[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After working in China for nearly a year together, we had finally established ourselves a bit. We were happy in our new apartment, we had good jobs, and we even managed to save some money. The year started out with our first backpacking trip in Thailand and Laos, which was an experience we’ll never forget. We got out on the road a bit in China as well, from Harbin in the far northeast to Kunming in the far southwest. In the summer, we headed home for a 6-week trip across the US. The holidays and the end of the year were once again spent in Beijing.[/vc_column_text][ultimate_heading]
First SE Backpacking Trip, Summer in America,
and China Adventures
[/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4549″ img_size=”600×429″ alignment=”” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.gratefulgnomads.com/timeline/2011-2/first-half/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]We started off 2011 by freezing in Harbin at the Ice and Snow Festival, and then we flew south for the winter to explore Thailand and Laos. Spring included an epic hike on the Great Wall, a trip to Pingyao, and tons of fun in Beijing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4550″ img_size=”600×429″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.gratefulgnomads.com/timeline/2011-2/second-half/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]After 15 months of living abroad, we finally headed back to the US for an epic trip visiting family and friends, and of course hitting a few music festivals and Phish shows. Back in China, we hit the Qingdao Beer Festival, traveled to Yunnan, and visited Shanghai and Hangzhou.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
