I know it's probably the question i'll get asked more than anything when i get back, "What was the best place" as people ask it to others all the time, god i think i've probably asked it to a fair few knowing that it's the most impossible of questions to answer.
Everyplace has memorable things and events and even countries though that might not of been the most entertaining overall can hold a stronger single moment than a country i enjoyed from start to finish.
Seeing as i'm on the plane and bored of watching the film 'Proposal' which is been ran on repeat at the moment on the single screen at the front, i thought i'd just have a go at listing a few of the Highlights instead.... in no particular order:
1. Tokyo
I'll be arriving into JFK in a few hours and into what i imagine to be the only city that could possibly rival Tokyo. Everything about the place had me grinning from ear to ear, the skyline from the government building, the absurdness of Tokyo Bay, the life size gundam, the efficient transport system, Shibuya at night....it'd be impossible to pick one highlight from this city so it'd have to go in as a whole.
2. Hue to Hoi'an
Definitely one of the best days of the trip so far. Biking was a new thing for me full stop and with the beauty of the scenery and unspoiled perfection of the roads it just made this the most rememberable of days. Going over the Hai Van pass and seeing the view from where we'd set off from, or going down the coast as the sun was setting or even the finale at the white cliffs and looking over Hoi'an in its entirety. Just special from start to finish this one.
The next few are a bit obvious but hey there well known for a reason i guess.
3. The Great Wall of China
This thing is gigantic, when your on it it just seems unfathomable how this was built, it's not just the construction but the distance up from ground level it is.
We got to experience it without the biggest of crowds over a fairly long distance and i think that that helped massively to the grandness of it all.
4. Angkor Wat
I know, i know, my list isn't exactly original at the moment but whatever, these ruins are just awe-inspiring.. i almost feel sorry for any ruins i see in the future if this is their benchmark.
5. Diving License
The only tangible thing i've actually achieved since being away and it's a nice feeling. Underwater life is something that now intrigues me more than it ever has and can't wait for the next opportunity to go back under.
6. Tubing
God this place gives me the chills when i think back. By far the most insane thing ever... never have i acted so stupid while so drunk and with so many others doing the exact same thing. 24 hr drinking for 5 days.
Will barely came out alive and he's a borderline alcoholic!
7. Full moon party
I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year. It was epic and so much fun. The fact i got to meet up with a whole bunch of people who we'd met and left along the way and it being the start of a new decade and the first time it had fallen on a new years made it just even more monumentally big.
8. Getting Stuck in Beijing for National Day
"Can i book a train to Xi'an?" "no" "ermmm Datong?" "no" "anywhere...." "oh well can i book into here for the next 2 weeks?"
Getting stuck in Beijing turned out to be brilliant. I got to know everyone coming through, i started doing the hostels barbecues and getting to know the owner Joe really well.
Just being there for the National day itself was cool enough and not as restrictive as first thought. If not for getting stuck there i may not of met the people i did and the whole traveling experience would of changed.
It really is impossible to do even this list, i mean i haven't mentioned the Yangshou bike ride, Osaka Aquarium, Sunset at Miyajima, Will, Emma and Lauren, the Terracotta army, Pandas in Chengdu, the skyline in Hong kong or Star ferry... it goes on and on.
Asia has been amazing, the places, the people... shit i haven't even gone on about the food yet. Even the stupidly long 28 hour train journeys in China have special memories attached to them which I wouldn't swap for anything.
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