2024 has been a whirlwind of adventures, delicious meals, and unforgettable moments. From exploring breathtaking landscapes to discovering unique foodie spots, this year has been nothing short of amazing. To capture all these incredible highlights, we have created a special reel for our 2024 wrapped—a visual journey through the places we’ve explored, the food we’ve enjoyed, and the memories we’ve made along the way.
As the year came to a close, we made a unique decision: instead of diving into the iconic Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations, we opted for a more laid-back and intimate vibe in Wollongong. It turned out to be the perfect way to welcome 2025, and we can’t wait to share all the details with you.
2024 Highlights – POV Gigi vs. Cyp
Gigi’s POV
Travel Adventures
- Cyp and I visited each other’s families, blending our cultures and sharing pieces of our backgrounds
Culinary Discoveries
- Got to experience the street food markets in Thailand – I was in my element!
Personal Growth
- Learned to juggle adventure, work, the constant search for a place to live, and blending my life with my partner.
- Finally launched the blog I’d been dreaming about since September 2023.
- Reached travel goals I’d only ever talked about with friends.
- Started planning the next big adventure in Southeast Asia, turning dreams into action.
Cyp’s POV
Travel Adventures
- Living in Australia this year brought so many incredible memories, from skydiving to exploring the wilderness of the Blue Mountains and hunting for waterfalls.
- Our round-the-world trip through Hawaii, Canada, and France was absolutely unforgettable.
- Exploring parts of Asia, immersing ourselves in their culture, and savouring their food was such a rewarding and enriching experience. I started my journey in Indonesia with a friend, then met up with Gigi in Thailand, where we continued our adventure together.
Culinary Discoveries
- We both agree that the street food in Thailand was one of the year’s top highlights—A good mix of flavours and culture came together.
- One of the best restaurants in New South Wales is Julien Bowral Brasserie. They serve delicious French cuisine, and I even became friends with the owner!
- I’m a sucker for Asian food, and Gigi’s family introduced me to Filipino cuisine. I absolutely loved the chicken adobo and lumpia—definitely new favourites.
Personal Growth
- I learned so much this year, from finding a place to rent and securing work to understanding my values better.
- I’ve grown in how to balance life and travel while being in a relationship, which has been a great learning curve.
- I also improved my financial habits, learning how to save properly and plan for the future.
Why Wollongong Over Sydney for NYE?
Every year, Sydney takes center stage with its world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks, but this time, we craved something different—something more laid-back. Having both experienced the hype of Sydney’s New Year celebrations for 2024, we decided to embrace a slower pace to ring in 2025. Wollongong’s Summer Carnival offered just that: good food, great vibes, and a more intimate atmosphere.
The Wollongong Summer Carnival was a cozy event, ideal for families with children. While the food trucks/ stalls selection was modest, it offered just enough variety to spark our curiosity—and satisfy our appetites! We picked one dish from three different stalls, creating a fun little feast. With our food in hand, we made our way to the lighthouse, where kids were happily climbing on the prop cannons, and found a cozy spot to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere.
(Twisted Potatoes)
Images: ©NomAddictDuo
What we ate:
- Chip Stix from Chip & Waffle Stix
- Papaya Salad + Springrolls from Mekong Flava
- 3 Birrira Tacos – 1 Chicken, 1 Beef & 1 Pork from ??? (Got too excited to grab the food that the truck was documented through photos or even videos)
At 9 PM, the fireworks lit up the sky, giving us the perfect dose of New Year’s Eve magic without the overwhelming crowds of the big city. The peaceful atmosphere was exactly what we needed to welcome 2025.
A Perfect End to 2024
After the festival, we headed home to create our own little celebration. Margaritas in hand, we slipped into the jacuzzi and let the warmth and bubbles melt away the year’s stress. The stars above and the sound of clinking glasses were the perfect backdrop for reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the one to come. It was intimate, peaceful, and exactly what we needed to close out 2024.
Looking Forward to 2025
2025 already feels full of promise. With plans to explore Southeast Asia and dive deeper into our blogging journey, there’s so much to look forward to. From chasing new adventures to indulging in even more foodie discoveries, the year ahead is already shaping up to be unforgettable.
If 2024 taught us anything, it’s to embrace the unexpected, savour every moment, and seek joy in every experience. And we can’t wait to bring you along for the ride!
To 2025!
Although we launched just about two weeks ago, we want to thank you for being part of our journey so far. Whether you’ve been following our foodie adventures, travel diaries, or simply cheering us on from afar, your support means the world to us.
As we step into 2025, we’re curious: what were your highlights of 2024? How did you welcome the new year? Drop a comment or share your story—we’d love to hear it!
Here’s to another year of exploring, eating, and creating unforgettable memories together. Cheers to 2025! 🎉
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