2017 was a year for great trips (HOB and I traveled to five countries outside the US) and appalling politics (looking at you, Cheetolini McRacistpants).

Riga, Latvia
2017 could also be confusing at times. Fortunately, we found this sign which cleared a lot of things up for us.

Siauliai, Lithuania
In 2017 we finally made it to Lithuania, which is a stunning country with a tendency to undersell itself. (The guy we rented an apartment Šiauliai told us “See what you can, because I’m sure you’ll never come back.”) This tourist brochure with the rather unpersuasive tagline “Lithuania: a place worth visiting ” is case in point. I’m guessing that previous slogans from Lithuania’s tourist office included:
- Lithuania: meh
- Lithuania: like Poland, but smaller
- Lithuania: better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

Torun, Poland
We also visited Poland this year, but sadly missed the opportunity to build a tiny poop campfire underneath a boxer dog’s butt.

Chutung, Taiwan
When your eyebrow game is strong…..

Tallinn, Estonia
I hate Estonian dolls: they’re so full of themselves.

Taipei, Taiwan
One of my not-so-secret hobbies is collecting pictures of big checks. Having assumed that the big check was a strictly Western phenomenon, I was delighted to discover this beauty inside a temple in Taipei.

Varska, Estonia
Well, now you all know how I plan on spending my New Year’s Eve. I hope all my readers swim responsibly in 2018.
Intrepid as usual, and great at finding the absurd! Wishing you tons of great trips in 2018, and let’s hope our politics improve.
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Let’s focus on Nov. 6—the 2018 midterm elections. That’s where we could see some real improvement.
Happy travels to you as well this coming year!
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I think I might like Estonia…would be worth learning to swim for…
Roll on reading about your trips in the year to come.
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You’re not a swimmer Helen? I imagine you down in Costa Rica, chugging a bottle of red wine while doing a backstroke…..
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There was a song of childhood which went something like
‘look at your uncle jim,
he’s in the duck pond learning how to swim
first he does the backstroke then he does the side
and now he’s underwater swimming against the tide…
Just about sums up my efforts…..I can float though, a bit like a basking shark…
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Okay…you made me laugh out loud in my fave coffee shop and everybody looked at me… Happy travels in 2018 and hopefully the Cheetolini will be the guest of some NY correctional facility. We can only hope!
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When that day comes, let’s share a toast. I’ll buy the champagne..
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OMG…I’m there! 🍾
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Looking forward to see where you are taking us next year!
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I recently found a really cheap flight to an exciting place we’ve never visited before. Stay tuned!
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Hilarious! Wishing you health, happiness, and travels.
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Same to you, thanks. You take the most interesting trips!
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Amazing post
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Thanks
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Welcome
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I have loved your posts and fabulous fun photos in 2017.
I look forward to reading about your travels in 2018.
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Thanks, that’s so sweet. I look forward to hearing about your travel sin 2018 as well (maybe Italy,…hmmmmm…….)
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Thanks -not sure what 2018 holds?
There should always be time for Italy!
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