Travel Moments of 2017

As 2017 draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on what really has been an awesome year. We’ve travelled to some incredible places, fallen in love with most of them, and had lots of amazing visitors who, even after three years in Bangkok, continue to come and see us. We really are so lucky.

2017 began with New Year in Sydney, a total bucket list trip for me. I loved Australia and will definitely return to see more of this spectacular country- maybe in 2018 we’ll go again! My other half was born on the west coast of Australia and is really keen to get there next.

In February, my parents came and I finally made it up to Northern Thailand and fell totally in love with the chilled vibe and elephants of Chiang Mai. Another place that is calling me to go back. We spent some time in Khao Lak that holiday too and although beautiful, I won’t be heading back anytime soon.

At the last minute, my best friend from uni decided to join us on our trip to Indonesia at Songkran where we had the most insane time in Bali, Lombok and Gili Air. Not only did we hang out with a load of friends during the trip but I also got to spend some time with my cousins and their families who were on Lombok. We had such a brilliant time, we are heading back in April to do it all again!

In May it was nearly time to say goodbye to our Bangkok Besties so we headed to The Slate in Phuket with them to do it in style. An awesome hotel that we will no doubt keep returning to whenever possible!

In the summer, we spent a month back in the UK visiting friends and family, stocking up on all those things we can’t get here in Thailand and eating our way through every meal we miss. We had a couple of fab weeks in Spain with my parents too, a place that is genuinely one of my favourites in the entire world.

We called in at Abu Dhabi on the way back from the UK to Bangkok. I had plans to visit the Grand Mosque and the souks but the heat was so ridiculous (and we had club lounge access) so we pretty much stayed shoulder deep in the pool for two days sipping cocktails!

September saw me take my first trip to neighbouring Vietnam, where I promptly fell in love with Hanoi (I did say there was a lot of love in this post). Despite only being in the city for a long weekend, we crammed in so much and would absolutely go back!

My parents came back for their second yearly dose of Asia in October so we headed to Cambodia for a long weekend to experience Angkor Wat. It was an incredible few days and ticked another thing off the bucket list. I loved seeing the temples and had a great time in Siem Reap.

October half term was earmarked for total relaxation so we took my parents back to a resort that we had visited two years previous, the Santhiya Khao Yao Yai, and then onto the most gorgeous Air BnB in Phuket. It really was a week of doing nothing but recharging the batteries for the next stretch of school through to Christmas!

We popped to Singapore for the weekend in November to meet my cousins new baby and catch up with friends. I really love Singapore and could totally move there when we next get itchy feet!

We spent an incredible Christmas in the Maldives which truly did live up to all expectations!

I am finishing this post on New Year’s Eve, sat next to the pool in Khao Yai, an area in Thailand known for its rainforest National Park. The area is beautiful and even more special as my sister and her boyfriend are here with us. Happy new year everyone!

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Plans for our 2018 adventures are already formulating and I hope we are as lucky with our travels as we have been this year, there is nothing more amazing than visiting new places so here’s to even more fun next year! What were your favourite moments and places of 2017?