Places We’ve Been
- Antarctica - Dec 2013
- Iceland - Oct 2013
- Central America - Jun 2013
- La Hispaniola - Jan 2013
- Ukraine, Poland, Germany - Dec 2012
- Iran, Germany, Austria, Switzerland - Apr 2012
- Spain, Morocco, Gibraltar, Portugal - Jan 2013
- Guatemala & Belize - Nov 2011
- Grand Asia Tour - Jun-Aug 2011
- Peru & Colombia - Nov 2011
- India & Southeast Asia - Jun-Aug 2010
- Egypt - Dec 2009
The entire trip:
Antarctica proper:Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Montevideo, Uruguay | December 9, 2013 |
2 | Colonia, Uruguay | December 10, 2013 |
3 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | December 10, 2013 |
4 | Ushuaia, Argentina | December 12, 2013 |
5 | The Drake Passage, | December 14, 2013 |
6 | Lemaire Channel, Antarctica | December 16, 2013 |
7 | Paradise Harbor, Antarctica | December 17, 2013 |
8 | Neko Harbor, Antarctica | December 18, 2013 |
9 | Deception Island, Antarctica | December 19, 2013 |
10 | El Calafate, Argentina | December 23, 2013 |
11 | Torres del Paine, Chile | December 23, 2013 |
12 | El Perito Moreno, Argentina | December 24, 2013 |
13 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | December 25, 2013 |
14 | Madrid, Spain | December 26, 2013 |
15 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | December 27, 2013 |
16 | Lahore, Pakistan | December 28, 2013 |
17 | Hyderabad, Pakistan | January 1, 2014 |
18 | Karachi, Pakistan | January 2, 2014 |
19 | Lahore, Pakistan | January 4, 2014 |
20 | Manama, Bahrain | January 6, 2014 |
Remarks: “This was such an amazing trip and I’m so glad that we had a perfect mix of new friends that came together that made it so fun and memorable. Definitely surreal and felt like a dream with TONS of photos and videos.” – Simon Lu “Thanks to everyone part of the Monsoon Diaries/YPT Antarctica trip for making the experience even more memorable and fun. Keep striving!” – Grace An “It’s the most epic trip I’ve ever taken.” – Tabitha Shook “Special thanks to The Monsoon Diaries and Young Pioneer Tours for making this the trip of a lifetime!” – Tabitha Shook “My trip was amazing. What an incredible end to the year with an expedition to Antarctica and a floating party. Can’t imagine a more perfect mix of friends to experience Antarctica with.” – Scott Frazier “…an epic trip to Antarctica.” – Vineet Devaiah “We had wonderful days in Antarctica with lovely and stinky penguins.” – Arti B “Ice and penguins and more ice and snow and glaciers and a perfect honeymoon.” – Dennis “Unforgettable trip to the white desert!” – Joreen Tay “Antarctica is met stip binnen gekomen als de indrukwekkendste ervaring tot nu toe.” – Esther Wisse “Have safely returned from the most remote place on earth with Young Pioneer Tours and the Monsoon Diaries — feeling great.” – Alex Hardy “…an amazing Antarctican adventure!” – Patrick Le Quere
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Reykjavik, Iceland | October 31, 2013 |
2 | Jokusarlon, Iceland | November 1, 2013 |
3 | Gullfoss, Iceland | November 2, 2013 |
4 | Blue Lagoon, Iceland | November 3, 2013 |
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | San Pedro Sula, Honduras | June 22, 2013 |
2 | Copan Ruinas, Honduras | June 22, 2013 |
3 | Tegucigalpa, Honduras | June 23, 2013 |
4 | Managua, Nicaragua | June 24, 2013 |
5 | Granada, Nicaragua | June 24, 2013 |
6 | Rivas, Nicaragua | June 25, 2013 |
7 | Pena Blancas, Costa Rica | June 25, 2013 |
8 | San Jose, Costa Rica | June 25, 2013 |
9 | Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica | June 26, 2013 |
10 | Quepos, Costa Rica | June 27, 2013 |
11 | Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica | June 28, 2013 |
12 | Paso Canoas, Panama | June 29, 2013 |
13 | Panama City, Panama | June 29, 2013 |
Monsooners: Angela “Ah-Choo-eey!” Chen, Jun “Be Water My Friend” Wakabayashi, George “Bannne” Mu, Matt Chen, Kym “Stars & Sunrises” Pham, Erick “Ooh-rah!” Capulong, Bill “Smoothie King/Slim Shady” Zou
Remarks: “Thank you for planning an amazing trip to Central America – it was an awesome experience! . . . I look forward to traveling with you again, perhaps when you go back to India!” – Bill Zou
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | New York City, USA | December 31, 2012 |
2 | Port-au-Prince, Haiti | January 1, 2013 |
3 | Cap-Haitien, Haiti | January 2, 2013 |
4 | Milot, Haiti | January 4, 2013 |
5 | Ouanaminthe, Haiti | January 5, 2013 |
6 | Dajabon, Dominican Republic | January 5, 2013 |
7 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | January 5, 2013 |
8 | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | January 6, 2013 |
Monsooners: Reny Pascual, Jackie “The Artist” Ho, Ben Tso, Sam Wong
Remarks: “Thanks for the great trip as well. Tell everyone it was great meeting them!” – Sam Wong
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Odessa, Ukraine | December 26, 2012 |
2 | Pervomaysk, Ukraine | December 27, 2012 |
3 | Kiev, Ukraine | December 27, 2012 |
4 | Pripyat, Ukraine | December 28, 2012 |
5 | Lviv, Ukraine | December 29, 2012 |
6 | Medyka, Poland | December 29, 2012 |
7 | Krakow, Poland | December 30, 2012 |
8 | Auschwitz, Poland | December 30, 2012 |
9 | Warsaw, Poland | December 31, 2012 |
10 | Frankfurt, Germany | December 31, 2012 |
11 | New York City, USA | December 31, 2012 |
Monsooners: Mandy Cheuk, Cynthia “The Veteran” Koo, Kai Tan, Carolyn Hou, Ying Zhu, Andrew “Hot Wheels” Chang, Simon Lu, Olgi Qendro, Ry “Shredder” Willie, Jan Elma “Green Lights” Ferrer, Jennifer “Crime Scene” Le, Ruchika “Sangria” Sangani, Alana Tung, Krystle Jiang, Maria “DREAMer” Villa, Gareth “The Guvnor” Johnson
Remarks: “I wanted to thank everyone for sharing this experience with me. Calvin reminded me the night of Ruchika’s birthday that NO ONE, not even my future husband, will ever understand or have shared the moments I shared with you all — my first trip outside of the U.S.A. and discovering myself through backpacking.
I’m so blessed to have met each and every one of you. I made a comment to some of you that it’s amazing how 17 different personalities managed to get along; there was not one person on this trip that I did not enjoy spending time with.
Continue to travel the world, get to know yourselves even more, and thank you for sharing your stories with me and allowing me to share parts of myself with you too. You ladies and gents are beautiful people!” – Maria Villa
“I just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to travel with you all. It was a trip in every sense of the word, and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to share the unique experience with such a diverse group.
I hope that our paths cross again whether it be a visit to each others’ home cities or serendipitously abroad. If you are ever in the Southern California area, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or give me a ring.
Lastly, here is a quote that I wanted to recite over a toast at our last dinner in Krakow (thanks again, Calvin!) since I thought it fit our adventure well, but I did not want to butcher it:
‘The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.’ – G. K. Chesterton” – Jan Ferrer
“It was a blast! Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts, along with your hand warmers and beers. It’s been a serious pleasure getting to know all of you and I’m humbled by all of your experiences and stories. . . .
And finally, Calvin, thank you thank you thank you for leading by example. I’m sure our paths will cross many times again.” – Carolyn Hou
“[Since my first trip with The Monsoon Diaries], I’ve been to more places in the last year than I have been in my entire life. And in another seven days, I will board a plane for my fourth Monsoon in the last year, this time to Eastern Europe, as a third-time veteran of The Monsoon Diaries’ family—and with newly granted co-blogging privileges . . . click for more at ‘Why I Move'” – Cynthia Koo
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Dusseldorf, Germany | April 6, 2012 |
2 | Vienna, Austria | April 6, 2012 |
3 | Tehran, Iran | April 7, 2012 |
4 | Shiraz, Iran | April 8, 2012 |
5 | Persepolis, Iran | April 9, 2012 |
6 | Yazd, Iran | April 10, 2012 |
7 | Isfahan, Iran | April 11, 2012 |
8 | Tehran, Iran | April 14, 2012 |
9 | Frankfurt, Germany | April 14, 2012 |
10 | Geneva, Switzerland | April 14, 2012 |
11 | Berne, Switzerland | April 15, 2012 |
Monsooners: Sonny “The Romantic” Tieu, Gai Olivaires, Andrew “The German” Chu, Evan “The Interpreter” Jones, Anna Wong, Jade Shyu, Nina “Weapon of Mass Destruction” Yang, Cynthia “Why I Move” Koo, Gareth “The Guvnor” Johnson
Remarks: “Sorry for this late response but never really had the courage to thank you for the organizing and planning our Iran trip. I grew and learn a lot about myself because of everyone on that trip. I meant what I said about you inspiring me as a human being. I should have done things that I only love to do and to take action in accomplishing my dreams and and love of life.
Words really don’t teach but it was you being an example that help me realize it. I know you would be an amazing doctor and traveler. I really don’t know how you do it as a world traveler and a Med student at Columbia, but now I know for sure there is no excuse and anything is possible if you have the passion and the love and it is thanks to you.” – Anonymous
“Traveling to Iran with Calvin and the Monsooners was such an amazing, insightful adventure. I met friends and explored places that I’ll remember for a lifetime.” – Jade Shyu
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Barcelona, Spain | December 23, 2011 |
2 | Madrid, Spain | December 25, 2011 |
3 | Granada, Spain | December 27, 2011 |
4 | Cordoba, Spain | December 27, 2011 |
5 | Seville, Spain | December 28, 2011 |
6 | Gibraltar, Gibraltar | December 29, 2011 |
7 | Algeciras, Spain | December 29, 2011 |
8 | Tangiers, Morocco | December 29, 2011 |
9 | Kenitra, Morocco | December 29, 2011 |
10 | Fez, Morocco | December 30, 2011 |
11 | Marrakesh, Morocco | December 31, 2011 |
12 | Lisbon, Portugal | January 2, 2012 |
Monsooners: June “Mamabear” Kao, Jane “In the Zone” Yee, Go Yang “Artistry in Motion” Park, Calvin “Baby Calvin” Lin, Melissa “Dora the Explorer” Le, Seulbee “The Badass” Lee, Yiru “The Other Badass” Li
Remarks: “You toughened us up man.” – Calvin Lin
“Thanks for doing all the planning, teaching us all the survival tips and being a fun and reliable leader for all of us. I got a lot out of this trip.” – Seulbee Lee
“Thanks for the awesome trip. I came out poorer in the wallet but richer as a person.” – Jane Yee
“[Remembering] this, after only a few days of home life, brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for a life changing experience. The highs and lows of the last two weeks are the reason why it the best two weeks of my life.” – Melissa Le
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Miami, United States | November 23, 2011 |
2 | Guatemala City, Guatemala | November 24, 2011 |
3 | Panajachel, Guatemala | November 24, 2011 |
4 | Antigua, Guatemala | November 25, 2011 |
5 | Flores, Guatemala | November 26, 2011 |
6 | Tikal, Guatemala | November 26, 2011 |
7 | Belize City, Belize | November 27, 2011 |
8 | Ambergris Caye, Belize | November 27, 2011 |
Monsooners: Anna Wong, Cynthia “The Newbie” Koo, Maria “The Translator” Funes
Remarks: “You are all around one of the most inspiring individuals I’ve had the opportunity to meet. Thanks again for such a great trip.” – Maria Funes
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Istanbul, Turkey | June 11, 2011 |
2 | Goreme, Turkey | June 12, 2011 |
3 | Beirut, Lebanon | June 17, 2011 |
4 | Baalbek, Lebanon | June 18, 2011 |
5 | Amman, Jordan | June 19, 2011 |
6 | Petra, Jordan | June 20, 2011 |
7 | Dubai, UAE | June 22, 2011 |
8 | Kathmandu, Nepal | June 23, 2011 |
9 | Pokhara, Nepal | June 25, 2011 |
10 | Delhi, India | June 30, 2011 |
11 | Srinagar, India | July 1, 2011 |
12 | Kargil, India | July 3, 2011 |
13 | Drass, India | July 3, 2011 |
14 | Leh, India | July 4, 2011 |
15 | Jammu, India | July 7, 2011 |
16 | Pathankot, India | July 7, 2011 |
17 | Dharamsala, India | July 7, 2011 |
18 | Jodhpur, India | July 9, 2011 |
19 | Jaisalmer, India | July 10, 2011 |
20 | Jaipur, India | July 13, 2011 |
21 | Mumbai, India | July 14, 2011 |
22 | Madurai, India | July 18, 2011 |
23 | Pondicherry, India | July 19, 2011 |
24 | Auroville, India | July 19, 2011 |
25 | Chennai, India | July 20, 2011 |
26 | Colombo, Sri Lanka | July 20, 2011 |
27 | Kandy, Sri Lanka | July 22, 2011 |
28 | Dambulla, Sri Lanka | July 23, 2011 |
29 | Sigiriya, Sri Lanka | July 23, 2011 |
30 | Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka | July 23, 2011 |
31 | Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka | July 24, 2011 |
32 | Dhaka, Bangladesh | July 26, 2011 |
33 | Sonargaon, Bangladesh | July 28, 2011 |
34 | Yangon, Myanmar | July 29, 2011 |
35 | Bagan, Myanmar | July 30, 2011 |
36 | Mandalay, Myanmar | August 1, 2011 |
37 | Inle Lake, Myanmar | August 2, 2011 |
38 | Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar | August 4, 2011 |
39 | Beijing, China | August 6, 2011 |
40 | Pyongyang, North Korea | August 8, 2011 |
41 | Kaesong, North Korea | August 10, 2011 |
42 | Panmunjom, North Korea | August 11, 2011 |
43 | Pyongyang, North Korea | August 12, 2011 |
44 | Beijing, China | August 13, 2011 |
45 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | August 15, 2011 |
Monsooners: Stephanie “Boulderer” Quan (Turkey-Myanmar), Sonya Chandra (Turkey), Joyce Wong (India), Anya Tomkiewicz (India), Karen Wong (India), An Wang (China, North Korea)
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | San Salvador, El Salvador | March 26, 2011 |
2 | Lima, Peru | March 26, 2011 |
3 | Cuzco, Peru | March 27, 2011 |
4 | Ollantaytambo, Peru | March 27, 2011 |
5 | Aguas Calientes, Peru | March 27, 2011 |
6 | Machu Picchu, Peru | March 28, 2011 |
7 | Bogota, Colombia | March 30, 2011 |
8 | Cartagena, Colombia | March 31, 2011 |
Monsooners: Kseniya Khamara, Hilda Poulson (Colombia)
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Manila, Philippines | June 1, 2010 |
2 | Banaue, Philippines | June 4, 2010 |
3 | Tagaytay, Philippines | June 6, 2010 |
4 | Hanoi, Vietnam | June 7, 2010 |
5 | Halong Bay, Vietnam | June 9, 2010 |
6 | Hué, Vietnam | June 10, 2010 |
7 | Hoi An, Vietnam | June 11, 2010 |
8 | Saigon, Vietnam | June 13, 2010 |
9 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | June 15, 2010 |
10 | Siemreap, Cambodia | June 17, 2010 |
11 | Vientiane, Laos | June 20, 2010 |
12 | Luang Prabang, Laos | June 21, 2010 |
13 | Chiang Mai, Thailand | June 23, 2010 |
14 | Mae Sot, Thailand | June 24, 2010 |
15 | Myawaddy, Myanmar | June 25, 2010 |
16 | Bangkok, Thailand | June 26, 2010 |
17 | Penang, Malaysia | June 27, 2010 |
18 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | June 28, 2010 |
19 | Denpensar, Indonesia | June 30, 2010 |
20 | Taipei, Taiwan | July 4, 2010 |
21 | Surabaya, Indonesia | July 5, 2010 |
22 | Gunung Bromo, Indonesia | July 5, 2010 |
23 | Yogyakarta, Indonesia | July 6, 2010 |
24 | Jakarta, Indonesia | July 8, 2010 |
25 | Singapore, Singapore | July 9, 2010 |
26 | Calcutta, India | July 11, 2010 |
27 | Varanasi, India | July 13, 2010 |
28 | Amritsar, India | July 15, 2010 |
29 | Jaipur, India | July 16, 2010 |
30 | Jodhpur, India | July 18, 2010 |
31 | Udaipur, India | July 19, 2010 |
32 | Mumbai, India | July 21, 2010 |
33 | Hyderabad, India | July 26, 2010 |
34 | Hampi, India | July 29, 2010 |
35 | Goa, India | July 31, 2010 |
36 | Bangalore, India | August 4, 2010 |
37 | Mysore, India | August 5, 2010 |
38 | Chennai, India | August 6, 2010 |
39 | Mamallapuram, India | August 7, 2010 |
40 | Singapore, Singapore | August 9, 2010 |
Monsooners: Annah Kim (The Philippines – Indonesia), Corinne Fukuyama (The Philippines, Vietnam), Caitlin Halpern (Laos – Indonesa)
Destination | Arrival | |
---|---|---|
1 | Giza, Egypt | December 28, 2009 |
2 | Alexandria, Egypt | January 3, 2010 |
3 | Luxor, Egypt | January 5, 2010 |
4 | Cairo, Egypt | January 6, 2010 |