What an incredible travel year 2025 has been! As the year closes, I'm logging the final numbers: 36 flights, over 130,000 km traversed, and 11 countries explored. More than the metrics, this year was packed with epic trips, valuable reunions, and opportunities for unique discovery. I'm really proud of how much I managed to fit in!
Below are some of the key experiences and moments that stood out:
February: Flying Towards Qantas Platinum Status
At the start of this year, I took advantage of Qantas' double status credit promotion and booked return flight between Melbourne and Auckland via Brisbane to boost my status credits.
I was booked on Qantas B737 flights on all sectors at first, which is nothing to write home about. Fortunately, Qantas cancelled one of my flights and they rerouted me onto a China Airlines A350. I really looked forward to this flight, as it was basically an upgrade from a mediocre armchair regional service to a fantastic lie-flat seat long-haul international service. The experience definitely exceeded my expectations. The cabin was tastefully designed, the lie-flat seat was comfortable, the wine and dine was outstanding, and the crew was genuinely friendly and attentive. It was truly delightful to travel across the Tasman on this product!
Cherry on top, I finally reached Qanats Platinum status after this journey, which unlocks the top-tier benefits of Oneworld Alliance. This had definitely set the awesome tone for the travel plans for the rest of the year.
March: Remote Working in Kyoto, Japan
It has almost been a decade since I visited kyoto, and I really wanted to immerse myself in this historical city for an extended period of time. As a result, I decided to spend two weeks working remotely from this old capital of Japan.
During my stay, I structured my day to start and finish work 2 hours early, which aligns with the work hours in Melbourne. On most work days, I indulged myself with a 7-11 breakfast to kick off the day. Convenience stores in Japan are truly convenient. They have all kind of items in store, from freshly steamed pork buns, Kilimanjaro blend coffee, to umbrellas and different amenities. Most importantly, the 7-11 is connected to the lobby of the hotel I was staying in.
While waking up early was a challenge, the reward was having entire afternoons free for exploration. It was a bliss travelling in Japan. Getting around in the city, and to neighbouring cities, is very convenient. And there are so much to offer, from getting lost in metropolitan fast-paced downtown, to finding your inner peace by slowing down in the gardens and temples. I managed to visit iconic temples like Kinkaku-ji and got to enjoy some delicious matcha in Uji, the home of matcha.
I also packed in a quick day trip to Tokyo to catch up with my friends. We had such a good time that I almost missed the last Shinkansen back to Kyoto! Legend has it I'm still panting till this day.
May: Weekend Getaway In Singapore
I was excited for this weekend trip to the Lion City, as I ended up staying at the hospital during my stay in Singapore a decade ago. This time, I was ready for a proper experience!
This time I was able to select a seat in the Qantas A380 Premium Economy cabin for the flight to Singapore at no extra cost with my economy ticket, thanks to the rare aircraft upgrade from A330s. With a wider seat and better recline, it really made the long-haul feel truly restful.
I have always thought Singapore is a wonder in Asia. It has great infrastructure, social system, strong economy, yet it is only a tiny dot on the map. Upon arrival, I was amazed by the waterfall in Changi Jewel at the airport-and so amazed that I totally forgot how hot the weather was at Singapore! I also visited a few instagrammable spots, such as the Merlion statue and Gardens By The Bay. I was particularly impressed by the Jurassic Park themed Cloud Forest, where I felt fully immersed in the world of dinosaurs.
I also sampled a few local delicacies, such as Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, Kaya Toast at Killiney Kopitiam and Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Speaking from an Asian, I quite enjoyed most of the food I have tried as they were very flavourful, and I highly recommend to try more local Singaporean cuisine, especially when you could handle your spice well.
The trip eventually rounded up with a great lounge crawl in Singapore Changi airport before my flight home, which I visited four great business and first lounges. If you haven't read my reviews, you could find them here.
August: Africa, Safari, and a Riyadh Stopover
August marked the incredible milestone of visiting Africa for the first time. Sharing this experience with my parents made it even more unforgettable. We started in Cape Town, enjoying the amazing hospitality, sweeping views from the top of Table Mountain, delicious food, and local wines.
The main event was the safari in Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Spotting all of the Big Five and seeing the Great Migration was absolutely thrilling. We had some incredible animal encounters: watching an entire elephant family pass by us, with the baby staying closely protected, and seeing hyenas running freely across the golden field during sunrise in the Ngorongoro Crater. Staying in tents with the sounds of the wild nearby was an experience that felt truly connected to nature.
On the way home, I had a quick stopover in Riyadh, to visit a local friend of mine. Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the vast size of the city—everything, from the airport to the malls, felt expansive. We visited the National Museum to understand more about the country, but we actually spent most of the time catching up over Australian and Arabic coffees XD It felt great to reconnect after two years and I look forward to spend a few more days in Saudi Arabia next time!
October: England and Scotland
I visit the UK regularly to see friends, and this trip focused purely on quality time. My stays in London and Manchester included classic catch-ups, trekking and, who would have thought, a few competitive rounds of mahjong. In Manchester, we also enjoyed a Sunday roast at The Black Friar, served with a side of roasting in Cantonese. What a great moment!
I also spent a few days exploring Edinburgh. I managed to conquer the Arthur's Seat, which offered magnificent views up at the peak. I must say the strong wind at the top nearly blew me off my feet! Then, I went on a day trip to the Highlands. It was equally beautiful up north, especially the famous Queen's View. I finished the day trip with a visit to Dewar's distillery for a Scotch tasting. Such a warm, delicious way to sum up the Scottish journey.
What's Next? Looking Ahead to 2026! 🌎
As 2025 concludes, I'm already looking forward to the next set of adventures—and they are shaping up to be huge! March is kicking off with a deep dive into South America: eating my way through the culinary capital of Lima, conquering Machu Picchu in Peru, and witnessing the stunning expanse of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, known as the "mirror of the sky." I'm excited to fly Qantas's B787 Premium Economy for the first time on this trip. In May, I'm heading to Central and Southeast Europe to explore Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia, which will feature a major personal travel milestone: my very first flight in Emirates First Class—stay tuned for that review! Finally, November brings me back to the South America for Argentina and Brazil, where the itinerary is focused on the vibrant culture of Buenos Aires and the wonder of the Iguazu Falls. For the flight segments, I plan to sample South African Airways' A330 Business Class and Air Canada’s fifth-freedom route in Premium Economy.
Thank you for following along on this journey. May your year ahead be filled with as much excitement, connection, and discovery as mine was! Happy New Year, and see you in the sky!
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