I wouldn't call it the best trip ever - each trip is unique and enjoyable in their own way - including this one. So I would just label it as a very very enjoyable one. It was the furthest from home I have been, and I did it all by myself. 

Europe is always somewhere I wanted to visit but after NZ I was really sceptical about making a trip there. I didn't think I would fare well with long flights - the 10 hour flight to Christchurch was still memorably restless and exhausting to me, even with SQ's outstanding service. I didn't think I would be able to stand two weeks away from Asian food - think of the massive craving I had towards the end of NZ trip. Hence if the work trip hadn't came up - I may not have the motivation to start planning for one. Call it fate, then.

Miraculously my two worries did not materialize. It was a direct 13 hour flight, via KLM, because the policy was that I had to fly direct, economy, unless I couldn't find one, so I was definitely worried beforehand, but time seemed to pass quickly. The pleasant surprise was that I even managed to sleep for about 6 hours, albeit waking up often, during both overnight flights. Even had appetite to watch a couple of movies. Talk about stark contrasts.

The food portion also didn't materialize. Ate well throughout. Guess it must be the diarrhea I had during my last days in NZ that brought up the craving, 

The other worry I had more specifically to Europe was of course security. Not so much on terrorists etc - that somehow had never been on my mind and if it was, I probably wouldn't have made the trip coz there isn't anyway to protect yourself from it. These days most of it are seemingly random. More like people cautioning me on pick pocketing which is notorious in cities like Paris. I have had friends who went the extra mile of buying a decoy wallet and arm themselves with pepper sprays and what not. But the only extra bit of precaution I took is just to empty my pockets and leave everything in my backpack, which I didn't carry in front like what most people told me to - and I got along just fine. 

Maybe it's just luck, but I do think that we Asians were naturally vigilant to begin with so it didn't take too much effort? Or maybe I just don't resemble a typical tourist - I had earphones plugged in at all times (partly coz I was alone and good to have some music in my ears, and partly to make sure that my handphone is still with me), not really needing to look at maps (these days, just get a proper data plan and you can get around on public transport and foot like a local). I must say though, even with recent happenings I still don't see the so-called heightened security in most places - probably coz like I said, Asian countries or probably just Singapore were very vigilant to begin with. 

Back to the trip proper. I had a blast. I always enjoyed traveling solo - the freedom that comes with it. The last minute decisions, no waiting for your partner(s) and no arguments/compromises needed for the things you want to see/do! For instance - I don't think I will find a lot of people who would want to take a long metro ride to Roland Garros just to see it from afar despite knowing full well that it is most likely closed, or a day trip to Manchester just to see Old Trafford despite the sky high train ticket prices. Not visiting a single museum in Paris because I knew I wouldn't appreciate them. Not watching any musicals in London. I like that the trip is uniquely me. Period. 

Solo trips also offer plenty of chances for reflection and soul searching, getting to know yourself just a little bit better, and I am grateful for it. The last long solo trip I had, in Australia almost 3 years ago, I got tired of not talking to someone I know after the Gold Coast leg and thus I was very happy to meet XL and Alice in Melbourne, but this time round I felt alright throughout. Thought of meeting a couple of people in London but didn't happen because, by some luck, they were all not in London during those few days I was there. 

Amsterdam turned out to be my favorite, of the three. I can't even explain it, but felt very acquainted to it since the first day. Strolling along the canals which looked identical to each other was very enjoyable for me. Likewise in Paris, which came a close second probably coz I had a rough start in terms of the weather and the neighborhood I stayed in was kind of rowdy, for the lack of a better word. Chilling out at a cafe just people watching, strolling along River Seine (which also wasn't as stinky as people described - maybe my nose wasn't as sensitive?) among my favorite activities. Even for someone single I thought I felt the romantic atmosphere - I don't know how to explain it! London was okay, too metropolitan even for a city person like me, and expensive to live in. 

There wasn't much mention of the work portion coz it was short, and to be really honest I don't see how we could benefit from it, much - it seemed that we are pretty advanced already and there are few things worth mentioning. At least in my field. The things that I helped other divisions scout, I couldn't probe much because I don't have a technical understanding to those to begin with, so I can only bring back brochures and link them up later. And struggling a bit now to come up with presentation materials.

Speaking of brochures, totally underestimated the amount of brochures I would be bringing back and coupled with overpacking, left me with luggage space and weight worries and I didn't buy back as much souvenirs as I would have loved to. 

All in all it was one very memorable trip! Perceptions have changed and now I wouldn't mind doing another one sooner or later, to cover other parts of Europe and beyond. Solo, or with a like minded individual which is always hard to find. Hahaha.