You know how much I love to travel and how much I want to see, smell, hear, and taste all the world has to offer. So upon finding out the amazing news that I'm pregnant with my first baby... I thought to myself... "Girl you better cross a few more destinations off that list... cause this freedom to hop on a plane is gonna be a thing of the past REAL soon!" I think we are better people when we try to understand the ins and outs of other cultures. I had already been to Hong Kong and Vietnam, but there were (and still are) so many special places to go in Asia that I hadn't taken on yet. So that's where I set my sights for this trip. My husband wasn't able to ask for more time off work, none of my American girlfriends seemed keen, and I was prepared to go it alone. Fortunately, a girlfriend I do a coastal walk with once a week (who also happens to be a doctor), was up for the trip! She begged her husband to take care of her 5 and 7 year old girls for 11 days... he graciously agreed... and I began furiously booking flights and accommodations! The trip... Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing... all places in Asia I wouldn't have to worry about the Zika virus. I hope you enjoy the travel posts I'll be putting up on AnnaKooiman.com over the next couple of weeks!