Jambo! (That’s hello in Swahili.) Traveling really makes you lose track of time. We had no idea that November ended and December began. Internet wasn’t available on our actual travelversary, which is why this post is coming a few days later. We hope you enjoy reading our stats and superlatives. If you have any ideas for some you’d like to see in future posts, just let us know.
Days we’ve been gone: 184 (June 6 – December 6)
Countries we’ve visited: 18 (Iceland, Finland, Russia, Turkey, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Egypt, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania)
Hanging out on the edge of Victoria Falls in Devil’s Pool.
Number of photos taken: 13,574
Hours of video taken: 50
Number of books Tara read: 10; Mike: 7
Adrenaline activities: 4 (cage diving with Great White Sharks, gorge jump over the Zambezi River, jumping into Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls, Zambia, driving a scooter along Zanzibar’s coast and getting shaken down by cops)
Best African beers for Tara: Castle Milk Stout (South African), Zambezi (Zimbabwean), Mosi (Zambian) and Kilimanjaro (Tanzanian); Mike: Black Label (South African), Zambezi (Zimbabwean) and Serengeti (Tanzanian)
Deserts visited: 2 — Sahara Desert (in Morocco and Egypt) and Namib-Naukluft Desert (in Namibia)
Different currencies used: 14
Times we’ve paid to do laundry: 1 (in Olympos, Turkey)
Number of visas purchased: 6 (and we’ve pre-purchased our Indian visa, giving us 7 in our passports)
Days we’ve had accommodations on the beach: 27
Sunrise seen from a sand dune in the Namib Desert.
Number of days camping: 30
Days Couchsurfing: 22
Meat we cheated on our pescetarian diet to try: reindeer, mustamakkara, kebab (in Turkey, Morocco and Egypt), Francesinha, oryx, biltong, warthog
Best sunrise: Rising from behind sand dunes, as seen from the top of a 270-meter-high dune in the Namib-Naukluft Desert.
Best sunset: Setting behind mountains, seen from a canoe in Lake Malawi.
Most-used item brought: iPhone. From maps to notes to Triposo, it’s been an extremely useful travel companion.
Least-used item brought: Steripen. The first time we went to use it, the indicator told us the lamp was already broken. A great disappointment.
Wow! I just cannot believe you’ve been travelling this long! You kids are great. Continue to enjoy and learn about this world. Love and continued safety!
Hard to believe, eh? We’re in denial too. Mostly because it means we’re nearly halfway done. It’s been a terrific journey so far! Thank you for your continued support!
Congrats, guys!
Thank you!
Congrats on your 6 month. So glad all is going well and you are both still enjoying it. I can’t believe the amount of photos you’ve taken. WOW! Stay safe. Love you.
I know it! If we hadn’t been going through them along the way and posting our favorites, we’d certainly be overwhelmed upon our return.
Wow!! I can’t believe it’s been 6 months – you know that old saying time flies when your having fun. I am so happy that you guys are really enjoying yourselves. I love the pictures and the updates, I really look forward to them. Don’t think of it as you only have 6 months left just think of it as just the beginning of many more journeys. Its in your blood now so you’re going to have to do it again ;)). Miss you guys and love you very much xoxox Aunt Robin
Thanks, Aunt Robin! Love you too 🙂