I've already more or less decided what I'll be doing next year.
1. Going back to my parents' house (3–4 months)
First, I'll be heading back to my parents' place. I'm planning to stay for about 3 to 4 months.
2. Cycling trip in the Philippines (mid-February to mid-March)
During my stay at home, I'll be going to the Philippines from mid-February to mid-March. I'm thinking of cycling from Cebu Island up north to Manila.
There are various reasons for this, but the Philippines is actually the country I've visited the most. However, I've never traveled there by bicycle, and this time I want to see different sides of the Philippines—that's why I'm going.
3. Cycling adventure in the Tohoku region
While staying at my parents' house, I'll go on a cycling adventure through the Tohoku region. Honestly, I haven't really been to Tohoku much. I felt that "not knowing" a place isn't a good thing, so I decided to go.
4. Revisiting western Japan
After my Tohoku adventure, I'll head to western Japan. I'll travel from Nagano through Osaka, Shimane, Yamaguchi, and on to Fukuoka.
After that, I'll probably stay around my parents' area for a while, and my next overseas trip will likely be around June or July.
5. Re-entering Australia
I'll be going back to Australia again. I'm planning to travel from Cairns to Sydney using a bicycle and other means. However, the schedule and exact travel method haven't been decided yet.
6. New Zealand Working Holiday (late September onward)
I'm not sure if it'll be late September exactly, but from around that time, I'll be going to New Zealand on a working holiday. Honestly, there's quite a bit of time between applying for the visa and actually entering the country, so I'm thinking of traveling through other countries, experiencing what each has to offer, and then entering New Zealand when the timing is right.
This is the last year I'm eligible for a working holiday, so I'm going to make the most of it.
Why I want to work locally
It's less about earning money and more about the fact that I've barely had the experience of actually working in a foreign country. So I want to work, learn about the local area through that experience, and hopefully spark new creative ideas.
By the way, I'm planning to stay in New Zealand for about six months to a year.