Since leaving the UK in November 2013, Luke and I have had so many adventures and seen more amazing places than I can often remember. The year of 2014 has seen me travel further than I've ever been before and tick off so many things on the ever-expanding bucket list.
Here are some of the best places we've been to during this wonderful year:
1. NYE in Kerala.
From seeing in the new year at a club in Varkala to bobbing along the backwaters, this amazing region of south-west India provided the perfect place to start the year.
2. The paradise of Palolem.
Moments of our India trip were trying (to say the least!) but thankfully we were able to re-group and relax at the totally chilled Palolem beach. Kayaking with dolphins, drinking red wine and eating Marmite were some of the highlights. Oh, and those spectacular sunsets.
3. Oh, Sri Lanka, how I love thee!
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to explain how good it felt to be in Sri Lanka after ten weeks of Indian craziness. It was clean, the people were friendly and we ate our weight in their speciality of 'five veg curries and rice'. Yum!
4. A magical wedding on Railay Beach, Thailand.
What can I say? A beautiful couple (Katie and Grant) got married surrounded by all of their amazing family and friends, in a setting so stunning it didn't look real. It still makes me smile every time I think about it. What a day!
5. Learning to scuba dive in Koh Tao, Thailand.
After fulfilling a joint ambition to become certified divers, Luke and I loved it so much we did our advanced certificate. It was a week full of conquering fears, post-dive beers and so many laughs!
6. Getting arty in George Town, Malaysia.
Of everywhere we've been in the past year, George Town definitely gets the most cool points. We were completely bowled over by the amount of culture crammed into this little town on the island of Penang.
7. The idyllic Perhentian Islands, Malaysia.
The palm tree fringed beaches, amazing sealife, $2 curries and seriously chilled vibe, definitely made Pulau Cecil in the Perhentian Islands the the most relaxing destination of 2014.
8. Getting acquainted with the Australian wildlife.
One of the best things about making myself an honorary Aussie has got to be getting up close with animals I'd only ever seen on television. Kangaroos, koalas, possums and wild parakeets, 2014 has seen us meet them all.
9. Learning to surf in Mollymook.
Although my skills need honing, thanks to my time in the quaint town of Mollymook on the NSW coast, I can now stand and even slightly turn while riding the waves. Surfing is seriously good fun but seriously hard work.
10. Becoming a Sydneysider.
Even the most enthusiastic of traveller needs somewhere to settle own and call home. Why not make it Sydney, arguably the best city in the world? (Just don't say that to a Melbournite.) From seeing the cool surfers on Bondi beach to taking a ferry past the iconic Opera House, so far it's been everything I dreamed of and more.
Happy New Year everyone - who knows what incredible travel moments 2015 will bring!
