I can't believe that I will be completing 10 of my 12 months adventure in just a few days. Time has went so fast and I have gotten to do so many things that it doesn't seem quite real. I have had the opportunity to revisit 21 states and 12 countries (11 new ones). I have marked off 18 of my 20 life to do list items and am currently working on a new list. I have spent quality time with family and friends, met new friends, done a lot of reading and have watched a few TV series.
Since returning to the states on December 20, 2017 I took a few days to rest and recover from all the time zone changes while staying with a dear friend in North Carolina for Christmas. Huge shout out to friends that support you, that drop you off and pick you up at all hours from the airport based on which country you are traveling to and from. That always has your favorite wine chilled and let's you sleep in while your body adjust to the new time zone.
I spent New Years with family and for the last few weeks have been bouncing back and forth between AR, OK and TX taking care of a few things. Shout out to family and friends to accommodate my changing schedule and allowing me the freedom to come and go as needed and for making sure I had home cook meals as I have missed those.
I will be heading out this week on a 15 day west coast and Canada adventure with a friend. We have seen most of these areas but not together so this should be fun as we have sketched out our lodging and will let the rest happen naturally depending on what we want to do.
Recently a lot of people have ask me questions about my travels so I will share those below in case any of you have the same questions:
What was my favorite country to visit from the cruise? There is not one answer as Australia and now New Zealand will always hold a special place in my travelers heart. I also am so glad to have visited the Asian countries and to be a part of their culture.
What has been your favorite thing you did on the cruise? Not one answer to this one either. The Great Wall of China was amazing and I will never forget that day. Anytime I am on the water still makes me happy.
What is different about you since you have been traveling? I am more rested and have no stress so that is very different (I don't dread Monday's anymore). Traveling makes you see the real world and shows you how grateful you should be. It opens your eyes and hopefully heart to see things differently. With the new countries I have visited it has renewed those thoughts for me.
Favorite country of the 12 you have visited? This is always hard for me as each country has it's own uniqueness. Riding the rails in the Alps I highly recommend. The coast line of the Amalfi Coast is as breath taking as the photos suggest. The Great Wall of China is a must see as pictures do not do it justice. The Bay of Islands in New Zealand is like a dream with so many islands of endless beauty.
What have you enjoyed most about your time off? As much as I love seeing all these new and ole places and meeting new people it has been really nice to spend time with family and friends and to be fully rested and in the moment to enjoy! Plan on doing more of that in the next few months!