As 2017 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on some incredible adventures!

For me, this year was filled with ups and downs – moments that were filled with sadness and frustration, but so many more that were filled with joy.

I was lucky enough to have far more good times than bad this year, and as we creep closer towards ticking over to 2018, I thought it be only fitting that I look back at the many wonderful times; the amazing places I visited, the life-changing experiences I had and the times of overwhelming happiness.

2017 was one hell of a year, and I’m so very grateful for all that it pushed my way!

Amazon Rainforest

As many of you may already know, seeing wildlife in their natural habitat is one of my favourite experiences of all. And in July of 2017, I was able to tick off one of my major bucket list experiences of visiting the Amazon Rainforest!

I spent 3 nights in a lodge out of Puerto Maldonado, Peru, where wildlife was even more immense than I could have possibly imagined; capybara, howler monkeys, tarantulas and river otters were just a few of the animal encounters I was lucky enough to experience – I truly was in wildlife heaven!

This was one of those pinch-me moments, and a trip that I will surely never forget!

[ READ NEXT: 4 Day in the Amazon with TravelJust4U ]

Seeing Machu Picchu

I think Machu Picchu is one of those places that everyone wants to see. It’s one of the world’s most incredible world heritage sites with a history that is somewhat unknown. For me, this was a location that I couldn’t leave this earth without seeing…

This year, during my journey to Peru, I visited this magnificent site and was left in total disbelief. Everything from the ancient ruins, the surrounding mountains and the immense rainforest was something of pure magic.

Although the journey was not very smooth sailing (to say the absolute least) the destination itself was simply unbelievable!

[ READ NEXT: A Very Eventful Trip to Machu Picchu ]

Experiencing Central Australia

Although I have lived in Australia my whole life, it was only in May of 2017 that I visited the Red Centre. Crazy I know, but even though it took me almost 22 years to experience the magic of Uluru, I left this place feeling more in love with Australia than ever before.

The vastness of the outback and the spiritual significance this place has with Australian culture made me truly recognise its beauty. Uluru, Kata Tjuta, the red dirt and the unbelievable sunsets made me feel very very lucky to call Australia home.

After this trip, I really discovered that exploring more of my home country should be a massive priority!

Visiting David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Ever since I began fostering an elephant with David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, I was simply desperate to see this orphanage in the flesh. It was for this very reason that I made the spur of the moment trip to Nairobi, Kenya. This seriously was one of my biggest goals for the year, and somehow I was lucky enough to achieve it!

I visited Kenya in September, making a pitstop in Nairobi to experience this amazing wildlife organisation and personally meet my foster elephant, Malima!

After visiting this place twice during my trip, I can wholeheartedly say that this is the most incredible wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre I have ever encountered. DSWT made me restore my faith in humanity and somehow, they managed to make me fall in love with their work more than I already was!

[ READ NEXT: Visiting David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ]

Incredible Kenya Safari

I’m going to say it… This was my all-time favourite moment of 2017! (Or maybe ever?)

So far in my travels around the world, I’ve never been so desperate to re-visit a country so quickly after departing. After visiting the Maasai Mara during the Great Migration, Kenya easily became one of my favourite countries in the world; the people, the wildlife, the landscapes and the atmosphere as a whole.

Never have I experienced a wildlife event – or any event for that matter – that left me this speechless. Every activity from the tranquil hot air balloon safari to the intimate game drives made me fall in love with diverseness of Kenya’s savanna!

This was 100% the trip of an absolute lifetime, and a wildlife photographers dream!

[ READ NEXT: Wildlife of Kenya ]

Walking the Great Wall of China

Everyone wants to step foot on the Great Wall of China, right? Well, this year was one where I could tick that off my list!

Unfortunately, the morning that we were organised the visit the Great Wall, the weather was devastatingly miserable. I was gutted to be visiting this famous landmark on a day with minimal visibility, but regardless, the experience itself was pretty damn special!

Walking to the highest point was an incredible experience that many may never have the opportunity to do, so I quickly learnt to take the good with the bad and make the most of the crappy weather. An unbelievable opportunity, there’s no doubt!

[ READ NEXT: Walking the Great Wall of China ]