2013: A year of travels, graduation, moving and starting full-time work

Where to start? A lot has happened in 2013. It’s the year I graduated from uni, moved to London and started full-time work, least not forgetting my travels!

Graduating from University

You might be wondering how I managed to fit any travelling in between graduating, moving cities and working full-time? I can tell you that getting a job in the travel sector made a lot of it possible.

For anyone who’s just graduated, or fancies a career change, then you should check out the travel sector. You’ll get the chance to work with people who share your lust for travel, learn more about the world, and if you’re lucky get the chance to explore regions which you thought were only accessible through books.

There is, however, a general feeling that wages in the travel sector aren’t very high, and whilst this is true, I believe the perks make up for it.

Where did I go in 2013?

If I had one word to sum up my travels of 2013 it would be cold. Finger freezing, cheek burning, ice cold. I found a new region of the world which I’ve fallen head over heels in love with – the Arctic – an area often so remote that I never thought I’d visit. But this year, I went to the Arctic on three separate occasions, my first trip to the Arctic was to the Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway for the New Year, then to Iceland, and lastly to Svalbard, also known as the last stop before the North Pole. As well as these places I visited cities in Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany and Italy, and the city which surprised me the most was Copenhagen, it’s a place I could really see myself heading there to live.

Last year, I put together my Top 10 Travel Moments of 2012, and this year I thought I’d do the same, so without further ado, I give you my Top 10 Travel Moments of 2013:

 

10. Food Glorious Food!

Restaurant in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

I’ve made some rather insipid meals for myself this year, but to compensate I’ve had some delicious restaurant food, and the two places which stand out the most are Rome and Longyearbyen. Of course I expected amazing food in Rome, but I never thought for a second that I’d have one of my year’s best meals so far up North, it’s known for its icebergs and Polar bears not culinary innovation. Remember, you heard it here first!

Radisson Blu, Spitsbergen
Food in Rome

Further reading: 8 unusual & quirky things to do in Rome and Visiting Svalbard: the last stop before the North Pole.

9. Entering Teufelsberg Spy Station, Berlin

Teufelsberg Spy Station, Berlin

My love for street art mixed with my voyeuristic tendencies meant that Teufulsberg was always going to excite me. Also, as a consequence of visiting here, my friends and I stumbled across a nearby nudist beach which we took pleasure in exploring. All in all, it was like walking inside a strange, utopian vision.

Graffiti, Teufelsberg Spy Station
Further reading: Teufelsberg spy station: street art on Devil’s Mountain, Berlin.

8. Catching Sight of Poznan’s Colourful Main Square

Main Square in Poznan, Poland
It felt good to visit Poland again this year, and even better exploring Poznan, a city I had not visited before. If you go through my archives, you’ll soon discover that I’m fascinated by Poland. It’s a country which has a turbulent story but has pulled itself out from the ashes. Poznan’s strikingly colourful Main Square will put a smile on anyone’s face.
Further reading: Stary Rynek: Europe’s most whimsical and visually striking Main Square.

7. Seeing the Aurora Borealis aka The Northern Lights
Northern Lights, Lofoten Islands

Being a natural-born sceptic I never expected to the see the Northern Lights, I thought I had a one in a million chance of seeing them, but in a remote area of the Lofoten Islands, where there was no light pollution, a soft colour of green began to wave across the sky and became more vibrant before disappearing behind a blanket of clouds. The vision itself didn’t blow me away because it was quite weak in saturation compared to the strength it can often possess, but it did capture my imagination, and added to the list of why I love the Arctic so much.

 

6. Getting to know the quirky side of Rome
Quirky things to do and see in Rome

Oh Rome, I hated you at first, all your fast and furious cars and annoying tourist traps made me want to curl up in a foetal position and cry for my mummy, but then I discovered all your smaller gems, Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, poetry in the Keats and Shelley House, creepy Capuchin Crypt, and the wonderful area of Borghese where everything is slower, greener and more civilised. After then, I realised I like you a lot.

 

5. Exploring Copenhagen

Nyhavn, Old Harbour, Copenhagen

Copenhagen impressed me, I spoke about my first impressions of it here so I won’t harp on any longer, but I would like to say that if you’re into food, design, architecture, fashion and art museums then Copenhagen is the city for you. Also, if you have a penchant for beautiful women and gorgeously bearded men then there really is no better place than Copenhagen. Wow.
Things to do in Copenhagen

 

4. Sea Eagle & Nature Safari in the Lofoten Islands

Sea Eagle Safari in Lofoten Islands

There’s nothing more exhilarating than feeling the wind slap against your face as you race through the water on a RIB boat safari through one of the most beautiful places on earth – the Lofoten Islands. But don’t take my words for it, National Geographic have the following words to say about it, “Chilly, high-latitude islands form a ‘masterpiece’ of spectacular outcrops steeped in cherished tradition”.
The Trollfjord in Lofoten
Fjord, Lofoten Islands, Norway
3. Seeing a Glacier for the First Time
Von Post Glacier. Spitsbergen
There are visions that can make you feel so small and insignificant, and the sheer grandeur and powerfulness of a glacier is certainly one of those visions. I felt dwarfed not only by the glacier, but by the vast open expanse of sea that engulfed me, being only one of a few people in one of the most Northerly parts of the world put me on an incredible high.
Von Post Glacier, Spitsbergen

 

2. Soaking in the Blue Lagoon and discovering South-West Iceland
Inside the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Last year I floated in the Dead Sea, this year I soaked in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Two equally unique experiences but the Blue Lagoon triumphs the Dead Sea for sheer indulgence, for sure. However, it was driving through the South-West peninsula of Iceland that really made me go crazy for this country, I’ve never experienced such commanding and outlandish scenery before, from bubbling mud-pots, bursting geysirs, and volcanic craters – Iceland is a nature lover’s dream.

Driving South- West coast of Iceland

 

1. Husky Safari in Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Husky sledding in Spitsbergen

Exhilarating, scary, hilarious – these were just some of the emotions I felt when husky sledding. But the thing I loved the most were the dogs who appeared to love it even more than I did! They were jumping, barking and wagging their tongues around with wild excitement, and I couldn’t help but laugh through the whole journey which they took me on. In fact, there was so much laugher and supply of fresh air that it felt like the dogs had taken me on a transcendental voyage into an Arctic-esque version of Narnia.
Spitsbergen, landscape

Now over to you, what were your favourite travel moments of 2013?

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Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

13 Responses

  1. great year – esp. the northern lights. bien fait.
    what’s in store for 2014?

    my faves for the year were:
    salento, colombia
    koh chang, thailand

    keep on movin’. happi new year@

    1. I would love to go to Salento and Colombia! Hmm for 2014, I’m hoping to go back to Malaysia to see family and explore more of S E Asia. Russia, India and more of Eastern Europe are also in the pipeline! I doubt I’ll cram them all in but it’s good to have a goal, eh?!

      I hope 2014 is another adventurous year for you! 😀

  2. Oh Shing, this is an absolutely spectacular post, our friend! First, our warmest congratulations to you on graduation! I did click on your links within here. You got to go bobsledding?? You once again had me reading and saying aloud, “No way!” I sat here trying to best describe how your blog affects me. I finish reading and leaving a comment each time filled with smiles and warmth and the energy to explore and push myself. That’s what you bring to me as a reader. I first saw the Aurora Borealis as a kid and it was just as awe-inspiring. I patiently read and enjoyed each of the 10 excerpts and looking at your amazing photography as always. But, when you mentioned in the introduction falling in love with the Artic I had my fingers so hopefully crossed that you would mention the post and experience you wrote about that got me hooked to your blog. Dog sledding!! Woo hoo! Honestly all of your posts I’ve read are my favorites but that one obviously is special to me. An introduction to our new blogging friend. Sorry so chatty. All of our best to you always and a very prosperous 2014 to you and your’s! 🙂

    1. Hi Mike thank you so much for your kind words. Haha yeh, I nearly signed my life away through bobsledding last year, but thankfully live to tell the tale! 😀

      Yes, you’re right, the Aurora Borealis is an awe-inspiring phenomenon. I’d love to see it again during clear skies – have you seen it a few times?

      Dog sledding had to take no.1 position, they brought me so much joy! I’m glad you and Phoenix approve 😉 It’s been great connecting with you this year, and best wishes for 2014!

      1. The second time I saw it was in Northern British Columbia, Shing! And it was absolutely amazing! Phoenix and I are so proud of you. The world is your oyster right now. Grab it and run to the top of the peak you wish you to capture. We know you’ll get there, our friend 🙂

  3. If you keep eating great restaurant food, like in the picture of the salad/sandwich that looks like it has little pomegranate pieces scattered throughout, then you’ll keep spawning ideas that’ll make the more affordable home cooked food less and less insipid. 🙂

    1. Haha so true! But perhaps I was being a bit harsh on myself, my cooking ain’t bad, but since moving to London I haven’t stocked my cupboards with the right spices and ingredients etc. Next year I’m definitely going to remedy this!

  4. Stunning photos! I love all those colorful houses. one of my dreams is to see the Northern Lights. looks like you had a wonderful year. I’m about to go on my first long term trip to South America and really exited about it.

    1. The Merchant houses in Poznan’s Old Market Square are delightful! Ooou South America looks amazing, so many adventures await you! Looking forward to reading about them on your blog!

  5. Great post! I love your photograph of the husky dog. I visited Iceland in January and have to agree, it’s an amazing country with so much to offer.

    1. Hi Taylor, glad to hear we’re on the same page regarding Iceland! I’m dying to go back, I want to explore other places like Lake Myvatn, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Dettifoss!

  6. What a memorable year filled with milestones and travel, Shing. I have loved virtually traveling with you and seeing some familiar places through your eyes like Iceland and Copenhagen. I’d list husky safari too as my #1 given the chance. I hope you get to see a much more spectacular Northern Lights again soon. Wishing you another banner year of travels in 2014! Safe travels!

    1. Hi Mary! It’s great that we can sometimes read posts on each other’s blogs and have a sense of familiarity and nostalgia! I’m going to the Arctic at the end of march for 11 days so hopefully I’ll see the Northern Lights again, but with a more exuberant display! Thanks for keeping connected and I look forward to reading more of your adventures in 2014!

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