That Was The Year That Was

2012 was a pretty crazy year for me.

In February I set off around the world with a boy I’d previously spent only a total of two weeks with the previous year. Crazy? Possibly. Exciting? Most definitely.

You see, my trip wasn’t just about seeing new places and discovering new cultures, it was also a test as to whether our previously long-distance relationship could last the strain of travelling together long term and putting ourselves in stressful situations.

I’m glad to say that it did. Even better than we both could have expected.

And as for the travel, I saw and experienced things I never thought I would.

I saw my first beautiful sunset of the trip on the main island of Fiji.

I drove a campervan through some of the most stunning scenery in New Zealand.

I “Zorbed”. And maybe I screamed a little on the way down, but let’s keep that between ourselves.

I got my hair cut by a ladyboy in Malaysia. And maybe cried a little afterwards, but let’s keep that between ourselves.

I visited the most idyllic beach I’d ever seen in the Perhentian Islands.

I swam in my first infinity pool in Thailand. And rode a scooter in the pouring rain to get some local Pad Thai, just because it felt like the right thing to do.

I ate Michelin-starred dim sum in Hong Kong and finally got to see some pandas up-close.

I almost got arrested for accidentally travelling without a ticket on a Sarajevo tram.

I volunteered at a hostel in Budapest, which didn’t turn out so well.

I housesat two houses (in Munich and Amsterdam) and looked after a total of three dogs and four ducks.

I ate more pizza and pasta in Bologna than I care to admit and was taken to Venice as a surprise for my birthday.

I fell in love with the gorgeous buildings in Ljubljana.

I made Belgrade my home for a month and became addicted to Long Island Medium.

I climbed a mountain in Romania and stayed in a mountain lodge with a log fire in my room.

I froze my butt off in Edinburgh and fed a herd of reindeer in Aviemore, Scotland.

I met my new baby niece for the first time this year. She’s gorgeous, in case you were wondering.

I got to show Scott my home city at the best time of year (in my opinion), during the wonderful Manchester Christmas Markets.

And I rung in the New Year drinking Guinness and listening to an Irish folk band in a small pub in Dublin.

This last year was absolutely amazing and if 2013 is even half as good, then I’ll be a happy woman.