That Was 2024
Well, our travelling for 2024 is done and dusted and we eagerly await our first adventure of the new year. We think it’s fair to say that although 2024 was another splendid year of travel, not everything went according to plan. What with having to return home when Michaela’s Dad passed away, hiking ability being blighted by hip/groin trouble, becoming unexpectedly Africa’d out and heading to Turkey instead, the year ended up with a shape significantly different from the original plan.
You could say it was a year of mighty rivers, as we saw or sailed upon the Amazon, the Rio Negro, the Mississippi, the Tennessee, the Thames and the Zambezi.
We didn’t break any records this year though – travel days totalled 216 (best ever 270 in 2023), we visited 12 countries (record is 18 also in 2023), slept in 73 beds (our highest is 92), and “only” walked 1,170 miles on our travels, way short of our best ever of 1,680. Our longest trip of the year – Africa- was 84 days, making it joint third longest.
In any event, this is how 2024 unfolded….
JANUARY
Countries visited: None
Route: home- Padstow-home
Bed count: 4
Memorable people: Met no one new.
Best bars/restaurants: Only the usual haunts in Kent, Padstow and Lowestoft
Memorable events/bucket list items: None
Low point: Making a slow start to the travel year
FEBRUARY
Countries: Brazil.
Route: home-Rio de Janeiro-home
Bed count: 6
People: None really
Bars/restaurants: Xodozin, Rio de Janeiro.
Memorable events/Bucket list: Staying up all night at the incredible Rio Sambadrome party, spending days at the Rio carnavale, the feeling of being at Copacabana and Ipanema, heading to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Low points: Being pickpocketed and losing my iPhone, receiving the call advising of the death of Michaela’s Dad and having to head home.
MARCH
Countries: Brazil, Argentina.
Route: home-Sao Paulo-Paraty-Guarulhos-Foz do Iguaçu-Puerto Iguazu-Foz do Iguaçu
Bed count: 12
People: None really
Bars/restaurants: Cabore Brewery Bar (Paraty), Patagonia Brewing Company (Puerto Iguazu).
Events/Bucket list: The charm of Paraty, watching the streets of Paraty flood at high tide, the Iguazu Falls, a first taste of Argentina, crazy boat trip under the falls.
Low points: None
APRIL
Countries: Brazil, USA
Route: Foz do Iguaçu-Olinda-Manaus-Cachoeira do Castanho-Manaus-New Orleans-Crystal Springs-Hot Springs-Memphis.
Bed count: 21
People: Leo (host in Olinda), Crazy Jim and “Speedy” (guides in the Amazon), Will (English lad staying in the jungle), Stacey (host in Crystal Springs).
Bars/restaurants: Bar do Peneira (Olinda), Bar do Armando (Manaus), Da Luca’s (Hot Springs), Creole House (New Orleans), BB King’s Blues Bar, Blues City Cafe and The Slider Inn (all Memphis).
Events/bucket list: So many! The joy of Olinda, staying way out in the Amazon including a night in a hammock deep in the jungle, the “meeting of the waters” on the Amazon, spending a week in New Orleans with my daughter and her wife, the jazz, the food and the paddle steamer trip on the Mississippi, visiting a plantation, just the joy of being in “Nawlins”, unearthing the gangster and baseball history of Hot Springs.
Low points: Absolutely none, a fabulous month.
MAY
Countries: USA
Route: Memphis-Nashville-Gatlinburg-Fort Payne-Bay Minette-New Orleans-Acton CA-home-London-home
Bed count: 29
People: Meg, Brad and Tess, Jeanette and Ruby.
Bars/restaurants: Coop’s, Molly’s Market (both New Orleans), Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Bar (Nashville), the restaurant which Meg and Brad took us to (Loveless Cafe, outside of Nashville).
Events/bucket list: So many again! Visiting Graceland, the Sun Studios tour, the music history museums of Memphis, the amazing blues bars in Beale Street, the music scene in Nashville, meeting fellow blogger Meg, her husband Brad and delightful daughter Tess, seeing bears in the street in Gatlinburg, enjoying the summits of some of the Smoky Mountains, the scenery around Gatlinburg, spending a chilled week at my daughter’s house in California, springing a birthday surprise on Michaela by meeting up with oldest and closest friend Jeanette in London. Oh, and just the joys of a US road trip.
Low points: Driving through extreme weather on leaving Nashville, a bedroom with a leaking roof in Bay Minette (not exactly deep lows!).
JUNE
Countries: None
Route: home-Gosport-Derby-Hexham-home
Bed count: 33
People: Spent June visiting family and catching up with friends.
Bars/restaurants: Good places but nowhere new
Events/bucket list: None
Low points: None
JULY
Countries: Kenya.
Route: home-Nairobi-Ololaimutiek (Masai Mara)-Nakuru-Kimana (Amboselli)-Ngulia (Tsavo West)-Voi (Tsavo East)-Diani.
Bed count: 40.
People: Stanley (safari guide), Barakha (barman/waiter in Diani), Teddy (friendly security guard in Diani).
Bars/restaurants: Africa Pot, Funky Monkey, Havana and La Gusta for amazing grilled octopus (all in Diani).
Events/bucket list: Without doubt the incredible succession of amazing animal spotting on safari, seeing all of the Big Five, relaxing in Diani.
Low points: Overnight stops at safari lodges too short to enjoy the location.
AUGUST
Countries: Kenya, Malawi, Zambia
Route: Diani-Mombasa-Lilongwe-Cape Maclear-Zomba-Bvumbwe-Dedza-Lilongwe-Chipata-Lusaka-Livingstone
Bed count: 52
People: Isaac (guide in Zomba), Soven (helpful guy in Chipata), Darius (guide in Lusaka).
Bars/restaurants: Hiccups Pub (Cape Maclear)
Events/bucket list: The surprise of Mombasa, the beauty of Lake Malawi and its incredible underwater scenes, hiking to the roof of Zomba plateau, the thrill of the adventure of crossing the mysterious border between Malawi and Zambia.
Low points: The dullness of Lilongwe (there too long), a bag snatch attempt (thankfully failed) in Mombasa, the dreadful long bus journey from Chipata to Lusaka.
SEPTEMBER
Countries: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana.
Route: Livingstone-Victoria Falls-Bulawayo-Great Zimbabwe-Nyanga-Gweru-Bulawayo-Francistown-Maun-Morematao (Boteti)-Motopi.
Bed count: 61.
People: None especially
Bars/restaurants: Zulu, Marula and Lookout Restaurant (all Victoria Falls), Selborne Bar (Bulawayo).
Events/Bucket list: Seeing the Victoria Falls, boat trip on the Zambezi and seeing elephants swimming, zip line at the Falls, visiting Great Zimbabwe, more safari.
Low points: The horror show of Rhodes Nyanga Hotel and its attempt to outdo Fawlty Towers, the realisation that we’d had enough of safari lodges and were going to change plans.
OCTOBER
Countries: Botswana, Namibia, Turkey
Route: Motopi-Maun-Windhoek-home-Padstow-home-Fethiye.
Bed count: 67
People: None
Bars/restaurants: Deep Blue (Fethiye).
Events/bucket list: Enjoying the European flavour of Windhoek, catching late year sunshine in Fethiye.
Low points: None
NOVEMBER
Countries: Turkey, Greece
Route: Fethiye-Datça-Bodrum-Kos-Pothia(Kalymnos)-Bodrum-home
Bed count: 72.
People: Our lovely hosts in Pothia, Stella and Sotiris.
Bars/restaurants: Sapa (Datça), Taverna Antonou (Kos), Mad Music Cafe, Tsaposperi Meze, Lelekis Nikolaus (all Pothia), Yok Deve and Turunç (both Bodrum).
Events/bucket list: Amazing food on Kalymnos, discovering the Datça peninsula, ancient sites including one of the ancient 7 wonders, reacquainting ourselves with our old friend Turkey.
DECEMBER
Countries: None
Route: N/a
Bed count: 73 with a Christmas stay in Essex
People: Meeting up with fellow blogger Sarah (Travel With Me) and her husband Chris in London.
Bars/restaurants: N/a
Events/bucket list: As above with Sarah and Chris, and of course Christmas with family will be great.
Low points: None yet, let’s hope it stays that way.
And that, everyone, was 2024. Compliments of the season to everybody, and here’s wishing all fellow explorers good health and happy travels in 2025.
51 Comments
Helen Devries
Many thanks for the pleasure your travels have given me this year…..have a merry Christmas and an exciting New Year.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Helen….here’s wishing you guys a wonderful Christmas too…
Helen Devries
I’ve been trying to comment on your latest post, but cannot do so…no idea whether this is at your end or mine. I’ve tried in different browsers, but no joy.
Phil & Michaela
I don’t know what to say, Helen, really. I have no ideas and no solution. All I can say is that if I had a fiver for each time WP had presented us with an insoluble frustration, I’d have at least £100 more than I currently have 😄
Jam
Great list. Hope you have a full list of travels for 2025.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you….yep those plans are coming together nicely!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Thanks for sharing your year in travel. I’m sure you have exciting destinations in store for 2025. Merry Christmas
Phil & Michaela
Merry Christmas to you too, Suzanne. Have a great one!
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
I’ve very much enjoyed your travel posts, sometimes to places I’ve experienced, sometimes not, but always interesting to read your perspective. I hope you have an enjoyable winter break! Cheers.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Lynette, here’s wishing you a lovely Christmas x
Miriam
Life is so unpredictable and you know what they say about the best laid plans. But it sounds like on the whole you’ve visited some amazing places, stats and other things aside. Thanks for the wrap up. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adventures this year. Look forward to seeing where you end up in 2025. Have a wonderful Christmas. 🎄
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Miriam, here’s wishing you guys a great Christmas too!
Annie Berger
Great month-by-month recap – relieved that the highs far outweighed the lows! Hope that continues well into the new year. Happy and safe travels in the months ahead to you both
Steven and Annie Berger
Great Christmas letter. I don’t understand the bed count though. What do the numbers mean?
Steve
Phil & Michaela
Ah…that’s the number of different beds we slept in through the year, on a cumulative basis! Just one of our measurement quirks!
Heyjude
It’s been fun accompanying you on your adventures. You’ve seen so much this year. I’m surprised you are not ‘travelled’ out! Have a relaxing break and enjoy spending time with your family. And I hope South Africa is among your plans for next year. 🤗
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Jude – here’s wishing you and your family a happy Christmas xx
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Annie – here’s wishing you and your family a great Christmas
Monkey's Tale
Another great year, except for the start for Michaela. I remenber most, if inot all of these stories and loved following along. It took me a while to realize it was a running total of bed counts! I first noticed in Kenya when you slept in more beds than there are nights! I’m a little slow. What’s in the books for the new year?? Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you both. Maggie
Phil & Michaela
Ah yes it’s a cumulative bed count, just one of our quirky measures of travel! Happy Christmas and New Year to you guys too – hope you have a great one!
Andrew Petcher
What a fabulous travel year, great pictures also.
Phil & Michaela
Cheers Andrew, a very happy Christmas to you and your family
restlessjo
Most people would call that a great year, but I guess it can’t be when you’ve lost your Dad. I love the swirly Amazon header and Malawi at sunset. I expect the grand reveal of ‘where next’ will come in the new year. Have a wonderful Christmas in not so awful Cornwall. I’m headed for not very terrible Leeds. Good health and happiness to you both!
Phil & Michaela
A very happy Christmas to you and your family Jo, have a great one. Leeds was a regular call in my working life so it’s a city I know well. We won’t be in Cornwall till early in the new year…Christmas will be a mix of home (Kent), my Mum in law (Suffolk) and my son’s (Essex) before we head to Cornwall and then set off on our travels once more. Enjoy your Christmas xx
restlessjo
Thanks, hon1 You too!
WanderingCanadians
While you didn’t break any of your travel records, it looks like you had some pretty incredible adventures and experiences this year. And hey, some of the months you didn’t even have any low points! Wishing you guys a happy holidays as well! Cheers. Linda
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Linda, have a good one!
The Flask Half Full
An ambitious and successful travel year you had! Love that you keep track of all the metrics – beds slept in might be my favorite! We are gearing up for a busy 2025 travel year here in Virginia, USA. Happy holidays!
Phil & Michaela
Cheers, guys….we always keep a bed count, just one of our number quirks. Have a great Christmas!
Toonsarah
Despite taking some unexpected turns you’ve packed a lot of travelling into the year and your highlights make for pretty great reading! I’m chuffed to have been included in the latter after our recent meet-up in London 🙂 And you’ve reminded me to get cracking on my own review of the year!
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Sarah – and happy Christmas once again from us….!
Toonsarah
🎄🎅❄️🎁🎄
grandmisadventures
What an amazing year you have had, even with the unexpected and change in plans you have definitely filled the year with some amazing places. Of course May is my favorite and meeting up with you was a highlight of the year for us 🙂 Can’t wait to see where 2025 takes you! Merry Christmas Michaela and Phil
Phil & Michaela
Was so good, we so enjoyed it, in a year of many highlights! Merry Christmas, again, to all!
Alison
Fantastic round up Phil. What a big year for travelling. Loved coming along with you and Michaela for the ride. I’ve certainly learnt about new places to add to my list. I did enjoy Turkey the most I think.
Phil & Michaela
Turkey is great, very large and very varied, but it really is, as they say, like being in the World’s biggest museum. Have a great Christmas Ali xx
Lookoom
This review reminds me of so many good times you’ve shared on your blog; your enthusiasm for travel is infectious. Best wishes for the festive season!
Phil & Michaela
Thank you so much…and best wishes to you too. Have a great one!
Image Earth Travel
Wow, I haven’t been to Zimbabwe since 1985!
Wishing you a wonderful festive season and more travels in 2025! You never know, I might even catch you guys out there somewhere.
Phil & Michaela
Yes! Meeting fellow bloggers and fellow travellers is one of the joys! Have a great Christ in the meantime…
Linda K
Wow! It may not have been a record breaking year in any of your categories but what an amazing year you’ve had with some incredible adventures and places seen. All the best for the Christmas season and for more travelling in 2025!
Phil & Michaela
Happy Christmas to you too, Linda. Enjoy!!
Linda K
Wow what an incredible year you had. You may not have broken any of your past travel records, but you certainly made the most of your adventuring spirit! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season and more travel to come in 2025 🙂
Phil & Michaela
Guessing you had a communication glitch! 😂
Linda K
Good ol WordPress comments…yup sure did.
Parks and Planes
What a fantastic year you’ve had! I had a blast reading this recap which I found to be a delightful way to capture one’s travel highlights. I was pleased to see several months with no “low points” to mention too (woo-hoo!) I look forward to seeing what 2025 holds in store for you even if it is more of just rolling with the punches – you two are very good at that.
Phil & Michaela
Can’t wait for the new year!!
leightontravels
Crikey you’ve had another incredible year. Obviously I knew this but to see it all lumped together… It’s hard not to be envious of all the time you have for these endeavours, long may it continue. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas, our own holiday break begins on Monday and we are certainly looking forward to some time away from the treadmill.
Phil & Michaela
Merry Christmas to you two too bud…wherever you now are. Have a great one.
Caleb Cheruiyot
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Phil & Michaela
You too!