#my2015life - my highlights in 2015

I don’t feel like I have managed to accomplish as many goals this year as I did last year. Nonetheless, here we go:

Travelled around Australia to:
- Sydney (twice);
- Brisbane (twice);
- Gold Coast; and
- Adelaide.
Got my full car licence.
Travelled abroad to:
- Beijing, China;
- Xi’An, China;
- Shenzhen, China;
- Hong Kong;
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;
- Bangkok, Thailand;
- Bali, Indonesia; and
- Jakarta, Indonesia;
Bought the car number plate “zzap”
Stayed in the Burj al Arab, generally regarded as the world’s most luxurious hotel.
Extended my SPG Platinum hotel status by another year.
Achieved Hilton HHonors Diamond and Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond hotel statuses.
Drove a car in a country other than Australia for the first time (United Arab Emirates).
Got a job promotion.
Ten years on Twitter!

Travelled to: Sydney

current mood in Sydney: super low quality

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Jan 27, 2015 at 8:56pm PST

Had a diabolical experience at the Westin Sydney recently, but the building was outstanding!

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Mar 23, 2015 at 7:17pm PDT

🌊

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Nov 21, 2015 at 8:06pm PST

Travelled to: Brisbane & the Gold Coast

Final night in #BNE

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on May 20, 2015 at 2:37am PDT

Weekend in Brisbane & ended up at this beautiful Natural Bridge Springbrook national park.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Apr 11, 2015 at 2:43am PDT

Travelled to: Beijing, China

Meanwhile, there is no filter that can make the view of Beijing look more appealing. 07:30 a.m.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Mar 28, 2015 at 4:45pm PDT

Just hanging out in China assimilating with the locals

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Mar 29, 2015 at 2:52am PDT

Surveying my succulent Chinese meal

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Mar 31, 2015 at 4:13am PDT

Back at the hotel after a long day of looking at a wall & it is damn fine.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Mar 30, 2015 at 2:38am PDT

Travelled to: Xi’an, China

In number theory, a weird number is a natural number that is abundant but not semiperfect. This giant Buddha head is from around 836 AD, the second smallest weird number. #nofilter

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Apr 28, 2015 at 7:19pm PDT

Travelled to: Shenzhen, China

Came all the way to Shenzhen, China just to check out this glorious St Regis located at the top of the city's tallest building, and managed to snag a double storey suite • #doublestoreysuitelife #shenzhen #stregis #stregisshenzhen #spglife

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Apr 4, 2015 at 3:19am PDT

Splendid China theme park lets you rent a buggy instead of having to walk for just ¥150. You bet we took their offer. 🚗

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Apr 5, 2015 at 3:22am PDT

Travelled to: Hong Kong

weekend in hong kong

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Apr 3, 2015 at 11:17pm PDT

Hong Kongers love innovation so much they created this huge stained glass window in its honor

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on May 1, 2015 at 1:53am PDT

I may be in Brisbane for the week, but I'm secretly dreaming I'm back in Hong Kong. These are the check-in desks at the beautifully designed W HK. • #hongkong #whongkong #whotels #spg #spglife #spghongkong

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on May 17, 2015 at 1:21am PDT

Travelled to: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A massive Burj Khalifa glistening in the 44° heat.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Jul 27, 2015 at 11:51pm PDT

A city for ants? Nop, just Dubai from 555 meters up.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Jul 28, 2015 at 9:14pm PDT

Travelled to: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

dat desert aesthetic. can't get enough

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Aug 19, 2015 at 7:41pm PDT

Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Jul 29, 2015 at 9:06pm PDT

The Rub' al Khali or Empty Quarter is the largest contiguous sand desert in the world. The region is classified as "hyper-arid", with typical annual rainfall of less than 3cm. Daily maximum temperatures average at 47 °C. Geologically, the Empty Quarter is the most oil-rich site in the world.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Jul 31, 2015 at 10:22pm PDT

I found the ATM in Abu Dhabi that dispenses gold!

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Aug 13, 2015 at 10:07pm PDT

Travelled to: Bangkok, Thailand

Dinner at Vertigo restaurant overlooking Bangkok

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Aug 30, 2015 at 9:00pm PDT

Bangkok is one of the hottest cities in the world. Located just 14 degrees north of the Equator, Bangkok is sunny almost all year with daily highs averaging over 30°C in all 12 months of the year.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Sep 5, 2015 at 1:12am PDT

Glorious … thing in Bangkok.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Sep 2, 2015 at 8:00pm PDT

aw yea, tarik my teh! 😍 #tehtarik #tea #malay

A video posted by zzap (@zzap) on Sep 18, 2015 at 8:08pm PDT

Travelled to: Bali, Indonesia

Love this palm tree that goes through the pool. 🌴

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on May 27, 2015 at 12:25am PDT

Absolutely incredible villa experience at the #spg cat 7 @stregisbali. Tropical #resortlife isn't that bad after all! 🌴🍍 • #spglife #spgplatinum #stregis #stregisbali #bali #nusadua

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on May 27, 2015 at 8:11pm PDT

Travelled to: Jakarta, Indonesia

having a bath# • #nofilter #spglife #spgplatinum #spgjakarta #keraton #luxurycollection #jakarta

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on May 29, 2015 at 6:36pm PDT

Bought the car number plate “zzap”

yey new car plates arrived! Jeny will soon be rebranded

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Mar 6, 2015 at 9:22pm PST

Stayed in the Burj al Arab

Double storey suite life at this incredible hotel 😍 #burjlife #noplatinumstatushere

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Aug 2, 2015 at 3:13am PDT

There is literally nothing in Sydney worth instagramming, so instead I am missing the burj 😍

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Nov 20, 2015 at 8:18pm PST

Drove a car in a country other than Australia for the first time (United Arab Emirates)

I'm pretty shocked at how well the British-made Jaguar XF handled the 50° heat of the Middle Eastern desert. Certainly not in the range of common operating temperatures.

A photo posted by zzap (@zzap) on Aug 8, 2015 at 7:37pm PDT

… and finally