Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Nellie Huang<\/a><\/p>\n Phew I can\u2019t consider how briskly this yr glided by! 2022 has been the yr of Mexico for me. I traveled to 9 totally different states in Mexico, exploring varied states and discovering simply how numerous and culturally-rich our adopted house is. Traversing the Copper Canyon by practice was a spotlight of the yr for me, weaving via a number of the most spectacular landscapes I\u2019ve seen in Mexico.<\/p>\n This yr marked a significant milestone in my profession \u2014 I used to be commissioned to jot down the brand new Lonely Planet Mexico information and I\u2019ve been spending the final three months doing on-the-ground analysis and writing up a storm. I additionally began the Mexico Travel Blog<\/a> to carve a distinct segment and share extra sensible, on-the-ground suggestions from our newly adopted dwelling.<\/p>\n Beyond Mexico, I solely traveled to 6 international locations (in distinction to the same old 15-20 international locations\/yr) however I used to be ecstatic to return to Asia after being away for 3 years. Here\u2019s a have a look at the place I traveled and what I obtained as much as in 2022. I want you a unbelievable new yr forward!<\/p>\n We spent the Christmas holidays in New York and rang within the new yr there. New York is such an ideal spot for the festive season \u2014 with its atmospheric iceskating rinks, Christmas decorations, and glitzy lights. Alberto and I really spent Christmas in New York<\/span><\/a> round 15 years in the past, and this time it was much more particular as we had Kaleya with us.<\/p>\n From New York, we flew over to San Jose, California, to see my household. My sister has simply moved there from Fresno, and my mother and father additionally come to go to from Singapore! It\u2019d been two years since I final noticed my household (no due to covid), so it was a long-awaited reunion.<\/p>\n After returning to Mexico, we scooted off on a weekend journey to the tradition capital of Yucatan: Merida. The historic metropolis is only a 3.5-hour drive from Playa del Carmen, nevertheless it\u2019s a world away. An interesting mixture of small-town really feel and Maya cultural enclave, Merida<\/a> is a vacationer city that really feels surprisingly real. Every day of the week, town runs free occasions for the general public \u2013 from dance performances to reside live shows. We have been actually impressed by the reenactment of the Maya ball sport held on Saturday nights and the carnival-like environment within the metropolis heart on weekend evenings.<\/p>\n To have a good time Kaleya\u2019s birthday, we went on a street journey round Guanajuato.<\/a> The extraordinary Unesco World Heritage metropolis of Guanajuato is essentially the most colourful\u00a0and full of life metropolis I\u2019ve been in Mexico, with opulent colonial buildings, gorgeous tree-filled plazas and ochre-and-red coloured homes.<\/p>\n Besides Guanajuato metropolis, we additionally explored the gorgeous historic core of San Miguel de Allende<\/a>, the wineries and archaeological websites price visiting within the outskirts, and the spectacular Grutas Tolantongo sizzling springs<\/a>. I used to be undoubtedly smitten with Grutas Tolantongo, the place sizzling spring water tumbled over calcified travertine swimming pools, cascading down waterfalls and swinging bridges on the mountaintop of Hidalgo.<\/p>\n We first backpacked round Peru 15 years in the past, earlier than we had children. This time spherical, we watched Kaleya fall in love with Peru, simply as we did. Traveling Peru with Kaleya was an journey of a lifetime: the nation is a treasure trove of historical websites and indigenous villages, full of a lot dramatic mountainscapes and immersive experiences for curious children! Kaleya completely beloved wandering the historical ruins of Machu Picchu<\/a>, mountaineering up the close by Huchuy Picchu, swooshing down sand dunes at Huacachina, studying about Pachamama and mingling with alpacas within the Sacred Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n In May, I traveled solo round Chiapas, the state I\u2019d heard a lot about and badly wished to discover. The southern Mexican state is thought for its indigenous tradition, artisanal work, and luscious nature. But it\u2019s additionally one of many poorest and most conflicted states within the nation. An armed insurgency by the Zapatistas ( a socialist militant group) within the \u201990s that went on till just lately, made the Mexican military a fixture within the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n My journey began on the Palenque ruins, one of the vital spectacular archaeology websites I\u2019ve been in Mexico. From there, I traveled to San Cristobal de las Casas<\/a> by bus, stopping at most of the spectacular waterfalls alongside the best way. There\u2019s a lot to see round San Cris too, from the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon and turquoise El Chiflon cascades.<\/p>\n In summer time, we lastly went on our much-anticipated journey again to Asia! The final time I used to be dwelling was three years in the past, so you may simply think about how excited I used to be to go dwelling and see my family and friends . We first spent two weeks in Singapore<\/a> revisiting locations I really like with my household, consuming all of the superb Singaporean meals, and hanging out with our family members. Then we flew over to Chiangmai and went on a street journey via the rice paddies and misty highlands of Pai<\/strong>. From there, we headed to Bangkok and spent our days floating on the Chao Phraya River, exploring the Royal Palace, and seeing all of the spectacular temples.\u00a0<\/p>\n I used to be stoked to return to Vietnam, one in all my favourite international locations on the earth<\/strong>. We spent our time between the capital metropolis of Hanoi and the charming colonial city of Hoi An \u2014 slurping scrumptious phos and bun cha, dodging bicycles and paddling previous pagodas and rice fields. Ninh Binh turned out to be\u00a0 spotlight, with its dramatic karst mountains, jade inexperienced river, and huge lotus ponds. Just 2hours from Hanoi, this rural area is brimming with pure sights and but it\u2019s not fairly as common and touristy as Halong Bay.<\/p>\n By the tip of August, we have been again in Mexico. To have a good time my fortieth birthday, I booked us a weekend journey to Isla Mujeres, an island off Cancun. I\u2019d been wanting to remain on the iconic Seashell House for years, nevertheless it was all the time totally booked for months upfront. Surprisingly, it was accessible on my birthday weekend so I splurged on the $400\/night time keep!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So was it well worth the $400 price ticket? Honestly, NO. The home has been round for a number of a long time now, and actually wants some upgrades and upkeep. The cracked home windows appear to have simply been bolstered slightly than changed, the sliding doorways are coated in rust, and the pool has undoubtedly seen higher days. Regardless, we had a pleasant and quiet time on Isla Mujeres, snorkeling off the seashores and spending plenty of down time chilling.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After the extreme celebrations in Oaxaca metropolis, we drove up the zigzagging roads into the Sierra Madre mountains and stayed in a ridiculously cute and comfy cabin, earlier than arriving within the tropical Pacific Coast to splash within the waves on the rustic seashore cities of Huatulco and Zipolite. We even obtained to launch child turtles in Puerto Escondido and eat our weight in contemporary seafood!<\/p>\n From Oaxaca, I continued onto Veracruz solo on project for Lonely Planet. I hit the bottom operating in Veracruz metropolis,<\/strong> assembly native expats, strolling alongside the waterfront malecon<\/em>, and popping into naval museums. Then I headed inland to Xalapa, <\/strong>a vibrant metropolis within the highlands dripping with character, earlier than exploring Orizaba<\/strong>, which actually impressed me with its European-style historic heart and hilltop ecoparks providing glimpses of Mexico\u2019s highest peak, Pico de Orizaba.<\/p>\n Thereafter, I flew over to Monterrey, the wealthiest metropolis in Mexico<\/strong>. The cosmopolitan metropolis had the right mixture of previous and new, conventional and modern, metropolis and mountains. The world-class museums have been spectacular and vary of eating places superb, however most of all, I beloved that mountain trails and spectacular mountaineering spots have been only a leap away from town heart.<\/p>\n My subsequent cease was Chihuahua, the place to begin of my journey on the Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacifico \u2013 nicknamed \u201cEl Chepe<\/strong>\u201d \u2013 thought of one of many world\u2019s best rail journeys<\/a>. The practice traverses the Chihuahua highlands proper to the rim of the Copper Canyon<\/strong>, revealing some mindblowing views of the rugged space. Unknown to many, the Copper Canyon covers an space 4 occasions the dimensions of Arizona\u2019s Grand Canyon!<\/p>\n December has been a fairly enjoyable month, as I spent many of the month writing and hanging out with my household. We had a very enjoyable Christmas social gathering with all our associates right here! One of the the explanation why we love residing right here in Playa del Carmen is due to our group of associates who’ve grow to be like household to us.<\/p>\n In a number of days\u2019 time, we\u2019ll be driving to Belize for a street journey, hitting up locations new to us and revisiting islands we\u2019ve been and beloved. On our first journey there, we have been charmed by the laidback, reggae vibes of Caye Caulker<\/a>. Can\u2019t wait to go crusing, swinging on hammocks, and snorkeling with nurse sharks!\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2023, we have already got plans for a ski journey to Alberta, Canada, in February<\/strong>, and Hawaii in April<\/strong> for Kaleya\u2019s birthday. My purpose for the brand new yr is to journey extra of the Americas, particularly locations I\u2019ve by no means been, like Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Uruguay, and Paraguay. We are nonetheless loving life in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and it seems to be like we\u2019ll be on this a part of the world for a bit extra.<\/p>\n I hope 2023 will likely be a yr of journey for all of us! Don\u2019t cease exploring!<\/p>\n Interesting in studying extra?<\/b><\/p>\n 2021 in Photos<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 2020 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2019 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2018 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2017 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2016 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2015 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2014 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2013 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 2012 in Photos<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n2022: My Year in Photos<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
January: New York & California<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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February: Merida, Mexico<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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March: Guanajuato, Mexico<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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April: Peru<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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May \u2013 June: Chiapas, Mexico<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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July \u2013 August: Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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September: Isla Mujeres, Mexico<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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October: Oaxaca, Mexico<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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November: Veracruz, <\/b>Monterrey, <\/b>Chihuahua, and <\/b>Copper Canyon<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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December: Belize<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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What\u2019s Next?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n