For Photo of the Week this week, I’ve got a little something different for ya.
Surprise! Santa brought me an iPhone, and now I’m on Instagram. If you can’t get enough Alex in Wanderland goodness and want a (near) daily dose of what I’m up to, follow me here. Speaking of the iPhone, does anyone have any favorite travel apps to recommend?
Now, about this whole New Year thing… wow, it’s 2013! To say that 2012 was a challenging year for me is an understatement, but it also brought about great change and catharsis. Compared to 365 days ago, I am happier, fitter and more successful in the business I have created for myself, I smile more, and I think to myself on a more regular basis how incredibly lucky I am. My only New Year’s Resolution is to say the same thing again next year.
When I asked on of my friends here in Thailand what his resolution was, he replied “Everything is going pretty good right now. Don’t think I really need one.” I laughed, but I kind of concur. Everything is going pretty great right now for me too, so I’m just aiming for onwards and upwards.Β In 2012 I ran my first 5K, perhaps 2013 will bring my first 10K. In 2012 I multiplied by blog traffic and income, created tons of new partnerships, and was recognized by my peers in posts like this — Viator’sΒ Top 25 Travel Blogs of 2012. In 2013 perhaps I’ll finally get around to that blog makeover. In 2012, I was forced abruptly into the world of solo travel. To my surprise, I’ve begun to embrace it, and I feel that in 2013 I am basically going to kick solo travel’s butt.
It goes without saying that the community of readers here has been an inspiration, a well of support, and a motivator to me every year since its creation. Fittingly, 2012 ended in the most amazing way — with a chance encounter with a reader! Funny enough, two people who appear on this blog regularly have both been recognized when traveling around Southeast Asia, but I never had. So when a beautiful girl from India came up to me with moments until midnight and told me that this blog inspired her to travel to Thailand, she made my night.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading and commenting and being a part of my day. If you’ve never introduced yourself, leave me a note in the comments. I want to get to know you all! Cheers to you, readers.
Happy New Year, or Sawasdi Pi Mai from Thailand!
Psssst: I know plenty of my regular readers are jaunting around Southeast Asia as we speak! I’m going to be in Bangkok from January 15th-17th and want to host a reader meetup! Email me at alex@alexinwanderland.com if you are in the area and are interested!
You’re going to crush 2013! Keep posting the great articles and living it up.
I think I said it before but good luck on your 10K. It’s very achievable and makes you feel 10K richer, lol.
Thanks so much Shaun, I really appreciate your comments and support!
Happy New Year! You’ve come far and I’m guessing 2013 will bring you farther.
I hope so! Thank you so much for being a loyal reader, Gaelyn π
I hate I’m ending my trip before your meet up. Next time- next time for sure! Best of everything to you in 2013 and keep posting!
Thanks Nathan! Enjoy the rest of your Southeast Asia trip!
Alex, I’m so excited that you’re on Instagram now! I can’t wait to follow your adventures! As for your 2013 plans, I’m planning on running the Seawheeze Half-Marathon in August in Vancouver– any interest? Visit a new city and crush a half-marathon with me! Also, site re-design? Call me. That’s my THANG! Sending you love from Denver!
Carolyn I would love to do some sort of run or fitnessy thing with ya but I’ve got to be honest, don’t know if I’m half-marathon material! Six months ago I literally could not run a full mile without collapsing on the ground in a wheezing pile of pathetic. The ten might even be pushing it, ha. How about a nice yoga retreat instead? π
Also I would LOVE to talk site redesign with you. Can you send me your rates and portfolio?
You are DEFINITELY going to kick solo travel’s butt! I can’t wait to see how amazing 2013 is going to be for you!
I’m a new reader and I absolutely love your blog. You write so well and I’m always left wanting more. Thank you for that!
I recently visited and travelled around Thailand and got to spend almost two weeks at Koh Tao. Not nearly enough time, even though it’s such a small island. I completely understand your love for that special place. There’s just something about it!
Travel safe and have a happy new year. I wish that for you!
Lots of hugs
Molly from Denmark
Happy New Year. Glad you are not going to stop traveling in 2013! Sadly I won’t be able to make it to Bangkok, but if you are ever in Cambodia let me know and I’d love to meet up. I live in Phnom Penh.
Well if you’ve been reading for a while you know how I feel about Phnom Penh! Sadly I won’t be making it to Cambodia on this trip though I’ll get about as close as one can get without crossing the border…. Koh Mak in Thailand!
Happy new year, Alex! Your blog kept me entertained and wanderlusting in 2012 for more days than I would like. Wonderful things for 2013!
Thank you so much Paul, that’s the greatest compliment a blogger could hear. All the best to you in the new year!
Happy New Year Alex! For me it is a tie between the picture of Tucker and your christmas presents. I love that your family and friends support your travel plans. Btw I got the sratch of map that you featured in your bedroom make over for christmas and I love it. But there are still so many places left to see. So my plans for after my exams this summer is to finally go to South America and visit a friend in Argentina and then after I’d love to somewhere warm to go diving and surfing again.
I’m so glad we’re map twins now! I love that thing. I think I will be setting foot in South America for the fist time in 2013 as well… hopefully in September or October!
Happy New Year from Nepal one of the famous adventure destination !
i fear change. vote 1 no rebuild.
Yours kindly, cap’n grinch. :b
Everyone keeps telling me I need a while background, and I tend to agree…
Happy New Year! Reading your blog throughout 2012 inspired me and helped me focus on saving for my own travel adventure(which starts in 8 weeks’ time!). I look forward to seeing where the road takes you in 2013.
Amy, what a massive compliment, thank you so much. Glad to know I could help in some way, best of luck on your trip… so soon!
Good luck in 2013 Alex! I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your blog and can’t wait to see your upcoming posts about Koh Tao and Thailand, it’s the first stop on my RTW trip starting in Sept so I’ll be checking in regularly.
My go to travels apps for the iPhone are as follows: Google Earth, Frommers Travel Tools (has currency, temp, weight, distance,etc converters, as well as other cool features), The US Dept of State’s Smart Traveler app (while there’s the usual everything is scary factor it’s great info on many countries), Travisa (lets you know visa requirements for travelers), and of course Hostelworld and flight apps like EasyJet, Kayak, Skyscanner, etc.
I’m sure you already have Twitter, Twitpic, Facebook, etc : )
Hope that wasn’t too much, all the best this upcoming year, safe travels!
Thank you SO MUCH for the app recommendations! I’m going to start downloading immediately…
Happy new year from Monaco!
Cool travel apps:
Kayak
Jetcost
Couchsurfing
Airbnb
Wehostels
Seat guru
Travel fish south east asia guides
Google earth
Trip advisor
Any airline app
Skype of course and Skype Wifi
Itorch pro (for when going into hostel rooms at night! Great torch)
Turbo scan (once had to scan and emails some forms and documents from the other side of the world – was great)
So many more…. π
Money managing:
Bankin’ (great for keeping up with different bank accounts)
Photos:
Vintique (I love it!)
Photosynth (360β’ photos -so cool for showing people where u are)
Happy travels!!
Camille
Wow, thank you so much for the list! I’m going to look each and every one up, though I’d be hardpressed to switch from Mint for banking… love that app! Really appreciate your help.
you tickled my heart with this one, A!
Miss you, Z. Thanks for the best birthday ever π
Happy New Year Alex, love reading all your post as alwayas, especially your holidays coverage π
Thank you so much for saying so, Carla! I’m always a little nervous to talk about things other than straight travel!
Happy new year Alex! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the last year (although I’ve never commented) and am looking forward to reading more about your solo 2013 adventures. Thanks also for recommending Roctopus to me – loved them!
Yay, I’m so glad you ended up there! And thank you for commenting — please do so anytime, love to hear from those that are reading π
Alex! I stumbled on your blog last year and am now a regular stalker. Come visit me in beautiful South Africa, you’ll have plenty to blog about
Hi Sasha! Thank you so much for introducing yourself. I would love to come to South Africa — it’s definitely on the bucket list!
I have been addicted to your blog for a week now and I’m travelling from Oslo to Bangkok 29th of January and then travelling down to Koh Tao. Will you be there then? It would be awesome if we could meet up and talk. I’m travelling around south east Asia for 3.5 month and frist stop Bangkok and Koh Tao:)
Unfortunately I’ll be up in Northern Thailand by then! But stay tuned… perhaps our paths will cross at some point π