{"id":894,"date":"2018-01-19T13:44:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-19T13:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2checkingout.com\/?p=894"},"modified":"2018-01-19T13:44:32","modified_gmt":"2018-01-19T13:44:32","slug":"2018-19-1-happy-new-year-2017-our-second-year-travelling-reviewed-in-random-numbers-m2fl8-hm8a3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2checkingout.com\/?p=894","title":{"rendered":"Happy New Year: 2017 OUR THIRD YEAR TRAVELLING REVIEWED IN RANDOM NUMBERS"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When is it too late to say Happy New Year? At the end of January? A thousand apologies for the delay but as it\u2019s not yet February, HAPPY NEW YEAR<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

We have been putting in some long hours at Lanta Animal Welfare<\/a> and have had no time to catch up on much-needed blog writing. We hope you find in your hearts to forgive us.<\/p>\n

So how has 2017 been for these two animal-loving adventurers?<\/p>\n

Catching up with family and friends is always going to be top of any highlights list. With that being a given, here are our three travel highlights from 2017.<\/p>\n

Julie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sleeping on the floor of a bamboo hut in the foothills hills of Northern Thailand for six nights. Spending our days hanging out with seven elephants as part of the Journey to Freedom <\/a>programme. The best bit? Six-month-old Kili<\/a> tries to sit on my lap.<\/p>\n

Being nervous as hell, covered in dust, dodging wandering cows, and listening to some of the worst Dad jokes in the world, all courtesy of Uncle Tom\u2019s<\/a> dirt bike tour. My very first time riding a motorbike. Thanks to Uncle Tom for making it a fantastic experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Using and improving my Italian while taking care of 22 cats in Umbria and then two gorgeous pups Maggie & Monty in San Ginesio. We had visits from family and friends, drank too much wine and ate too much pizza. Perfetto.<\/p>\n

Steve<\/strong><\/p>\n

Living for two months in a small Balinese village looking after eight rescue pups<\/a> and one rescue cat. Taking the pack for their twice-daily walk down to the beach and watching them romp in the surf.<\/p>\n

Exploring the thousands of temples, pagodas, and stupas in Bagan<\/a>, Myanmar. I really could have stayed here for weeks letting my inner Indiana Jones come out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The last time we were in Spain we walked for 37 days<\/a>, this time around it was a more leisurely trip around Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. Some fantastic historical sites and the odd protest or two (the Catalan vote for independence).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Honourable Mentions<\/strong><\/p>\n