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On Saturday our trip finally came to an end as we flew into SeaTac Airport. It still feels surreal that our traveling is actually done (for now) but we’re keeping plenty busy with reestablishing our home lives. We’re looking forward to posting our final thoughts on the trip. And to seeing all of you! So don’t be a stranger. Call us up, plan some time to hang out and let us know if you have any questions you want answered in our post-trip wrap-up. We hope to hear from you soon!    ...

The last stop of our epic journey was Thailand. We gave ourselves plenty of time—three weeks—to see both the north and the south of the country. Knowing our trip was winding down, I wanted us to experience everything we possibly could, from exotic temples to lush jungles to deserted beaches. Mac wanted plenty of time to relax in the warm sun. So we compromised and spent a week doing as much sighsteeing as possible and two weeks living the simple life. It certainly didn’t take us long to find the exotic when we flew north to Chiang Mai. It seemed like everywhere we wandered, by foot or by car, there was a Buddhist temple nearby. I immediately fell in love with Buddhist art. To Mac, the temple displays were like a garage sale. There was so much to look at...

After exploring Europe (and Turkey and Morocco) for nearly eight months, Mac and I were ready for a different kind of adventure and a completely different culture. So we set off for SE Asia. Our plan was to spend a week in Cambodia and three weeks in Thailand. Because we flew in to Bangkok, we had to cross most of Thailand to reach Cambodia. We could’ve flown but we decided to take a 7-hour train instead. The ride didn’t disappoint. There was lots to look at inside–and outside–of our 3rd class car. We spent most of the ride gazing around in awe at everything from the chickens and puppies riding next to us to the fields and lotus flowers we passed by. Mac said it was just like watching National Geographic.       Once we...

Our last big adventure in Europe, from late November to early December, was spending two weeks in Scandinavia. We had planned to visit both Sweden and Norway in search of old friends and unknown family. Along the way, we got a good dose of cold weather and winter fun. Our first stop in Scandinavia was Stockholm, where stayed on a clipper ship that has been converted into a hostel. This specific boat, the af Chapman, had been on our travel bucket list ever since we’d seen it on a travel show while we were preparing for our trip. We don’t usually book accommodations in advance, but we made an exception for this spot. It was fun to stay in our own cabin on such an old-fashioned ship–and well worth the wait.    The boat was great, but our...

People like to ask us all the time what our favorite experience of the trip has been so far. It’s a really tough question. Every experience has been so different that it’s hard to compare them. And we each seem to gravitate towards our own favorite moments. That said, it’s hard to top hiking in the Swiss Alps. And I think I’m ready to go on record by saying that it’s been my favorite experience thus far.       The scenery of Switzerland was beautiful. And over the course of 10 days of hiking, from Engelberg to Griesalp, we saw a lot of it. There were towering mountains, rushing rivers and so many wildflowers that I nearly wore out my camera trying to capture them all.         ...

   And now a message from Mac: France is wonderful. Paris left me awestruck. I feel sorry for those who have diluted their sense of wonder and culture to the point of declaring Paris overrated. Walking the streets, taking in the grandeur of the architecture. Sipping incredible wine while participating in the vibrant Café Scene in Le Marias (my favorite district). Cheese, cheese and more cheese.  The only thing missing are the rude French waiters. Everyone has been extremely nice and helpful. I dare say this change has come from a concerted effort on both sides. People from the States are more conscious about avoiding the ‘Ugly American’ tendencies while the French are eager to shed their uppity stigmas. Oh, but look out the Chinese. Thank the lord...