Reflections Travel

My 2016 Travel Plans & Updates!

January 28, 2016

Due to a flight delay, I’m leaving a day later than planned and have a few moments to blog. While I’m not happy about it, I get to relax and lay low after busting ass yesterday to run all those pre-travel errands! So, silver linings?

Here’s a little update on what I’ve been plotting and planning since I got back from South America. Well, let’s be honest, since I started planning this little round-the-world trip…

2016 Travel Plans and Updates - Trailing Rachel

Where I’m Heading!

For those of you who are not subscribed to the newsletter (um to the right, to the right, in the sidebar), friends with me on Snapchat (@rsass), or personal friends of mine in real life (we’ll just have to meet up!), I realize I haven’t told you where I’m heading next.

Tomorrow, God willing, I’m flying to Bangkok! Yes, yes, I’ve been there before, but only for a few nights on a two week vacay to Thailand following the trauma of the bar exam. And I’m in desperate need of another visit! Southeast Asia has been calling to me for a while now.

2016 Travel Plans and Updates - Trailing Rachel

So What Next?

Welp, I actually have no plans except for this one-way ticket to BKK! But I do plan on exploring Thailand further, doing things right that I did wrong before, hanging out on some different beaches, visiting more of the northern cities, and delving deeper into Bangkok. Perhaps overdosing on street food and chilies in the process.

After that? The rest of Southeast Asia! Okay, I’m not gonna get too crazy, but I’m definitely heading to Vietnam and Cambodia. And hopefully the Philippines and Indonesia. Maybe Malaysia? (I’ve even been playing around with the possibility of visiting Australia since flights from Southeast Asia are so cheap.) The idea is to spend more time in fewer cities – I don’t want to run myself ragged. Honestly, we’ll just have to see where new friends and cheap airfare take me… Hong Kong, Taipei, and/or Tokyo might even be in the cards!

2016 Travel Plans and Updates - Trailing Rachel

And Then?

Ummm, Europe! (When it gets warmer there, of course.)

I really hate to plan this far in advance, but since my mother just booked a flight to Spain, I’ll have to get my butt to Madrid by the end of July. Literally, that is the one true date marked on my calendar. The freedom is so empowering! My initial thought is to head to Europe once the heat, humidity, and chaos of Southeast Asia begins to wear on me (if it ever does) and then travel through some of Eastern Europe before working my way west to my mom in Spain.

I may come home in between the two continents of Asia and Europe for a brief visit, but then again, do you know how expensive those flights are? A quick glance at the interwebs shows me that I could just jump from Bangkok to Germany for about $220. Who knew?!

2016 Travel Plans and Updates - Trailing Rachel

What is actually on the docket?

Had to find a way to get some legal lingo in there somewhere, guys! Definitely Scuba diving, beach lounging, street food eating, watching the Super Bowl at 7 AM with other drunk Americans in Southeast Asia, visiting Angkor Wat, traversing Vietnam, making new friends, tapas crawling, and maybe some sailing? I don’t know! And it’s SO exciting!

Go ahead and throw out some recommendations! And send me good vibes so that my flight to Bangkok goes smoothly tomorrow!

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  • Tempesst February 1, 2016 at 9:54 am

    Love love love everything about this! Spain is the first foreign country I ever visited so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s pretty amazing as is their fooooood. Definitely go to Malaysia if you can! I only went to Kuala Lumpur, but it was nice to browse their malls, eat delicious Indian food, and experience city nightlife after island hopping in Thailand for a month. Can’t wait to continue to follow along on your adventures!

    • Rachel February 2, 2016 at 10:16 pm

      Just booked a flight from BKK to Koh Lanta! Hope to do a little beaching before moving on to something different! I’m gonna browse your blog for tips for sure!

  • Anna February 11, 2016 at 9:36 am

    Go to Malaysia!!! I was only there for 3 weeks (out of the original planned 8) but I love KL so much! The food is amazing and so cheap. I really want to go back! And I hope you come to Taipei! But come sometime from mid-march to end of April when I’m gonna be there. I’ll give you a tour :). I’m so excited for you to go to Vietnam too because I loved eating there so much!! Argh this reminds me that I probably should write the Part 2 about what I ate in Vietnam!
    Anna recently posted…A Day in the Life : Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMy Profile

    • Rachel February 13, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      You definitely should! I think I’m going to do a diving course in Thailand and then head to Vietnam on the 21st and run out my 30 day visa there. Then I have some time to fill and I’m heading to Hong Kong to meet some friends in April. I really might be able to get to Taipei by the end of the month! I’ll keep you updated!