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This year has sped away passed me, last time I checked it was August and I was starting with my Swedish lessons now it's the end of the year and I don't even understand Swedish any better than when I started out. Oh well
Here's a quick recap of the 365 days gone by. Kicked off the year in Fjätervålen 2016 was kicked off on the beach .. how times have changed Anyways was pretty awesome watching fireworks outside in -death degrees. Otto the Volvo We got Otto the Volvo for Hugo and Hanna who's now suddenly afraid of the dark.. Even with the great and highly efficient public transport system here having a car around is pretty useful, We now do more random little outings whether it's to find new spots to walk the dog or just shopping.
Got some serious travelling in
Cape Town | Johannesburg Always have to make the trip home Finally visited Manu in Vienna Between this and Paris, not sure which is my favourite city to walk around in anymore Fishing in Norway Cold and beautiful Tallin for a weekend Went without any expectations, was totally blown away 
Waterfalls and Volcanoes in Hawaii Mind you I was 10kgs down before this trip, 3 weeks later i was 5ks up again Was nice to get a day in LA too to see Cameron and Conrad 
Studies I became a student again. not a good one but I'm back at it, Monday to Friday sitting in class taking notes and learning Swedish. Anyways figured out what works and doesn't for me, ready to tackle the course again in the new year.
Business is BOOMING
Did some nice numbers this year, referrals and return clients are great, website by itself is still so/so, not 100% where I think It could be in terms of bringing in business but still it's way way way way better than what it used to be. So no real complaints there.
Photography
Shooting 100% on manual now, next step is shooting raw and learning about editing techniques. Below are some of my favourite pics from this year. 
Visitors
Conrad was supposed to visit but bailed out, luckily we met up in LA for a day. Jacques was in town so managed to meet up with him. Simone popped in with her friends. Hadn't seen her in a minute so pretty awesome to hangout with her in Stockholm of all places. Reto came through for my birthday weekend. All in all, not bad, always awesome seeing faces I know that aren't from Sweden.
2016 has been a huge year for me in so many ways, let me reflect and take stock..
These are some of the highlights. I started the year off on Muizenberg beach
I always told myself that beach should be avoided at all costs on new years day, I actually enjoyed my little venture and walk about. Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. I didn't stay long though but I did managed to get some great photos of the atmosphere.
I climbed Table Mountain 3 times and Lions head twice
This was in the space of 4/5 months which if you know anything about me is an absolute miracle
I jetted off to Sweden for a winter break
More to see Hanna than a winter break,
Straight after Sweden was Mozambique
Certainly one of the most eventful trips ever, police bribes, van stuck in sand (twice), waiting at the SA/Mozambique border for hours.
Great food, new friends and memories that will not fade anytime soon We travelled from Cape Town through SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and ended in Johannesburg over 22 Days
This was one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken, camping, sleeping under the stars and all with my favourite person next to me.
I partnered up with Max, redid the African Travel Desk web site and got an office with French interns
After 7 years of being a solo operation and spending R0 on the business it sure has grown a whole lot this year. Max is doing exactly what I wanted done by a business partner when I set up shop in 2009. I even have an amazing accountant who keeps her fingers on the books at all times.
Check it out www.africantraveldesk.com better yet, book yourself onto a tour ;-)
I said goodbye to Cape Town
I moved 10 000km to Stockholm, It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. Easily one of the best descisions I've made this year
We got Hugo
The naughtiest and cutest thing ever. He's a handful but we love him.
With that being said we had to say goodbye to Sammy who was 13 years old I had visitors
My cousin came through for a weekend to say hi and then later the Italians came for a weekend. All in all not bad.
I learned to love winter again
Growing up I always looked forward to the rainy Cape days, i guess it had something to do with being indoors all day infront of the tv with my moms homemade soup while playing with my friends and our toys. Somehow I lost the excitement I had for winter the older I got till I ended up jetting away everytime my pocket allowed over that season.
I'm happy to report that I'm once again a winter baby even if my birthday is in summer up here in Sweden
2016 was a year of many changes and challenges, I went all out with my business dreams and it's paying off right now. I travelled a fair bit but us travellers can never travel enough.
My finaces were all over the place ;-) but somehow here I am I can't wait to see what 2017 has in store, I have some pretty big plans and goals |
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