Global Outing - Our Year Round the World

When you were a kid, remember when summers seemed to last forever? Then the older you got, the shorter they got? Well, we spent the last year chasing the summer. It was an amazing adventure, filed with sunshine and laughter; and it, too, seemed to fly by. We did a lot this year (Quite possibly the understatement of the year). We literally made a full circle around the world in 13 months from the hustle and bustle of the West to teh serene East. We’ve expanded our comfort zones, tested our limits, and made lifelong friends with people from all around the world. It’s difficult to put such an experience into words.

There were a few universal truths I’ve learned out on the road:
1. Clean clothes are a luxury, especially those from an actual washing machine.
2. Cotton is great. (after many, many months of wearing synthetics)
3. Travel is hell on your feet.
4. People are the same where ever you go.
5. There are some truly amazing people in this world who make everything seem better and I will never forget them.
6. Hot showers rule!
7. Long-term travel isn’t like vacation at all.
8. Regardless of how much you love someone, being with them 24/7, you are going to have a spat or two. (Notice below, we did not keep a tally of arguments!)
9. Travel before the internet is a mystery to me.
10. Life really is beautiful and should be lived like there is no tomorrow. Afterall, you have no guarantees.

One last thing, if you ever need a recommendation for a great vacation spot, I might have one or two!

Final Tally:

Countries: 40
Flights: 35
Trains: 66
Ferries/boats: 53
Buses (>2hrs): 73

Total memory used for photos and videos: 76.75 GB

We’ve been asked a time or two to name only one favorite place. We loved so many places for so many different reasons. I’ll never be able to list only one. The beauty of this world lies in its diversity of cultures and geographies. We are fortunate to have embarked on such an extensive trip, but it has only given us a small taste of what is still left to explore! Traveling has seeped into our veins and will be luring us beyond our front porch for the rest of our days. We feel rejuvenated and are excited to get back to work and replenish our bank accounts! Thanks for sharing the best summer of our lives with us!!