only 3 days up until Christmas? What? It can’t be! There’s no method that this year is practically over…where did the 12 months go? Was it not just yesterday that we were cleansing our bodies as well as minds at an Ashram in India? Weren’t we just celebrating Christmas with chai tea as well as Domino’s Pizza in Jaipur? Oh no, wait, that was a whole year ago. I assumption time truly does fly when you’re having fun!

Sitting right here in our Chinese house as the new Year approaches, I felt it required to show on a few of our fondest memories from 2012.

When we believe of the past year, it’s kind of a blur. 2011 runs into 2012 as well as we fail to remember where we were as well as when. We discover ourselves often taking a look at each other in really hopes that the other will have some answers! It’s time to get our thoughts (and dates) in order. Here’s a roundup of our legendary year.

2012 started off perfectly. We were in Rishikesh, India at an Ashram doing yoga as well as meditation. We did a countdown to the new Year while sitting by the holy Ganges River meditating as well as believing about what we would like to see occur in our lives for the next 12 months. It was certainly the most tame new Year’s Eve event we’ve ever had! however one we’ll never forget.

Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River. Rishikesh, India.Taking part in the Aarti Ceremony. Rishikesh, India.The lovely Ganges River. Rishikesh, India.
Before we understood it, our 5 weeks in India had come to an end as well as we flew to Yangon, Myanmar on January 22, 2012. choosing whether or not to travel to Myanmar because of the political issues was something we contemplated for rather a while. After doing some research study as well as realizing that numerous of the sanctions had been lifted against Myanmar as well as that things were heading in a positive direction for the people, we booked our flight to Yangon…and didn’t regret one minute of it. Boating with stilted villages, seeing age-old fishing techniques, sipping red wine at one of the few wineries in SE Asia, mentor English in a rural village as well as cycling with ancient ruins are just a few of our  memories from this amazing country.

Us with the village youngsters we taught English to. Naloy Village, Myanmar.

We delighted in 3 weeks in Myanmar before heading east to the neighbouring country of Thailand.  This may not be one particular memory, however the 1 marvelous month spent on spectacular Koh Phangan Island is a time in our lives that we will cherish. Explore, relax, swim, eat as well as repeat. Ah, the great life!

Enjoying a day in the sun on Leela Beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand.
After hanging out for a month, we figured it was time to relocation on to the next tropical paradise. We boarded a airplane on March 15, 2012 as well as shown up in Manila. withstanding 2.5 weeks of torrential downpours in the Philippines wasn’t precisely what we had in mind when we booked our flight to this archipelago. However, when the skies cleared, we delighted in 3 weeks of pure blue sky as well as sunshine. We’ll never fail to remember being dropped off at a pristine, secluded island for 30 hours. camping on the beach under the stars, building a bonfire as well as enjoying the sunset. It was a ideal excursion!

Not a poor island to spend a night on, hey? Deserted beach near El Nido, Philippines.
On April 23rd, after practically 6 weeks of travel with the Philippines, we were on one more flight. We were headed to the contemporary city of Hong Kong, a location that we always hear about; whether it’s in movies, books or from other people. We had somehow never been right here as well as when we flew over the city as well as saw all of the lights from the plane, we understood it was going to be a excellent visit! The hustle as well as bustle of the contemporary metropolis mixed with the ancient monasteries as well as temples is something you have to see to believe.

The largest seated bronze Buddha in the world. Lantau Island, Hong Kong.The busy city of Hong Kong.
We traveled to China by train from Hong Kong on April 29th. We delighted in our 3 weeks spent in what would ended up being our new home. The highlight has to be marvelling at The excellent wall Of China. It was best then as well as there that we realized just exactly how out of shape we had ended up being in such a short period of time! The hike as much as the wall was certainly exhausting however absolutely worth it.

We made it! On the excellent wall Of China.

We spent a few much more days in Hong Kong before boarding a airplane on may 23, 2012. We took a time-out from travel as well as were on our method back to Canada to see with (and be spoiled by) our good friends as well as families. There’s just something about going house that makes a weary traveller feel rested as well as prepared for the next adventure!

Nick golfing back house in lovely British Columbia, Canada.

After a rejuvenating month in Canada, we were boarding yet one more airplane to Hong Kong…and then onto China. The 2nd half of 2012 for us has been spent (mostly) in one spot…which is something we’re not rather utilized to! We’ve been living as well as working in Yangzhou, China as well as aside from some side trips to Hong Kong, Shanghai as well as Suzhou, we’ve been staying put. mentor English to trainees aged 3-13, improving our website, making regional friends, hanging out with the expat community, discovering to speak Chinese as well as checking out our new house has all been quite surreal. We like our students, our way of life as well as our new endeavours right here in China!

Moving in to our new house in Yangzhou, China.

Our new mode of transportation! Biking in Yangzhou, China.
So there you have it, 2012 in a nutshell. It has been a extremely legendary year as well as there’s still 8 days left, who understands what else might happen?! We’ve both grown, altered as well as experienced so much together in the past 12 months as well as we understand that 2013 certainly won’t autumn short. Here’s to a healthy, cheerful as well as prosperous new Year!

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