When we went on our “Big Trip” through Europe in 2020-2021, we rated each campground/vacation home that we stayed in. My aunt had suggested we do something similar this trip, but I unfortunately totally forgot. Hannah reminded me today, so we decided that each person would share a few of their favorite things from each country we have visited so far. It’s also a good time to do so as we approach three months on the road and just left our sixth county. So here is a look at what we loved from each country.
Greece (July 28-August 16)
- Hannah: I loved swimming everyday, the beach that was a cove where we jumped from the big rock into the water (Spiaggia di Kremisma) and the beach with the big waves (Paralia Megalos Mourtias).
- Charlotte: I loved going to the ocean everyday, all the cute towns and seeing my cousin. I also thought the weather was perfect since it was hot but not humid.
- Olivia: I liked seeing my cousin! I also loved the pizza at the restaurant in the Old Village Alonissos (Al Diavolo Alonnisos Pizza) and the beach with waves (Paralia Megalos Mourtias).
- Luisa: I loved the beaches!
- Steffen: I really liked the clear water at the beaches and the Old Village Alonnisos.
- Julia: I loved going to a new beach everyday, the relaxing atmosphere of the island of Alonissos and the adorable Old Village Alonissos.
India (August 16-September 13)
- Hannah: I loved visiting the Taj Mahal. I also really liked that there was a Pizza Hut close to where we were staying, and I enjoyed the afternoon we spent visiting friends.
- Charlotte: I liked seeing the Taj Mahal.
- Olivia: I liked going to the mall every day, volunteering at the preschool for the day and eating Pizza Hut frequently.
- Luisa: I liked the school I visited for a few weeks. The kids were nice.
- Steffen: I really enjoyed driving around Delhi in the tuk tuk and looking at everything. It felt like being in a “Wimmelbuch” (“these books feature detailed, busy scenes with many characters, animals, and objects for the reader to discover”). I also liked the people we interacted with.
- Julia: I loved seeing the Taj Mahal, enjoyed our stay at the hotel in Jaipur because it was beautiful and the staff was so kind, and I really enjoyed visiting our friends and am grateful for how helpful they were!
Sri Lanka (September 13-September 28)
- Hannah: I loved the Wilpattu safari and the boat ride in Kalpitiya because we went very fast over the waves and we saw the cutest puppies on the beach.
- Charlotte: I really enjoyed having dinner with the family in Kandy and everything about our stay at The Backwaters Lodge in Wilpattu National Park, especially the amazing safari.
- Olivia: I loved the town of Ella, especially when we met some very kind people on our hike to Ella Rock. I also liked the Wilpattu National Park safari.
- Luisa: I liked the badminton court at our accommodation in Kandy. I also liked going to dinner with family in Kandy, and everything about our stay at The Backwaters Lodge in Wilpattu National Park, especially the amazing safari.
- Steffen: I loved seeing the leopard on the safari in Wilpattu as well as the whole experience. I also liked the Ella Rock hike and the boat trip in Kalpitiya.
- Julia: I loved our stay at The Backwaters Lodge in Wilpattu National Park, especially the amazing safari and everything about Ella (the town, the hikes and the general vibe).
Singapore (September 28-October 2)
- Hannah: I really enjoyed spending time with friends. I liked that we could walk everywhere safely and the giant malls were cool.
- Charlotte: I loved seeing our friends! I also liked the food courts, that everyone spoke English, that everything was so clean, the delicious breakfast buffet at our hotel and exploring the airport.
- Olivia: I really liked during the photo booth with our friend and just spending time with our friends in general. I also liked trying sushi for the first time and how safe and clean the city is.
- Luisa: I liked everything! I definitely want to go back! I especially liked the time we spent with our friends.
- Steffen: I liked walking with my friend through the mall basement food courts and just spending time with our friends in general. I also liked checking out the Marina Bay Sands skyscraper.
- Julia: I really liked the variety of food and how reasonably priced the food was in the multitude of food courts. Of course, I also loved getting the chance to see our friends!
Thailand (October 2-October 18)
- Hannah: The best part was spending time with our aunts! I also loved the batik workshop, the pool at our hotel, visiting the animal shelter and meeting the Brits who are biking around the world.
- Charlotte: I loved seeing my aunts! I also enjoyed meeting the British bikers, the fact that our apartment was so close to the beach, frequent visits to the local 7-11 and the apartment we stayed at.
- Olivia: I loved spending time with our aunts! I also liked the pool at the hotel, the apartment we had and having dinner with the British bikers.
- Luisa: Our aunts came! And we stayed right next to the water; the hotel was super nice.
- Steffen: I really liked our apartment, the two boat trips we took, and my almost daily massages.
- Julia: I loved seeing my sisters! I also really liked the hike at the national park, watching daily sunsets at the beach, and our apartment and pool set-up.
Cambodia (October 18-October 25)
- Hannah: I really liked visiting the floating village, seeing the Phare Circus, and how fancy and large the tuk tuks were.
- Charlotte: I really liked the tuk tuks, the streets were cleaner than expected and the people were nice.
- Olivia: I really liked the Phare Circus, learning about the hero rats and our hotel.
- Luisa: I liked that the tuk tuks were bigger and more comfy than others we had used, the hotel was very nice, and I enjoyed watching the Phare Circus.
- Steffen: I liked seeing Angkor Wat, the floating village and the Phare Circus. I also liked how walkable and safe the streets are with restaurants, shops, etc. close by.
- Julia: I loved visiting Angkor Wat, was very impressed by the Phare Circus and was fascinated by the floating village. I also liked that Siem Reap is a manageable, walkable city.
Gnegel Family Travels 
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