The year 2023 is the year that returns to normality, we hope. We plan to visit Central and South America countries at the beginning of the year. Then after China ended the zero COVID policy last year, we hope we can see our parents in Shanghai and would spend ample time with them. We are excited about the trips this year and will share our journey with you.

我们希望，2023年是重返正常生活的一年。我们计划在年初去几个中美洲和南美洲国家。去年中国政府结束了清零政策，我们希望能在今年去上海与我们的父母和家人团聚，并在中国各地和附近的国家走走。像往常一样， 我们为今年的旅行计划感到兴奋，将与您分享我们的旅程。

Pacific Crossing Cruise, Japan, Taiwan and Shanghai

横渡太平洋游轮，日本， 台湾 和上海

After the pandemic, we made a pact to reconnect with our family in China, aiming for at least two visits yearly to make up for lost time. Yet, the hurdle of long-haul flights from the States remained a physical and mental challenge. Determined to infuse our family reunions with adventure and leisure, we brainstormed innovative ideas. This time, we opted for a Pacific crossing cruise with NCL, embarking on a 16-day voyage from Seattle to Tokyo. Continuing on the same vessel for another 11 days, we explored nine ports in Japan and two in Taiwan. Over six weeks, we relished the warmth of familial bonds and delighted in the sumptuous flavors of Shanghai Cuisine, treasuring every moment of our unforgettable adventure.

Canada 加拿大

Circle the Globe 环绕地球

We planned this trip to reunite with our family in Shanghai, whom we hadn't seen in over three years due to the pandemic. Initially, we intended to visit Korea or Taiwan en route to China. However, we came across a fantastic 12-day North Europe cruise from Tromso, Norway, to Reykjavik, Iceland, and we couldn't resist. Before we knew it, our trip transformed into our first around-the-globe adventure.

Over three months, we'll explore six countries and a region, visit twenty-five captivating places, and experience a variety of transportation modes, including cruises, trains, buses/Uber, rental cars, and flights. Initially, we would spend a few weeks in Korea and Taiwan, savoring the vibrant cultures and rich cuisines. Subsequently, we would allocate a month or more to China, cherishing precious moments with our beloved family and friends.

To commence our global journey, we would board a flight to Oslo, Norway, with a two-day layover in Dubai. From there, it's Oslo to Stockholm by train, an Arctic Circle train to Narvik, a bus to Tromso, and finally, the North Europe cruise to Iceland. Our journey concludes with a flight to New York City to see our daughter and son before returning home.

As we reflect on the past three months, we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity to embark on this exploration, immerse ourselves in different cultures, and push the boundaries of our comfort zones. Each new destination brought wonders and challenges, fostering personal growth and cherished memories.

Yet, the most heartwarming moment was to reunite with our family in Shanghai after three and a half years. The prospect of being together again fills our hearts with joy and anticipation, making the conclusion of this journey all the more meaningful.

The world is vast, and time is limited, so let's cherish every moment of our journey.

Click the images for more details.

Central America 中美洲

We had planned our Central/South America trip in four segments, each using a different type of transportation: Cruise, Bus/Uber, Rental car, and Flight. We will visit six countries, three new to us, for over a month. In the first part of the trip, we will take 12 day Norwegian Jewel cruise from San Diego down to Panama City/Colon, passing through the Panama Canal. We will visit a few places in Panama, mainly relying on public transportation like buses, Uber, or Taxi. Then we will walk across the Panama-Costa Rica Border and rent a car to travel the country for nine days to return the car to San Jose, Costa Rica. From San Jose, we will fly to three cities in Columbia and finally spend three days in Cancun, Mexico, to end our travel. The following is our trip plan map. As always, the plan never works out the way expected. Click the following images to explore more detail about our journey.

A post-trip note: As we described in the journal, we didn’t go to Columbia due to the uncertain situation in the country. We truly missed the opportunity to see the beautiful countryside. We will be there soon.