Each month of 2022 brought unique experiences, filled with journeys across four continents and reconnecting with friends. I've enjoyed revisiting the life I built over a decade, and here's a look back at my favorite travels from the year!

I began and wrapped up the year in my top two destinations—Buenos Aires and Chiang Mai, two cities that are worlds apart.

In the spring, I returned to the States, spending March with my parents while crafting a bed in my dad's workshop. He specializes in 18th-century furniture, and I've collaborated on several projects with him. After that, I embarked on road trips to Ocracoke Island, then to Austin and Marfa.

During summer, I traveled between Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeast for work. September was a highlight as I cruised the Mediterranean on the historic Sea Cloud, a four-mast sailboat, earning a living while teaching photography across Europe. I often think about my 2011 self, making barely $20-30K a year in retail, and how proud she'd be of this journey.

As work opportunities flooded back after the pandemic, I faced burnout by October. I spent that month exploring Italy, first with a friend and then solo. Unfortunately, I caught tonsillitis followed by COVID. After recuperating at a cozy Airbnb in Lecce, I felt ready to return to Asia.

Having spent much of my life straddling the U.S. and Asia, I've long known that Thailand feels like home. With my newfound career flexibility, I can finally spend more time in the places I love—Buenos Aires and Chiang Mai. Be sure to check out my piece in the news about Buenos Aires!

Here are some of my favorite adventures from this year!

Marfa, Texas

El Cosmico, a unique campground in Marfa, Texas, features various interesting accommodations, including this '49 Mansion.

Marfa is unlike any other place. This quirky town in West Texas, once a railroad stop and military base, became an arts hub thanks to minimalist artist Donald Judd in the 1970s. This spring, I wrote about Marfa for the news and explored its dive bars, with Casita Bar being the top pick. This was my third visit, a six-hour drive from Austin. (TIP: Use backroads instead of I-10 for a more enjoyable journey.) This image was captured at El Cosmico, a bohemian campground where vintage airstream trailers can be rented.

Ocracoke, North Carolina

Portsmouth was a prominent settlement in the Outer Banks during the 1770s, with its last residents leaving in the early 1970s.

Bodie State Historic Park is nearby. Ocracoke is among my favorite U.S. beaches and deserves more than just a day trip. If I ever write a novel, this will be my retreat. (Read my news article about Ocracoke!)

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

In May, I journeyed by boat from Seattle to Sitka, Alaska for work. We stopped in Haida Gwaii, an archipelago in British Columbia renowned for its unique wildlife. It's also home to the UNESCO site SGang Gwaay, a 19th-century village and memorial poles. Despite facing challenging weather and rough seas, I managed to capture stunning photos, including one of a flying bald eagle. A sudden disturbance scared the eagle away, but I captured the moment just in time.

Bend, Oregon

The Tam McAruthur Rim Trail in the Three Sisters Wilderness, Bend, Oregon.

Two friends spent the pandemic on an RV journey across the country, ultimately falling in love with Bend and trading their RV for a home. I had to visit to discover the excitement—Bend is a year-round hub for adventure and craft beer. I spent two weeks hiking and enjoying local brews daily. Naturally, I wrote about it for the news! This image is from one of my favorite hikes on the Tam McArthur Rim Trail.

A Gnome in Rome

My first visit to Rome in college was a blur of history and delicious food. In late October, I returned for five days with a friend and was delighted by the city's charm. I felt I could easily live in Rome, with its walkable streets and ancient ruins. I took Alfred the Globetrotting Gnome on a grand tour of the main attractions—the Coliseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, capturing him at each site. The Coliseum shot turned out to be my favorite.

Puglia, Italy

October was spent primarily in Italy, especially Puglia, known for its unique conical stone houses called trulli. The town of Alberobello, a UNESCO site, boasts over 1,500 of these structures. I highly recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset to avoid crowds.

Delos, Greece

Exploring the ancient ruins of Delos.

In September, I worked on the Sea Cloud, a renowned four-mast sailboat in the Mediterranean. It was a dream experience—our journey included stops in the Greek Isles, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy. Delos was a favorite, with its ancient ruins and even a cat population. Stray sheep wandered by, and I followed them for a captivating shot. Delos is a must-see and easily accessible from Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany.

Besides ruins, castles fascinate me, which is why I visited Neuschwanstein during a two-day layover in Munich. I despise guided tours, so I opted for public transport, which involved two trains, a bus, and a shuttle to reach the castle! Since it draws large crowds, tickets for tours were sold out. Instead, I hiked the trails above the castle for stunning views and met some new friends along the way. I didn't mind missing the indoor tour because photography isn't allowed inside.