Ambria's Adventures

My plan for the summer of 2020 was to be on the coast of Italy, meeting up with some travel friends for an all girl’s trip. We came up with the idea around November 2019, but as COVID-19 hit and became all the more powerful in its influence, it was clear that the trip was off.  I have to admit, I was quite lucky to be spending the pandemic in beautiful Hawaii. Once people were discouraged from coming to the islands, things got pretty loose. While social distancing and wearing masks were encouraged, we weren’t as restricted as other places on the mainland or other countries. I can see how I was a brat for complaining when in reality, I could still do many hikes, see friends (in groups of 10 or less), and visit the beaches I loved. Regardless, I had the summer off from work and I was hoping to go somewhere new.  Since international travel was not likely to happen, I figured I’d take the time to see friends and family on the mainland. I ended up talking to a girlfriend in Las Veg...

My second trip to Bangkok, Thailand occurred when some travel friends decided to plan our New Year's party there to bring in 2020 (before anyone knew what a disaster the year would be). We, as a group, love to celebrate the new year in different locations around the world. Sadly, this was the first time our group split up and went to different locations. My first trip to Bangkok was a few months earlier, so I was a little less excited about the location, but I looked forward to seeing my friends.   After 3 layovers and several hours, I landed at BKK airport close to 1am on December 30th. Luckily, 2 fellow traveling friends had stayed awake and the plan was for me to crash with them until I could check-in to my hotel room. Despite the long hours of traveling, I didn't go to sleep right away. Three of us sat and tried to catch up on the years that passed since we last saw each other in person, Istanbul for one friend, and the other was one I never met in real life up to that tim...