It all started with Africa – well, I guess you could argue that it actually started with Baja, but as we go there every year, Africa really was the catalyst for an International travel year. So here I am bit by the travel bug yet again and this time in a big way.
“Oh the places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss
Why travel? Well the experience that you gather from traveling lasts a lifetime, creating memories that you will always have and carry with you. Adventure awaits, there isn’t anything quite like it and it’s only out there for those who seek it.
This bug tends to infect those with curious minds and a single bite is strong enough to transform the victim’s mind and life forever. Yes, I’m talking about the ever famous “travel bug” which causes its victim to feel an obsessive need to explore and travel the world. The fever the bug causes is commonly called “Wanderlust” (humm, sound familiar?).
When you travel, you’re really igniting that part of your life that desires uncertainty, spontaneity, and the unknown. As much as we love being in control and being certain, there is a part of us that also craves uncertainty.
“The wish to travel seems to me characteristically human: the desire to move, to satisfy your curiosity or ease your fears, to change the circumstances of your life, to be a stranger, to make a friend, to experience an exotic landscape, to risk the unknown..” ― Paul Theroux
Traveling reignites your passion for life. It gives you fresh perspective. It awakens all five of your senses. When you don’t know what you’re going to see or experience next, you feel extremely present and aware.
If you’ve never left the country, or haven’t been somewhere the average person wouldn’t go, I recommend you try a new place. Visiting a new place, and meeting new people from unique cultures with different values is a great way to expand your world. And when you come back, bring the same excitement, openness, spontaneity, and passion to your everyday life.
Traveling urges us to expand our minds and in turn open our hearts so that our species can continue by eradicating racism, sexism, religious intolerance and everything else that breeds hatred and in turn war, murder and genocide.
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” ― Gustave Flaubert
Traveling is life. It takes you in, shows you the real world, not from colored glasses but for what it really is. It’s time for this wanderer to see more of the world.
So back to 2018…. The Galapagos and Machu Picchu just fueled a desire to get out and see more of the world. Yes North America is beautiful and amazing and there is still much more traveling this wanderer whose plans for the future include seeing the Eastern half of the US and checking off even more of our National Parks. It looks like the East Coast trip has been pushed back a year until 2019 after a year of International Travel.
2018 started quietly enough, packing up the RV for another trip south to Palm Springs, Quartzite, Lost Dutchman and Tucson (more about these places in future blogs) but starting in late February I will be flying off for distant places.
Here is a little preview of 2018 to give my readers a glimpse into what is in store for the blog year:
Mexico – Baja California Sur (February/March)
In late February it’s time once again for our annual trips down to Baja to commune with the whales and to share this awesome place with other travelers.
This will be the 8th year that Jerry and I (Journey’s with Loomis & Jones) have led groups down here to experience some of the great things that are available in this very safe and beautiful part of Mexico. I have written about this beautiful part of Mexico in past blog posts (click here for one) and am looking forward to more adventures there. 2018 will be especially fun as my family and some close friends will be joining me down there after our tour groups head out and it will be great fun showing them around Baja.
Guatemala (April)
With some research, I quickly learned that Guatemala isn’t just the a great country to visit but also one of the best places in the world to study Spanish and its cheap. So I decided to dedicate the month of April to make Guatemala my temporary home and go back to school. First step was the research, where would I be best suited to studying Spanish in that country?
“Only it seems to me that once in your life before you die you ought to see a country where they don’t talk in English and don’t even want to.” ― Thornton Wilder, Our Town
Quetzaltenango (Xela) is the second largest city in Guatemala and not considered as charming as Antigua and Lago de Atitlán. However, it is said to be more “authentic” and less party-like than the other two popular cities. Because of this, Xela, is said to be the best choice for students who are more serious about learning Spanish. Not many locals speak English, so basically every transaction or interaction will have you speaking Spanish. There are also loads of hiking opportunities in the nearby hills, and plenty of projects to volunteer with so selecting this location was a no-brainer. And the April trip came with a bonus, Easter falls at the beginning of April in 2018 and Antigua, Guatemala is home to the largest Easter celebration in the world.
The Easter celebration and procession is rooted in Andalusian tradition and was brought over by Spanish missionaries in the 16th Century. The entire city takes part in the event, accompanied by thousands of travelers coming to experience the energy of Holy Week. One of the most impressive aspects of the Easter Festival (Semana Santa) in Antigua are the alfombras (Arabic word for carpet) that adorn the processional route. Residents along the streets begin preparations weeks and even months in advance creating these beautifully intricate offerings. Sand is first laid to level the cobblestone, followed by sawdust that has been collected and dyed to bright shades of yellow, red, blue, green, purple and black. Pine needles, flowers and native plants are also used for decoration and fragrance. What a wonderful opportunity to experience this culture firsthand with a few days in Antigua before heading to Xela to start school.
Africa – Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe & South Africa (May/June)
The catalyst of this travel year was an idea cooked up by Mom and I. “Your Dad”, she said, “has always wanted to go to Africa”. Well Dad turns 80 in 2018 and what better time to plan an epic vacation. After the wonderful Galapagos & Machu Picchu trip with Overseas Adventure Travel this company was a natural one to look at for an African Adventure.
In May we will leave for our 15 day African safari that includes Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. There will be opportunities for us to observe elephants in Chobe National Park, a visit to a village near Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and nights around a fire under a star-filled African sky.
Our trip includes small lodges and tented camps, game-viewing drives and guided walks as well as local village visits. A true African adventure and one that will be more special sharing it with Dad. In fact we sound so excited when we talk about the trip our close friend Larry Gould decided to also book the adventure. At the end of this African odyssey I will be putting Dad and Larry on a plane for home and will fly to Oviedo, Spain.
Spain – Camino de Santiago & Malaga (June)
The Camino de Santiago or Way of St. James, is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain. Legend has it that the remains of the apostle, Saint James the Great, are buried here (more camino history). As pilgrims traditionally started their journey from their own home, different Camino ways emerged over the years.
The most famous and popular Camino route however is the French Way, or Camino Frances. Today, the Camino de Santiago is a journey like no other, a trip of a lifetime and an unforgettable experience. So it isn’t remarkable that this journey landed on my international travel year calendar.
Debora (she owns the La Damiana Inn that we stay in down in Loreto, Baja) and I will be walking the Northern Camino starting in Gijon and walking along the northern coast of Spain to Santiago. A journey of about 350 km (or about 217 miles) across the top of Spain, all on foot staying in Albergues (Pilgrim Hostels).
“Solvitur ambulando” (Walking solves all)
To many this does not sound like a holiday or a good use of their precious time, however, more than 100,000 people walk one of the Camino routes in Spain each year – and the numbers keep growing. Pilgrims, as they are called, come from all over the world and put themselves through physical hardship, subjecting their body to the rigors of walking between 25 and 30km a day – day after day. It really is quite a feat in our modern convenience orientated life. The real problem is not walking 25 or 30km, it is doing this repeatedly day after day. I am told that if you manage to just walk in the day and not think about all the days ahead, walk at your own pace, do your own Camino – there can be a tremendous sense of accomplishment at the end.
After three weeks on the Camino it is time to fly to Malaga Spain where I have booked a week at one of my timeshare resorts. It will be time to recover from the pilgrimage and explore a different part of Spain before flying to Italy (Hey why not? I’m already in Europe!)
Italy & Switzerland (July)
Overseas Adventure Travel is once again my go to tour company as I will fly from Spain to Italy to spend a week around Milan before joining the two week Northern Italy tour. And to make it even more fun, my friend Pam will be joining me for this leg of the trip.
Starting in Northern Italy in the fashion capital of Milan and romance of the Lombardy Lakes to the snow-covered Alps and towering pinnacles of the Dolomites. Discovering Italian and Austrian culture in this region of woodlands, vineyards, and valleys dotted with medieval villages. One day will include a train ride through the Alps into Switzerland aboard the Bernina Red Train, billed as one of the world’s most breathtaking rail journeys. The two week adventure ends in Venice where Pam and I will spend a few days exploring before flying back to the US.
Whew, quite a trip to some amazing locations and time for a month or so back in the US – time that I am pretty certain I will fill with even more adventures.
Cuba & Grand Cayman on a cruise ship (October)
After a week and a half in Florida visiting the Keys and Miami it will be time to hang out with Mark again in October when we board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship to visit Grand Cayman and two ports in Cuba. Kim and Pete have also booked this interesting cruise making the trip even more fun with more good friends to share the experience. The real appeal of this itinerary was a visit to Cuba. We will be spending overnight (two days) in Havana and a day in Cienfuegos, Cuba. With the political climate being what it is I am sincerely hoping that things don’t change for the worse and close off Cuba for tourist visits.
“Fifty years of isolating Cuba had failed to promote democracy, setting us back in Latin America. That’s why we restored diplomatic relations, opened the door to travel and commerce, and positioned ourselves to improve the lives of the Cuban people.” – Barack Obama
Australia (October)
After only a week or so back in California it will be time to fly again, this time to Australia with Overseas Adventure Travel to uncover some of the countrie’s best-kept secrets. Visiting the Daintree Rainforest, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and exploring the caves and waterholes of Uluru (Ayers Rock) are just part of this adventure. The tour also includes visits to Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney where I am looking forward to meeting some of the great people that call Australia home.
“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.” – Charles M. Schulz
New Zealand (November/December)
The original reason to head around to this side of the world was to spend some time in an RV touring New Zealand, visiting Australia first is just a bonus!
Mark will be joining me starting in Auckland and ending in Christchurch and each with our own house on wheels we will explore New Zealand for six weeks at our own pace and via our own itinerary.
I have heard such remarkable things about new Zealand. Jam-packed with a diversity of dramatic terrains, this island nation, which is only the size of California, is said to be a thrilling place for adventure and nature seekers. Soft, sandy beaches and rugged coastlines fill the shores, while mountains, meadows, and glaciers fill the land.
Besides the incredible scenery the people of New Zealand have a reputation for being very welcoming and friendly. If you are lost or appear to need anything, they’ll help you out. If you are having a coffee, they’ll have a chat with you and proudly tell you about their amazing country and awesome places you should visit. Which usually are the kind of places you won’t find in the Lonely Planet, so it will be worth keeping our ears open.
It is going to be an epic six weeks as we tour both the north and south islands, driving around in our RV’s, staying in the most beautiful campsites without anyone else around and waking up with breathtaking views of a beautiful lake or the sea.
“I think for the most part people are proud of the bicultural foundation New Zealand is built on and the fact that we are a multicultural society.” – John Key
Planning for Africa started this international travel year but I have to say that walking the Camino de Santiago really sums up the spirit of the year’s journeys. Along the Camino, a common phrase “Buen Camino”, (which literally means “good path”) is generally received as “good luck and happy travelling”. It also has a deeper meaning – an acknowledgment that you see a person who is searching for “perfection”. This is related to the “pilgrimage” intent mentioned above. Becoming your best self is the goal, international travel can help achieve it.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” – Mark Twain
For my readers: How are you “doing” your life? Are you merely existing and going with whatever happens by default? Or are you purposefully living your unique life by design?
Whether it is a year-long pilgrimage across a number of foreign countries or simply a series of daily meditative minutes to yourself before you start your day, I hope that you take some time to ponder HOW you want to live your life’s journey – and create your own unique life adventures.
I look forward to sharing this year’s adventures with you all, until then – “Buen Camino”
Dana: sounds like an amazing 2018! Thanks for sharing your adventures & your encouraging words. Travel safely & joyously. Blessings, K
We are so glad you are living your dreams. Love, Mom and Dad