I’ve been mulling over some topics to cover off our third year in the UK, and to be honest I really struggled – my memory failed me completely. Everything might just be blurring together…or is it because I’m turning 30 in a couple months’ time? Who knows!
So, from the depths of social media, I’ve managed to uncover a few travel gems. Oh, and more importantly, I made it onto national news. Not that it is much of an accomplishment in this country but I managed to do it from the other side of the world, so I win! Watch the clip here – it’s a bit of a laugh! Anyway…
2016 wasn’t a year where we ticked off a lot of countries – probably five or six in all. But with the exception of Cardiff (cool castle, boring city), we had some bloody good times with even better people.
I really couldn’t write this without bringing up Slovenia and our trip with the Fludes. The Balkans is a region I’ve always been drawn to and Slovenia certainly didn’t disappoint. Its countryside, the national parks and gorges, its beautiful lakes – so much of this place reminded me of New Zealand (apart from the steeples that you pass every hundred metres). We split our week between Ljubljana, Piran and probably the highlight of the trip: Bled. Tucked at the foot of the Julian Alps, Bled is just, wow. Google Slovenia and the first thing you’ll come across is this town, its lake and the medieval castle that overlooks the area from atop the cliffs. It really is straight out of a fairytale.
The obvious place to start is that fricken beautiful church. Seriously, how? I can just imagine them deciding over a few beers, “Hey guys, check out this tiny island. This is definitely where we should build our church!” The row boats might be a bit of a tourist trap, but the photos alone make it worthwhile. My only mistake – handing the oars over to Nikki and expecting us to actually move somewhere (other than going around in circles). Now, I’m usually quite a carefree person to travel with, but that is just…grrrr!
2016 was also the first time seeing the parents in three odd years, and I was lucky enough to join them on their trip to Scotland – the first time Mum had been home in 40 years (or something like that). I might have only been up to Montrose a couple of times, but it’s a place that feels like home, thanks to our awesome family. It is definitely one place I wish I visited more but we have some amazing memories (or lack of memories – they are Scots after all so drinking is compulsory upon entry). And of course, the accent – it melts my heart! All I’m saying is if Nikki had a Scottish accent, she would be perfect.
There must have been some alcohol involved when we planned the itinerary for our Christmas trip with the Owens. In the end, we hit four countries in seven nights, including Christmas in Copenhagen (that has a good ring to it!), Budapest and New Years in Prague. Don’t get me wrong, they were all incredible cities that I will write about more at some point, but this is just going to turn into an essay, so I'll leave you with four of the best bits:
- Watching a gluten free friend discover a gluten free McDonalds – I doubt I’ll ever witness such happiness again.
- Spending Christmas Day at Tivoli Park – what better time to visit Europe’s oldest theme park? When everyone else is at home opening presents!
- Bringing in the New Year underneath Charles Bridge – Prosecco, tick. Fireworks, tick. Falling snow, tick. It really was magical.
- Spending a day in a local Budapest bar, shouting everyone in the place a shot, and still only spending 100 pounds between 4 of us ($200 for you Kiwi folk).
SG