Today I’m leaving South Korea and beginning the long journey back home to Sweden and Värmland. Over the past few weeks I’ve seen and experienced so much, both professionally and personally, that I suspect it will take time before all the impressions have settled.

I’ve taken quite a few photographs along the way and I’ll be sharing them here little by little once I’m home. And yes, they include pictures of squirrels! 🐿️

As sad as it is to leave Asia, I’m longing with all my heart to be reunited with my husband, our cats and chickens, and all the squirrels, roe deer, foxes and birds that I’m lucky enough to share my everyday life with. Home is calling.

I’m doing well here in South Korea. Busan is a wonderful city in so many ways, and the surrounding landscape is simply stunning. The past few days have been intense, filled with conversations and meetings with library colleagues from all over the world, but today I finally had the chance to spend some time in the beautiful Geumjeongsan National Park.

The forecast suggests the weather will take a turn for the worse this weekend, so I’m hoping to fit in at least a little more time in nature before the rain arrives. After that, I’ll spend a few days in Seoul before it’s time to head home. I’m having a great time, but I do miss everyone back home.

My time in Shanghai is already drawing to a close. It’s hard to believe how much I’ve seen and experienced in just a few days. There are so many impressions to process that I suspect it will take quite a while before everything truly sinks in, but that will have to wait. Tomorrow I’m heading to Busan, South Korea, for the next part of my journey.

Today alone included a visit to the beautiful water town of Zhujiajiao, the vast Expo Culture Park, and the breathtaking Shanghai Greenhouse. Three very different places, and three unforgettable experiences.

I have strong reservations about China’s political system, and that is not something my visit has changed. At the same time, the people I’ve met, the atmosphere I’ve experienced, and the glimpses of nature (well, parks) I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy have all been genuinely wonderful.

Of course, it would be impossible to draw any sweeping conclusions about a country as vast and diverse as China from a few days in one of its largest cities. This has only been a tiny glimpse of an enormous nation, and I know it cannot possibly do China justice. But it has been a glimpse that has left me curious, humbled, and eager to see more.

I would very much like to return one day and continue exploring this remarkable country.

Shanghai is treating me to a very different kind of adventure than I’m used to.

At 35°C it’s far warmer than I would ever choose, but it’s also an incredible experience. I’ve spent time wandering through the beautiful Century Park, enjoying the birdlife and the lush vegetation there, and I’ve walked street after street simply taking in the architecture, the people, and the unique rhythm of this enormous city.

I won’t pretend I don’t miss the animals (and a certain human being, too) back home. And every now and then the sheer number of people gives me a little sensory overload. But even so, this is an experience I wouldn’t want to miss for anything.

Before I continue on to Busan, South Korea, on Friday, I’m hoping to visit an art museum, explore even more of Shanghai’s streets, and perhaps spend a little more time in another park. Every city tells its own story, and I’m enjoying listening to this one, even though my Chinese leaves much to be desired.

Currently sitting at Arlanda Airport, waiting for my flight and the start of an adventure that will take me to Shanghai, Busan and Seoul.

For the next couple of weeks, things might be a little quieter here than usual.

The main reason for the trip is the World Library and Information Congress in Busan, so libraries rather than wildlife will be at the centre of my days. That said, anyone who knows me also knows that I have a remarkable ability to get distracted by birds, butterflies, squirrels, interesting plants, or pretty much anything else with feathers, fur, wings or leaves.

So while I can’t promise the usual stream of nature photographs, I suspect a few wild encounters will find their way onto the blog all the same. They usually do.

Eurasian red squirrel/Sciurus vulgaris/ekorre. Värmland, Sweden (1 August 2026).

Eurasian red squirrel/Sciurus vulgaris/ekorre. Värmland, Sweden (1 August 2026).

The Marmalade hoverfly/Episyrphus balteatus/flyttblomfluga is one of Europe’s most remarkable little travellers. Every year, countless individuals migrate between southern and northern Europe. Many fly hundreds of metres above the ground, choosing favourable winds and even compensating for unfavourable ones to stay on course, almost certainly using an internal sun compass. For such a tiny insect, it is an astonishing feat of navigation. Their larvae are voracious predators of aphids, while the adults are important pollinators, making these beautiful hoverflies invaluable allies in both gardens and the wider countryside. Värmland, Sweden (2 August 2025).

Eurasian red squirrel/Sciurus vulgaris/ekorre. Värmland, Sweden (2 August 2025).

Eurasian bullfinch/Pyrrhula pyrrhula/domherre. Värmland, Sweden (2 August 2025).