I had the idea that I would write up a big 2013 wrap up like I did last year. And then as I started writing it, I realized that this year surpassed words. Yeah, that’s a pretty big cop out as someone who claims to want to be a writer, but there is no way to accurately sum up this past year and do it any justice.
In 2013 I lived on 3 continents. I traveled 44,286 miles (71,272 km) in and between 14 countries. I slept in 59 beds. I ate a lot. I saw the beauty of the world and the people in it. I learned a lot about myself. I met so many interesting and amazing people from different countries. I started grad school.
2014 will undoubtedly be a more stationary year, but I am excited to see what happens in the next 365 days and where I end up at the end of it all.
In honor of the end of the year, here are some of my favorite memories of 2013, photos of the most beautiful things I saw and the things I will always remember.
Temple hopping on the Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
The last wine buffet in Seoul
Island hopping in El Nido, Philippines
Watching the sun set from Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
Lanterns in Melaka, Malaysia
Longtail boat in southern Thailand
A unique sunset in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Stunning Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Burma
Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake in Burma
Playing with elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Exploring Kuang Si waterfalls in Laos
Nightly sunset beers on the Mekong River in Luang Prabang, Laos
Tubing on the Nam Song river in Vang Vieng, Laos
Jumping off the highest tree branch at the Blue Lagoon in Vang Vieng
All the spectacular sunsets in the 4,000 Islands
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Island hopping off the southern coast of Cambodia
Winning a lot of free drinks from trivia on Otres Beach, Cambodia (and being that tan)
This sunset on Otres Beach. Forever the best.
Lazy days at the beach in Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Street side beers in Saigon
Riding through the streets of Saigon on the back of a Vespa in search of the best eats
Wandering the cute streets of Hoi An, Vietnam in between getting clothes tailor made
The absolute shit show that was Halong Bay (which is why I have no nice looking picture of the place)
Not falling down the side of a mountain/into a rice paddy during my trek in Sapa, Vietnam
Walking around Hanoi’s Old Quarter on my last night in Asia
Doing American summer right: beering and boating with my sister
Seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time in Ocean Shores, Washington
Spending a week in beautiful Seattle
Surviving a reunion weekend in Cincinnati with my favorite people
Seeing Michigan Stadium for the first time in 3 years (even if it was 5 days before kickoff)
Moving to London during the most beautiful autumn
Returning to Paris for a weekend even though I felt like death
Exploring new parts of London with Kasey and Alicia
Spending an epic weekend in Cornwall
Hosting a very delicious Thanksgiving dinner with some really amazing people
London at Christmas
Returning to Rome, my favorite place in the world, for the first time in 4 years
Celebrating Christmas in Tuscany with Cristiana and her family
Eating in Italy
Which photo is your favorite? What is your favorite memory from 2013?
If I were you, I’d totally lack words to describe this year too! I can’t believe how many amazing experiences you had! Just wow! All your photos are gorgeous, but the sunset one from Cambodia is simply unreal!
Julika recently posted..My 2013 Highlights via Instagram
Thanks, Julika. That sunset photos is one of my favorites ever. Happy New year!
Beautiful photos! The sunset at Otres Beach is amazing, but I also love the London phone booth in a residential area. I always see it in the city environment, so that is pretty unique. Your photos tell a story of your experiences which seem amazing. I am hoping to make it to Southeast Asia in the next few years – it looks like you had a blast there!
Bridget @ A Traveling B recently posted..In Photos: Venice
Thank you! I hope you get to Southeast Asia- it is a wonderful part of the world to travel in. And the sunsets at Otres Beach are the best in the world. Happy New Year!
I love your photos… what an amazing year you’ve had! First of all you were soooo tan. Jealous. And that sunset pic of Otres beach was amazing… the sunset we saw was so beautiful there too! I also loved the pic of Saigon at night- I wish I had a photo like that because it’s so emblematic of Vietnam. Also that beer picture with the sand in the background was Michigan, right? That is possibly the most Michiganian photo I’ve ever seen, haha.
Ashley of Ashley Abroad recently posted..Motorcycling Across Vietnam: Part 2
Thanks, Ashley! It has been quite a year (for us both, I think). That is actually on the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky. I loved it, though, because it reminded me of Michigan summers.
I love the photo of sunset on Otres Beach – it looks amazing! And also the lotus pond in Kaohsiung (I’ll have to explore). And also the boy to Sheryll’s right in the photo of the wine buffet in Seoul. I hope you have an amazing 2014, and continue to enjoy life and experience new things!
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted..My Thirteen Favourite Things Of 2013
Yes! Go to Kaohsiung- it’s a city that really surprised me and the temples around the Lotus Pond are spectacular. Well, you may have a chance with him if you’re ever back in Seoul
Happy New year, Tom! Thanks for all the comments RTs this year.
I can’t even get over these photos, Amanda. Why aren’t you studying photography?
Ceri recently posted..2013: The Year That Got Away
Thank you so much, Ceri! You have no idea how much that compliment means to me
Whoaaaa you’ve had quite the 2013 in travels! Love the photos from Laos especially. How was the jump from the highest tree branch? Don’t think I have the ability to climb such heights let along jump from it. Hope your 2014 is just as exciting
Lily La recently posted..Turning 23 in Bagan with a friendly Burmese man
The jump was terrifying, but in the best possible way. The climb up was actually worse as I am the least sure footed person in the world and was scared I would slip or trip and break my neck. And thank you! I hope you have a wonderful 2014 as well
Wow, you really got around in 2013! (in the good way, of course :)) SO happy we finally met up in London (though sad to have missed you in Paris) — let’s do it again this year, yes?
Edna recently posted..Upheaval
It was a busy year! It was really nice to meet you! We will definitely have to arrange a 2014 meetup at some point for more craft beers