2019 has almost come to an end and we look back on what we have done this year.
Towards the end of 2018 we travelled to Mount Everest Base Camp, bought our very first apartment and got married. It is safe to say that 2019 started with a very empty bank account.
January therefore became a quiet month. Rather than travelling, we focused on previous experiences and wrote about the risk (or lack thereof) of travelling to Africa.
Mini trip in Western Norway
In February we embarked on a weekend adventure close to home. First was Helleren in Jøssingfjord, a huge rock shelter with houses built underneath it. Next up was Trollpikken, also known as The Troll Dick Rock. Yes, you read that right. Last, but not least, we visited Himakånå, known as the “mini Trolltunga“. Although a bit smaller it features the same overhanging rock formation as its more famous sibling, but with a whole lot less tourists.
Large trip in Western Norway
Still finding ways of travelling on a small budget, especially with our honeymoon coming up, we decided to spend Easter on a road trip along Western Norway. More than 2000 km were spent on the road and we got to see a lot of exciting places. Unfortunately we haven’t had time to write about all of them yet, but one of our stops were at Dovre, where we saw musk oxen.
Honeymoon in the Galápagos
Then it was time for this year’s biggest adventure. We went on our honeymoon in the Galápagos Islands! First stop was Quito in Ecuador, where we stood on the equator, before we flew to the Galápagos Islands. The trip to these islands was incredible and what we have actually described as the best trip we’ve ever had. Video from the experiences there can be found here. Back on the mainland again we visited the Mindo Cloud Forest and got to see even more nature and wildlife experiences. Finally, we spent the last few days in Panama City. We have summarised the best places to see there in this article.
Road trip in Southern Norway
For summer we again went on a local vacation. Jørn visited the Heavy Water Factory at Vemork before we both embarked on a roadtrip along Southern Norway. Among the many sights we found a mine in the middle of the forest and slept in a hammock in a road tunnel! Due to bad weather we had to cut the trip short, but in return travelled north to Ringebu to one of Europe’s best kept airplane wrecks. What a cool place! More about that is coming soon.
Subsea half marathon
After this we had to get in shape, because when the world’s first subsea half marathon was happening we couldn’t say no. Thankfully it went well and we both made it to the finish line. Not one of the biggest journeys we’ve been on, but certainly one of the weirdest.
Norway’s third best travel blog
In the beginning of November we were named the third best travel blog in Norway. Once again, thank you to everyone voting for us!
As a prize we got to chose and adventure. We chose flying in a wind tunnel, more about this is coming soon.
At the end of the year we picked up the pace. First we spent a week in Malta, then we went to Belgium to stay in an Airstream, a hotel out of the ordinary. More about all of this in the beginning of 2020.
At the very end of the year we celebrated Christmas in the mountains with snow and family.
Trips from 2018
Not all our trips from 2018 was published the same year, so here are some of the other journeys we wrote about in 2019:
The rest of the trips form 2018 can be found in 2018 Travel Year.
See also 2017 Travel Year.
2019 in numbers
Finally we have gathered some statistics related to our trips in 2019:
- 4 countries visited (plus Norway), 3 of these are new.
- 21 flights has been undertaken
- More than 4000 km driven on road trips
- 50 hours has been spent in the air
- 32 245 km in the air (0.8 times around the world)
- 40 000 photos taken
- Countless good memories!
Next year
In 2020 we have some travel ideas, but nothing booked. Summiting Mont Blanc is high on the list of things we want to do, but may possibly have to be saved for a later time. Northern Norway is also a place we hope to visit soon.
Time will show what we’ll do, but for sure we won’t sit around and watch TV all year. Happy new year from both of us. 😊
Have you experienced something interesting while travelling this year or have plans for next year? Leave a comment below. 😊
