassuming, making the city feel as if it had been reclaimed by the jungle once again.
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
City escape [icon name=”city” prefix=”fas”]
KL was surprising mild weather-wise and quickly became one of my favorite cities. The mix of modernity found in many Asian megacities, and traditions, and relatively cheap prices, make it a gem city to explore on a long weekend. I traversed it on foot far and wide. From the Perdana gardens, to the KL tower and rainforest eco-park. From the Petronas towers to Dataran Merdeka to Little India. Every corner of this city surprised me with it’s charm, and fascinating unique character and multiculturalism.
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Sydney, Australia
City escape
Exactly 20 years after my first visit I returned to Sydney, a city which captivated me in my younger years. The first time I visited, when I was 17 years old and somehow was just allowed to walk around by myself, I stumbled upon the Opera House out of nowhere, and that sight remained with me for decades. This time, as an older, independent solo traveler, and with the ever-present smartphone apps leading the way, I went straight to the point to recapture that bewildering sight of white sails on the Sydney Harbour.
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East Coast Road Trip, Sydney to Cairns
Road Trip
Australia is a country that naturally lends itself to be explored on wheels, and even better in a camping road trip. I picked up a Toyota Hiace Hi-Top and headed north along the east coast towards Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, and the ancient Daintree forest, across 3000kms over the span of 3 weeks, passing by surfer paradises such as Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Here is where my dislike (that later through the years turned into absolute hate) towards noisy night and early morning birds officially began.
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Brisbane
City Escape
After the long road trip I flew back from Cairns to Brisbane and rented an apartment to get some work done and enjoy the characteristic beautiful sunshine of the east coast. I took long walks along the Brisbane River and took in the views from the many restaurants and cafes on the riverbanks. I was blown away by the Queensland museum of modern art and spent several evenings strolling around the streets and admiring mix of Victorian architecture amidst the modern skyscrapers.
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Fiji
Battery Recharge
After almost a month of sleeping in the car and driving 4,5 hours every day, I went to Fiji to recharge the batteries. Despite being high season the island was almost void of tourists making the relaxing stay even more enjoyable with the beaches all to myself. Nothing much to say here: I made friends with Sandy the cat, and a cute mamma doggo, and simply enjoyed the rainbows appearing out of the frequent short rain showers, while letting my body and soul be recharged by this paradise.
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Hawai’i – Big Island, U.S.A.
Road Trip
As if the Australian road trip had infected me with some kind of road trip bug (boy I didn’t know the half of it and what would come in future trips), I flew to Hawai’i – the Big Island, picked up a car and explored this wonderful destination taken straight out of Jurassic Park (aka Jurassic World for the younger ones). With lush forests on the western side, crystalline waters on the eastern side, and a giant deity volcano in the center, it is no wonder that in popular culture the archipelago has become a synonym of paradise and nature escape.
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San Diego
City escape
I continued eastward and flew to San Diego. It was right after Comic-Con so the city was still bustling with visitors. There is no post about this city as I didn’t really visit it and spent the few days mostly in Little Italy stocking up on comfort food and having drinks in the evening doing some much needed socializing. Still, the climate might be the best in the entire world.
USA Road Trip – SoCal to NorCal
Road Trip
Time for another road trip..in the land of epic road trips. From San Diego, I drove across the Mojave Desert into Nevada and towards Las Vegas. I then tried to visit another time the Death Valley, but it was flash flooded from a rain storm the likes of which hadn’t been seen in a century, so proceeded onwards towards San Francisco, stopping by Yosemite National Park. I stayed also for a couple of days in San Josè to drive around all the offices of Silicon Valley greatest companies and taking pictures at billboards.
Las Vegas
City escape
One of the first stops of the road trip was Sin City. it was my third time visiting and the city always remains fascinating. I honestly still don’t know anything about Las Vegas outside of the Strip despite over the years having spent overall about 3 weeks in the city. As everyone does, I saw some shows, enjoyed the opulent luxury of the casino hotels, and obviously left with much less money lost while gambling, but I guess it’s part of the visit).
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Yosemite National Park, U.S.A.
Visit
Yosemite National Park is arguably one of the most famous parks in the US and the entire North American continent, which saying a lot. I didn’t really hike around but instead opted to just drive around the expansive park grounds, stopping uncountable times to admire lakes, rivers, large sequoias, towering granite rocks, and taking in the immense beauty of the landscape. Parks in North America really are something else.
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San Francisco, U.S.A.
City escape
Second time in San Francisco and Carl the Fog greeted me with its usual thick presence, making the iconic Golden Gate Bridge completely invisible. The weather was also absolutely brutal. I skipped some of the most popular tourist spots as I had already visited them and instead spent time in (slightly) lesser known districts such as Japantown and visiting beautiful museums.
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Canada Road Trip, Vancouver to Calgary
Road Trip
I flew to Vancouver and embarked on yet another road trip. The journey in Canada was targeted towards national parks, and lakes within the massive forests of British Columbia and Alberta. Epic roads like the Sea to Sky Highway, or the ultra-famous Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise, accompanied me during this long journey across vast landscapes. Peak moment was early on near the mountain town of Blackcomb Whistler, when I stopped at Cheakamus Lake. Calm, still and peaceful, reflecting the surrounding mountains on its unrealistically azure surface due to glacial flower. Butterflies peacefully roaming, a silent log occasionally being dragged downstream from the river and refreshing ice-cold water washing over the dipped-in feet. Nobody around, just the incomprehensible vast wilderness.
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Mexico Road Trip, the 10 Mayan ruins expedition
Road Trip
I flew from Calgary to Cancun and embarked on another massive road trip with a single objective: immerse myself in as many Mayan ruins as possible (Coba, Ek’Balam, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Edzna, Calakmul, Palenque, Tikal, Altun Ha, Tulum) . Over the span of a month, I looped around the Yucatan Peninsula, going westwards towards Merida, then south west towards Palenque. I then took the rental car across borders into Guatemala to Flores to visit the ruins of Tikal, and then east towards the cayes of Belize, and back north towards Tulum and closing back in Cancun. An epic road trip made of wonderful sights, and many many swears towards the sudden and infamously car-destroying topes (speedbumps).
This was one of the best road trips I have ever taken, perfectly balancing fascinating ancient Mayan ruins, relaxing beaches, and colorful pueblos (and of course mouth-watering food). A trip that won’t soon be forgotten.
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Chichen Itzá, Mexico
Visit
Chichen Itzá is a must stop for anyone visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Castillo, or temple of Kukulkan is a fascinating structure to say the least. Between the shadows that form during the equinox, the acoustic structure which creates the famous “chirp” of the winged serpent deity, and the numerical significance of the nine steps, it is clear how this pyramid made it onto the (highly debated) list of 7 New Wonders of the World. Unfortunately it is also a tourist trap with the perimeter littered with street vendors shouting and trying to grab your attention, which slightly takes away from the fascination towards this ancient marvel.
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Tikal, Guatemala
Visit
It was a long detour, with added difficulties of taking the rental car into Guatemala, and then quickly running away from a tropical storm which was turning into hurricane. But the visit to Tikal was definitely worth it and it became the most impressive out of the 10 Mayan ruins and ancient cities that I had visited. I slept in a lodge right next to entrance to be able to visit first thing in the morning at 6:00 when it opened, and it was simply enchanting. The ruins peaking out of the morning fog, the (terrifying) screams of howling monkeys waking up and echoing through the jungle, and mammals and peacocks still roaming the fields. Just sitting on the top of the pyramid in the Mundo Perdido section of the city was unforgettable.
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Holbox, Mexico
Battery Recharge
After having to skip the cayes of Belize because of the tropical storm and escaping north past Tulum and Playa del Carmen, I took a ferry to Isla Holbox, the island north of Cancun, to get some much needed rest. It was also hit by the weather and since it is in a lagoon and made completely of sand, it was totally flooded. With knee-deep water to go anywhere, the experience was both horrible and wonderful at the same time. Transformative for sure. This meant it was objectively less nice but also that there were fewer tourists, and more of the traditional charm. Also it was one of the first places where I started to convert to minimalist and ultralight packing, so all future pleasant experiences because of the light carried luggage must be thankful to Holbox.
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Dia des Muertos in Oaxaca
Event
The second of the “specials” and events. I ended my loop of the Western side of Mexico and flew to the center, where I picked up (yet another) car and drove south, stopping first in Puebla and then Oaxaca, with the latter being arguably the most characteristic place to celebrate the iconic Day of the Dead. In Oaxaca I stayed for four days and had the privilege to witness the preparations of altars, the day of Hallow’s Eve, and the iconic Dia de Inocentes and Dia de Muertos. My ears still hurt from the music and chaos of this both somber and religious, yet colorful and joyful celebration.
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Mazunte, Mexico
Battery recharge
After the Day of the Dead celebrations, I proceeded south to Mazunte. Much like Fiji, there isn’t much to say about here, since I spent the week as a “battery recharge” vacation. Beautiful, and relaxing.
Oaxaca, Mexico
City escape [icon name=”city” prefix=”fas”]
On the way back I visited again Oaxaca. Properly this time without all the chaotic festivities of the Day of Dead. It was almost surreal to see Barrio Jalatlaco so silent, to visit the largest tree in the world of the Arbol de El Tule, and do a day trip to the Zapotec ruins of Mitla and Monte Alban. It almost felt as though the city had consumed itself from the incredible partying and was now in a deep slumber waiting for next year. Tasting mezcal, chocolate, moles, queso fundido with ants and other delicacies in this now-calm and charming atmosphere without the hypered-up, alcohol and joy-infused noisy celebrations, made the city feel like a completely different place.
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Mexico City, Mexico
City escape
Final stop of this road trip through central Mexico was CMDX. On the the way back I stopped at the nearby Teotihuacan, to admire the immense temple of the Sun. Mexico City is immense, with so much to see and do. I stayed a week but managed only to spend a few days roaming around the largest city park in the world of Chapultapec, visit some great museums, and get lost admiring the beauty of tourist districts like Roma and the Paseo de la Reforma.
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Frankfurt, Germany
City escape
The travel bug had been satiated (for now) and I flew back to Europe, stopping for a couple of days in Frankfurt. Needless to say that I was slightly out of place with my flip-flops, walking between the early Christmas markets in the cold weather and occasionally slipping into the acquired habit of speaking in Spanish to people.
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Aftermath
As mentioned in the introduction, this trip started as an escape, but soon turned into hunger. There were so many peak and unforgettable moments that it took me months to digest it, and process all the sights my ravenous travel bug had eaten up. I have always traveled since I was a child but this 8-month long journey taught me so many things about traveling. It is clearly completely different when dealing with so much time away, with so many different climates, and so many naturally impossible to predict situations. At times it was hard and depressing, it was stressful, and clearly very expensive. But it was also otherworldly beautiful, thought-provoking, and the very definition of freedom. This was THE world tour. Maybe the most memorable thing I ever did.
I returned with all these cherished memories, but little did I know back then that all the road trips, the exploration, and all the diversity, had given birth to a famished full-time traveler. I realized just a couple months later when I embarked on another world tour in 2023 🌏
