It’s been exactly one year since I left Germany and took the plane to my first destination Japan. I still can’t believe how fast the time passed by, how many beautiful places I visited, how many people I met and how many things I did! Even if I spend the most of the time in Australia I have visited three different continents during this year.

It’s hard to say which were my favourite places or best experiences as I have so many great memories… Nevertheless, I would like to share some highlights looking back at this year!

In Japan it was definitely climbing Mount Fuji even though it was one of the hardest things I ever did! Six hours long I pulled myself up the mountain getting the worst sunburn in my life. But once I reached the top I was the proudest person in the world! Even if it was cloudy and I couldn’t see much but clouds, it was worth all the struggle!

Walking above the clouds…

One of my highlights in Hawaii refers to climbing up the Koko Head crater. It is for sure not comparable to mount Fuji as it only takes 20 minutes to reach the top. These are very rough 20 minutes though! It’s basically one very long and very steep stairway also known as ‘stairs of doom’… I climbed these stairs several times because I loved enjoying the great view after a good exercise. But the one time I did it for sunrise was just amazing! After pulling myself up in the dark I reached the top to see a stunning sunrise above the ocean!

Watching the sunrise from Koko Head Crater

Stairs of doom

It might seem obvious that among my highlights in Australia I count my experience at the Great Barrier Reef. There I tried scuba diving for the first time in my life. First I was really scared and almost freaked out but after getting used to breathing under the water I could enjoy the beatiful underwater world!

Scuba-Diving at the Great Barrier Reef

As exploring the world under the water is not enough for me I tried hanggliding at Byron Bay. While flying over the city and the ocean my fear of heights seemed to disappear and I felt as light as never before!

Hanggliding at Byron Bay

Another highlight at Byron Bay was the most unique christmas celebration I ever had! A rainy day which first seemed to ruin my and everyone elses christmas plans brought the whole hostel I was staying at together. So it gave us the opportunity to eat, laugh, sing and celebrate all together to make this day unforgettable!

Christmas Feast at Byron Bay

I could mention so many more things like spotting a whale during a run through the National Park in Noosa, watching dolphins playing at the shore in Sydney or hiking at Kata Tutja in the middle of Australia…

Looking back at this year I can definitely say that I had one of the best years in my life and I am very grateful to all the people I met along the way to make this time so special!