Happy new year, everyone! New year, new decade, new round of adventures. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s continually supported this hobby turned dream turned dedicated goal of mine. It makes me so happy to grow and write about my adventures as well as share helpful guides for solo budget travel. Having a platform to do so makes it even better. I love this tiny but loving community here – you are all the best!!
I don’t know about you, but 2019 was one of the most chaotic years of my life, filled with so much uncertainty and no semblance of a life plan!
It was a year of significant change for me as I quit my teaching job in Korea and made moves to backpack for six straight months – the longest I’ve ever traveled at a time. A dream I’ve had for years!
Last year also marked the very beginning of my tiny but growing freelance writing journey, and I even made a bit of money from my blog – small, but a start.
I made fantastic connections with even more amazing people online, and I started to learn more about the kind of future I’d like to shape for myself. I’m very excited about the possibilities that 2020 has in store for me.
So cheers to 2020, everyone! Heres a little bit of what I got up to in 2019.
Jaisalmer, India
2019 Review: A Year in the life of brit
Quit My Teaching Job in South Korea
February
And said goodbye to a big group of friends that had become my expat family for the past two years. I’ll always cherish the memories from my time in Korea, but it was time for a change.
Wisconsin
March
Coming home to see everyone after two years was SO lovely. I ate cheese, and I ate bread, and I ate many unhealthy American things. And then it was time to say goodbye again.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Embarked on a Semi Solo Six Month Backpacking Trip
India -> Malaysia -> Thailand -> Vietnam -> Laos -> South Korea -> Alaska
Two Months in India
March – May
Mumbai, Udaipur, Bundi, Agra, Mathura, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, New Delhi, Brahmatal Trek, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Manali, Kasol, + Kheerganga
The two months I spent in India was definitely the farthest I’ve ever pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, and even though at times I was stressed, tired, dirty, sick, and overwhelmed, I loved every minute of it. Starting in Mumbai and working my way north, I saw Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, celebrated Holi (which was insane), hiked the Himalayas, experienced culture shock in Varanasi and more.
Udaipur + Manali, India
1 Week in Malaysia
May
Kuala Lumpur + Penang
Spending a week in Malaysia after India was a funny change of pace. I went from visiting a unique and vibrant culture different from my own, back to being in a modernized city with an immense amount of amenities, not all too different from home. I cafe hopped (good coffee finally!), snapped some pics for the gram, and went on a self-proclaimed food tour of Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3 Weeks in Thailand
May – June
Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai
Admittedly Thailand wasn’t my favorite travel destination, but it did make for a fabulous romantic getaway and reunion with my handsome long distance boyfriend! We soaked up some sun in the south before he had to get back to work, and I carried on solo. Next time I need to hit up a few of the more remote islands and Khao Sok National Park, and I’m sure I’ll be singing a different tune about Thailand.
Island Hopping + Railay Beach, Thailand
1.5 Months Teaching in Ho Chi Minh City
June – July
Initially, when planning a move to teach English in Asia, I had been between Korea and Vietnam, so I was SO excited for the opportunity to teach a summer camp at an international school in Ho Chi Minh City. I met so many wonderful people and fell in love with Vietnamese culture. Tempted to stick around for the next school year, I reluctantly had to turn down the position and continue with my travels.
As much as I loved teaching, it’s not my passion. And I needed to cut out further distractions from my ultimate goal.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2 Weeks Exploring Northern Vietnam
July
Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Hai Van Pass, Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Sapa
So, I said goodbye to my short little life in the big city and ventured to the north with a new good friend of mine. We rode the Hai Van Pass and enjoyed fantastic countryside views. It was a fantastic trip!
Ninh Binh + Hoi An, Vietnam
2 Weeks in Laos
August
Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Vang Vieng, Pakse, Bolaven Plataeu, Vientiane
Laos was another abrupt change of pace from the busy and bustling countries of the other SE Asia. I stepped off the plane into calm, slower travel surrounded by the lushest greens I’ve ever seen. I got eaten alive by mosquitos but conquered some killer hikes and met a friendly travel companion to keep me company for half of my trip.
A
Bolaven Plateau + Vang Vieng, Laos
1 Long Weekend in South Korea
August
Seoul + Daegu
After Laos, I returned to Korea for a final goodbye to my second home, lovely friends still based there, as well as to meet up with my boyfriend for his last weekend in Korea. Then we hopped on a flight for Alaska!
Seoul, South Korea
10 Days in Alaska
August
Anchorage
Alaska has always been high on my bucket list, so having the chance to go under the guise of a “meet the boyfriend’s family” trip was enough for me to buy a ticket immediately!! (Haha jk, it was really lovely meeting his fam). We got some hiking in and ate some fresh, locally caught seafood. I already know I’ll be returning very soon!
Crow Pass + Eagle Lake Trails, Anchorage, Alaska
3 Months Wisconsin (home)
September
At the end of my whirlwind Asian adventure, I came home to Wisconsin, got myself a job, and slipped back into a bit of a routine working and saving for upcoming plans. It was crazy going from so much movement to so much stillness, but the time I’ve had to chill has been much needed. More so than I would’ve expected.
I also had the time to tackle a few tasks like…
- Gathering family documents for my upcoming Italian passport application
- Making moves for Germany / prepare for my grad school application
- Starting my freelance writing journey
- Getting serious about blog SEO, I’m set on turning this hobby into something more this year
- Seeing best friends and loved ones
- Spending weekends in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Madison
- Visiting family in New York
Palfrey’s Glen + Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Things to Come in 2020
Now that 2019 is done and dusted, it’s time to look forward to the exciting things on the horizon!
- Hawaii family vacation – here right now, baby! This Hawaiian sun is treating me well
- Weekend in Boston: Feb 2020
- Germany to be with my bf and hopefully, get myself a masters degree (fingers crossed for acceptance in the fall)
- European tour leader job – Barcelona and Valencia in March and more trips to come spread out over the summer!
Goals for 2020
- Adding new European countries to my visited list. I’m at 33 countries now, hoping to get it up into the 40s!
- More freelance writing – this gal needs money and some portfolio growth
- More than 5k followers on Insta – @life.of.brit 😉
- Blog growth – I’m coming for you triple-digit daily page views!
- 16,510 total views / 11,108 visitors in 2017
- 132,369 total views / 89,179 visitors in 2018
- 269.9k views / 185.1k visitors in 2019
- 650k views / 400k visitors in 2020 goal!