2017 has been a whirlwind of a year! Here are the numbers, the behind the blog, and the next plans! See how many kilometers I’ve travelled, how many nights I’ve spent in a tent, and my favourite memories. It’s all here.
This year has been one of the best thus far.
The Numbers
Total Kilometers Travelled: 52,209 km
In the Air (by plane): 41,928 km
On the Tracks (by train): 5,447 km
On the Road (by bus): 4,460 km
On foot (trekking/hiking): 374 km
Days on the Road: 192 – 52% of the year
and the same as last year!
Countries Covered: 8
New ones: 2 (Myanmar & Mongolia)
Cities: 31
Plane Rides: 20
Train Rides: 20
Long Distance Bus Rides: 17
Beds Slept In: 67
Nights in a Tent: 14
SIM Cards: 9
Blog Posts: 110
The Behind the Screen
It’s been a year full of highs and lows, blog-wise. I’ve been working so hard at improving the quality of my content, SEO, domain authority, and using social media to bring more views to my posts. It’s been really time-consuming, and sometimes I felt that my work wasn’t paying off. On the other hand, when you compare my stats from last year and this year, there’s a big difference. I’ve also invested more into this blog than ever before, and at the end of the day, I’m really proud of where it’s going. I still have loads of work to do and milestones to hit before I get to where I want to be, but I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made in 365 days.
The Changes
This year has been so full of change! I mean, let’s start with the big one: I’m finally in school. I’ve also moved from Asia to Europe, made tons of new friends, and become really really happy.
I learned to love China and to be curious about where I come from.
I’ve surrounded myself with the people I want to be friends with. It sounds like a no-brainer, but I’ve lost friendships that weren’t too good and strengthened the really strong ones. I also made some really wonderful friends travelling. The friendships I’ve made on the road this year have been some really close ones.
The Highlights
It’s been a great year with SO many highlights. Here they are in chronological order.
E-Biking with my mother in Bagan
Hilarious, a little frightening, and a day that brought us closer together. I loved this day (and trip) because it was the first time I felt like I wasn’t travelling with my mom, but with a friend. My mom’s an awesome lady.
Nepal
Can you really be shocked? This country is magical. I interned here and learned incredible lessons; I made Nepal a home; I trekked in the Himalayas; I met some inspiring, wonderful people, and I found direction in regards to what I want to do with my life.
China
I was surprised by this country. I didn’t want to go for the longest time, and it ended up being possibly the biggest highlight of the year. Studying Chinese, going on weekend trips with my friends, and falling in love slowly with and within this place… it was a great time.
Finally starting university!
I am 2 years late to the game, but I’m finally a fresher. Last year, when applying to schools, I was sending out an application to study biomedical engineering, but it didn’t feel right. 40 minutes later, I had sent out an application (with a totally different personal statement) to study international relations. My most impulsive decision to date, and lucky, a decision I’m still glad I made.
The Next Adventure
I’ve got some exciting trips planned for 2018. I’ll be in the UK for the majority of this next year (only downside to starting school- you’re stuck in one place!), but I’m planning some getaways that I’m SO excited for. Stay tuned; there are lots of adventures coming.
The Blog Posts
Here is EVERY. SINGLE. Blog post I’ve written this year.
Lifestyle: My 2017 Resolutions, Book Review: The Beach, Gobdigoun Skincare, Travel Memories, Cancelling My Dream Trek, 20th Birthday, Reflections, Ruby Moon Swimwear, Making Chicken Rice, 9 Instagrammers You Need To Follow, Holiday Break
How To: Travel on a Budget, Be Productive When Travelling, Safely Explore as a Solo Female Traveller, Set Goals & Achieve Them, Have a Positive Mindset, Dress for Temples, Dress/Pack for a Day Hike
Health/Fitness: Stay Healthy when Travelling, Dream Fitness Vacation, How I Got into My Best Shape While Travelling, Healthy Holiday Destinations for EVERY Budget
General Travel: Travel While Young, Open Letter to First Time Solo Travellers, Must Haves, Things Only Travellers Love, Best Hiking Gear, How NOT to Look Like a Tourist, Must Haves- Summer, One Thing that’s ALWAYS in My First Aid Kit, 10 Quotes, Kinds of People You’ll Meet in Hostels, Places to Spend Christmas, Trips to Take with Your Best Friend, What I Wish I Knew Before Travelling Solo, Last Minute Travel, Apps, Bringing Travel Back Home, Best Cities to Visit for New Years
Wanderlust Watchlist: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six
Asia: Signs You’ve Backpacked in SE Asia, Eating/Drinking Around the World, Best Cities for Solo Travellers, Best Activities in SE Asia
China: First Week, Shangri La, Western Hills (Xi Shan), Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dali, Wanderlust: Yunnan, Kindness in Taiyuan, Experiences you MUST Have, Keats Chinese School
Thailand: Monkey Beach, Two Week Itinerary
Singapore: Haw Par Villa, Expat Wife, Kampong Glam, Harry Potter Cafe, Backpacking Guide, Eating Healthy, ULTIMATE Guide, Bucket List
Mongolia: Trekking in the Altai Mountains, Naadam/Fermented Mare’s Milk, What I Wish I Knew Before Going, What Trekking in Mongolia is REALLY Like
Myanmar: Teatime, Train Ride, Mandalay, Boat Ride, Inle Lake, Bagan, Photos that Will Inspire You to Go
Nepal: Wanderlust: Trekking in Nepal, Australian Camp, Kathmandu, Nepali Wedding, Women of the World Conference, World Peace Pagoda, Holi, Annapurna Base Camp, Best Restaurants in Pokhara, Everest Base Camp Series: (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Bardia National Park, Is it Safe For Solo Females?, Food Guide, Pokhara Itinerary
Vietnam: 10 Photos to Inspire You to Go
USA: Backpacking in NY, Treats in Boston
Europe:
Switzerland: Badenfahrt, Oeschinesee (Mountain Roller Coaster)
Germany: Bad Sackingen
UK: Exploring Christmas in the UK
Scotland: First Week in Edinburgh, Loch Ness/Isle of Skye
England: Dover & Canterbury, Lake District
Thank you for following and supporting my adventures! I hope each and every one of you has had an incredible 2017, and are getting ready to have an even better 2018.
What were the highlights of your year? Share them in the comments!
Wow! It’s been quite a year. 🙂 I enjoy reading your posts and you’ve really inspired me to fulfill some of my travel goals for this year. Now I’m planning my next trips so I can make 2018 even better.
This comment is so sweet! It made my day! <3 What do you have planned?! I'd love to hear!
A week to somewhere in Europe in April, 3 weeks in the Philippines in June/July and perhaps another week to somewhere in the Autumn. Like you, I’m studying for a degree but through an apprenticeship, so I want to balance travel more with my full-time work and studies. 🙂
Sounds absolutely amazing!!
Seems like someone had a year full of new experiences and memories. Seems like you have truly lived a year the way it was, every day as a different one.
Hope 2018 would be as good as this year for you. 🙂
Thank you! 2017 was incredibly kind to me. Hoping for an amazing 2018 for the both of us!
This sounds like a hell of a year! I’m so jealous right now haha 🙂 Unfortunately I took only one year off and I wish it would’ve been 2… I really hope I can fit a trip to Mongolia in this summer 🙂
I hope you can! I love love loved mongolia!