Six months. One planet. A single, well-worn backpack. That was all I carried as I boarded my first flight, heart pounding and mind racing with hope, nerves, and ambition. The dream was simple: circle the globe in 180 days, see as much as my eyes and soul could hold, and come back changed. I wanted more than just photos or passport stamps. My goal was to soak up landscapes, savor meals, and forge connections that went deeper than a quick hello. This is the story of my round-the-world trip, the route I took, the memories I treasure, and the lessons that stitched themselves into my bones.
My Around-the-World Route and Most Unforgettable Stops
Photo by Lara Jameson
Charting the Course: The Itinerary
My journey started east from New York, crossing the Atlantic to Europe. From there, the route wound through Asia, down to Australia, across the wild edges of Oceania, into South America, and back up toward home. Here’s a rough sketch of the path:
- Europe: London, Paris, Prague, Budapest, Rome, Santorini
- Asia: Istanbul, Dubai, Delhi, Bangkok, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Hanoi, Tokyo
- Oceania: Sydney, Cairns (Great Barrier Reef), Auckland
- South America: Santiago, Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro
- North America (homecoming): New York
Flights, trains, buses, and the occasional boat powered my trip. Sometimes the journey between stops was as wild as the destinations themselves.
Six Months of Sights: My Most Vivid Memories
Certain moments blur together, but others burn bright, crystal clear. Here’s what still stirs my heart:
- Angkor Wat at Sunrise: I cycled out in darkness, the air thick with dew and excitement. As the sky shifted from inky blue to gold, the ancient stones of Angkor Wat glowed. Monks in orange robes chanted nearby, their voices echoing across centuries.
- Sailing the Great Barrier Reef: I plunged off the side of a small boat, the salt stinging my lips. Beneath me, coral gardens shimmered with neon blues, pinks, and greens. Sea turtles and darting fish made me feel like a guest in a silent underwater city.
- Vienna’s Historic Cafés: Rain fell outside as I took slow sips of thick, sweet coffee. Marble tabletops, flickering candles, laughter, and the sound of a distant piano made me wish I could stretch time.
- Backstreets of Tokyo: The city pulsed with color and energy, but my favorite moments happened in quiet corners—slurping ramen, watching the cherry blossoms fall, and sharing a smile with a stranger.
- Hiking Patagonia: Fierce wind and endless sky. Those rugged peaks seemed to slice the clouds in two. I felt small, but also wildly alive.
Culinary discoveries shaped my memory map, too. Hot, greasy banh mi in Hanoi. Rich gelato on a Roman afternoon. Grilled lamb beside a vineyard in Argentina. These are flavors I still dream about.
Lessons Learned After 180 Days of Travel
Cultural Surprises and Joyful Learning
Stepping into new worlds every week taught me as much as years in school. I learned that gestures carry more weight than words when languages fail. A smile, a shared meal, or a respectful bow opened doors in Thailand and Japan far faster than any phrasebook.
Every culture holds its own logic. In Istanbul, tea means connection, not just refreshment. In India, lines blur between public and private space, and hospitality often feels boundless. Each difference was a small invitation to see life another way.
Adapting to the Unexpected
Hard lessons came fast. A missed train in Budapest led to a midnight scramble for a bed. Food poisoning in southern Vietnam knocked me out for days. Storms canceled my longed-for hike in New Zealand.
Travel tests patience and flexibility. I discovered how to let go of plans, settle for the imperfect, and see the beauty in a day that went sideways. Instead of clinging to my schedule, I learned to ask, “What happens if I say yes to something different?”
Mistakes often turned into stories I now tell with a grin.
Finding Connection Across Continents
Real magic happened when I slowed down. Sharing stories on an overnight train or laughing with hostel roommates from five different countries turned loneliness into kinship.
When words failed, kindness crossed borders. Locals who offered directions, shared meals, or helped me with lost bags became threads in the fabric of my journey.
I realized the world is smaller and kinder than the news sometimes makes it seem.
Conclusion
Traveling around the world in 180 days reshaped my view of what matters. I came home with lighter bags but a fuller spirit. The planet feels far less intimidating and much more connected than before. Each new place, problem, and person taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way.
If you hear the call for your own big journey—go. Start small if you must, but go. Chasing my dream around the globe didn’t just change how I see the world, it changed how I see myself.
Whether you trace my path or plot a different course, remember: the best souvenirs are the changes you bring home inside you.
