València

Overall, I really enjoyed València. These are all the posts I made about the city:

The food was sometimes hit-or-miss but the hits hit. I absolutely love the culture in Spain of sitting down for a few quick, inexpensive tapas and having a variety of food. I knew I liked artichokes before this trip, but I have absolutely fallen in love with alcachofas here.

We stayed just west of the train station, in the Jesus neighborhood. I liked our Airbnb but because of how large Valencia is, I do wish we had been a little closer to the city center.

The two “experiences” we booked, a day-trip outside the city and a Valencian paella-making class (they also have a seafood one), were great. I would recommend them both to anyone visiting.

I’m not a huge museum person, but I enjoyed going to the Museu de les Ciències and the Hemisfèric. Both were beautiful to see and fun to explore.

And of course, I loved just walking around the city, seeing the beautiful European architecture, and having a lot of restaurants still open until 11 PM (and sometimes later) at night. Because the city (and greater suburban area) is so large and beautiful, I could see myself spending a lot more time here.

View from a balcony overlooking a lively street market in a residential neighborhood. The narrow road is lined with vendor stalls shaded by canopies, offering clothing and various goods. Pedestrians fill the street, weaving between the tightly packed stalls. Mid-rise apartment buildings with balconies and shuttered windows frame the scene under a clear blue sky.Close-up of a breakfast spread on a café table, featuring a cappuccino in a gray cup with heart-shaped foam art, a tall glass of orange juice garnished with mint sprigs and dried orange slices, and two slices of dark toast topped with mashed avocado, black sesame seeds, and lemon wedges. Individual packets of iodized salt rest on the wooden tray.Wide view of a vast sandy beach beneath a dramatic, cloud-filled sky. The clouds stretch in textured layers across the frame, revealing patches of blue sky. A calm, flat sea meets the sand in the distance, where a few scattered beachgoers are visible. The setting feels spacious and open.The Torres de Serranos, a medieval city gate with two large stone towers joined by a central archway and topped with battlements. The Gothic structure features intricate carved details above the arched passageway. A regional flag flutters atop one tower. People walk and cars pass in front of the landmark, partially shaded by afternoon light.Interior of Café Madrid, a stylish bar and café with classic European flair. Two grand chandeliers hang from the ceiling, illuminating a mix of red velvet bar stools, marble-top tables, and vintage framed artwork on the walls. The wooden bar is stocked with wine and spirits, and patrons are seated in relaxed conversation around the room.Inside a traditional vermouth bar with arched brick ceilings and rustic décor. A curved glass display case holds an array of pintxos, including skewered olives, peppers, and cured meats. Behind the counter, shelves are filled with bottles of liquor and vermouth. Warm lighting and old-world charm set a cozy, intimate atmosphere as patrons enjoy drinks.

These are some of my favorite shots from walking around València. There are so many beautiful buildings all throughout the city.

My favorite moments, though, were late at night when the city was less busy and it felt like we had it to ourselves.

Chasen and his partner pose for a selfie in front of the imposing Torres de Serranos, a medieval stone gate with crenellated twin towers and a fluttering flag overhead. The bright sun and open plaza give the scene a joyful, vacation-like feel.A grand corner building showcases ornate baroque architecture, with sculpted stonework, wrought iron balconies, and a striking red façade under a cloudless sky. Its intricate detailing and height convey elegance and history.A quiet residential street lined with narrow, colorful buildings creates a peaceful, intimate scene. The faded paint, balconies, and potted plants hint at daily life in a historic neighborhood untouched by time.The Miguelete bell tower rises behind the tiled domes of a cathedral, its Gothic stonework dramatic against the sunlit sky. The structure’s height and weathered texture evoke centuries of architectural heritage.An elegant bell tower with terracotta details and a delicate wrought iron weather vane rises above an old monastery. The mix of warm stone and crisp light captures the charm of southern European architecture.A vibrant plaza bustles with people at night, gathered around a fountain and a colorful floral display on a church façade. The festive atmosphere and dramatic lighting bring the square to life with energy and tradition.A narrow alleyway glows softly under yellow streetlights, with shuttered buildings and tiled pavement leading into the distance. The warm light and quiet setting create a calm, almost cinematic mood.A dimly lit side street with graffiti-covered walls and a protest banner hanging from a balcony gives off an edgy, raw character. The mix of political expression and gritty textures adds emotional depth.The illuminated dome of the Metropolis Building, topped with a winged statue, shines brightly against the night sky. Its dramatic lighting and classical detailing evoke a sense of grandeur and urban romance.

Last Friday we popped into Ostras Pedrín for lunch and had their titular ostras (oysters), both en escabeche (vinegar) and fresh. Their atún ahumado (smoked tuna) was delicious too.

Two oysters served in their half shells on a white tray, dressed with an escabeche sauce that adds a light orange tint to the liquid around the oyster meat.Six fresh oysters displayed in their half shells on a bed of crushed ice in a metal tray, garnished with two lemon wedges. A wine glass and part of a wooden table are visible in the background.Six thin slices of smoked tuna laid out in a neat row on a long white plate, each piece lightly drizzled with golden oil.Several slices of toasted baguette on a white plate, generously topped with a rich tomato-based sauce. The plate is lined with a paper napkin underneath.Wall-mounted menu at Ostras Pedrín printed on white subway tiles, listing categories such as oysters, canned seafood, cured items, smoked items, and appetizers, with prices in euros.Close-up of the printed menu from Ostras Pedrín, showing a detailed list of oysters, appetizers, preserved and smoked seafood, and other small plates with corresponding prices.

The Mercat Central de València is the largest market in the city. A sign said “if you can’t find it here, it might not exist.”

Not pictured here: we went to Central Bar (the wait was shorter than expected and totally worth it) and had delicious albóndigas, croquetas de pollo, alcachofas, and more.

Interior view of the central dome of Mercat Central de València, featuring an ornate circular skylight with floral frescoes and radiating decorative patterns, framed by metal latticework and large arched windows allowing natural light.Front facade of Mercat Central de València, showcasing a symmetrical Art Nouveau design with two domed towers, arched entranceway, and decorative stonework under a partly cloudy sky.Close-up of a market stall inside Mercat Central de València displaying rows of hanging cured jamón legs with labeled tags and black or red rope ties, arranged on a metal rack.Fruit stand at Mercat Central de València with a vendor slicing watermelon behind a colorful display of fresh produce, including bananas, grapes, melons, citrus fruits, and mangoes, under bright market lighting.Nighttime view of the main entrance of Mercat Central de València, illuminated from within, with closed shutters, stained glass windows, and decorative tilework beneath a cloudy night sky and a partially visible moon.

One of our go-to local places in Valencia was Pelayo Gastro Trinquet. I love the culture of getting smaller “tapas” dishes that come out quickly and give you variety.

Pictured: jamón ibérico (with bread and roasted tomato), alcachofas (artichoke), croquetas (with pancetta), and Basque cheesecake.

Thin slices of glossy, marbled jamón ibérico arranged in a fanned, overlapping pattern on a round wooden plate.Crisp pieces of rustic bread served beside a brass bowl of grated tomato topping with a spoon, prepared in the style of pan con tomate.Fried artichoke hearts served over a bed of bright red romesco sauce and sprinkled with coarse black seasoning in a dark ceramic bowl.Two golden-brown croquettes topped with translucent slices of cured ham, plated on a wooden board with a touch of sauce underneath.Slice of Basque-style burnt cheesecake with a caramelized top, served with a streak of dark berry sauce on a white plate with black rim.

On Thursday we went to the Museu de les Ciències for the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit (amongst others), where they had what the Mona Lisa would’ve looked like when originally painted! The Hemisfèric had a fun and immersive Animal Kingdom video projection in their spherical theater.

A man poses seated in a faux painting frame designed like the Mona Lisa at the Mona Lisa exhibition in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, with a painted landscape mimicking the original background.A row of five digitally altered versions of the Mona Lisa displayed at the Mona Lisa exhibition in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, each representing different scientific analyses: infrared reflectography in blue, ultraviolet fluorescence in yellow, visible light in full color, false color infrared in green tones, and X-ray imaging in black and white—highlighting how modern technology reveals layers beneath the surface of the painting.The interior of the Ágora building in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, with its towering, curved glass facade and rhythmic steel ribs framing views of the city skyline—an impressive example of light-filled, modern architectural design.Visitors walk beneath the repeating skeletal arches of the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, a dramatic perspective that emphasizes the structure’s futuristic and organic form.Panoramic view of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, featuring sleek white structures reflected in the water, with bold geometric lines and curving forms creating a surreal, space-age atmosphere.The L’Hemisfèric in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, shaped like a giant eyelid, appears to float on a pool of blue water—its symmetry and reflection enhancing the building’s biomorphic design.Interior of the L’Hemisfèric planetarium in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, with a violet-lit dome ceiling and a centered logo above the seated audience, evoking a cinematic and immersive atmosphere before the show begins.Scene from a nature documentary shown inside the L’Hemisfèric theater in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, featuring a pair of clownfish nestled in a sea anemone resting on a vividly colored purple base against a dark underwater backdrop.The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía opera house in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, with its soaring curves and sail-like roof, dramatically poised above the reflecting pool—echoing nautical forms and futuristic aesthetics.A striking view of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia showcasing the harp-shaped Assut de l’Or bridge, the domed L’Àgora, and nearby science buildings—an ensemble of bold, sculptural forms rising above calm turquoise water.

On Tuesday we took a paella cooking class in the Russafa neighborhood of Valencia with My First Paella and it was fantastic! We met in front of a local market, walked through it and picked up our ingredients, then cooked a traditional Valencian paella (chicken and rabbit). It was delicious!

Chasen and his boyfriend, smiling in aprons at a paella-making class in Valencia, standing behind a large pan of finished paella Valenciana with rice, green beans, and meat.The interior of Mercado de Ruzafa in Valencia, with colorful produce stalls, shoppers, and a large stained-glass “RUZAFA” sign above the main walkway.An instructor at My First Paella explaining the process, with paella ingredients like tomatoes, green beans, garlic, and meats arranged neatly in bowls on the counter.A hand ladling large white beans into a wide pan of simmering red broth, surrounded by chicken and green beans, during an early stage of making paella Valenciana.Paella cooking in broth with chicken, snails, and vegetables as someone uses tongs to adjust ingredients and a spoon to stir.An instructor holding up a Catalan phrase sign reading “Salut i força al canut” and a humorous drawing of kitchen tongs labeled “Canut.”A serving of traditional paella Valenciana on a plate, with saffron rice, green beans, rabbit, chicken, and two snails.Sliced tomato topped with diced onion, caper berries, olive oil, and seasoning, served as a light starter.Dessert of orange slices with cinnamon, sponge cake, and two small glasses of sweet mistela wine.

Navajas & Montanejos

On Sunday we went on a thermal springs and waterfalls adventure just outside of Valéncia.

It was fantastic! We went to the waterfall at El Salto de la Novia, then Fuente de los Baños to swim and jump off a cliff, then lunch, then a rock face (with climbers on it!), and ended at a dam to take some fun photos.

A tall, narrow waterfall plunges from a cliff surrounded by lush greenery under a bright blue sky with the sun overhead, creating mist at the bottom.A tall, narrow waterfall plunges from a cliff surrounded by lush greenery under a bright blue sky with the sun overhead, creating mist at the bottom.Swimmers enjoying the turquoise water in a canyon pool surrounded by tall, striped limestone cliffs with greenery at the top.A dish of grilled octopus atop a bed of mashed potatoes, served on a blue ceramic plate with sea salt and paprika sprinkled around.A dramatic canyon with steep, towering rock walls on both sides and a river winding through the base, viewed from a higher vantage point.A rock climber ascending a tall, vertical crack in a rust-colored cliff face, with pine branches partially framing the scene.A rugged mountain landscape with cloudy skies above and steep, forested hills enclosing a dirt trail at the bottom of the valley.Water powerfully gushing from a dam outlet set in a rocky hillside, surrounded by pine trees and under a bright sky.Two people posing playfully in front of a massive water release from a dam; one stands in a cheeky pose while the other leaps mid-air as if blasted by the water jet coming out of the first person’s butt.

The first day of food in Spain did not disappoint—this has been my favorite meal so far. Papas bravas, tellinas, verduras, alcachofa, y calamares.

A plate of golden, crispy roasted potatoes in a reddish sauce is placed on a wooden table.A plate is filled with many small, opened clams with visible insides.A platter of grilled vegetables including zucchini, eggplant, asparagus, red pepper, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes is arranged on a rectangular plate.A plate features slices of cured meat surrounding a poached egg topped with grated truffle.A plate of fried calamari rings is served on a rectangular dish.A lively restaurant and bar with patrons seated at the counter and tables, engaging in conversation.

Next stop: Spain! ✈️ 🇪🇸

A Flighty map shows a flight path from London Heathrow (LHR) to Valencia (VLC) with flight details, including departure and boarding information for Chasen.

Just wanna be with you

Two smiling people wearing sunglasses pose for a selfie on a sunny London day with Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in the background.

I enjoy walking Soho, drinking in the afternoon 🍻

Two bartenders work behind a dark wooden bar with ornate decor, multiple branded beer taps, and a Soho Since 1793 sign under warm ambient lighting.Two full Guinness pints with creamy heads sit on a gold-toned table in a warmly lit pub with a dark wood bar marked Soho Since 1793.

Shoreditch in the afternoon 📸

Graffiti mural shows a couple kissing with comic-style text reading “You probably think this painting’s about you” and “You’re so vain,” surrounded by layered street art and tags.A wooden table displays Indian dishes including naan bread, grilled lamb with pomegranate, red and brown curries, green salad with seeds and lime, plus drinks and condiments.

💜✈️

Two smiling men in plaid shirts take a selfie while seated side by side in business class, wearing seatbelts in a purple-lit airplane cabin with high-backed seats and overhead bins visible.

And so it begins. ✈️

A digital flight tracker shows a plane en route from Los Angeles to London, with a boarding pass displayed for a Virgin Atlantic business class passenger departing on 28 April 25.

Just the beginning

Thanks for following along this past week with where I’ve been the last six years.

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I have more stories to share, and in a couple days, Hugo and I are headed to Europe for a month. I’m excited to share that and a lot more on my blog. 🪄

A man in a bright red shirt smiles while taking a selfie in a car, with a black standard poodle wearing a pink collar sitting behind him with its tongue out, looking forward through the vehicle’s open space.Two men smile while taking a selfie in a holiday-decorated plaza, surrounded by trees wrapped in golden lights, illuminated snowflake and reindeer sculptures, and wet pavement reflecting the colorful festive scene.A framed photograph features a young blond boy in a striped shirt and blue shorts holding a yellow plastic bat, standing in a backyard next to a black dog and preparing to hit a ball on a blue and white tee, surrounded by a floral-patterned frame.A man wearing a black shirt and black pants sits smiling in a bright red armchair during a video recording session, surrounded by microphones and cameras, with tall city buildings visible through large windows behind him.

Why now?

So, why come back to social media now?

After COVID started, like everyone else, I struggled with the sudden change and reshaping of our entire lives.

I also struggled with losing everything that I hoped for from traveling. Not just the sight seeing and new experiences… I wanted something deeper.

What I was really looking was a way to figure out my priorities. At the time, I journaled that I had no idea what I really wanted to do with my life. I didn’t have a clear professional direction. I didn’t know who I wanted to date. I didn’t know if I wanted to have kids. I didn’t know where I wanted to live.

I was hoping to find some of those answers in my experiences. In meeting new people, in challenging myself, in broadening my horizons.

That’s what the travel meant to me. It meant exploring and finding myself as a person. And with that taken away, I got stuck.

In the intervening years, I’ve realized that I left a part of me back in New Zealand. My momentum was arrested in 2020 and I’ve been stuck there, not moving, not making progress.

I realize that motivation doesn’t come from inspiration—it comes from action.

So this year, I’m working on taking action.

One piece of that is being more open about what’s going on in my life and reconnecting with people.

So to that end, I’ve decided to come back to social media, to grow by sharing more of myself and connecting with what’s going on in your life.

A parking space marked with the words P PATIENT and the number 327 in bold white stenciled lettering.

On August 27, 2020, I found a boy who would love me more than anyone ever did before.

At my weakest physically, he’s there to take care of me.

At my weakest mentally, he’s here to assure me.

He gives me hope when I feel there is none.

For more reasons than this, he is my one.

Two smiling men sit close together at a wooden table in an outdoor restaurant at night, with tropical plants, wooden benches, and soft lighting creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere behind them.Two smiling men take a selfie at an outdoor event during sunrise, with palm trees, tall buildings, people walking around, and event tents in the background, one man wearing a red LA hat and a brown jacket.Two men wearing sunglasses smile for a selfie on a boat ride, seated closely together with calm water and marina buildings in the background, enjoying a sunny day in striped and plaid shirts.A smiling man lies on a light couch with a striped blanket, while his partner lies behind him with their face resting on his shoulder, both wearing striped or dark clothing in a relaxed indoor setting.Two smiling men sit closely at an outdoor table, one holding a white frosted birthday cake with gold lettering that says Happy Birthday, surrounded by wrapped gifts, flowers, and drinks in a casual celebration setting.

Long Beach

I quarantined in an Airbnb for two weeks before finding an apartment in downtown Long Beach.

Along with COVID, the country felt in turmoil with the murder of George Floyd. White privilege is feeling it for just a period of time and knowing that the unrest will go away with time.

In the summer, I went on a great American roadtrip with a friend. We stopped in Vegas on the way home.

What a time.

A person wearing a face mask sits under a tree in a sunny park. Palm trees and tall buildings are visible in the background, with three people standing together in the distance.An empty but carpeted two-story apartment with an open kitchen, staircase leading to a loft, and several moving boxes stacked near the wall. A sliding glass door with vertical blinds opens to a small enclosed patio.A public safety sign on a city sidewalk at night provides five COVID-19 guidelines including handwashing, avoiding face touching, social distancing, covering coughs, and wearing face coverings. Lights and storefronts line the street in the background.A boarded-up downtown storefront with plywood-covered windows has George Floyd spray-painted on the black marble wall near the entrance. Two pedestrians walk by on the sidewalk.A phone screen displays an emergency alert from the City of Long Beach about a citywide curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, allowing exemptions for work, medical needs, and emergency responders.A mural painted on plywood reads “A Change Is Gonna Come” in large stylized letters. The piece is signed Shane Jessup 2020 and was created during social justice protests.A masked person stands in front of a steamy geothermal area with shallow pools of water. A tree-covered hill rises in the background under a sky filled with clouds.A marble statue resembling a Roman emperor stands outside at night wearing a gold-colored face mask. The statue is in front of a domed building with Caesars Palace lettering and nearby neon signs.

New Zealand

On March 17, 2020 (NZT), I was optimistic:

I’m currently in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m scheduled to leave for Wellington this weekend, where I plan on being for at least a few weeks. I currently have a flight back to California set for May 21st.

I’m cautiously optimistic about my chances here. I think New Zealand has done a great job of keeping the virus at bay. It feels, though, that this virus will inevitably infect every part of the world.

On March 20 (NZT), I was all alone in a hostel when I made the call:

NZ has 39 cases as of today. The US State Department has advised all citizens to return back to the states. They’ve advised that citizens “may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, and challenges in returning home or accessing health care while abroad.”

I debated for a few hours on what I should do.

On one hand, I feel like my chances in NZ are greater than that in the US, and traveling right now would only increase my risk of contracting the virus (and potentially spreading it to others).

On the other hand, I am of little use to my family in the US if the airlines choose to stop flights and I’m stuck in a foreign country and depending on their health care system if I get sick. Additionally, if the airlines stop flights, I have no idea when I would be able to return to the states.

I’ve decided to come back home.

“Home” is a good question though. I don’t have a place of my own to stay. I’m going to travel with the assumption that I will get infected, and thus I do not want to stay with any family or friends. I’ll hopefully find a place to stay which will require minimal human interaction.

On March 27 (NZT), I came back to the States:

New Zealand started lockdown a couple nights ago. The lockdown here includes shutting down all non-essential businesses (including takeaway service from restaurants). Grocery stores are still open. The one I’ve been going to was relatively calm when I went on Tuesday to get a few things.

I’m scheduled to leave Auckland at 10:55 PM tonight, landing in LA at 3:00 PM (Friday). That gives me 44 hours of Friday, March 27th. My longest day.

I reserved an Airbnb in Long Beach to stay in for the next couple weeks. My plan is to self-isolate as much as possible in case I get infected on my trip back.

After that, who knows. I suppose I’ll start apartment hunting? I think it’ll be a while before we get through this, so I can’t imagine traveling internationally for a while.

A couple weeks later (April 9), I reflected on my trip back:

The journey was eerie. I only came across a handful of people while I took two buses and a train to get to the airport.

I thought I had read something about Air New Zealand reducing the number of passengers on flights in order to spread people out more. That certainly wasn’t the case with my flight; it was full as far as I could tell.

I took a Lyft from the airport to my Airbnb. Again, it was eerie to see everything so empty.

Driving on the freeway was a different story. I was shocked to see so many people still out and about.

Two public health posters from the New Zealand Government advise COVID-19 safety. The left encourages coughing or sneezing into an elbow with a bullseye graphic on a forearm. The right shows a hand holding soap, promoting handwashing. Both include the phrase “Your health is in your hands.”A nighttime view of Auckland features the illuminated Sky Tower surrounded by high-rise buildings. Street signs, including a 15 kph hump warning, and several parked cars are visible in the foreground. A lone streetlamp lights the road.A cardboard sign reading “Use elbow to press the button” is taped above a pedestrian crossing button at a city intersection. The background includes cars and buildings. The sign suggests a hygienic, hands-free way to press the button during the COVID-19 pandemic.A grocery store aisle shows a few shoppers and many shelves partially empty, especially on the left side. The right side still has canned goods. A woman walks holding a list while another shopper crouches near her cart. The scene indicates high demand or stock issues during the pandemic.A phone screen displays an emergency alert from the New Zealand Government on March 25, 2020. The notice announces a nationwide shift to COVID-19 Alert Level 4, urging people to stay home, avoid contact, and prepare for weeks of lockdown.The entrance and interior corridor of Newmarket Metro Station are empty. The glass walkway stretches into the distance under geometric ceiling lights. A COVID-19 safety sign is visible on the door. The absence of people suggests lockdown conditions.A clean, empty train interior features patterned seats, white walls, and overhead handles. The central aisle leads to the far end with no passengers visible, suggesting reduced public transit use during COVID-19.Aerial view from an airplane shows SoFi stadium under construction surrounded by urban streets. The plane’s wing frames the top of the image. Residential and commercial buildings fill the landscape.The outdoor LAX-it shuttle area features long white tents over empty lanes divided by plastic barriers. A cart and a sign marked “Zone 5B” are visible. The space is orderly but completely deserted.