So while you are reading this, I will be on my way to Japan! Holy cow!
I can’t believe our crazy adventure is finally here! I feel like we have been talking about it for so long that it never quite seemed real.
Where we’re hoping to go in Vietnam! Photo credit: My friend Mary of The Kitchen Paper who recently spent 4 months in Vietnam
Remind me, what’s happening?
We are off to Asia for just over 9 weeks! October 16th through December 25th! We will be closing our computers, saying “see ya later” to work, and just having a great time!
Where are you going?
So far the agenda includes Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. But we don’t actually have anything booked after 4 nights in Phuket on November 3rd till we fly out of Singapore on Christmas Day. So we might alter our plans as we go!
Beautiful Thailand beaches are in our future. Photo credit: My friend Jane from In The Pink and Green who will also be guest blogging while I’m gone!
What all are you going to do?
Japan: We will be exploring mostly with my brother and sister-in-law who live there. I am super excited to finally visit them as they’ve already been there for over 2 years and this will be our first trip there. We’ll be checking out fancy restaurants in Tokyo, touring a fish market with my brother’s sushi chef friend, staying in a Buddhist monastery, visiting the snow monkeys, and even experiencing a special Halloween set up for the local Japanese children on the US Naval Base!
Thailand and Vietnam: There will be a lot beach time. We plan on getting SCUBA certified and hopefully seeing a lot of great marine life! There should also be a lot of hiking, exploring temples and landmarks, and getting to know the people and culture.
Singapore: This is where we’ll end our trip, so who knows how much we’ll want to do at that point. But I know a lot of good eating will be on the agenda!
Excited to see the snow monkeys in Japan! Photo credit: My brother, Marshall
Any goals for the trip?
Cooking: In every country, I want to take at least one cooking class! I hope to come back with lots of recipes and cooking tips.
Photography: I have no doubt there will be a lot of photo taking during this trip. I’m looking forward to improving my photos, both food and landscape, as much as possible while we’re traveling. (Hopefully I’ll get some great photos like these from my friends who have already been to Asia!)
Relax: I haven’t taken this much time off work or school since probably 8th grade! So I am really excited to just disconnect, read, explore, eat good food and enjoy life!
Food in Thailand. Photo credit: Marshall Hoffman
What about this blog?
Don’t fear! There should be plenty of updates along the way. I won’t have an actual computer (just an iPad with a mini keyboard) so there probably won’t be too many lengthy posts but I do plan on posting something at least every other week. Similar to when I’m living in Portland, the posts will mostly be food-related, likely describing all of the crazy eating experiences we are bound to have!
Also, I’ve got a few of my favorite Portland bloggers who will be guest blogging on Bakery Bingo! I am really excited to see what they are going to write and know you will love it!
Seriously, those waters near Phukhet look so clear! Photo credit: Jane of In The Pink and Green
How do I follow along?
As mentioned above, I’ll have some posts along the way. But for more frequent updates and photos, I’ll be posting to Instagram (I made sure I was going to have a phone with a data plan!). If you don’t already, follow me at @bakery_bingo. I’ve also got a fun hashtag to help you follow along: #MckAsia (thanks to Meredith for coming up with it!).
Keep the Portland weird and awesome for me while I’m gone! Xoxo
Canals of Bangkok. Photo credit: Marshall Hoffman
YAY! Have fun! I’m so excited for you!
Ahhhhhh! I can’t believe your trip is finally here 🙂 SAfe travels and post lots of instagrams! (And thanks for using my pictures, you guys will love thailand!)
Thanks for letting me use your gorgeous photos! Miss you already!
Miss you already!!!!!!
Sounds like a total blast! My hubby and I spent 5 weeks in Thailand last Fall/Winter and it was amazing. Some unsolicited recommendations: Overnight camping in Maya Bay (Sleep Aboard); Pantawan Cooking (Chiang Mai); Spend a few nights in Pai (we didn’t but regret it); Favorite hotel in Chiang Mai is called the 3Sis (nice, affordable, clean and centrally located–book in advance); koh lanta was our favorite island (and we went to quite a few!)…we splurged on lodging there at the Costa Lanta, but totally worth it; scuba and motorbike riding was also awesome on koh lanta; freedom bar in chiang mai was super fun/chill and we always met cool people on their balcony. For Tokyo, don’t miss the Golden Gai bars…they’re too cute for words. have a blast!!!
Thanks so much Brooke! I have written these all down in our list of recommendations! I am really hoping to make it up to Chiang Mai, especially as I hear the food is great. Thanks for the recommendations on places to stay and islands to visit. I’ll let you know where we end up. And yes, we went to the Golden Gai bars while we were in Tokyo – so small and quiant little places. We were a group of 6 and I was shocked how we were too many for most places!
Travel time is the best time to improve on photography and experiment. have a fantasic trip!
Thanks Jenni!
Have fun, and safe travels!
Thanks Bill!
Oh my gosh. do me a favor and eat everything in singapore. there is no better place on earth for all things edible!
oh, and word to the wise, if you find yourself with a hangover, there’s an isotonic soda called 100plus that works wonders.
Ha! I will definitely check it out! I have heard so many good things about the food in Singapore. It makes me even more excited!
WOW!!! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime!! Look forward to hearing about those cooking classes when you get back!
That’s the one country I REALLY want to go to. Have a blast for both of us.
Thank you Geoff! We will definitely have a great time!
Hello! I just stumbled onto your blog via Cartwhisperer’s. I will be following your adventures on instagram and wish you a fantastic sabbatical! my husband and i traveled for 3 months about 4 years ago now and it was the best experience of our life together, but it created an even bigger addiction to travel! 🙂
Thank you Maxine! Where did you travel to? It has been fun exploring Asia and making up plans as we go. So far so good!