Travel,Travel Stories

28 of My Favorite Travel Experiences: Part 1

Sheena Loves Sunsets Travel Experiences

Would you believe it; I’m turning 28 in a few days! That’s so crazy because in my head I’m forever 23, you know? Haha! But God has been so good to me and these past 28 years have been more than what I deserve. As I was thinking about what to write about for my “birthday post”, I looked back on my life and can’t help but thank God for allowing me to see and experience so many wonderful things.

So I want to share with you guys some of my favorite travel experiences so far! And because a list of 28 things might be too long for one post, I broke it down into 2 parts. Here’s part 1 in a list of 28 and by God’s grace, hopefully a thousand and twenty eight more to come!

Blueberry 1 SheenaLovesSunsets.com

1. Blueberry Picking in Canada

Coincidentally, blueberry picking in BC is exactly what I did on my birthday 3 years ago! Nothing like the simple life. Mor and I picked blueberries late in the afternoon all the way til’ around 6:30pm but we hardly noticed because the sun wasn’t too hot and the air was cool. Plus, the sun didn’t set until 9:30pm! I love summers in British Columbia!

Read more about our blueberry picking experience here!

Alaska Mendenhall Glacier

2. Fulfilling my childhood dream of visiting Alaska

Alaska was my dream destination when I was only a few years old because I imagined it to be full of ice and polar bears. In reality, Alaska wasn’t like that at all (haha!) but it meant so much to me to be able to fulfill one of my goals as a child.

And of course it was extra special because this was our honeymoon destination!

Fenghuang 0-min

3. Backpacking through Fenghuang in China

Did this when I was completing a study program in China. My first experience backpacking and it was crazy! We had no bookings, no itinerary and no plans; just a train ticket for a 15-hour ride to Fenghuang! But the place was gorgeous! It was like being transported to ancient China.

Duomo Rooftops Milan

4. Visiting the Duomo’s rooftops in Milan

I’m so glad I read about this online because otherwise, I wouldn’t have known that it was possible to go straight up to the Duomo’s rooftops! The view and the rooftops themselves were jawdropping! It was raining when we went so it was hard to take good photos (and we were extra cautious since it was slippery) but I’m sure on a sunny day it would be perfect!

Taj Mahal India Sheena Loves Sunsets

5. Visiting India with my family

India used to be at the top of my bucket list so when my dad asked if we wanted to go with him there, I said yes in a heartbeat! We decided to visit India after my mom passed away, I guess in a way, to heal together as a family.

I wish we could’ve gone there with my mom (I’m sure she would’ve loved to see the Taj Mahal), but I’m not complaining because I know she’s happier where she is with Jesus. :)

Hillsong 1 SheenaLovesSunsets.com

6. Attending Sunday Service at Hillsong London

Mor and I try to attend Sunday worship services whenever we travel abroad. This particular time, we visited one of the Hillsong services in London and we had a really nice experience.

It’s so easy to forget the important things in life especially when we’re away traveling so it was a good reminder to me. I remember feeling so touched by the songs and I felt so happy to be reminded of God’s amazing grace and what Jesus did for me. It’s a message that will never get old!

Mt. Sinai CCF Holy Land Bible Study Tour

7. Climbing Mt. Sinai in Egypt

Climbing Mt. Sinai in Egypt is one of my greatest achievements to date! This is undoubtedly the most physically challenging activity I have ever done in my entire life and I don’t plan on doing anything like this again! But being on top of Mt. Sinai was incomparable. It was such a learning experience that up until this day, I have not forgotten the lessons I learned up there! 

Biz 3 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

8. Flying Business Class

I’m not a high-maintenance traveler at all (as mentioned, I’m more than game to go backpacking!) but once in a while, I like spending on value experiences! We got business class tickets at a really good rate (read all about that and our experience here) so we decided to grab the chance because after all, it’s not every flight that you get to ride business!

It was soooo nice to be so pampered on a long haul flight. I could get used to this…

HP 8 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

9. Fangirling at the Making of Harry Potter in the UK

Harry Potter has had such an influence on my art when I was still starting and I was a total Potterhead in my teen years so visiting The Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studios in England was a dream come true for my 18 year old self! So, wearing my best Hogwarts-inspired outfit, I totally geeked out and fangirled the entire time (to the dismay of my ever-realist husband!)

Eating in Spain SheenaLovesSunsets

10. Eating my way through Spain

As I always say, I am not a foodie but I enjoy eating good food (who doesn’t?) and Spain has no shortage of that! Churros, tapas, callos, YUM! I just wanted to eat and eat and eat! When people ask me “How was it like in Spain?” my first answer’s always “THE FOOD WAS AWESOME!”

Strawberry Picking South Korea

11. Strawberry Picking in South Korea

I think I have a thing with picking fruits. Haha! Much like how I enjoyed blueberry picking in Canada, I also really enjoyed Strawberry picking in South Korea! They had huge strawberries that were so sweet!

And yes, that’s my beautiful mommy who I miss so much! :(

Yellowstone 4 SheenaLovesSunsets.com-min

12. Winning a trip to Yellowstone

Yes I did! I won a contest online held by TheBestTravelled.com and the prize was $750 worth of travel tickets! Because we already booked a trip to Canada, we decided to use the prize money for an out of town trip from Vancouver and found one going to Yellowstone. Yellowstone has been on my bucket list ever since I read about it on a tourism website years ago so it was a no-brainer to pick this trip!

Swimming in the Dead Sea CCF Holy Land Bible Study Tour

13. Swimming in the Dead Sea in Israel

One of the activities we had when I joined CCF’s Holy Land Bible Study Tour was swimming in the Dead Sea. With Dead Sea mud on our faces (apparently good for the skin!), my friends and I took a dip and floated away!

Sunset at Trafalgar SheenaLovesSunsets

14. Watching the sunset at Trafalgar Square in London

London is my favorite city of all-time. But even with all the beautiful museums, spots and landmarks, my favorite moment was just sitting on a bench in Trafalgar Square with Mor, joking around and watching the sun set. I was at my favorite city, with my favorite person, watching one my favorite things (sunsets!) what more can I ask for?

Click here to read Favorite Travel Experiences Part 2

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18 Comments

  • Reply
    Katherine
    July 26, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    What a fun adventure and you have lovely photos! <3

    x, Kat of Nested Thoughts

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 26, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      Thanks Kat! :)

  • Reply
    Mishael Kaye
    July 27, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Such an interesting read Sheena!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 27, 2016 at 10:37 am

      Thanks Mishael! :)

  • Reply
    Angeli
    July 27, 2016 at 10:45 am

    Awww nice pics with your mom, Sheena! Lovely memories! :)

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 27, 2016 at 11:38 am

      Thanks Angeli! :)

  • Reply
    Ivana
    July 28, 2016 at 3:49 pm

    You have a good trip experience, and i love your photos share

    http://www.dreamydressshop.com/

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 28, 2016 at 4:03 pm

      Thanks so much Ivana!

  • Reply
    Jo
    July 29, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Wow!! What wonderful experiences! Happy birthday :)

    xo, Jo
    http://www.cutandchic.com

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      July 29, 2016 at 11:01 am

      Thanks so much Jo! :)

  • Reply
    Bea
    July 30, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    You are so blessed, sheena! God is indeed good all the time. Happy Birthday!

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      August 1, 2016 at 6:03 pm

      Aww thanks Bea, yes that’s true, God is definitely good all the time!

  • Reply
    Tyler
    August 12, 2016 at 10:26 pm

    Love this! You’ve been so many places!

    x, Tyler | http://tinymisstyler.com

    • Reply
      Sheena Sy Gonzales
      August 13, 2016 at 9:40 am

      Thanks Tyler! All by God’s grace!

      • Reply
        Jessica Williams
        August 14, 2017 at 9:45 pm

        Thanks for posting your travel experiences! You have visited a lot of counties! I envy you in a good way;) Traveling might be expensive…

        • Reply
          Sheena Sy Gonzales
          August 15, 2017 at 7:46 am

          It really depends on how you travel but I’m not gonna lie; it does require money to travel!

  • Reply
    Maimai
    January 17, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    Just by reading this entices me so much to work hard and travel. ^__^ so if these are your favorite travel experiences, may I know how many countries you have gone to (if I missed it from your previous posts) ?

    IG: @heyangeey

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