Well I can’t believe we’re here with only a few days left of 2018! I’m not going to lie but the last year, up until August at least, has been my favourite so far. The year started with fireworks in Sydney Harbour followed by a road trip half way around Australia and a quick stint in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Since August, I’m afraid there’s not really been anything of note. It took far longer to settle back to the English way of life than I thought. I’m not actually sure that I have settled back in. I’ve managed to find a desk job (with flexitime) which is helping build my bank balance back up. For now at least, opportunities to travel have slowed right down.
What is clear though is that I want, maybe even need, to keep visiting new places and keep moving forward.
My Highlights of 2018
It’s so hard to narrow this year down into just a few highlights, practically impossible, but here are some that are definitely at the top of my list:
Getting Engaged in the Blue Mountains
Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
Lazing in the Best Infinity Pool in the World
The Year as a Travel Blogger
This blog is now just over 12 months old and has grown from somewhere only friends and family visit to something that has an actual following. Well, a small following.
I’m still in the early days of blogging but I’m happy for the 15,000 views over the last year. Considering that I’ve only posted 69 times, that’s not bad going. Thank you to every single person who has visited my blog this year and, hopefully, next year will be even better. Maybe next year I can get to 30,000?
Oh and I’ve been nominated for the UK’s best blog in both the Travel and Photography categories.
My Five Most Popular Posts of 2018
I’ve taken a look at the stats and these are the posts that have attracted the most views. I knew that my post on my camera settings would be the most popular; it is literally going crazy on Google right now!
The Side of Bali You Don’t See
The Great Switch: From RAW to JPEG
Prague Doesn’t Let Go: My Favourite Photos of Prague
What Next?
Now that I’m back in England and in much need of money, the next few years are likely to be a little different. Emma and I plan to buy our first home and are in the process of sorting out our wedding.
The need for money at the moment has taken priority but that doesn’t mean we won’t still be travelling. There’s no doubt we’ll be making the most of weekends away in the UK and city-breaks across Europe. We even have a few long haul breaks planned (and one booked!).
I still plan on blogging and sharing my photos but it might just be at a little slower pace than normal.
Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me on this adventure and kept supporting me! I know who you are!
I hope you’ve all had an amazing Christmas. All the best to you all for 2019 and safe travels!
Jamie
Jamie, great blog and fab round up of your last few months. I hope 2019 will be full of new adventures. Best wishes
Thank you very much! All the best!
looks like its been an excellent year. you have some exciting things up ahead, house and a wedding, congratulations! Happy new year
Loving reading the years in review tonight. Hope you have more fab adventures this year! Cass xx http://cassiethehag.com
Thanks Cassie! Hope you are well! Love following your adventures…jealous you’re in Melbourne! X
Thanks John! All the best!
Jamie, I’m intrigued by your RAW/not RAW dialectic. I’m late to revisit your site, but thanks for visiting Under Western Skies, where we shoot jpg.
Thank you very much for the comment! I only shoot jpg now and absolutely love it!