What was the Best Part?

 We have been asked by almost everyone some form of the below question;

What was the best part? or What was your favorite place?

I would imagine that would be like asking someone with children who their favorite child is. Pending the situation each child has their high and low moments just as each country had its pros and cons or highs and lows.

How do I go about recappig the greatest 3 months of my life, well maybe I did it right there by saying it was the Greatest 3 Months of my Life??? I couldn't say a negative thing about the Summer of Travel, we obviously ran into our issues but all those issues turn into learning lessons and laughter later on in life. We made it home safe with great memories, great friends, and smiles we will always have. 

We took over 15,000 photos/videos and I wouldn't delete a single one. Each one has a story, memory, and a feeling that only we will be able to know the full experience. This is one of the challenges in telling people about our trip. There is a saying that says "a picture is worth a thousand words" but its worth more then just words, it has feelings, smells, experience, its the whole package that is nearly impossible to replicate.

Some asked what was the hardest part, well the hardest parts about traveling this long, isn’t the language barriers, or money exchange rate calculations,  it’s being with someone else 24/7 and having no personal space. Although we have been married 3 years, we have not spent this much time together because of our seperate jobs, different hobbies, and friend groups. When all you got is each other, are half way across the world and no cell service, you are together every second of the day (except bathroom breaks) and although it was a challenge, it brought the best out in both of us and we learned how to love each other even more then we ever thought possible. 

Our complete travel went as follows; Rapid City, Denver, San Fransisco, Singapore, Kata, Phuket Town, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Railay Beach, Bangkok, Auyutaya, Chang Mai, Pai, Chang Rai, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ha Giang, Du Gia, Dong Van, Yen Minh, Ha Giang, Sapa, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Dalat, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Doha,  Zagreb, Rastoke,  Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split, Krka National Park, Trogir, Split, Medugorje, Dubrovnik, Kotor,Dubrovnik, Madrid, Lima, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, Aquas Calientes, Cuzco, Lima, San Jose, Tamarindo, San Jose, Panama, Tampa, Minneapolis, Rapid City, and I'm sure I missed something.

Singapore; was a treat and great lead into Southeast Asia. We got to experience the culinary prowess of Asia while still having the comforts of a first world country. It was short, sweet and a great first stop. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $71.43

Thailand; our favorite food that made you hold onto your seat during each bite, and easily the least amount of tourists. Most of our hostels didn't have any other guests, we were the lone tourists in most spots. We enjoyed the north much more then the south which included lots of great roads for motorbiking. The locals were so friendly and loved pointing us out in a crowd. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $62.87

Vietnam; where we met the most people and partied the most. This country was vibrant, and had the most direct history with the USA (Good and Bad). The north's mountains were steep and plentiful, which led to narrow, teeth clenching roads. The south was hot and beachy but continued to provide above expectations. The food caught us off guard and we continued to find local specialties that knocked our socks off. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $65.89

Cambodia; one of the shortest stints we had in a country, but plenty to see none the less. This history rich country is doing everything in its power to get out of poverty and out of its troubled past. The stark difference between rich and poor is extremely prevelent, but the culture is strong. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $54.31

Croatia; just as exceptional as everyone has been saying, but the tourists and costs put us in our seat. The bakerys could be the best in the world, and their national parks are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The rocky beaches and stunning old towns should never be overlooked. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $149.32

Bosnia and Montenegro; our shortest country visits that left us wanting more. Similar to Croatia in food and architecture but far less people and much cheaper. We will be back someday to pick up the pieces we left behind. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $100.64 

Peru; although we didnt stray far from Cuzco, we experienced one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. The locals were never short of smiles and truly seemed happy we were there. The mountains made us feel like infants and the hike to Machu Picchu will forever be a highlight reel in our minds. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $145.76

Costa Rica; meant to be our last effort to avoid going home was as relaxing as we could have gotten. The town of Tamarindo, nickname TamaGRINGO, because of all the tourists. It had amazing food, great surf, and painted beach sunsets. Although these were all positive there was minimal culture and local flair in a town trying to cater to the tourists.

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $108.24

Tampa and Minneapolis; back to America and all things we knew and expected. Good catching up with family and friends, and enjoying the American food, like a thick juicy hamburger. The breweries are always excellent and dancing away the night as your two best friends get married capped the 3month journey perfectly. 

    Total Cost per Day/Person; $93.29 (did not include housing because we stayed with friends)

*Costs shown above do not include flights

Highlights of finally returning back home to the USA. 

After leaving Costa Rica we stopped in Tampa Florida to visit my younger sister Kaci as she just moved down there for a new job. We enjoyed brewery hopping, sitting by her pool, and of course eating come of the staple American foods we were craving. 

Off to Minneapolis to catch up with old friends and celebrate the wedding of our two besties MG and Chloe. We went to some of our favorite restaurants and breweries. We got to wear our Vietnamese Suit and dress that we had made in Hoi An for their wedding and they were an absolute hit. They still fit (which we were suprised by) and worked perfect on the dance floor. 

We finally made it home back to Rapid City, where we had to unpack all of our personal's (since we were Airbnbing our house all summer) and get back in the groove of being home. However, before we got too confortable we went to Spearfish for the Dakota 5-0 which is a 50 mile mountain bike race that i had signed up for back in April. I had multiple friends come to town and stay at my parents where we all caught up from not seeing eachother all summer, and prepped for the bike race that none of us trained for. I did end up finishing but it was a rough one being 101degF (40C), but we all survived and laughed it off like it wasnt that hard........

I cannot say enough good things about every country and every experience. IF you have questions regarding where to go and what to visit, Nic and I will only agree that every place was the best ever.