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Looking back on 2016

I wrote a post like this at the end of last year, and it was such a great way to reflect and take stock. This time of year is always so packed, so it’s easy to get caught up and rush to the end of the year and then rush into the new year and never really end the chapter. I think it’s so important to take a little time, and I find that scrolling through my Instagram feed is a great way relive some of the year’s highlights.

Looking back on 2016

It started on a rooftop in Melbourne

Surrounded by three of my favourite people, fireworks and the biggest bottles of Champagne I’ve ever seen. What a way to end one year and start the next. If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne in 2017, check out my Melbourne City Guide for some tips.

We adopted Netflix The Cat

A photo posted by Natalie Roos (@tailsofamermaid) on

And have never loved any living creature as much. Except Babycat.

We had some great weekends away

Like Valentine’s Weekend in a little house in Riebeek-Kasteel.

And a wintry weekend in a cabin in Platbos Forest.

And a wine-fuelled weekend in Robertson.

I had the opportunity to visit Mauritius

A photo posted by Natalie Roos (@tailsofamermaid) on

And now I totally understand what the hype is all about – resort holidays are the bomb! See more pictures from my visit to the One & Only Le Saint Géran here.

I woke Keenan up at 3am

A photo posted by Natalie Roos (@tailsofamermaid) on

And we took a spontaneous trip to Namibia for a long weekend. It was one of my favourite things we did all year. It was a great reminder to be spontaneous and do things that seem like a bit of a mission.

I ate my favourite meal ever

A photo posted by Natalie Roos (@tailsofamermaid) on

At a restaurant in Pretoria of all places. Read about our 10 course feast at Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient here.

We travelled to Bali

A photo posted by Natalie Roos (@tailsofamermaid) on

See more pictures from our trip and read my guide to Gili Trawangan here.

And I watched my little sister marry her soulmate

And I’ve never cried more. It was honestly one of the most special days of my life. Watch her incredible wedding video here.

We renovated our little home

And love it now more than ever. We learned that small doesn’t mean cramped. We learned that everything costs a fortune. And we loved making a home together.

I visited a lot of wine farms

Like Spier, an old favourite.

And La Petite Ferme, a new favourite.

And Babylonstoren, a firm favourite.

And Jordan, everyone’s favourite.

And Boschendal, which should be your favourite too.

I got a scooter

So now I can zip through summer traffic and find parking at the beach.

I discovered Limpopo

And realised that there are at least 15 amazing things to do there.

I remembered why I love living in Cape Town

And found a whole new list of things to do in Cape Town this summer.

I made friends and lost friends. I had hard times and financially trying times. I worked super hard and loved it. The year’s not over yet, and some of the best is yet to come. But for now, I’m trying to take a moment to soak it all up, like the way you need to take a few minutes at the end of yoga practice to let your body soak up all the work you’ve done. As they say, it’s the most important part.

Thank you so much to every reader who commented, shared and emailed me throughout the year. It’s the best part of having this blog.

Now tell me, what was your favourite part of 2016?

4 comments

  1. “But for now, I’m trying to take a moment to soak it all up, like the way you need to take a few minutes at the end of yoga practice to let your body soak up all the work you’ve done.”

    That’s a pretty magnificent line.

  2. our photos are well curated and makes be want to be there!

  3. Awesome post Nats! Sucha great reminder to take stock and be thankful!

  4. Oh wow! Scrolling through all those beautiful pictures was an experience of its own! What an amazing year you’ve had! I’d kill to have your job and do all the things you do. Gosh, did I say that out loud? LOL! Lying on the couch, watching the birds on my bird feeder. Loving it! All the best for 2017!

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