Brett and Bernii

It’s been an incredible first year of full-time travel and we’ve had an absolute blast!

We hope you’ve enjoyed following our travel journey so far. Make sure you scroll to the end of this post to see our travel stats for 2025. But for now, here is our ‘Best Of’ list for 2025:

Best Experience, Activity or Attraction

Bernii: Train Street in Hanoi, Vietnam
Brett: K2 Base Camp Trek

When I think back to how I felt the first time a high speed train rumbled past me, a mere few inches from my knees, I can’t help but be transported back. The feeling was such a rush, my mouth was agape and I was both laughing with joy and panicking with fear at the same time. It was so much fun and I begged Brett to stay for the next train and the next train and then go back the next night to do it all over again.

I love to challenge myself and the K2 Base Camp Trek including the Gondogoro La mountain pass crossing was without a doubt the most challenging experience of my life. The scenery in the Karakoram mountain ranges in northern Pakistan is equal to, if not the best that I have seen, and I have trekked in the Nepalese Himalayas twice. The group of people I met while doing this trek are truly amazing and I hope to catch up with them again in the future.

Best Accommodation

Best Bed

Bernii: Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche, Morocco
Brett: Four Points by Sheraton New Africa Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

We’ve slept in quite few beds and of course there have been some rock-hard doozies. Obviously the more comfortable beds have been at hotels with higher price points. But we have been pleasantly surprised by some budget hotels too. My choice was a gigantic king-sized, super plush bed with fluffy cloud pillows and an incredibly cosy doona. To top it off, there was a wonderful view of the Old City Medina and Hassan II Mosque, and I could listen to the Muslim call to prayer while the sun set, all from bed.

The bed at the Four Points by Sheraton New Africa in Dar es Salaam was super comfortable. Especially since I was still recovering from the Mount Toubkul trek and the overnight flight from Madrid to Tanzania.

After travelling for so long and sleeping in over 100 different beds, we really thought there would be more times when we would miss our own. Newsflash: we don’t, yet!

Best Pool

Bernii: Sky Princess Jacuzzi
Brett: Ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit

This past year I’ve definitely had the luxury to take dips in plenty of pools. But in a contraversial choice, I’m going with the jacuzzis on the Sky Princess. Mum and I were cruising for 2 weeks around Norway and Iceland and were surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery I’ve ever seen. Given the cool temperatures through the fjords and at sea, the hot tubs were super busy during the day. But, in the evenings, most cruisers frequented the bars and restaurants and left the Sky Deck completely unoccupied. So, wrapped in my robe, I took my coffee mug filled with red wine to bathe in the delightfully warm water, every single night*, and the best part, I had them all to myself. I miss this ritual so much!
*Using this term loosely as there was plenty of late night daylight in the land of the midnight sun!

Although I’m not really one to go swimming too often, the rooftop pool at the Ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit is pretty spectacular. You have amazing views of the city and it isn’t usually full of kids.

Best Gym

Bernii: Sky Princess Gym
Brett: Airbnb Condominium in Khet Watthana, Sukhumvit Soi 10, Bangkok

I preference gyms with cross trainers and good air con, but it’s also important for me to have a good outlook while I’m working out. So I have to choose the gym on the Sky Princess cruise. Obviously, the gym was well stocked with all manner of machines. But for me, this one wins because of the views – it is the only gym I’ve ever actually wanted to visit regularly, and I went every day.

We booked the Airbnb condominium on Soi 10 as it was close to Benchakitti Park and had a pool and a gym. The gym had good equipment and nice air conditioining, and allowed me to maintain a good workout routine as I prepared for the K2 Base Camp trek.

Best Beach

Bernii: My Khe Beach at Da Nang, Vietnam
Brett: Praia de Carcavelos, Lisbon

Beaches are my jam! A lot of destinations on our trip have been to beaches because I just LOVE the feeling of sand between my toes. The whitest sand and clearest water I’ve ever seen is Nungwi in Zanzibar. That place was stunning! But My Khe Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam still has my heart. It’s got it all: a long wide boulevard to wander; soft, white sand dotted with sun lounges and beach bars; cool, rolling waves perfect for swimming; it’s clean; it’s not too busy but there’s still a lively atmosphere… It’s my favourite so far.

Praie de Carcavelos at Lisbon was a scenic and busy beach that had a few bars along the promenade where I could enjoy a Super Bock or three while the sun went down.

Best Flight or Airline

Bernii: Emirates
Brett: Emirates

Emirates have a really good in-flight menu that actually tastes like food, not just like microwave meals. They have a great selection of movies and TV shows in their entertainment system. The seats are as comfortable as you can get without paying an exorbitant amount to lie flat. And the staff are attentive and friendly.

Best Ground Transportation

Bernii: Shompoo River Boat, Laos
Brett: Shompoo River Boat, Laos

This two day riverboat cruise along the Mekong is a magical way to travel between Thailand and Laos. There are easier and cheaper ways to get to Luang Prabang, but we are so glad we elected to take the slow journey through wonderful scenery, with visits to remote villages and sacred caves along the way.

Best Drink

Bernii: White Port, Portugal
Brett: Lager beer (Leo/Chang/Gorkha/Super Bock/Kingfisher/Estrella/Kilimanjaro)

I will drink pretty much anything, but this trip, I’ve tried to focus on drinking local specialties. As such, I’ve enjoyed tasting a wide variety of beers, wines and cocktails*. However, I can’t stop thinking about the white port I tried in Porto, especially the many I sipped in the street garden at Bar Aduela. Before Porto, I never even knew white port existed. Now I’m glad I do.

*Just for good measure, my local favourites:
🍺 Beer: Crabbie’s Ginger Beer in Scotland
🍷 Wine: Spanish Rioja, Sangria or Tinto de Verano
🍹 Cocktail: Lemon Pie (tasted like a lemon meringue in a glass) in Langkawi, Malaysia

I don’t think I need to explain this one…

Best Restaurant

Bernii: Le Bistro des Augustins, Paris
Brett: Tipsy Tap, Bangkok

My choice for best restaurant is one that we stumbled upon by accident and have returned to a number of times. We were walking home late one night in Paris when we suddenly smelled the most inviting aroma of delicious homemade gratins. We instantly stopped in our tracks and I said to Brett, “We HAVE to eat something here, right now”. The restaurant is located on the Seine right near Notre Dame Cathedral. We will be back!

Tipsy Tap is a bar that also serves food from a variety of local restaurants including Otto Pizza, which has a wood-fired pizza oven and is located right nextdoor. Their pizzas are fantastic (some of the best we have ever had) and the food from the other nearby restaurants is also very good, although a little expensive. It is located on a busy corner on Soi 8 and is great for people watching while enjoying a few beers. The staff are also very friendly.

Best Meal or Dish

Bernii: Bun Cha Hanoi, Vietnam
Brett: Nyama Choma, Tanzania

How can we decide after all of the culinary delights we’ve been able to sample this year? For me, there’s something about the combination of chargrilled pork patties in that slightly sweet warm broth that is just magical. Add some vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, a little bit of garlic and chilli, a side of nem (spring rolls) and dig in! It’s comforting, flavourful, and delectably more-ish.

Nyama Choma is Swahili for barbecued meat. The Nyama Choma that we had in Dar es Salaam had an amazing flavour and came with vegetables and an very spicy relish sauce. The best steak that I have had outside of Australia.

Best Street Food

Bernii: Mango Sticky Rice, Thailand
Brett: Pad Krapow Moo, Thailand

Thailand has the best and most abundant street food options and the one I hunt out the most is Mango Sticky Rice. The combination of ripe golden mango, glutinous sticky rice, salty and sweet coconut cream and crunchy sprinkled mung beans is perfection!

“Pad krapow moo, kai dao, phed mak mak” (Pork holy basil stir fry with a fried egg, very very spicy). Cheap, available almost everywhere in Thailand and very tasty.

Best Dessert or Treat

Bernii: Pastéis de Nata, Portugal
Brett: Masala Chai

Those who know me know I have an insatiable sweet tooth and love all things chocolate. But – plot twist – my favourite dessert/treat of the trip is not chocolate. It’s a freshly baked Pastel de Nata. The delicious warm and gooey custard wrapped in perfectly flakey and chewy pastry, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon… Omg I’m drooling now. You can eat them as a morning snack, an afternoon treat, or even a dessert paired with white port. In fact, I did!

I’m not really one for sweet foods or drinks, but I really enjoy a Masala Chai. The best ones were in Tanzania and India.

Best City

Bernii: Bangkok, Thailand
Brett: Bangkok, Thailand

Brett and I have kept a list of our favourite world cities for a few years and over time there have been ones that have risen in the list, and others that have fallen away. But we will both agree on this one: it’s Bangkok. And I know Brett’s reasoning will be the same as mine: Bangkok feels like home. Whenever we are there everything just feels so familiar. Whenever we are away, we miss it. So why Bangkok? Well, thai food is our favourite cuisine to eat and we’re spoilt for choice with restaurants and street food options here. There’s fabulous shopping, bars, restaurants and nightlife. There’s also great above and underground train networks that make getting around the city a breeze. The green spaces are world-class. There’s loads of temples and attractions to explore along the Chao Phraya River and canals. Plus we are only a short flight away from our actual home, but also connected to the rest of the world so we can easily get anywhere we want to travel to. We would seriously consider moving to Bangkok. And most of all, the people are amazing!

Best Country

Bernii: Portugal
Brett: Portugal

It’s one that surprised us both so much that once we’d left, we realised we needed to go back and see more of it. So we did. The winner for both of us is Portugal. Why? The food is amazing! Think bifanas, pastel de nata, tapas of fired chorizo, delicious cheeses and soft breads, all washed down with port wine… The people are relaxed, humble and friendly. The cities are fun (albeit hilly) labyrinths to explore and the architecture (especially the ornamental azulejo tilework) is beautiful. The Algarve coastline of rocky cliffs, caves and grottoes are simply stunning and the ocean is clear and refreshing. The skies are azure blue and the climate is delightful. We would return in a heartbeat and cannot wait to do so.

Lowlight

Bernii: Morocco
Brett: New Delhi

Full time travel isn’t all sunshine and rainbows as the Instagram highlight reel might suggest. Sometimes there are places we visit that underwhelmed us, or that we don’t really gel with. Overly touristy places aren’t our scene, and we tire pretty quickly of the constant hustle of touts trying to pressure us to buy things we don’t want. Luckily, there’s only been a few places like this. My low-light unfortunately, has to be Morocco. While I did my best to dress modestly and respect the culture, it was really hard to avoid the unwanted male attention in this patriarchal society and I often felt a little uncomfortable being out in public. I struggled to get into the right rhythm here which was a shame because the people are lovely, the food was wonderful and the architecture is phenomenal.

While most of the people we met in India were amazing, there were a few that would constantly harass you to come into their store, or buy something or give them money. They would not take “no thank you” for an answer. Even people who were offering to help were often doing so with an alterior motive. It happened often enough for us to distrust anyone who approached us which was really disappointing. Adding to that the constant bustle of New Delhi, it was not the ideal place to explore or to relax.

Honorable Mentions

Finally, here are a couple of extra thngs that didn’t make the list but that we wanted to give a special mention to anyway:

Bernii’s Honorable Mention 1: Volunteering at Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang, Laos
This was an awesome experience. Twice every day, eager Lao children and young adults come to learn and practice speaking, reading and writing English. Native English speakers from anywhere in the world can visit to have conversations in English with young people who need and want to learn English. I had a wonderful time chatting to a charming, humble and grateful 19 year old who was full of curiosity and a determination to learn everything he could.

Bernii’s Honorable Mention 2: An unforgettable adventure with my mum, UK & Europe
While Brett trekked to K2 Base Camp in Pakistan, my mum met me in London where we shared a delicious cream tea and saw the Phantom of the Opera musical at His Majesty’s Theatre. After a short trip to Bath for more cream tea, we then spent 2 weeks cruising through the majestic fjords of Norway, and the land of the midnight sun, Iceland. The scenery was, as you’d expect, utterly sublime. Following the cruise, we flew to Edinburgh to join a Rabbies Tour into the Scottish Highlands, and the Isle of Skye. It was a magical trip: the history, the myths and legends, the landscapes, and very special to be able to share it with my mum.

Bernii’s Honorable Mention 3: Launching my own New Year’s Eve fireworks, Bangkok
This was so much fun! We were only at the beginning of our 2 year travel journey, and so excited for all the adventures to come. I watched as others entered the street to set off their own fireworks and knew I had to get in on it. We flagged over a firework seller, and after a quick exchange of 500THB ($23.42 AUD) I was armed with a handheld cannon of 10 fireworks. Locked and loaded, it was a thrill to shoot fireworks into the Bangkok city skyline.

Brett’s Honorable Mention 1: Tamang Heritage & Langtang Valley Trek, Nepal
I did this trek with Intrepid Travel to help prepare for the K2 Base Camp trek. It was a fantastic experience in its own right, and I met some amazing people on the trek. You can read about it here.

Brett’s Honorable Mention 2: Travellers Cafe, Stone Town, Zanzibar
I first discovered Travellers Cafe when I was in Zanzibar following my Kilimanjaro trek in 2023. We went back there during our time in Zanzibar and not much has changed. It is a fantastic cafe overlooking the ocean. A great place to have a few beers and a pizza, read a book or watch some of the locals play football on the beach and watch the sunset.

Brett’s Honorable Mention 3: Mount Toubkul, Morocco
This trek was quite difficult due to my lack of preparation. I was breaking in new hiking boots, and I had to hire a lot of the equipment that I needed. I was also physically underprepared for the trek. My body was sore for a week afterwards. But the experience of trekking in the Atlas Mountains and making it to the highest peak in northern Africa was an experience I will never forget.

Travel Stats

As of today, we have officially been travelling for 365 days straight. We can’t even believe it! 311 of those days were spent together, with only 54 days spent apart (Brett loves a good trek and I love a good beach).

Here are some other interesting stats about our trip we’d like to share:

	Together	Brett solo	Bernii solo
Number of beds slept in	92	27	17
Cheapest accommodation	AU$17.18 (Chiang Khong)	AU$62.00 (Bangkok)	AU$59.77 (Da Nang)
Most expensive accommodation	AU$359.75 (Paris)	AU$300.00 (Islamabad)	AU$257.00 (Casablanca)
Countries visited	12 (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, England, France, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Tanzania, India, Malaysia)	2 (Nepal, Pakistan)	3 (Norway, Iceland, Scotland)
Number of flights	28	7	5
Number of bus trips	9	–	1
Number of train trips	12	1	3
Number of ferry/boat trips	7	–	–
Number of tours	1 Intrepid: India’s Golden Triangle	2 Intrepid: Tamang Heritage & Langtang Valley Trek Epic Expeditions: K2 Base Camp Trek	2 Princess Cruise: 14 Day Iceland and Norway Rabbie’s: Outer Hebrides and Skye Adventure

Thank you for joining us on our journey so far! We are looking forward to another 365+ days of travel! More info to come in the new year.

A merry Christmas and happy New Year to all!