The 2025 Travel Recap: Leaving More Footprints...

"I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."

(Adding a few more dots to my world map)

Some years pass quietly, marked by routine and familiar paths. 2025 was not one of them.

This was a year measured in border crossings and boarding passes, in early mornings and long drives, in whispered prayers and wide-open horizons. From Southeast Asia to Latin America, from the Mediterranean to East Asia, each journey added another layer to a year that felt both expansive and deeply personal.

Thailand was where the year felt grounded. The long drives, the roadside stops, the familiar green signboards, and the quiet rhythm of mosques and rest areas along the way reminded us that travel is not always about discovery, it is also about returning to familiar places.

Panama & Costa Rica in Central America surprised us with its rawness and balance. In Panama, the meeting of oceans and cultures reflected a country shaped by movement and trade. In Costa Rica, nature was unmistakably in charge.

Latin America carried weight, depth, and emotion. Mexico welcomed us with warmth, history, ancient civilizations coexisting with modern life. Cuba felt suspended in time, its streets echoing resilience, music, and quiet dignity despite hardship. Venezuela, perhaps the most moving of all, revealed strength behind tired facades. These were not easy destinations, but they were honest ones.

In Turkey, blended effortlessly, mosques, bazaars, call to prayer, and centuries of empire unfolded with elegance and gravity.

China was a lesson in contrasts. Ancient traditions standing firm beside relentless modernity. It was overwhelming at times, but unforgettable.

Java felt like a soft landing. There was something calming about the pace, the smiles, the shared faith, and the familiar warmth of Southeast Asia. It was a place that didn’t demand much, only presence.

Looking back, 2025 was not about collecting destinations. It was about walking different streets, listening to different stories, and returning each time with a little more gratitude. We traveled far, but the journey always led inward and the quiet joy of sharing these experiences together.

In the end, the greatest distance traveled is often the one that deepens the heart...