2025: Land of the Dragon

2025 Land of the Dragon

Having completed three big Asian adventures in little more than 12 months, we decided that we needed a 12 month break from long haul flying and needed a more chilled out holiday in the meantime. So, in April we headed off to our favourite hotel in Fuengirola. Although we had a good time, I think we had been there a little too often in the last few years as it seemed like it had lost its “wow factor”. That was not helped by the fact that we had problems with the room in the hotel, and although they upgraded us eventually to the royal suite at the hotel, it was too big for the two of us and ironically had the worst balcony view in the entire hotel. Neither of us were in the best of health for that holiday either, so we often got a taxi to places to preserve energy.

in between holidays this year, I finally got to see Liverpool win the Premier League after almost 35 years of having a season ticket. Liverpool won it in 2020, but due to Covid, spectators were not allowed for the crowning moment. This time I was there to see that crowning moment with a fantastic 5-1 win over Tottenham, and the crowds outside the ground, captured on the photos attached, was something I have never seen in my life, even if it was a bit scary at times due to the crowds being so intense. I also got to be there when they were given the trophy several weeks later, so I had two chances to celebrate.

After the “so so” holiday in Fuengirola we decided it was time to adventure again to the Far East. With Japan and Korea having been amongst our recent successes, it felt like China was the natural country to choose, particularly as a new rule meant that we could now go visa free for 10 days, if we travelled back home via another country, and we knew we could get the train to Hong Kong which we also loved recently, so it gave us the chance to relive some of the things we loved about Hong Kong too. The holiday was brilliant and exhausting in equal measures, and I will write some blogs in the months and years ahead as I keep updating this website, detailing some of the difficulties, but they were virtually all logistical combined with carrying our luggage around, security, noise, language barriers and finding it hard to get suitable food options, it all meant that it was the most challenging holiday we have ever accomplished. However, accomplish it we did and the activities we undertook were as good as anything in Japan or Korea, it’s just that it was much harder work to achieve it. The highlight unquestionably from this holiday, and perhaps indeed from any other holiday, was the trip to the Great Wall of China. The decision to get there extra early with our own driver was one of the best I have ever made. It was quiet, the views were magnificent, the weather was perfect and it was one of those rare days in life where reality matched the dream.