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Another year has passed and a new one is ahead of us. The first day of this new, exciting year I have spent mostly in my sisters sofa, tired from yesterday’s celebration. It has given me time to think about the past year. 2007 was a great travel year for me although it seems like a long time ago now because most of my holidays were in the beginning of the year. Business trips which I have made mostly the second half of the year are somehow parts of a different category.

I started off with an 11 week holiday travelling around India and diving in Palau. Just to take 11 weeks off work is a treat in itself and adding a fantastic trip to that makes it even better. I have several times been asked if I like India and that is actually a tricky question to answer. I would be lying if I said I love the country, but I do like many things about it. It is not always relaxing to be there, not often at all actually. However I think it was worth going there and I would go there again at some point because it is a very fascinating place. The diving in Palau was a wonderful and relaxing end of the trip.

During the summer I travelled to Italy and spent a week driving around north Italy with mainly the purpose of eating and drinking well. That was not particularly difficult, it is hard to fail in Italy on that topic.

On top of these trips I have visited family around Sweden and made some business trips to Asia, including Taiwan, Japan and mainly Korea. As already mentioned I classify business trips somewhat differently than holiday trips. The main purpose is of course work and is therefore connected to other responsabilities and gives little time for sightseeing or other private activities. If that happens it is more of a bonus although I usually try to plan something else than work to get more out of the experience.

This coming year I have only one trip planned so far. In February I am going to Florida, Miami and Key West, and on a 10 day liveaboard (diving) to Cocos Island in the Pacific Ocean outside of Costa Rica. Of course I have many destinations in mind and am certain I will travel more later this year, exactly where is yet to be seen…

Happy New Years and travel safely!

This Saturday was a grey and boring day in Stockholm as I was heading out to Arlanda to catch the flight up to Luleå to see my sister and brother in law. I wasn’t in the greatest of moods, easily irritated and there was chaos in the departure hall at the airport. But as soon as the plane passed the layer of clouds and the sun came out all bad thoughts were but a memory. When I later walked out of the airport in Luleå it was cold and a bit of snow, real winter. Nice!

The flight is only about an hour which often gives me a more catching-the-bus-feeling than actually flying. But still, for me, there is something special about flying. It helps me clear my mind and focus on the important things.

And remember: no people in the enging! (click on the image to see the details)

In Sweden when children are taught languages the focus is on reading and writing. To be able to speak does not seem to be as important. Swedes are often afraid to say anything unless they are confident that what they are about to say is grammatically correct. And how often is it more important to speak perfectly than to just make yourself understood? Most people will only use their language skills on holidays and no one will be upset if mistakes are made. Usually people are just very happy that you try to speak their language. As I was on an Air France flight it became obvious when the swedish man who sat next to me was translating an article in a French newspaper to his wife but when he ordered beer he did that in English. ?? Why are we so afraid of saying or pronouncing something wrong? We never learn unless we try.

In the afternoon on Wednesday I got on the plane that would take me to Paris where I would transfer to get all the way to Korea. Beneath us, northern Europe was completely covered with thin flat clouds. It looked more like the snow on an early spring day in the northern parts of Sweden. As the sun was setting the clouds turned into a pink shade, almost a little shiny like they were actually made of ice. When the sun came closer to the horizon the pink colour spread over the cloud surface. Soon large parts of the floor underneath us were sparkling in pink which shifted into yellow and pale green at the horizon before turning into the clear blue sky. It all looked so peaceful and made me calm after a stressful morning.
Otherwise it seemed to be rush hour in the air above Europe. Underneath us, above us, next to us and in the horizon I saw many other air planes. Usually in a plane you don’t really think about how fast you are moving. It becomes very obvious though when you meet another plane in the air, it passes by very quickly.
And for those who were wondering, Korean Air was good. Very good entertainment system and nice food (bibimbap of course).

I knew it! To be able to enjoy Christmas decoration like this you have to leave Sweden. The States and Asia are champions at lighting anything just because of the holidays. I especially like the enormous Christmas tree in combination with the palm trees. 🙂 I find it fascinating that someone actually came up with these things. In the States my favourite activity this time of year is to drive around the residential areas in search of the craziest decoration. In Sweden this would immediately start a debate about the very hot topic environment friendliness…

Happy holidays!

Tomorrow it is time to go to Korea again. When I travel with work it is not uncommon that the trip gets delayed, changed or cancelled in the last minute. This time is not an exception. I should have left the past Sunday but am leaving tomorrow instead. Should have returned this Sunday but will return 22 Dec. Even the airline was changed and I am going to fly Korean Air for the first time. Exciting…
Often private arrangements are affected by travel changes, usually to the worse but this time I get a full weekend in Seoul which is a treat! I did have to pass on a Christmas concert but I am hoping for an abundance of Christmas music in Korea instead (I am very certain I will not be disappointed!). I am eager to see how the Koreans are preparing for the holidays. Christianty is as common as buddhism in Korea so I expect Christmas to be widely celebrated (the commercial side of it is often quickly adapted..).