Designer Explorer

This is so I can look back on my first trip of a lifetime. Former fashion student, Interning in Los Angeles, working with pandas in China, then interning in Hong Kong. This is my journal of my attempt to never come back to Australia

[glass-muzzle]

“Give to thee and all ye be, sun, and rain, and calming sea.”

[agoodtravelerhasnofixedplans]

I pretend it’s a passion for travel, when actually it’s a passion for taking my life, turning it upside-down and shaking it until it resembles something completely different.

(via agoodtravelerhasnofixedplans)

[nebelzeit]

[chenstravelblog]

Travel Goals

[cheese24k]

Monkey teaches Human how to Crush Leaves

[yungdoctor-deactivated20191230]

this changed me

[chenstravelblog]

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the beautiful countryside on the way to Bi Feng Xia. There were mountain ranges with waterfalls and rivers, rice or tea fields with people out harvesting. Very picturesque. The cons of having an iPhone as opposed to an actual camera I suppose. 

I stayed in one of the many large houses, whose sole purpose was to house tourists. The sweet, little family stayed in one room on the bottom floor and the next three floors were for guests but mostly unoccupied. Breakfast was fruit, a milk carton and a sweet in the morning, and they would cook for the guests every night. I had lunch at the restaurant near the Base entrance. 

The family was so cute. I couldn't understand any of them but the grandma always went out to pick vegetables from the garden every day. I would see her on my way back from the pandas occasionally with a full basket on her back, which she would proudly show me. I was surprised when I walked past the son and his friend playing one day and they were able to have a short conversation with me in english! He had never talked to me before, but friends give you confidence. 

[chenstravelblog]

People's Park at Chengdu

[chenstravelblog]

YOOO! Ok so I finally decided to dedicate this day to uploading all the photos from ages ago. 

First up! Chengdu, China! Bottom pic is Nova Travellers Lodge where I stayed for a night before heading off to see the pandas! Hilarious little room, loved it. They had bikes for free hire (90yuan deposit in case ya break it) so I did a self exploratory tour of Chengdu. 

For the record, it is a bike-friendly city, but road rules are more like guidelines in this place. I learnt the hard way to go with the flow, rather than follow the signs. After getting tragically lost trying to find Jinli Ancient St, I ended up at the People's Park, a beautiful garden with various sitting areas, boat rides, and tea houses scattered throughout. Took my time meandering, though I didn't see the entire thing, it's huge!

Got lost on the way home, just in time to pack and meet the driver to take me to Bifenxia, Ya'an to see the pandas. All in all a wonderful first day.

[chenstravelblog]

Back In The City of Angels!

Unfortunately I lost all bothers for updating my China and HK pictures, it'll happen one day I'm sure. But in the meantime, I have arrived back in Los Angeles and this time with more to explore! WOOT WOOT.

Already I have booked trips to:

Palm Springs

San Diego with 3 of my Aussie friends in time for Comic Con (YESSSS)

[reblololo]

[tamburina-deactivated20220820]

My sister in the south of Chile. We are sitting at home next to the fireplace in our southern lake house when it suddenly began to pour uncontrollably. Had to rush into the lake to take this snapshot! - Camila Massu/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

[explicist-deactivated20131215]

i will never go without reblogging this. You’re a wonderful photographer! ^

[megseleven]

(qd)

[chenstravelblog]

I want to be a manager so I can encourage people

[chenstravelblog]

My poor unfortunate dead blog. You will slowly be updated with China and Hong Kong pics

[thecraziethewizard]

[chenstravelblog]

Tumblr but not Facebook.

[chenstravelblog]

FREAKING OUT OVER HONG KONG D:

[joonkitty]

[jasongrace]

[chenstravelblog]

It's been such a long time since I've updated

But I finally found a place that sells pies!!!

I kid you not, nowhere in this city does. Lots of mexican and international foods, but no pies (Wonder what country they originated in)

Anyway, I had to go to The Grove again to buy iphone plugs. (I’ve been using my room mates and she has the constant shits so not borrowing from her anymore)

Then I figured I’d just catch the 16 into Downtown to check out Santee Alley. The bus stopped a few blocks away from it so I thought I’d just walk the distance, and on my way I passed an alley I had passed many a time, yet never gone down it.

SO GLAD I DID. Santee Court is this gorgeous little inber square, mostly apartments, but its cute and colourful and I love it. Mostly because… Bronzed Aussie savoury pies shop!! I swear it must be the only place in LA for pies. And they’re big and filling too! Highly recommend it if you’re down that way with $6 to spare.