Okay, so technically it's not summer yet but it was far too tempting not to use these song lyrics when they popped into my head.
{If you've never heard this song before, and let's face it, most of you won't have, then you can listen to it here. And in the process of looking it up, I quickly realised I had misremembered the exact lyrics. Just goes to show how unreliable creative memory recall is!}
And while it's not yet summer for another 30-something days, here in South East Queensland it's hot enough for me to be sitting around in so little clothing I can't actually walk out on the street. So I'm claiming it as a summer holiday :P
Tomorrow morning we head to Singapore.
Brad and I have both been before but it's been 8 years since I zoomed in and out for a visa run and more like 30 years since he explored there. So it's going to be fun to see how much it's changed and see what new things we can find, aaaaand photograph, of course ;)
We're expecting we'll see the somewhat bizarre Merlion at some point since it's arguably the most photographed statue on this island nation.
But we're also hoping to see other cool and unique things, like the Rain Vortex that's inside Singapore's Changi Airport.
{If you live in Singapore, where do you think we should go? We really like: the beautiful outdoors, unique and genuine cultural experiences, healthy food and really good, proper coffee. Ideas?}
After eating, drinking and shopping our way through Singapore (as the current culture appears to endlessly encourage) and picking up a new parkrun somewhere very pretty, we'll fly to our next destination:
Chiang Mai, Thailand.
I'm really looking forward to visiting this destination. Not only because I get to see a family member I haven't seen in years but also because, when I went 20 years ago I loved it!
For Brad, again, it's been more like 30 years and it will be fascinating to see if we can even remember anything let alone notice any changes. I can literally only remember:
- that I liked it a lot
- there were mosquitoes getting into my (cheap) room, and
- there was a lovely small shop that you entered through a huge tree
{If you live in Chiang Mai and happen to know where this shop is, if it still exists, can you tell me?!?! I'd love to see it again and show it to Brad!}
When I look for (pre-emptive) photos of Chiang Mai, I get this:
Photo by Lewis
And this...
Photo by Ke Phuah
Though what I remember is the grand, gorgeous tree I mentioned above, the moat that goes around the Old City and the very famous Tha Phae Gate.
Here, our plan is to spend a few days with said family member, explore one or more smaller villages or towns north of Chiang Mai (the city) and spend at least one entire day just covering as much of the Old City on foot as we possibly can... between eating, drinking and market shopping, probably :P
{I understand that there are a few Hivers who live in Chiang Mai, so if you're there and you want to drink coffee, eat food or go for a run together, let me know!}
Next, it's onto Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city.
Our number one reason for sneaking in a few days in KL is to snag another new parkrun, in another new country. But, of course, we'll do some other things while we're there.
We only have one free afternoon and one free full day. We're staying in Putrajaya and expect to wander around the city on the Sunday... assuming anything is open!
{If you live in KL or have spent time there we'd love your intel! We love greenspaces, unique experiences of local culture and yummy food - that's not too spicy!! Where should we go?!}
While I passed through KL briefly back in my early twenties on my very first overseas trip, I vaguely recall it was something like this:
Photo by Zukiman Mohamad
However, without the epic sunset. (Or is this a sunrise? 🤔)
I'm pretty sure the only photo I actually took during that flying visit looked rather a lot like this one of the Petronas Twin Towers:
No doubt, we'll return to see these impressive pieces of architecture again. However, this time I'm unlikely to lay on the ground to get a photo. 😂
Our last stop before we head home is Bali.
Unlike our trip four years ago where we visited my beloved Ubud, this time we're doing a beach stay. We both love the beach and Brad wanted somewhere he could run every day. So, by staying within a block or two of one of the famous beach areas he'll have access to a long, decent concrete path that (from memory) has minimal holes, infrequent cars crossing and very little sand.
If we're lucky, we'll get some views like this:
Photo by David Tip
But the beaches are usually much busier than this.
Meanwhile, if we can find this alleyway, then that would be a great little adventure!
I may come home with another tattoo. TBA. 😉
And that's all folks!
17 big days. 4 countries. (Or rather, a few locations spread over four countries). 1 family member. And maybe even a few Hive catch-ups.
We don't expect to pass through these cities and towns again anytime soon, so if we're going to be close to you and you want to catch up, let me know asap! 👇