Top 10 Instagram Moments from 2013

2013 was an amazing year. I don’t know if any other year will every compare, considering it was a year of great change. I lived in three different cities, visited 11 cities in nine countries, graduated from my MBA program, found a job that I love and relocated to Shanghai. I fully recognize that I probably will never travel that much in my life ever again. I definitely cherish every single moment of 2013. However, I’m excited for what 2014 will bring and for new Shanghai adventures.

It’s too difficult to rank my favorite moments of 2013, but I did want to capture 10 of my favorites (brought to you by the lens of my iPhone 4 and Instagram).

1. Invalides (Paris, France)

I had just moved out of the suburbs of France and into Paris. After having a lovely brunch on a cold, snowy day, the Métro broke down and I had to walk home. What started out as a inconvenience, turned into an absolutely stunning walk and I got to capture this gorgeous shot of Invalides (which never would have happened if the Métro worked!).

2. Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE)

It was my first trip to the Middle East and Dubai was such an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about the local culture and was also just stunned with the entire city. Everything was so opulent and it was more than I could have ever imagined. The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world and I loved the way it was lit up at night with its own sparkling lights like the Eiffel Tower.

3. Château de Chenonceau (Loire Valley, France)

I felt like I was on the set of Downton Abbey while wondering the vast halls and gardens during my Loire Valley Châteaux tour. It made me feel like a Pretty, Pretty Princess. The Loire Valley is definitely worth visiting and I personally enjoy it a lot more than visiting the palace in Versailles.

4. Victoria Harbor (Hong Kong)

Who doesn’t love a giant, 6-story inflatable rubber duck? It was awesome to be in Hong Kong the same time as this wandering art installation from Dutch artist, Florentijn Hofman.

5. Arc de Triomphe (Paris, France)

This was the night I found out that I was accepted for an amazing opportunity in Hong Kong and that I would be leaving the wonderful City of Light. It was such mixed emotions for me as I was excited to go to Hong Kong, but I was so sad to leave Paris earlier than anticipated. I took this photo right before hopping on the Métro. It wasn’t until afterward that I realized that I had captured a picture perfect “stolen moment” of a couple in love. I feel like this picture captured the true essence of l’amour and my own love affair with Paris.

Loire Valley Châteaux Tour

Château de Chenonceau

Over my spring break, I went on a châteaux tour in the Loire Valley. It was a jam-packed day because my friends and I visited four châteaux in one day: Château de Chenonceau, Château d’Amboise, Château de Cheverny and Château de Chambord. I’m not going to write much about each château, but I did want to share some photos!

The grounds arounds Chenonceau

Inside Chenonceau

Chenonceau is the most famous and visited château in the Loire Valley. Originally an old mill, Chenonceau was home to Catherine de’ Medici’s lavish parties; she even had to expand the castle to handle all the guests.

Château d’Amboise

Leonardo Da Vinci’s grave inside a church next to the Château

Originally a fort, Château d’Amboise is actually the burial site for Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life at a different château, Château du Clos Lucé, which was connected to Château d’Amboise.

Château de Cheverny

Tintin at Château de Cheverny

Château de Cheverny was actually the inspiration for the Marlinspike Hall in The Adventures of Tintin. It is a gorgeous property owned by a marquis. In fact, half of château is actually still a private home for the marquis and his family! The family even maintains a kennel and horse stable for hunting season.

Château de Chambord

Incredible staircase designed by Leonardo Da Vinci (top right)

Château de Chambord is the second largest château in France after Versailles, but it was built 100 years before Versailles. At the time, the king only cared about having a massive and impressive property so the châteaux has insanely poor interior planning. Château de Chambord has over 450 rooms and only one kitchen. On the third floor, there are no hallways so you have to walk through the bedrooms to get from one room to the other.

When my friends and I visited, it was a cold, rainy day, but I can imagine the castles being even more beautiful on a clear day. I would recommend Acco-Dispo Tours and our tour guide Pascal. The company is able to get discounted entrance tickets to the châteaux and Pascal was really knowledgable about the region and extremely friendly. They pick you up from in front of the tourism office in Tours, which is located directly across from the Tours Centre train station. It is really easy and convenient to take the train from Paris to Tours, do a day trip and come back to Paris at night. I would definitely recommend visiting the Loire Valley before leaving France!