2017 is definitely a year of grief for me. Within less than a year, I've lost 5 friends who were young, talented and awesome. Gone too soon, indeed. Their sudden death shook me and also gave me a slap right on my face. I keep questioning myself whether I've been living my life whole heartedly? Or have I been procrastinating too much and wasting my valuable time? Nevertheless it made me realised that life is indeed a mystery and full of surprises, both in good and sad ways. I keep reminding myself to spend as much time possible with my loved ones. You know, in this modern world....people tend to prioritise their online life and taking granted their family and friends around them. Seems like it's more important to comment or gain likes on Instagram or Facebook than having a real conversation with people who really matters. Sometimes we forget that once they are gone...they are gone forever and tears won't bring them back for us to replace the missing precious moments.
What do you say about getting a little break from wifi connection and having the real connection with people as a new year resolution? ๐
Anyway I did travel to quite a bit of places in 2017, some new places and some revisits. I was invited by Tourism Authority of Thailand to explore Hua Hin and attended the big event where meet Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor and also the gorgeous Miss World Australia, Madeline Cowe. Very honoured to be able to experience it all.
But for sure, I had one of the best Christmas holidays ever. A rare occasion when the Leksonos full team on a holiday together. Last time was 11 Christmas ago in New Zealand. Super grateful that despite our busy schedule we can get together and enjoyed a beautiful White Christmas in Japan. This is truly something I am grateful for. ๐
Without further ado here's the recap of my journey in photo essay:
February - Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok
http://www.debbzie.com/2017/02/travel-updates-chiang-mai-chiang-rai.html
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| a peaceful morning in the Golden Triangle |
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| I really crave some Thai food right now |
April - Bangkok & Hua Hin with TAT
http://www.debbzie.com/2017/05/travel-updates-hua-hin-with-tat.html
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| channelling my inner Picasso at Baan Silapin Artists Village |
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| Hua Hin |
May - Bali
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| home sweet home |
June - Malang Night Festival
http://www.debbzie.com/2017/06/malang-night-paradise.html
July - Penang, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore
http://www.debbzie.com/2017/08/malaysia-singapore.html
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| one of delicacies in Penang |
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| the King of Fruit |
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| Kek Lok Si temple |
October - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia
http://www.debbzie.com/2017/11/travel-updates-azerbaijan-georgia.html
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| how can I not love you, Tbilisi? |
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| Baku |
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| the Mother of Armenia |
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| Noravank Monastery |
December - Japan
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| just before sunset in Harajuku |
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| a pretty city of Kobe |
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| the Leksonos full team! |
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| Shirakawa-go |
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| Christmas illumination in Tokyo |
Happy New Year 2018, Y'all!
May this New Year brings you a peace filled life, warmth and togetherness in your family and much prosperity! If the previous year hasn’t given you something to be happy and proud of, hopefully this year is the breakthrough one and your dreams finally turn into reality ๐๐๐ช
Recap of previous years:
*< 2011 >*< 2012 >*< 2013 >*< 2014 >*< 2015 >*< 2016 >*
Gosh, that's quite a lot of travel. I love the look of the food in Malaysia - well, not of the 'King of Fruit' (Durian?). I hope 2018 is better for you xx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Durian is not for everyone, hahaha. Thank you, and happy new year too!
DeleteSo wonderful that you got to visit all these wonderful places! Azerbaijan particularly catches my fancy. Your photos from there are so artistic!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lillie! Azerbaijan definitely is more than I expected. You should explore it one day :D
DeleteGood end of year wrap up. Looks like through the ups and downs you had a fulfilling year with lots of adventures, although I am sorry for your losses, far too many. Wishing you well for the new year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rhonda. It's never easy for me to deal with saying good bye but that's life. Wishing you a great year ahead too! :)
DeleteSo sorry for all the losses this year, too many in my eyes. But for the traveling, looks like you had a blast. Keep on smiling and here's to 2018!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Danik. Have a blessed year ahead! :D
DeleteGlad our paths crossed this year, Debbie! Thanks again for your hospitality in Malang and for suggesting us to try that putu which turned out to be the best putu I've ever tried in my life. Wishing you a happier new year! Hope you'll travel farther and more often! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, finally yaaaa :D So happy that you enjoyed the putu, hihihi. Hopefully we can meet again somewhere sometime in 2018. Have a beautiful adventures ahead, Bama :D
DeleteWhat a year it has been for you! I have visited only 5 countries this year, which is already not bad :) I have had the 3 Caucasus countries near the top of my bucket list for quite some time, particularly Azerbaijan,your pics make me want to go there even more!
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will be able to explore the 3 Caucasus countries soon, Julien. I'm sure you will love them :)
DeleteTurut berduka cita buat kak debz yang kehilangan 5 orang sahabat :( semoga mereka sudah tenang di sana yah.
ReplyDeleteKadang aku juga suka gitu bertanya - tanya, apakah aku udah hidup dengan benar dan sudah tidak ada penyesalan lagi? semoga kita semua jawabannya sama-sama tidak yah kak.
Asik-asik nih travelingnya kak debz moga suatu saat bisa jalan bareng yah kak.
Makasih, kak Len. Tahun yang penuh air mata duka :'( Tapi jadi melecut aku untuk menghabiskan waktu lebih baik lagi. Supaya tidak ada penyesalan.
DeleteAyoooo kapan kita jalan bareng! :D
Very lucky you to be invited by Tourism of Thailand to visit Hua Hin, I've recently spent my post birthday trip at Hua Hin, tho I didn't really stroll around the town, I felt the safe and peacefulness of this place. And Chiang Rai is a beautiful place too, met a lot of travelers who've been there and want to go there just like me. Yay! Can't wait! And sorry about your friends, may they find peace. Anyway, happy New Year! Fun travels ahead! X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy! Happy New Year too. Hopefully 2018 will be a year full of happiness for you! xoxo
DeleteI am sorry about your losses in the past year, it's hard to say goodbye to our friends and family. I try to remind myself that it's all part of the circle of life. That night festival in June looks AMAZING! Happy New Year and Happy Travels in 2018- it looks like you found a fun place to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 2018 too, Sara! Hope you'll have a beautiful year ahead! :D
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your losses in 2017. But I agree on taking away the message that life is short, and we should prioritize spending less time online and more time in the presence of our families. Sounds like you had some wonderful travels though, Thailand is a country I would love to get to one day, as is Bali and Armenia.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a brighter and happier 2018, with more incredible adventures!
Thank you, Megan! Hopefully you will make it to Thailand, Bali and Armenia sooner rather than later. Happy new year! :D
Deleteselalu iri sama jalan-jalannya ci Debz :D mudah2an tahun 2018 makin banyak dan makin seru ya travelingnya
ReplyDelete