365 days of HoneyTrek

We cannot believe it’s been a full year since we started our 500-day trip around the world. Exactly 365 days ago, we were locking the door to our empty apartment, saying goodbye to New York City, and hopping on a plane into the unknown. Every day we walk into a new world of wonder, never quite sure what we are going to find, but for every street we explore or trail we follow, it’s always an adventure. This trip is officially our honeymoon but really it has been a journey of the most beautiful, eye-opening, challenging, awe-inspiring, exhilarating, hysterical, and formative experiences we could ever have. From South America to Africa to Asia, we’ve experienced so many things that sometimes it’s even hard for us to process them. So before we take on the next 135 days (or more) in the far-flung corners of this amazing planet, here are a few of the numbers that add up to one incredible year on the road.

best rtw route

Countries Visited: 20

Places Visited: 149

(Manaus, Amazon River, Forteleza, Jericoracora, Canoa Quebrada, Praia De Pipa, Olinda, Salvador, Mangue Seco, Trancoso, Rio de Janiero, Ilha Grande, Sao Paulo, Porto Iquazu, Buenos Aires, Colonia de Sacramento, Ushuaia, El Calfate, Torres del Paine, El Chalten, Bariloche, Villa de la Angostura, El Bolson, Pucon, Santiago, Valparaiso, Mendoza, Purmamarca, San Pedro de Atacama, Lago Colorado, Ciudad de Piedras, Uyuni, Potosi, Sucre, La Paz, Copacobana, Isla del sol, Coroico, {uno, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, Inca trail, Aguas Calientes, Lima, New York, Poconos, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Sabi Sands, Cape Town, Constantia, Stellenbosch, Montague, Wilderness, Nature’s Valley, Grahamstown, Mdumbi, Sani Pass, Lesotho, Underberg, Livingstone, Sindabezi Island, South Luangwa, Lilongwe, Majete, Lake Malawi, Cuamba, Nampula, Ilha de Mozambique, Pemba, Medjumbe Island, Ibo Island, ADPP, Mtwara, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Stone Town, Sansibar, Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Meru, Samburu, Bisanadi Reserve, Nanyuki, Aberdare, Ark, Mombasa, Diani Beach, Lamu Island, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani, Seti River, Hong Kong, Tai Po, Shenzen, Kunming, Dali, Shangri-la, Benzilan, Meili, Emi Shan, Dazu, Chongqing, Yangtze, Wulingyuan, Fenghuang, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Mutianyu, Sapporo, Daisetsuzan, Otaru, Yayoi, Taketomi Island, Naha, Iriomote Island, Kohama Island, Nago Bay, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Kanazawa, Kaga Onsen, Tokyo, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Sok, Phuket, Racha Island, Koh Phi Phi Island, Railay beach, Koh Phangan, Aranyaprathet, Battambang, Siem Reap, Beng Mealea, Koh Ker, Preah Viahear, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Can Tho, Ben Tre, Ho Chi Minh City, and Muine.)

Kilometers Traveled Overland: 45,918

Kilometers Traveled By Plane: 54,622

rtw train travelTrains: 14

livingstone zambia microlightFlights: 16

Buses: Too Many to Count

rtw travel tipsVehicle Breakdowns: 5

cape of good hope signNational Parks: 32

hearts in natureFound Hearts: 45

mozambique private islandsIslands: 20

hitch-hiking africaHitchhikes: 6

kws gaurdRun-ins with the Law: 2

kenya beachesBeaches: 34

Safari Game Drives: 41

long-term travel tipsJars of Peanut Butter: 12

cambodia temple tripTemples: 63

honeymoons.com and honeytrek partnershipLuxury Resorts: 38

rtw travel tipsNights Without a Bed: 19

traveling to see friendsFriend Visits: 15

around the world diet tipsFirst-Time Fruits: 14

water purfication by steripenBottles of Water Purchased: 11

zBorders Crossed: 27

visa tips for mozambiqueVisas: 10

RTW travel tipsGlaciers: 10

around the world travelDays of Happiness: 365

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86 Comments

    1. So glad you got the chance to watch the cheetah video! Having this huge cat walk around our heads was totally insane and actually the whole year has been insane!

  1. Wow! Absolutely incredible guys! You’ve sure covered a massive distance in a short time and I’m sure made memories together that you will share for the rest of your lives… to one day tell the grandkids about! Congratulations and here’s to many more adventures!

    1. We’ve always wondered how many km we’d traveled but never added it all up until last night…we didn’t think it would be enough to lap the globe 3.5 times! Hopefully we can impress our grandkids ; )

  2. Kenneth Webster says:

    ‘Not sure I’ve said this yet but thank you both for sharing your adventure!

  3. Great post!! I never heard about any run-ins with the law but I should have known – I traveled a bit with your father and we had a few close calls!!! Although, it is Anne in the pic with the police! Thanks for sharing your “Incredible Journey”!!!

    1. It wasn’t my fault! (It never is btw ; ) They were harmless run-ins, I promise. No jail times or bribes needed!

    2. someone had to document getting taken into custody by the Kenya Wildlife Service for trespassing on Mt Kenya national park property….oooppssss….i mean that guy was just showing us which way to go…..no in all seriousness mom, we hired a tour guide who tried to save a few bucks and took us in the “back-door” without telling us we were skirting the entrance fee…..oh sneaky tour guides 🙂

    3. lol. you know it mom….the run-ins were more like friendly encounters 🙂 nothing to see here. nothing to worry about (till you get “THE CALL” 🙂

  4. Truly loved all the pictures and stories. Can’t wait for more! Miss you both

    1. Schmidddddyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! Its been so long, and we miss our skype calls. Any chance you guys can chat today? How about something like 11am your time (11pm our time). Can you call mom and have her come over for Coffee and a chat?

  5. It has been such an awesome experience to travel alongside with you on your honeymoon. Have enjoyed the photos, videos and narratives of all your adventures. What an amazing planet we live on. Can’t wait for more adventures. Happy anniversary!! Love, carol

    1. Carol, and we are so glad to have you along for the journey, makes it all the more special for us to have such great people at our side 🙂

  6. Rachael Zanetos says:

    I so look forward to your updates and posts. You two are truly inspiring and it makes me so happy to see and share in a bit of your joy! Have fun!!

    1. Rachel, you are too sweet! I know you and John have such a travel bug so it’s great to hear we can help scratch that itch!

  7. I’m psyched I found your site!! I’ve enjoyed sharing your journey and I can’t wait to see what new adventures your trip will bring!!!

    1. Thanks so much Anna….and for all the re-shares you do for us on Facebook as well….you are so great! we love your site and FB page as well….keep up the hi energy 🙂

  8. Kathy Richards says:

    It makes me so happy to see you both so happy! Happy 365! I love these posts!

  9. Jim Steere says:

    What a nice recap /// love it guys! Can’t wait to hear the next chapter! Why not go 27 months?!

    1. 27 months… very tempting. Who would think 500 days wouldn’t be enough but there is so much more to see, I think we may just spill over…cheers to more chapters!

  10. Rashaad Jorden says:

    I’m so thrilled to have found your site (I actually don’t remember how I found it) and read about your amazing adventures!

    P.s. Where was the photo just above “Borders Crossed” taken?

    1. Rashaad, you are by far one of our biggest commenters….and your comments are always so insightful….thoughtful and informative….really, we love seeing comments here and on FB from you!

    1. Thanks Gerard…for following along, and inspiring us on your own journey (still so stoked you guys got engaged!). Putting together a stats blog was a lot of fun….especially routing our trip on Google Maps.

  11. Happy travel anniversary! I have enjoyed every single one of your posts with equal parts awe and envy. Keep ’em coming!

    1. Thank you so much, Roni! The good news is that more is coming! China, Japan, Thailand, and Cambodia were all amazing (soon to be documented, we promise!) and I’m sure Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, and Australia, and New Zealand will have plenty of adventures in store! Hope you get the chance to take on the Lamu artist residency, I can’t imagine the paintings you’d come up with after a week there!

  12. What an awesome trip so far. Chels and I were very happy to be a part of it and wish you both the best of times on your continuing adventures! So what counts as a night without a bed?

    1. Ry, we loved that you two were apart of it! Having family experience the trip with us just took it to a new level. As for nights with out a bed we are counting our times: sleeping sitting up at the Rio bus station, camping on the Inca Trail, multiple bus and plane seats, hammocks strung up in the Amazon and a rattan bench in a mud hut in Mozambique : )

  13. Caroline Amport Piper says:

    I can’t believe your stamina! You’re doing a great job sharing your adventures. What will we all read when you finally come home? Happy 1 year Honey Trek Anniversary!

    1. awwww…..it is surprisingly easy to keep going. two things make it so easy….being with the most amazing person in the world to share it with….and seeing the most amazing sights, just wakes us up every day (even when we only get 4-5 hours sleep from blogging into the wee hours)

  14. Congratulations on the 365 days of adventure with however more there is to come.
    Enjoy every minute of it via your posts. Glad to be part of it. Thanks!!

  15. David Carillet says:

    Love the cheetah video. I can imagine it was a little intimidating with an open roof.

    I’m impressed with how well you guys have kept up with all the updates and photos during the journey, not to mention following up with replies. It’s been enjoyable following along and taking notes for future plans. Looking forward to the rest!

    1. David, re: Cheetah, yeah especially when you can see his heart beating and the hair on his back standing on edge…that is CLOSE! re: keeping up the blog and photos, it is a LOT of work, but we think it is so worth it to be able to share it with our friends and family and new friends we have made. and it wouldnt be a blog without everyones amazing input and tips….so we thank you all (especially you, as you crush the comments in a major way :).

  16. Kristin DeMarco says:

    I can’t wait to hear where your travels take you after throwing a couple of kids in the mix! I know you will do like your parents did and take them along for the journey. Looking forward to that journey starting soon?..and hopefully picking up some tips along the way! Congratulations on this amazing year milestone and the stories that you will be telling along with it! We can’t wait to hear them face to face! xoxo to you both and best wishes for a happy joyous rest of the honeymoon trip!

    1. kristin, thanks for such a thoughtful note….we have actually been already dreaming about HoneyTrek #2 (w/ Kid(s))…when are you getting after it….get your hubby on board 🙂 thanks so much for the anniversary love!!!!!

  17. I’m happy for every one of your days of happiness and I know that’s how you will go through your life together. You are a very special couple.

    .

  18. Amazing post you guys and congrats on 365. Wishing you many more!

  19. Lauren Bullock Modelski says:

    Such an inspiration. I’m a total romantic and I haven an insatiable wanderlust, so seeing you guys combine the two is such a wonderful thing. I hope you don’t mind if I copy you one day! 🙂

    1. Lauren, thank you so much….we hope you DO copy us. more couples should get out on the road together…you grow so much personally, and as a couple….and you really realize what is important in life, and how big the world is…..

  20. Amazing & inspiring post, you guys! So awesome to see what you have done; we love that you’ve had some luxury times mixed in with the hammocks and the peanut butter. That footage of the cheetah is incredible. Can’t wait to see what your next 1/2 year is going to be like! Stay safe & healthy & keep in touch with all us fans out here. Hope you’ll stop by to see how we progress on our SE Asia jaunt in April. Fond regards, Deborah & Steve

    1. Deb (is Deb ok?) & Steve, thank you so much for the FB and Twitter love as well, we love the NewJetsetters!!!…knew you would like our touch of luxury mixed in with mud huts and hitch-hiking 🙂 – we are totally going to follow your SE Asia jaunt (http://www.newjetsetters.com/), where do you start? Bali? lol. hope so as that is where we will be in April. That or Philippines 🙂

  21. pattiecolgan says:

    Wow, wow, wow! I wish I could have been a stowaway with you guys. You go guys! I am so happy that you took this adventure. I especially love the cheetah on the car roof.

    1. pattie, we wish you and erin were stowed away with us too! i am pretty certain the four of us would have a BLAST in some of these cities.

    1. thanks for the love Sally….we love having you along….i was just thinking how nice it is to have our friends along for the ride, it makes home not so far away 🙂 – glad this post made you smile!

  22. 14 first time fruits?! Do tell!! and were there any first time whole fruit challenges?

    1. Capuacu, rambutan, dragon eyes, mangosteens, jackfruit, durian, and stuff that i’m not even sure have names in English! Exotic fruits seems to have more spikes on them for some reason, so not too many whole fruit challenges but with a call-out like that, we may just need to step up our game!

  23. Inspiring!!!Thanks so much for giving hope to aspiring world-wanderer!Please do give more details on how you made it all happen visas, safety issues etc etc…I’m in AWE!:)

    1. I’m not sure if this will be comforting or not but we make it happen by just trying to be as smart as possible while having a blind faith that it will all work out. We’ve only needed three visas ahead of time (brazil, vietnam, and china) and as for safety, common sense stuff and gut feelings tend to work well.there is a smattering of advice in our Making it Happen section https://www.honeytrek.com/category/makinithappen/ but if you have any more specifics, please let us know!

    2. Jen, ask whatever you want (right here inline, or over on our Facebook page http://Facebook.com/HoneyTrek ), we answer EVERY single question anyone asks, no holds barred. whatever we can do to get you on the road, we will. We have visited 20 countries so far, and only got one visa before leaving USA (and only because it was our first country, Brazil). every other visa was SO easy either at the border or 2 days before from the neighboring country. safety varies by country, but we have never (knock on wood) had a single thing stolen or any run ins with anyone bad. what else do you wanna know?

  24. What a year! Wonderful photos, love the stats, and you’re inspiring me to travel even though I already am! Congrats on making the Almost fearless list too! Cheers!

  25. You guys havent visited he Philippine islands yet?

    1. Maya, no we have yet to go there….but it is 99% on our route, i really want to visit. Have you been? If you have any tips we would LOVE if you would share them on our Philippines tip page….

    1. Thanks, Ellen & Justin! That means a lot coming from you two crazy TimeCrunchedTravelers.

  26. omg!!! the last one is amazing!!
    HAHA i saw myself in your pics. You guys so great to inspire me to finish my bucket list!

    love your photos
    love you!

    1. We had to include you in the Friend Visits section! We loved seeing you and Sofie in Shanghai–showing us all those insider spots made the whole city so much cooler!

    2. michael, it was so great to meet you….then again in China, and you guys were such great hosts….of course you make the friends list!!!! get after that budget list bro!

  27. Cindy Richards says:

    Annie! This trip looks so amazing, glad to see you two so happy!

    1. Cindy Richards! Thanks so much for the love! It has been one incredible journey, so glad you are following along with us!

  28. Manfred Reuter says:

    Congrats on your 1st anniversary and congrats on the 365 days of honeymoon.
    Great what you guys are doing – thanks for sharing. Have a lot of fun on the remain miles.
    Pinkan and Manfred

    1. manfred…thanks so much for the love! and even more thanks for all your great tips on Indonesia…..i am not sure what order we will visit indo, before or after NZL….but we would love to meet up with you guys if we overlap, that would rock!

  29. Kevin Vrabel says:

    Happy Anniversary Anne and Mike…keep spreading the LOVE…see you soon…Kv

  30. Hi guys. New follower here. I love this post and seeing your stats. Very inspiring! My hubby and I left 12 months ago for a life on the road so we always love hearing stories of other long term travelers. Now I shall go and find what other awesome posts you have on here 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your journey – I look forward to reading all about it!

    1. thanks so much guys for following along, we checked our your blog as well. good stuff. Seems we have been on the road almost exactly the same time, we left on Jan 22nd of 2012. you guys?

  31. Lina Eroh says:

    So jealous of the luxury resorts! I wonder if I’ll ever see one of those again ;o)

    1. hahahahah….the luxury resorts are so nice to take a load off and unwind from lots of fast paced action. and get a nice massage and a bottle of wine for a change. 🙂 – and in SE Asia, you can have them for quite inexpensively.

  32. How did you only purchase 11 bottles of water?!

    1. Meg, with a few things…but most importantly a heavy dose of determination (to be good to the environment) and secondly the totally awesome @SteriPEN purifier. We have used that guy on the tap water from 22 countries to date…and knock on wood havent been sick one time. Assuming one person drinks 2, 1-liter bottles of water per day….we have saved 1,704 plastic bottles from landfills on our trip so far. You like that?

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