[Seth] Travel Running

One of the hard things about traveling all the time is the lack of routine.  Every day is a little different and since we are moving around with some frequency we are constantly finding ourselves in new cities.  One of my favorite ways to cope with the constant change is running.  In advance of each move, I will research the running routes that are in proximity to where we are staying.  Each possible route is judged based on proximity (avoiding public transportation to get to the run is a huge plus), scenic beauty, hills (or lack thereof), whether it can be a loop, etc.  Since we have spent most of the last couple of months in hot climates, I have been running at dawn and I have  documenting most runs with a selfie.  Often Grace will go running with me and sometimes the whole family will run some version of the course.

New Zealand --  Ran along the banks of Wakatipu and around Queenstown Gardens.  It was flat, the setting was spectacular, and I was trying to keep up with Grace who insisted on running too fast.  Close to a perfect course.  

Australia -- Ran several times to the Opera House and through the Royal Botanical Gardens and Woolloomooloo.

Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Cairns, Australia -- Ran several times along the Esplanade.  Thought is was odd that there were no swimming signs all along the run until we visited Hartley's Crocodile Adventure and saw the saltwater crocodiles that frequent these parts. 

Singapore -- Ran several times down by the harbor and saw the spectacular buildings.  Also, ran a section of the South Ridges Trail and across the wave bridge below.

Marina Bay Sands

Downtown Singapore

Wave Bridge in Singapore

Phuket -- Ran several times along Mai Khao beach.  On the first run, I got lucky and timed the tide correctly and was able to run along the water line in relatively firm sand.  On the second run, I didn't time the tide correctly and ran in soft sand (for a much shorter distance).

Phi Phi -- Ran north along the coast road (and the Tsunami evacuation route).  The shelter in the picture is a gathering point in case of a tsunami. 

Luang Prabang, Laos -- Ran a loop around the town center of Luang Prabang and along the Mekong River. 

Mekong River at dawn.

Bamboo bridge crossing the Nam Khan river, a tributary of the Mekong.  The bridge gets washed away every year during monsoon season and has to be rebuilt.   

Siem Reap, Cambodia -- Ran along red dirt roads near Siem Reap.  Beautiful other than the assorted dogs that didn't like the fact that I was running close by to them. 

Hoi An, Vietnam -- Ran along the Thu Bon River and through the market along the river in Hoi An old town.  Unlike most of my solitary early morning runs, there were lots of people out and about at the market. 

Boats on the Thu Bon River

Hui, Vietnam --  Ran several times on the loop around the Imperial City but inside the Citadel. 

One of the gates into the Imperial City in Hue

Sun rising over the moat and the Imperial City.