Up in April 2013 are a bunch of small trips to some exceptional places in China, like Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan Province, known for its surreal turquoise lakes against green mountains:
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| www.onebigphoto.com |
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| www.explorezhangjiajie.com |
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In May 2013, I return to home sweet home in New Jersey in the States for three weeks! My main activities will most likely include reading a ton of books and watching the third season of Veronica Mars on my family's TV (and biting my nails in hopes that it's not as bad as most seem to concede it is). I intend to visit the usual suspects in the area, so hit me up when I am back!
In the last week of May, my travels will hit a crazy high as I visit four countries in one week. I fly from the States to Taiwan in time to attend my cousin's wedding. Then, I go to Singapore for a few days, because I was invited to be a keynote speaker and panelist at the Asian Festival of Children's Content! Yes, it is as crazy-intimidating as it sounds! I am making a speech about "Getting the Most Out of Blogging" and participating in a panel called "Blogging--Today and Tomorrow". Anyone got any suggestions for things I must talk about?
I'm only in Singapore for a few days, because soon after the AFCC, I'm flying back to Taiwan to meet up with my family as we head on a now-rare family vacation altogether to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route in Japan. I don't know very much about it except that it looks like a place I'd like:
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| www.info-toyama.com |
Yep, don't need to know any more. Sign me up.
My trip with the family to Japan brings us into June, during which I have plans to go back to China and do some backpacking around (provided the latest outbreak of the avian flu doesn't get worse). Where shall I go? Far out west into Uyghur culture and deserts and yurts in Xinjiang Province? South to beautiful Yunnan and Guanxi Provinces, with the kinds of landscapes that have been associated with China for thousands of years? EVERYWHERE???
And after that, Steph? Where will you go then?
So this post serves as a preemptive apology for any sporadic absences of mine from this blog. I will do my best to update you all with my doings, slowly but surely. Thanks!
Holy cow! You're going such amazing places this year. I'm still stuck in Montreal - but then again, I'm not a huge fan of travel. :) I hope you post loads of photos of these places (when you can) because I'd love to see them through a friend's eyes. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize for not blogging! The places you're going look amazing. I agree with Cat; I hope you take a ton of pictures. Have fun and have a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing Steph! I'm so jealous of your planned travels. I can't wait to hear all about it so post when you can. But most of all have a super duper amazing time!
ReplyDeleteThis is so freaking amazing! I can't wait to see all your pictures. You're inspiring so much wanderlust in me. Pack me in your bag or something. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you're traveling to so many amazing places! I hope you intend to write posts when you're finally back in one place, so that I can live vicariously through you when it comes to travel.
ReplyDelete(P.S. I would love to meet you when you're in the US again! I think that would be fab.)
Super jealous. You are going to have a great time. I don't think I have to tell you to post pictures. :)
ReplyDeletewow all those places look amazing. Have fun on your travels :)
ReplyDeleteWow. I can't wait to hear about your travels. Right now, I'm living rather vicariously through you so keep up the narratives with plenty of pictures!!
ReplyDeleteHoly hell, Steph. That looks amazing. Potential settings for your book?? :)
ReplyDeleteI love that there's an Asian Festival for books. And that you're participating in it! I'm always looking for books written by Asian-American authors and/or featuring Asian characters. I'll be very interested in reading your recap of the event. Happy travels!
-Maggie
China has some of the most stunning places. I travelled around half of it (way back in 2000) and we were amazed by how diverse the landscape was just a few provinces over.
ReplyDeleteI havent watched season three of veronica mars yet, but i had not heard anything about it either way (just havent gotten around to watching it yet - it is at my library). your comment about it makes me more curious :)
Wow, those pictures are gorgeous! Sounds like you have quite the adventure ahead of you. And congratulations on being the keynote speaker, that's an amazing honor!
ReplyDeleteYou know you're killing me with these pics. Look at the first one! I just need a boat and a good book! Ahh amazing. Thanks for sharing this lovely pics cause it's been raining for days here.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh those places are GORGEOUS!!!! I think we'll all be living vicariously through you for the next couple months Steph! I can't wait to hear all about it and see all your pictures when you get back:) And a huge congrats on being asked to be the keynote speaker. THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent stuff! I lived in Guanxi for 18 months and travelled a bit in Yunnan -they are super beautiful and I can't wait to hear what you think!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you! It sounds like you have a great few trips ahead of you. I wish I could come with you to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It looks stunning. ;) And I hope you have a great time talking as a speaker at the festival! Sounds like a brilliant opportunity. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, the Jiuzhaigou Valley looks like the most beautiful place in the world, the colour and clearness of the lake is amazing! Take me with youuuuuuu!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have some busy times up ahead! I'm going to be travelling to the USA for the first time in May-June - YAY! It's nice having a trip to look forward to :)
Sounds like you have some awesome travels ahead! I'm so jealous!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! So jealous! Have fun at the panel in Singapore! I bet it's going to be amazing! ^^
ReplyDeleteI'm not even going to pretend I'm not a little jealous here. First of all, all of those pictures from various Chinese provinces look gorgeous. I hope you're able to visit them all (and post pictures from your trips!). Super exciting about you providing a keynote address and being a panelist at that event! Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore - these all sound like they'll be incredible trips. I hope you're able to thoroughly enjoy your time in each of those places, Steph!
ReplyDeleteCool plan! All these places in China are exceptionally scenic and iconic, and I am sure you will experience diverse cultures and meet amazing people along the way! I am jealous, haha
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have an exciting couple of months coming up. And like has been mentioned above don't apologise for not blogging - have fun!
ReplyDeleteWell, those photos are absolutely stunning. If you see anything even half that beautiful, you can probably call it good. Have a wonderful time on your travels!
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