To say that these 15 months of time off (why yes I did extend it a few more months...) and travel have went fast is an understatement. It seems like yesterday that I was packing up my belongings in my office and telling my work mates goodbye! A lot of you have followed me on this journey so you know my travels to 13 countries and a revisit to 26 states. I completed everything on my Life to Do List and have a new one that I am now working to complete in the next few years if not sooner.
The most ask question I get is what was your favorite country and the second most ask question is what was your favorite thing you did? So let me answer that for everyone, it is hard to say on favorite country as all of them have something special. I am still in love with Switzerland and highly recommend seeing the Alps via the rails and splurge for first class! Japan surprised me and I found the people, the landscape and the culture to be very impressive. My second trip to Australia only deepened my love for this country. The first sites of New Zealand I want lie were thrilling to me, my only regret is that I did not end my cruise there and explore this amazing country for a few more weeks. As for favorite thing I have done, I will never forget climbing the Great Wall of China, it is breathtaking and physically challenging as most of the steps are more vertical than normal. The train ride through Switzerland was amazing and pictures could not do it justice. So out of the 13 countries those are my top two highlights but I have some many more.
The other question I receive a lot is do I regret retiring? NO, NO and NO, the stars aligned and everything worked out perfectly! So many have kept in touch and have become very dear to me. I have been completely rested and totally in the moment with my friends, love ones and adventures. I have added new friends to my life that I met on my travels that I would never have encountered if not for taking this time for myself. One new friend and I already have a trip booked in December to Switzerland, Austria and Italy. It will be amazing to see these countries in the winter and to see Austria for the first time. I have read till I am content and caught up on movies and shows that I love. Traveled everywhere I wanted and then some. I've been able to do little things that mean the world to me like having breakfast with my brothers, lunch with my nieces, doing some fishing, going to the movies with my sisters and seeing all of my family during normal "life" hours has been nice between my trips. I have spent quality time with my besties and went on several adventures with most of them.
The other question I get is what is different about you now that you have went on this adventure? Other than being rested and in the moment which I've mentioned I would say that I am extremely clear on what I will not accept or tolerate that would deduct from my quality of life. So I now look at what I do next as does it add value and adventure to my life as we only get this one and I want to continue to make the most of it!
A friend said they were curious what the next ten items on My Life To Do List was so I thought I would share for her and anyone else that may be interested. 1) buy a drone, 2) learn to edit video, 3) visit south island of New Zealand, 4) visit Banff, Canada, 5) train trip across U.S., 6) visit Greenland, 7) visit Venice, 8 )see the northern lights, 9) visit Antarctica, and 10) visit Austria! Keep in mind I don't complete these in order but when the opportunity presents itself, I am working from a twenty item list so you never know about me!!!
Thanks to all of you that keep in touch and for all the support and love! It has been amazing and I am so very blessed to have been able to do this! My wisdom to share is create the plan, take the trip, slow down and enjoy this one life with the people you love, you want regret that!