I’ve been trying to think of my travel highlights for 2013. It’s a difficult task as there are so many to choose from. This has been a massive year for travel, with three overseas trips for me and a few domestic travels scattered in between.
March
A 25 day journey through Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. There were so many highlights, orangutans outside of languid colonial Kuching, amazing Taiwan, early cherry blossoms and onsens in Japan, but what sticks in my mind is the simple ryokan at the quiet but beautifully isolated town of Gujo Hachiman.
April
My first ever black tie event as I was invited to the Qantas-Emirates Gala Dinner. It’s so saddening to hear of Qantas’ recent woes.
June
In June we said goodbye to that unloved icon, the Sydney Monorail and a premature farewell to the service of the Boeing 737-400 at Qantas with return flights to Canberra on a tumultuous day in the capital.
July
I flew by myself to Japan to revisit the island of Shikoku and finally complete my dream of riding the entire length of the Sanin railway line.
August
My turbulence nightmares returned flying back from Canberra on a Qantas 737-400 through very bumpy skies.
September
Alex and I were invited aboard a specially decorated Qantas Boeing 767-300ER for the premiere of Disney’s Planes, complete with a water canon salute and a flight to nowhere and return.
October
It was back to Asia with 10 flights in 11 days as we raced through Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Vietnam, a new country for us. Despite the rush we had time to enjoy each destination, including beautiful Hoi An.
I’ve created a four minute montage of photos from this year’s travels. Why not watch it at full HD at YouTube. Enjoy!
Aviation stats for the year
- Visited 6 countries
- Passed through 16 airports
- Flew on 12 airlines
- 9 aircraft types
- 26 flights (28 including transits)!
- Days travelling 47 (including work, domestic travel).