‘Be Here Now’-2018 Travel Recap

USA    The very last day of 2018

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To say 2018 was a year of travels wouldn’t be accurate, as I’ve traveled more and to a higher number of countries in other years.  So I’m a little stumped as to how to describe my 2018 travel year.  Maybe a year of travel from the US?  Sure, lets go with that.

January: Following my quest to see all seven world wonders, January brought me to China, and of course, the Great Wall.  What an amazing feeling to walk on such a captivating piece of history.  I conquered every last step I could on the Great Wall, finding spectacular views up into the hills.

 

At the top

Scenic Views

February: Each year TripAdvisor puts out a list of the best beaches in the world, for two years running that beach has been Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos.  I’m curious, and a lover of nice beaches, so after being awarded with the highly renowned title I knew I had to go and see for myself!  Stunning blue water, mixed with white sand and sun, it did not disappoint.

 

March: Having previously traveled to the Western part of Australia, making my way to the East coast was a must-do!  I spent my time in and around Sydney from the coastal beaches to the mountain ranges.  And since I was already so close, I just HAD to fly over to New Zealand to frolic in Hobbiton.

 

April: Making my way to World Wonder #5 brought me to the breathtaking, peaceful country of Peru.  I NEED to begin blogging about my adventures here, but I really can’t seem to put my experience into words.  Being on top of Machu Picchu is a feeling I will never forget.

 

May: May was supposed to bring me back to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to see all my amazing friends, but unfortunately I fell very ill after my trip to Peru.  (I think it was the alpaca or my guilt for eating it).  It ended up being an inactive month for me, but I did manage a trip to North Carolina to check out Wilmington, an old town restoring their historical downtown. And of course, I caught some lovely sunsets here in Myrtle Beach, and spent another day in the Brookgreen Gardens.

 

June: This month brought me on a trip to upstate New York for some hiking in the Adirondack Mountains, and even a little road-trip to Virginia for a country winery tour.

 

July: The annual Bastille run and festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a long standing tradition for me, and this year was no different. A 5K night run with thousands of people in the streets of downtown Milwaukee. A trip to Milwaukee is never complete without a trip to the beach with family and friends.

 

August: Finishing July and entering August with my annual birthday trip brought me to a luxury resort in the Domincan Republic. A birthday trip full of breathtaking blues, sandy beaches, entertainment, crystal clear waters and cocktails.

 

Peace

September: In my attempts to start exploring more of the South, a weekend getaway to Charleston, South Carolina was a must-see destination.  Rich in history, ghost stories and culture, Charleston did not disappoint. Another unexpected trip, in the midst of Hurricane Florence making a direct hit on Myrtle Beach, we packed up and headed to Georgia for a few days, and even made time for a day trip into Alabama.  A month of the South!

 

October: After over a year of not working for ‘The Man’, it was time to pull in some extra money to finance some more travels! Back to work I went, keeping me very busy, with not as much time for adventures.  A weekend trip brought me on Camp Lejeune to photograph some of the beaches and buildings.

 

November: Another trip of discovery around South Carolina, this time taking a stop in Pawley’s Island.  There is something about these quaint little coastal towns that just draw people in, but for me, its the rich history of the land, and the things a bit out of the ordinary.

 

December: And last but not least, this brings us to the start of winter in Myrtle Beach. And what better way to celebrate then witnessing the magical fairyland of lights setting a glow to the spectacular gardens.  A night of a Thousand Candles is a sight not to be missed this time of the year.

 

 

I wish that 2019 brings myself and all of my ‘Wanderlust’ readers a journey of discovery, adventure, and the courage to continue to delve into the unknown.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!