2017 – A Year in Review

It seems to me every year goes by faster. It seems like I wrote recap for 2016 yesterday and not a year ago. Now is again end of the year and time to look back at all the amazing trips and travels of 2017:

• I’ve visited 4 new countries: Cambodia, Serbia, Singapore & Thailand, stepping into 2018 with the total count of 30 visited countries
• I swam in the Andaman sea for the first time

Ta Phrom Temple. Siem Reap, Cambodia (November 2017)

• The longest time I’ve been away from home in 2017 was 14-days long trip to SE Asia in October and November

Singapore (October 2017)

• I’ve been to 10 new cities: Singapore, Belgrade in Serbia, Como, Sirmione and Desenzano del Garda in Italy, Sankt Moritz in Switzerland, Istanbul in Turkey, Siem Reap in Cambodia & Ao Nang and Chiang Mai in Thailand

Belgrade, Serbia (February 2017)

• I’ve spent 5 days skiing at different ski slopes: in Grindelwald, Melchsee Frutt (February & December), Klewenalp-Stockhütte and Sankt Mortiz – Corviglia
• I’ve spent 1 day sledging at Mt Rigi

Sledding at Mt Rigi. Switzerland (January 2017)

• I went hiking 6 times: to Lake Arni, Bürgenstock, Rütli, Pilatus, Grosser Mythen and Oeschinen Lake

Oeschinen Lake, Switzerland (June 2017) 

• I stand up paddle board for the first time
• I went on 1 cycling trip from Lucerne to Zug

Krabi, Thailand (November 2017)

• I enjoyed sun and sea at 3 beaches: Railay Beach, Phra Nang Beach & Ao Nang Beach in Thailand
• I’ve attended 2 cruise trips: Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul & Sunset Cruise in Ao Nang

Cruising the Bosphorus strait. Istanbul, Turkey (September 2017)

• I’ve been to 2 castles: Otočec Castle in Slovenia & Hallwyl Castle in Switzerland

Otočec castle. Otočec, Slovenia (August 2017)

• I’ve been to 14 temples: Sri Veeramakaliamman in Singapore, Angkor Wat, Bauphon, Bayon, East Mebon, Neak Pean, Phnom Bakheng, Pre Roup, Preah Khan, Ta Phrom & Ta Som in Cambodia and Wat Khun Ka Ma, Wat Lok Molee & Wat Rajamontean in Thailand

Wat Rajamontean. Chiang Mai, Thailand (November 2017)

• I’ve visited 1 mosque: Blue Mosque in Istanbul
• I’ve been to 2 museums: Museum of Yugoslav History in Belgrade & FIFA Football Museum in Zürich

Blue Mosque. Istanbul, Turkey (Saptember 2017)

• I’ve been to 3 heritage sites: Grotte di Catullo in Italy, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Temples of Angkor in Cambodia
• I visited 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Historic areas of Istanbul & Angkor

Angkor Wat sunrise. Siem Reap, Cambodia (November 2017)

• I swam at 2 infinity pools: at Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore & Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland
• I got sprayed by 1 waterfall: Staubbach Waterfall in Switzerland

Marina Bay Sands infinity pool. Singapore (November 2017)

• I’ve attended 6 sports events: Basketball matches Slovenia vs. Serbia EuroBasket Final in Istanbul, Crvena Zvezda vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul & Partizan vs. Crvena zvezda in Belgrade, football matches Inter vs Roma and Inter vs. Milan derby in Milano & handball match Switzerland – Slovenia in Schaffhausen.

Slovenia vs Serbia FIBA EuroBasket Final. Istanbul, Turkey (September 2017)

• I’ve been to 2 theme parks: EuropaPark in Germany & Universal Studios in Singapore
• I’ve learnt about Swiss chocolate and ate tons of it at Chocolat Frey Visitor Center in Buchs

EuropaPark. Rust, Germany (May 2017)

• I hung out with the elephants at the elephant sanctuary for the first time
• I’ve visited 1 zoo: Zoo Zürich

Elephant sanctuary. Chiang Mai, Thailand (November 2017)

• I’ve attended 2 fairs: International Motor Show in Geneva & Lozärner Määs – Lucerne’s Autumn Fair
• I enjoyed Christmas festivities at the Christmas Market in Luzern

Christmas tree. Lucerne, Switzerland (December 2017)

• I’ve checked 14 things off my ever-expanding bucket list: visit of elephant sanctuary, I’ve explored the temples of Angkor in Cambodia, skied in Sankt Moritz, went kayaking, experienced the fish spa, swam in bioluminescent plankton, got Thai massage in Thailand, ate pad Thai in Thailand, visited Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, went snorkelling in Thailand, enjoyed the views to Singapore’s skyline from the rooftop terrace of Marina Bay Sands hotel, explored Lake Como region, attended the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hiked to the Oeschinen Lake in Switzerland (for the second time)

Yi Peng Lantern Festival. Chiang Mai, Thailand (November 2017)