Welcome 2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January – the beginning of a new year.  One where “resolutions” are made, oft with the best of intentions.  A new start. That can be so very exciting. Other times we continue on with where we are. Whichever way you start 2019 I hope it is the way you wish it to be.

For me I welcome 2019. Perhaps not a new start so much as a welcoming of new adventures and experiences. I have some plans ahead and look forward to them coming to fruition. Most are travel related, of course.  Yet others are of a more personal aspect. Not so much resolutions as goals and plans I look forward to achieving.

2018 was a mix of a year. Much happened. I travelled to new-to-me destinations. Hong Kong with a day trip to Macau. Overnight trips to nearby Gibsons and Victoria, BC (for Craft Beer). My first ever small group tour brought me to Egypt and Jordan by way of G Adventures (a Canadian company!). In October  I spent Thanksgiving with my sister in northern BC. And more trips to my hometown of Thunder Bay than I had anticipated. That was because 2018 was difficult. I said goodbye to my dad. It will always define 2018. The year my dad died and the start of first events without him. For me it wasn’t the big major holidays or events that were hard. It was small things. The first time I addressed a postcard to only my mom I paused and realized it was going only to her. Thinking of him when I was in Egypt as I knew he’d be fascinated by much of what I saw.  The number of times I caught myself about to say “my parents”. Plural.  Now it’s not plural. I expect those small moments will continue. So I make room for them and then keep on going. I have learned. I also took time in 2018 to not work myself to the bone during the last 3 months of the year as I have done in the past. I still worked hard but not too hard. I even got out to some events and activities. With all that has taken place this year I am grateful I have strengthened friendships and laughed until I cried with new and old friends.

What comes next in 2019? Well of course we never really know. Though the plans are exciting and some with a challenge I hope to meet. Of course travel is at the top of the list as always. Add some healthy lifestyle goals and learning more about a hobby or two while spending time with family and friends, I hope it makes 2019 a great year. Take some time to scroll below the photo to see which places I plan to visit this year.  All the best to you in 2019!!

2019 plans for Wanders The World:

OVERNIGHT & WEEKEND TRIPS:

• VICTORIA, BC  (JANUARY)
• GIBSONS, BC (FEBRUARY)
• WHISTLER, BC (TBA)
• PORTLAND, OR (TBA)
• TERRACE, BC (TBA)

LONGER TRIPS:

• EUROPE (MARCH)
  • FLYING INTO LONDON AND AFTER THAT….WE’LL SEE
• ONTARIO & QUEBEC (MAY)
  • THUNDER BAY & TORONTO, ON and QUEBEC CITY, QB
• SPAIN (SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER)
  • THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO BABY!!!

Anything else will be a glorious surprise!
Check out all my photos on Instagram @wanderstheworld