Summarizing my amazing trip to Asia with fully detailed itineraries
A lot of you have asked for just a summary of everything I did this summer so I thought I'd slap together the itinerary into one article to make it easier to consume and disseminate.
Make sure you click on each of the headers to get taken to the specific blog post.
Here's a low down of how my epic summer went:
Hong Kong
Day 1 – May 22, 2012
- Land in HKG @ 1:15PM
- Check into Conrad Hong Kong
- Tsui Wah for afternoon snack
- Tram up to The Peak to roam around, watch the sunset and the “light show”
- Dinner at Tai Ping Koon
Day 2 – May 23, 2012
- Breakfast @ the Conrad
- Take the tram to the longest moving escalator
- Walk along Hollywood Road towards Man MO Temple
- MRT to Prince Edward Station
- Gold Fish
- Snack at Hui Lau Shan (mango everything) and street fish balls
- Ladies Market
- Early Dinner at Dondonya Shokudo
- Walk around Avenue of the Stars, watch the sunset
- Head towards the clock tower and HK Cultural Center
- Watch light show again
- 1881 Heritage building for night lights
- Harbour City shopping mall for more food at a Vietnamese restaurant
- Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island side
- Cab back to hotel
Indonesia
Day 3 – May 24, 2012
- Transit day to Bali
- HKG -> CGK (Jakarta) with Garuda Indonesia Airlines (9:00AM departure)
- CGK -> DPS (Bali) (6:30PM arrival)
- Check into Conrad Bali
- Unpack and wait for Chantelle to arrive who took a separate flight in
Day 4 – May 25, 2012
- Breakfast @ the Conrad
- Pickup by our driver Putu Arnawa
- Traditional Barong Dance
- Quick stop overs at a stone mason and silver shop
- Sangeh Secret Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Lunch @ Babi Guling Ibu Oka
- Ubud Palace Temple
- Ubud market
- Drop by a village temple celebration (Ganung Raung)
- Long ride up to get a view of Ganung Batur
- Ganung Kawi temple
- 2 hour ride back to Conrad
- Cab out to Kuta to meet Chantelle's friends (Aaron and Ping)
- Dinner @ Made Warung
- Cab back to hotel
Day 5 – May 26, 2012
- Breakfast @ the Conrad
- Pickup by our driver Putu Arnawa
- Taman Ayun Temple
- Random unknown pond temple
- Local cock fight tournament
- Lunch @ Red Rice in Jatiluwih
- Rice paddies in Jatiluwih
- Chillin’ with the local rice harvesters
- Tanah Lot for sunset
- Dinner at Rin @ Conrad
Day 6 – May 27, 2012
- Sleep in
- Breakfast @ the Conrad Bali
- Get a beach hut
- Sun tanning
- Flying Fish
- Pool time
- Dinner @ Bumbu Bali
Day 7 – May 28, 2012
- Wake up at 5:30 for sunrise
- Sunrise shooting @ the Conrad
- Lounge around a beach hut
- Breakfast @ the Conrad
- Cab to Cozy 2 for massage
- Cab to Kuta and walk around
- Kuta Beach for sunset
- Walk around Kuta some more and eventually find the Perama Tour Office
- Cab to Seminyak to find the SOS Rooftop Lounge and Bar
- Dinner at the Anantara Hotel instead
- Cab back to the Conrad
Day 8 – May 29, 2012
- Breakfast @ Conrad
- Snorkelling in Nusa Dua with Bali Scuba Masters
- Jimbaran for lunch
- Fish Market @ Jimbaran
- Lounge around the Conrad one last time
- Dinner @ Musashi (Jap restaurant)
Day 9 – May 30, 2012
- Breakfast @ Conrad
- Cab to Kuta Perama Tour office
- Hop on a mini-bus/van towards the port.
- Cross to Java on a ferry
- New van on the other side
- Hop on another mini-bus towards Probolingo
- 5PM meal at some roadside restaurant
- Switch to ANOTHER van in Probolingo
- Arrive in Cemoro Lewang (town outside of Mt. Bromo) @ 8PM
Day 10 – May 31, 2012
- Jeep pick up at 4AM
- Mt. Bromo Sunrise
- Climb up to Mt. Bromo
- Breakfast and check-out
- Very VERY long bus ride to Yogyakarta
- Check into the Manohara at midnight (yikes)
Day 11 – June 1, 2012
- Wake up at 4AM
- 4:30AM – Borobudur grounds open for Sunrise ticket holders
- Meh sunrise. Damn you clouds!
- Breakfast @ Manohara
- Nap until 11:30AM
- 12PM private transport to Yogyakarta
- Check into the Sheraton Mustika Yogyakarta Resort and Spa
- Bum around
- Lunch @ local Gudeg place outside hotel
- Bum around some more
- High tea @ Sheraton (aka free dinner…yeah that's right…that's how Platinum members roll lol)
Day 12 – June 2, 2012
- Breakfast @ Sheraton Club Lounge
- 8AM pickup by ViaVia on motorcycles (Prambanan and Hidden Temples Motorcycle Tour)
- Hidden Temple 1 – Candi Sambisari
- Hidden Temple 2 – Candi Sari
- Hidden Temple 3 – Candi Plaosan
- Prambanan grounds until 1PM
- Arrive in Yogyakarta at 2 ish
- Lunch at ViaVia Café
- Back at Sheraton for quick swim
- High tea a.k.a. dinner
Singapore
Day 13 – June 3, 2012
- Early Breakfast @ Sheraton
- 7AM shuttle to Yogyakarta Airport
- Yogyakarta -> Bali -> Singapore (Garuda-Indonesia/AirAsia)
- Land in Singapore at 3:40PM
- Take subway to Conrad Centennial Singapore (bad idea)
- Meet Jia @ Conrad, get settled and leave at 6PM
- Delicious crab at Mellben Seafood Restaurant with Lund friends (Blk 232 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-1222)
Day 14 – June 4, 2012
- Breakfast at Ya Kun – kaya toast
- Go back to hotel to get battery
- Walk to Marina Bay Sands
- Check out the ArtScience Museum along the way and the mall (The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands)
- Maxwell Hawker Center
- Orchard Road
- Back to hotel
- Meet up with Jia’s friend Allan
- Tried to go to Sky Bar but Jia was wearing shorts
- Went to RedDot BrewHouse instead
- Marina Bay Sands Casino
Cambodia
Day 15 – June 5, 2012
- Breakfast at lounge
- Merlion Park
- Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center for lunch
- Hunt for stamps
- Check out of Conrad
- Cab to airport
- SIN -> REP flight 2:45PM to 4PM
- Cabbing adventures with Eng Lee ($7 USD)
- Check into Le Meridian
- Dinner at The Touiche Restaurant Bar
Day 16 – June 6, 2012
- Breakfast @ Le Meridien
- Mr. Son pickup at 8AM
- Ta Prohm Temple – Tomb Raider
- Ta Keo Temple
- Bayon Temple – Faces
- Lunch
- Elephant Terrace
- Angkor Wat – Main Event
- Phnom Bakheng for sunset
- Back to Le Meridien
- Sofitel for pool (hotel at Le Meridien under repairs)
- Dinner at Meric @ Hotel de la Paix
Thailand
Day 17 – June 7, 2012
- 5AM pickup
- 4 hour with Happy Valley Ranch
- Nap until 1PM
- Lunch @ Khmer Kitchen
- Massage @ Frangiani Spa
- Drinks and food at Red Piano – Tomb Raider cocktail
- Back to Le Meridien
- 6:30PM pick up by Eng Lee
- 7:20PM flight to Bangkok
- Arrived at 8:30PM
- Check into Royal Orchid Sheraton
Day 18 – June 8, 2012
- Breakfast at the lounge
- Ferry
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Pho
- Wat Pho Traditional Thai Massage School
- Lunch @ Food Route
- Ferry
- Wat Arun
- Ferry
- Khao San Road
- Chinatown for dinner
- Back to Sheraton
Day 19 – June 9, 2012
- Breakfast at downstairs restaurant of the Sheraton
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Siam Paragon mall for lunch
- Erawan Temple
- Wasted trip to the Golden Mount
- Back to Sheraton
- Dinner at Nahm @ Metropolitan Bangkok Hotel
- Vertigo and Moon Bar @ Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel
Day 20 – June 10, 2012
- Breakfast @ Sheraton
- Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- Pickup at airport by our trekking guide Nikorn
- Walk into town to check out Wat Chedi Luang
- Siam Rice Thai Cookery evening class
Day 21 – June 11, 2012
- Quick breakfast at Le Meridien
- 9AM pickup
- Quick stop at local market
- Drop off point in Maewang National Park
- Trek at least 6 hours and 10-13KM with lunch somewhere in between by a stream
- Arrive in the village at 4:30PM
- Greet hilltribe villagers
- Dinner with our hosts
- Sleep by 10PM
Day 22 – June 12, 2012
- Early wake up (cockle doodle doo)
- Breakfast
- Buy souvenirs from the locals
- Trek to lunch time spot near a waterfall
- Elephant ride
- Bamboo rafting
- Back to Le Meridien
- Walk around the night market + dinner
Day 23 – June 13, 2012
- Breakfast @ Le Meridien
- Pickup and drop off at the airport by Nikorn
- Arrive in Ko Samui at 2PM
- Chill at Le Meridien Ko Samui
- Launch sky lanterns
- Dinner at Barracuda in Mae Nam
Day 24 – June 14, 2012
- Breakfast at Le Meridien
- Chill at the resort
- Transport to the Conrad Ko Samui
- Chill in our suite
- Dinner at Nuch’s Green Ta’lay Restaurant
Day 25 – June 15, 2012
- Pick up by CSI Samui
- Confined Pool Dive
- Lunch
- Bophut Night Market
- Dinner
- Chaweng
- Transportation Adventures back to Conrad
Day 26 – June 16, 2012
- Pick up from the hotel
- Speed boat departs Ko Samui
- Snorkeling at Koh Wao
- Coastal Cruise of the National Park
- Discover the emerald lake and view point.
- Traditional Thai Lunch @ Koh Ploy
- Swimming / Kayaking / Relaxing on the beach
- Scenic cruise back to Ko Samui
- Mini-bus transfer home (picking up some take out along the way)
- 1-hour aromatherapy spa at the Conrad
- Dinner by our infinity pool
- Conclusion of The Hangover Part 2 (oh god)
Day 27 – June 17, 2012
- Breakfast @ the Conrad
- Infinity pool
- Transport to the Ko Samui airport
- Flight to Phuket with Bangkok Airways
- Transport to the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa
- Sunset at the lounge
- Dinner takeout at Eightfold Restaurant
Day 28 – June 18, 2012
- Breakfast @ the Hilton
- Pick up to the dock
- Diving – Open Water Dives 1 & 2 with James of Sharkey Scuba
- Hilton lounge for happy hour
- Chill by the pool
- Stroll around Karon Beach
- Dinner at Thai Thai
- Watch people figure out how to fix my safe
- Pack
Hong Kong
Day 29 – June 19, 2012
- Breakfast @ the Hilton
- Thai massage at Sweet Lemongrass Spa
- Flight from Phuket to Hong Kong ( 4:05PM -> 8:35PM)
- Bus A21 to TST
- Check into the Regal Kowloon Hotel in TST
Day 30 – June 20, 2012
- Brunch at Tim Ho Wan for dim sum
- Walk around Mong Kok for electronics
- Stanley
- Dinner in Causeway Bay
- Happy Valley Racetrack
- b.a.r. Executive
Day 31 – June 21, 2012
- Brunch at Tsui Wah
- Sham Sui Po area for post office and markets
- Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery
- Sim City for camera gear
- LKF for drinks (new Mexican themed bar)
- The Sweet Dynasty for dinner
- Quick stop at Chungking Mansions
China
Day 32 – June 22, 2012
- Take the subway to Central
- Walk to the Conrad to pick up my big suitcase
- Cab to Hong Kong Express
- Flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong with China Eastern (12:35PM – 2:45PM)
- Get to Grandparent's place by 4:30PM
Day 33 – 63 – June 23 to July 23, 2012
- Month long program and Jiao Tong University for Summer Language Program
- Lots of partying
- Spending time with grandparents
- Working out
- Exploring
Taiwan
Day 64 – July 24, 2012
- Leave the house at 10:30
- Air China flight to Taipei – arrival at 4:25PM
- Local bus 2060 to the City Hall
- Check into the W Taipei Hotel
- Explore Ximending neighbourhood
- Meet with Joanna back at the W
- Head back out to Raohe Night Market
Palau
Day 65 – July 25, 2012
- Breakfast at the W
- Cab to Taoyuan Airport
- Flight to Palau at 1PM, arrive at 6PM
- Check into Lehn’s Motel
Day 66 – July 26, 2012
- “Breakfast” (granola bars)
- Pick up to Sam’s Tours
- Open Water Dive 3
- Lunch
- Open Water Dive 4
- Check out West Plaza Malakal
- Cab downtown to do some shopping
- Dinner at Suriyothai Restaurant
- Dessert at Japanese Café nearby
- Suffer through another night at Lehn’s
Day 67 – July 27, 2012
- Pickup at 8:30 AM to Sam’s Tours
- Dive
- Lunch
- Dive
- Check into West Plaza Malakal
- Dinner at nearby Kramer’s
Day 68 – July 28, 2012
- Walk to Sam’s Tours for breakfast
- Dive 1 at German Channel
- Lunch
- Dive 2 at Ngerchong Inside
- Jellyfish Lake
- Dinner at Taj
- Cab back to West Plaza Malakal
Day 69 – July 29, 2012
- 8:40 pickup to Impac HQ
- Speed boat ride to Peleliu
- Harlan picks us up
- Peleliu World War II Museum
- Japanese HQ
- Japanese Tank
- 81st Marines Monument and Orange Beach
- Pass by Dry Dock
- Lunch at Peleliu Peace Memorial Park
- Stop by American LVT vehicles
- Drive through the airport landing strip
- Check out a Japanese howitzer
- 1st Marines Monument and Japanese Shrine
- Bloody Nose Ridge
- Japanese Bunker
- Speed boat ride back to Koror
- Ride to main street to walk around and shop
- Snacks at a food shack
- Dinner at B's Izakaya Yume
Day 70 – July 30, 2012
- Drop off laundry at Orrekim
- Walk over to Sam’s Tours for breakfast
- Dive 1 – Blue Corner
- Lunch and snorkeling
- Dive 2 – Turtle Cove
- Dive 3 – Chandelier Cave
- Dive 4 – Sam’s Tours Micro Wall
- Pick up laundry
- Dinner at Longshoremen
- Walk to Sea Passion
- Walk to Palau Royal Resort for dessert
Taiwan
Day 71 – July 31, 2012
- Breakfast at Sam’s Tours
- Kayaking in Nikko Bay
- Transport to the airport
- ROR -> TPE (6:50 PM -> 9:30 PM)
- Cab to the Sheraton
- Eat at Ningxia market
Day 72 – August 1, 2012
- Breakfast at the lounge
- Walk to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Park
- Take a look at the National Concert Hall and National Theater
- Explore the Chiang Kai Shek museum inside the memorial
- Walk to Ding Tai Fung
- Cab to Longshan Temple
- Walk up to Ximending to find Modern Toilet
- Bashed by typhoon to get my luggage at the W
Day 73 – August 2, 2012
- Breakfast at the lounge
- De Ye Cha Chi teahouse
- Walk to Taipei Main Station
- Explore underground shopping centers and streets for shopping and eating
- Shilin Night Market
Japan
Day 74 – August 3, 2012
- 6AM wake up
- Pick up breakfast boxes
- Cab to Taoyuan Airport
- Hunt for postcards
- Kris Lounge to write the postcards
- UA 838 flight (10:20AM – 2:40 PM)
- Drop off bags with Yamato
- Reunite with Chantelle
- Narita Express to Shinagawa
- Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka
- Subway to Azawa station
- Escorted by neighbourhood watch to our hostel
- Check-in to our hostel Hostel 64 Osaka
Day 75 – August 4, 2012
- Breakfast at the hostel
- Subway + JR to Tennoji station
- JR train to Nara
- Local bus to the entrance of Nara Park
- Walk to Kasuga Shrine
- Walk to Nigatsudo Hall
- Walk to Todaiji Great Buddha Hall
- Cool down at information center
- Walk to Kofukuji
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- JR back to Osaka
- Subway to Namba station to explore Dotonbori
- Dinner #1 at Kanidoraku Honten
- Dinner #2 at Ajinoya Okonomiyaki
- Drop off gifts to Kyohei Hotta at Lilo in Veve
- Subway back to hostel
Day 76 – August 5, 2012
- Breakfast at Hostel 64 Osaka
- Subway + JR to Kyoto
- Drop off bags at Ryokan Shimizu
- Lunch at a fast food place
- Bus to Gojozaka Stop
- Walk to Kiyomizu-dera + Jishu Shrine
- Explore traditional streets to shop and sample mochi
- Kodaiji Temple
- Walk through Yasaka Shrine Maruyama Park
- Look at Chion-in and Shoren-in Temples from afar
- Local food festival off of Shijo Street by the river
- Cab back to the ryokan
Day 77 – August 6, 2012
- Traditional Japanese breakfast at ryokan
- Walk to Kyoto station to bus to Kinkakuji
- Bus to Nijo Castle
- Lunch at Shichifukujin (ramen place) by Nijo Castle
- Subway + JR to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Subway to the Kyoto downtown core for shopping and Daimaru basement food extravaganza
- Dinner at a Chirashi-type restaurant
- Frozen Yogurt at Snola
- First-time pachinko experience
- Cab back to ryokan
Day 78 – August 7, 2012
- Check-out of Ryokan Shimizu
- Walk to Kyoto station and take JR to Hiroshima at 8:20AM
- Tram #1 to Comfort Inn Otemachi
- Tram #2 to Hiroden-nishi-Hiroshima station, walk over to Nishi-hiroshima JR station and take it down to Miyajima-guchi (picked up some takoyaki along the way)
- Take ferry from Miyajima-guchi to Miyajima
- Take lots of photos of the floating torii gate
- Walk through Itsukushima Shrine
- Hike up to Daisho-in Buddhist Temple
- Walk along the shopping streets for food and souvenirs
- Ferry + JR + Tram back to covered shopping arcade
- Dinner at Okonomi-mura to try two different restaurants
- Back to hotel
Day 79 – August 8, 2012
- Breakfast at Comfort Inn Otemachi, drop bags off
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- View Memorial Cenotaph around the Hiroshima Peace Park
- Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims (wow that’s a mouthful)
- The Statue of the A-Bomb Children
- A-Bomb Dome
- Pick up bags from Comfort Inn
- Tram to Hiroshima JR station
- JR to Osaka and then Tokyo
- Arrive in Tokyo around 7PM
- Cab to the Conrad Tokyo
- Executive Lounge for food
Day 80 – August 9, 2012
- Wake up at 3:45AM
- Find out we won’t be able to do the tuna auction. Wait in line at Daiwa restaurant.
- Restaurant opens at 5:30 and we have the best sushi we’ll ever have (except for maybe at Jiro’s hah)
- Sneak into the Seafood Intermediate Wholesaler’s Area before getting kicked out
- Go to the Conrad lounge for a bit more food
- Nap until 11AM
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Explore Akhirabara with curry lunch in the area
- Explore Harajuku – Daiso
- Dinner at a random Japanese-only restaurant right off of Omotesando Street
Day 81 – August 10, 2012
- Breakfast at the lounge
- Take JR from Shimbashi to Shinjuku
- Purchase Hakone Free Pass
- Take Odakyu train to Odawara and then transfer to Hakone-Yumoto
- Take Hakone Tozan Bus H to Hakone Machi-Ko Pier
- Ride the pirate ship cruise to the other side of Lake Ashi (Togendai-Ko)
- Take the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani
- Explore the geothermal valley
- Continue along the Hakone Ropeway + Hakone Tozan Cablecar to the Gora train station
- Take the Hakone Tozan Train back to Hakone–Yumoto station
- Run around the main street grabbing whatever food we can find
- Take the Hakone Tozan Bus K to the entrance of Tenzan Hot Springs
- Spend a good 1.5 hours at the hot springs before bussing back to the Hakone-Yumoto Station
- Upgrade our return ticket to the Romance Car
- Arrive in Shinjuku and take JR back to Shimbashi
- Find our way to the restaurant Uokin
- Walk back to the Conrad
Day 82 – August 11, 2012
- Breakfast at the lounge
- Pickup from the hotel to the World Trade Center Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal
- Start tour with Tokyo Tower
- Happo-en for traditional tea ceremony
- Chinzan-so garden for Japanese BBQ lunch at Mokushun-do
- Imperial Palace East Gardens front gate peek
- Sumida River Sightseeing Cruise from Hinode Pier to Asakusa
- Nakamise Street shopping
- Senso-ji Temple
- Ramen in little shop near Conrad
- Sulking in the lounge waiting for the fireworks
- Fireworks from the comfort of the wall just outside the Conrad bar on the main lobby
- Dinner at Shoutaien for more Japanese BBQ
Day 83 – August 12, 2012
- Breakfast at the Conrad Lounge
- JR to Shibuya
- Photos and shopping around Shibuya
- JR to Harajuku
- Meiji Shrine
- Walk around Takeshita Street in Harajuku
- JR to Shinjuku
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Subway to Roppongi Hills
- Dinner at Gonpachi
- Cab back to Conrad
Day 84 – August 13, 2012
- Wake up at 3AM
- Start lining up at 4AM
- Enter auction area at 5:40AM
- Walk back to the Conrad to nap
- Breakfast at the Conrad Lounge
- JR to Shinjuku
- Lunch at Go! Go! Curry!
- Subway to Ginza
- Shop around
- Dinner at Shabusen
- Subway back home
- Packing
Canada
Day 85 – August 14, 2012
- Farewell to Chantelle at the Conrad
- Breakfast at the Conrad lounge
- Explore Odaiba and more specifically Palette Town – Megaweb Toyota Exhibition Hall and VenusFort shopping center
- Head back to Conrad to pack and check out
- Take pre-arranged bus to Narita Airport
- AC4 5:40PM -> 10:15 AM (same day)
- <TIME WARP>
- Pick up BMW at Avis
- Check into Sheraton Vancouver Airport
- Bubble tea and waffles at Bubble Queen in Richmond
- Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
- Dinner at Fable Kitchen
- Gelato at Bella Gelateria
Day 86 – August 15, 2012
- Grouse Grind
- Explore Grouse Mountain while waiting for paragliding
- Paragliding cancelled
- Deep Cove
- Rent a paddle board for an hour
- Dinner with Jessica at a sushi restaurant
- Dessert at Sweet Revenge
USA
Day 87 – August 16, 2012
- Breakfast at Top Gun for dim sum
- Drive down towards Seattle
- Tulalip Premium Outlets
- Drive to downtown Seattle
- Park in a public lot
- Meet Chantelle at Crowne Plaza
- Explore around Pike Place Market
- Dinner at Mongolian Hot Pot
- Visit Yi’s place
Canada
Day 88 – August 17, 2012
- Check out of Crowne Plaza
- Visit Circuit City
- Lunch with Dany at Jade Garden
- Visit Amazon campus
- Drive back to Vancouver
- Spanish Banks for sunset
- Dinner at Suika with Kenny and Caleb
- Check into Hilton Vancouver Airport
Day 89 – August 18, 2012
- Check out of Hilton Vancouver Airport
- Return rental car
- YVR 7:00AM -> YEG 9:27AM, YEG 11:15AM-> YYZ 4:50PM
- Home!