Well, it’s almost the end of the year and it’s that time when we all start reflecting on the year that has passed, the ups and downs, the achievements, the un-achievements (lets not call them failures!).
You may also be inundated with review posts at the moment…so sorry to add to the pile, but here goes mine!
Australia
It’s been a fairly eventful year for me, it started off with another fab trip to Australia, somewhere that I always love returning to.
I am extremely lucky that I get to visit this country on an annual basis at the moment and it never gets boring. I always love my (albeit rather jetlagged!) first morning there, waking up and walking down to the beach to be greeted by ocean, space and (hopefully!) blue skies…it never gets old!
Read more: Swansea – Australia that is!
Laos
After Australia, I was able to fulfill a travel dream and visit Laos, a country that had been on the radar for a while.
When we arrived in Luang Prabang and were greeted with the most amazing sunset and scenery as soon as we stepped off the plane, I knew it was going to be a good trip!
And oh my word, it was!
It didn’t fail to disappoint, elephants, waterfalls and wats, made this trip one to remember – not to forget the spectacular scenery around Luang Prabang.
Visiting the Elephant Conservation Centre was a definite highlight and an experience I will remember forever. Seeing these rescued elephants and witnessing the lengths that the staff go to to protect and care for them was a privilege.
There is so much more to the country and I can’t wait to return to Laos again one day and explore further.
Read more: An Emotional Sunrise in Laos / Conquering Mount Phousi in Luang Prabang / Cooling Off at Kuang Si Falls / Delicate Negotiations in Laos / Elephant Conservation Centre, Laos / Sunsets Galore in Laos / To Alms Or Not To Alms / To Visit Laos in March? The Burning Question! / World Elephant Day 2018
Wells
Back in the UK, I feel like I managed to cover a fair bit of ground this year. Exploring my backyard is something that I definitely need to do more of, there are so many unique and interesting places to visit here.
This year I discovered Wells in Somerset, with its magnificent cathedral as its backdrop, it served as the perfect weekend destination for my mum and I to explore and relax in – the delicious gin and tonics served at our hotel and the glorious weather we experienced also definitely helped!
Read more: Exploring Wells, Somerset / Living It Up In Wells / Sightseeing in Wonderful Wells
Lewes
Then it was on to Lewes in East Sussex, to visit friends. I always love visiting this part of the world, it is just too pretty for words… so take a look instead…
It was a fabulous weekend catching up with friends and exploring a bit more of what the town has to offer. Fish and chips in the car at the seaside was definitely one of my highlights!
Read more: Because I Love…Fish And Chips By The Sea / Loafing Around Lewes
Menorca
We were in need of some sun, sea and sand as the summer here drew to a close, so it was off to Menorca in the Balearic Islands we went! A place that is becoming a bit of a regular haunt of ours now, but for very good reasons.
I always struggle a bit with returning somewhere I have already been, there are so many places in the world to see… but sometimes familiarity is good.
We always try to stay somewhere new if we go to Menorca and explore the island a bit further. I love that there is just so much beauty and culture to have on such a small island!
This year we stayed in Son Bou which gave us a great base to explore the surrounding area. This trip was a bit of a mixed bag though, bad weather and illness plagued, but we finished the trip off with a full day of sightseeing, a great way to end our holidays.
If (when!) we return again, I would actually like to stay in the capital Mahon for a few days, an experience that I think would be quite different from staying at one of the many resorts around the island. Just another thing for the very long wish list I have!
Read more: Aaah, Menorca! / Menorca: The Perfect Last Day Intinerary
Blackpool
The last trip of the year was a special visit to Blackpool. I say it was special because we went to visit family who we haven’t seen for a long time.
Blackpool holds good memories for me of family who have long since passed. The weekend didn’t disappoint, it was brilliant!! Not only did we catch up with the family, we also managed to be tourists – it couldn’t be missed! A trip up Blackpool Tower, down the lights, eating rock and fish and chips…that’s what it was all about and I loved it!
Read more: Because I Love…Cheesy Seaside Fun! / The Blackpool Illuminations!
That was the year that was!
In addition to the travels above, there were other highlights throughout the year. I managed to hit the Wimbledon tennis championships again (twice!), witness the comedy legends that are Chris Rock, Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle do their thing live and had a few fantastic weekends in fancy London town!
Of course there have been ups and downs, this is life after all and it’s not all glossy like these photos. However, it’s definitely been a fun year overall!
Regarding getting away, I always want to travel much more than I do, but I’m also very lucky and eternally grateful that I am able to travel and see as much as I do.
I have a travel wish list that goes on, and on, and on…! I am slowly working my way through it and I can’t wait to see what next year brings! The only thing on the horizon at the moment is Australia (bring it on!)…and then who knows!
I (always!) have a lot of grand plans, most of which probably won’t actually materialise (yet anyway!) because of money and time restraints but…
…you’ve got to dream big sometimes, right?
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!
mydustyflipflops.com 
Happy New Year! Great photos. Looking forward to seeing some of your grand plans take shape in 2019!!
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Thank you so much! We’ll see how the plans go, but I always love to be planning something 🙂 Happy New Year to you too!
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Wow! Sounds like a wonderful year 😁
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It’s been quite a good one 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
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Oh my gosh, you’ve given me so much to read about in your blog. I JUST booked a trip to Laos-Cambodia for next winter! Our first time in Asia and I’m so excited!! Luang Prabang will be the home base for the first half of the trip. Can’t wait to read your posts. Also, if you have any advice on the Peak District, the Snowdonia area of Wales, or the Shropshire Hills AONB, that’s where we’re headed this summer. Our activities are largely planned out (we’re bringing our road bikes), but I’m always open to new suggestions. Happy New Year!
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Oh that’s brilliant, I’m so excited for you!!! You are going to have an amazing time!! 🙂 I’ve been to Cambodia quite a few times, so if you have any questions just ask and I’ll do my best to answer them for you! I’m afraid I can’t really help with your summer plans, my last trip to Snowdonia was a school geography trip back in the late 80’s – not sure my hazy recollections of the youth hostel we stayed in will be much help 🙂 It sounds like you have a great 2019 ahead of you, very exciting indeed! Happy New Year to you too – I can’t wait to read about your trips 🙂
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Have another good one in 2019.
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Thank you! And you, Happy New Year!
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Sounds like you had a great year of travelling! Any plans for 2019?
And of course, Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
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Thank you! It was better than expected to be honest 🙂 I’ll be off to Oz again soon, but I haven’t got anything else firmed up yet. What about you? Happy New Year!
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Excellent! Lucky you going to Oz again soon! I’m planning to go to Iceland and maybe Sweden and Åland too. 🙂
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Oh wow, that sounds exciting!! Is that soon? I’ve never heard of Aland… just looked it up, it looks beautiful!
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It is! Not too soon, probably July. Haven’t booked yet but will probably do so soon! I have a friend who’s from Åland so that’s why I know about it. If it all works out (she has her own business) I’ll be visiting her 😉
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Ah fabulous, there’s nothing like booking a trip is there 🙂 I hope that you manage to sort out getting to Aland to see your friend. I’ll look forward to reading about it if you do 🙂
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Indeed! I hope so too! And if I get to go, I’ll happily blog about it! 🙂
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Happy, healthy, joyful and travel-filled year to ya! May it be all you want it to be and then some. As for failures — I don’t know what those are … or were you referring to the learning curve where one sometimes slides back for a bit of perspective? 😉
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Thank you so much, and to you! I hope 2019 brings you much joy! Well, one major failure of mine this year has to be exercise…or not doing enough. I’ve actually not done much at all in the latter part of the year, which is something I need to change! We’ll see how that goes!
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Well, exercise comes in all kinds of forms … I have some limitations on the kind of physical activity I can do, but living in NYC, in a walkup apartment, in a borough where people often walk everywhere … I do get a fair amount of that … at least. 🙂 Here’s to a healthy year for all! 🙂
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Most definitely 🙂 Walking is great exercise isn’t it! I do a fair amount as well, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. I was doing yoga for quite a while but haven’t done that for ages either…and now I’m so stiff!!
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I hear ya! I used to go to the gym 3-4 times a week to do cardio and some weights, as well as took long hikes and such. Can’t do the gym and weights anymore but can walk, and climb stairs (lots of those in buildings and on subways and such), and carry groceries and such up the stairs … and it kind’a has to be enough for me. But I get the stiffness …
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A great review of a great year. Happy New Year and all the best for 2019. Xx
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Thank you so much and for all of your support throughout this year. Happy New Year to you!
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You’ve done a LOT of travelling this year. That’s awesome.
I finally managed to cross Australia off my list this year. Definitely memories of a lifetime. How is it that you return there annually? Family?
And the photo from Lewes truly is the most amazing of them all, which reminds us that we do not have to travel far to see beauty.
Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year! Thank you! I was very lucky that I was able to do so much last year…I hope this year will be the same 🙂 Yes, family out in Oz who are quite elderly now, so that’s why we try to get there so often. How was your trip?? Did you love it??
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Loved it? There’s no words to describe it. Absolutely amazing time. Like you, I don’t like to go to places I’ve been to, since I haven’t been to so many other countries, but Australia is a whole continent. I really want to see some other parts of it.
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Brilliant! It’s fantastic isn’t it! I do love going there, but there is still so much of it I haven’t seen, like you say, it’s a huge place, so there is so much to explore 🙂
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Hey dear wishing you a Happy New Year with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come 🤗🎆
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Thank you so much! And Happy New Year to you too! I wish you a fantastic 2019 🙂
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😊😊
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Happy New Year! I wish you health, happiness and lots of great travel adventures in 2019!
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Thank you so much! And the same to you – Happy New Year!
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