A Year of Travel And Adventures

Ah, the tantalizing journey through the landscapes of 2023! As we embark on a retrospective voyage through the realm of travel, this year has been a mosaic of both revival and transformation in the way we explore our world.

With borders cautiously reopening and travel restrictions easing, this year has witnessed the revival of destinations once veiled in silence. Yet, alongside this resurgence, the year has also spotlighted a newfound consciousness—embracing sustainable practices, responsible tourism, and a deeper appreciation for local cultures.

As 2023 comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the year and realize how blessed I am. Although 2023 has brought many ups and downs, I still managed to pick myself up and find tremendous joy through travel. 

To reap the rewards of travel, it’s not necessary to travel abroad. Travel is all about seeing new things, learning new things, tasting new food, and most importantly meeting new people. Many of my most memorable moments have been right at home in my Province of Ontario.

Let’s dive in and see how I spent 2023, both at home and abroad.

Palm Desert, California

My year of travel and adventures began in January, 2023. I visited my brother and sister-in-law in Palm Desert, California, a small town outside of Palm Springs in the United States.

Although I only spent five days in Palm Desert, I was provided the opportunity to hike the desert several times (which I absolutely loved), eat great food, visit an incredible zoo, observe a different way of life, and most importantly spend a few days with people I love. 

Visiting Palm Desert kicked off my travel desire in 2023 and it didn’t stop there!

French Polynesia

A trip to French Polynesia, specifically Bora Bora, had been on my bucket list since I was a child. When faced with the opportunity to visit Moorea and Bora Bora with a friend, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Although reaching this Region of the world has many obstacles, it is well worth the effort.

Moorea, French Polynesia

The first three days in the French Polynesia were spent in Moorea at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort.

Moorea is a beautiful island, complete with turquoise blue seas and mountainous terrain, which is fun to explore by ATV.

Whether you choose to visit Moorea alone or with a friend, you won’t be disappointed. 

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Next up was three days on the magical island of Bora Bora.

I won’t lie, Bora Bora is magical, however, it isn’t the place to visit with a friend, as it’s geared towards honeymooners and couples.

Notwithstanding, it was still a treat to finally stay in an over-water bungalow at Le Bora Bora Pearl Resort. The water is crystal clear and if you’re lucky you will see sharks, jellyfish, and stingrays (I saw them all right from my bungalow).

If you’re visiting Bora Bora and you can pull yourself away from the lure of the expansive white sandy beaches and endless miles of turquoise water, I highly recommend exploring the island by seadoo. It’s a lot of fun and was the highlight of my time in Bora Bora.

9 Day Caribbean Cruise On Celebrity

To finish up the year, I felt that I needed some quiet, alone time. I booked a 9 day Caribbean cruise with Celebrity. Celebrity is known to be one of the best cruiselines for solo cruisers, and I can’t dispute that. 

The itinerary I chose was a great mix of ports offering adventures, as well as many sea days to just sit back and relax.

Cayman Islands

First stop on the cruise was the Cayman Islands. I have been to the Cayman’s before, however, on this stop I chose to snorkel with the stingrays.

While it was a lot of fun, what is known as Stingray City was extremely crowded with various tours. I did find there were way more stingrays and less crowds when I snorkelled with stingrays in Antigua. Having said this, if you’ve never done it before, it is a once in a lifetime experience.

Another great way to explore the island and visit Hell, is by ATV. You will be taken to all of the island highlands on this tour.

Aruba

I had been to Aruba before on another cruise (in fact I have already been to all of these islands), so I opted to wander the streets and relax on the ship.

If it’s your first time to Aruba while on a cruise, I recommend an off-road adventure which will take you along the rocky coast ending at Eagle Beach.

Curacao

Again, since I’ve already explored the island of Curacao, I opted to take a trolley tour in order to explore the downtown area and learn a bit of the island’s history. I found this to be the perfect way to spend a morning in Curacao.

If this is your first time visiting, I recommend the trolley tour, or a tour that visits the aloe plantation, the distillery, and the Chi Chi artist. Both of these tours can be booked through the ship and are both well worth it.

If you prefer to explore on your own, Curacao offers many things to see and do for free.

Jamaica

I surprised myself to find that Jamaica was my favourite stop on the cruise. Yes, I have been there before and I did the cave tour and climbed the Dunn’s River Falls. I loved climbing the falls, however, I did hear that it’s changed since I’ve done it for safety reasons.

On this visit, I ticked off a bucket list item and rafted down Martha’s Brae. It was so beautiful and serene, that I could have spent the entire day there. I highly recommend putting this rafting experience on your list of things to do in Jamaica!

2023 Adventures At Home

While I had an awesome year of travelling abroad, I also had the most amazing year of exploring at home. From trying new eateries, coffee shops, hiking trails, road trips, and weekend getaways, I made the most of my time at home throughout 2023.

Winter Cottage Girls Weekend

I had the most amazing time spending a weekend with some close friends in Grand Bend during Winter months.

We had a fun weekend full of winter lake hikes, playing cards, and a “little” wine, and a tonne of laughs.

Kitchener Art Walk

I spent a weekend being a tourist in my hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. One of the highlights of my tourist weekend was going on an art walk with Stroll Walking Tours and viewing the street art in downtown Kitchener, while learning the history of the artists.

Lake Huron Lighthouse Trail

If you know me, you know how much I love road trips! I did several of them in 2023, however, the Lake Huron Lighthouse Trail was my favourite. I did this trail over several weekends. throughout the Spring and early Summer.

Oxford County Cheese Trail

Another fantastic road trip I did was the Oxford County Cheese Trail. I used the Lofts at One|Four|Seven in Ingersoll and explored the cheese trail throughout Oxford County over a period of two days.

I was able to explore the best places to eat and drink in Oxford County, however, my favourite part was going for a walk with the alpacas at Udderly Ridiculous.

One Day In Elora

One of the best tourist towns in Ontario is Elora. Although it’s only a 20 minute drive from me, I don’t visit often. 

This year, I visited and explored Elora with a friend, and spent the afternoon relaxing at the Elora Mill (aaaaahhhhhh). It was heaven and I highly recommend a visit if you find yourself in Elora.

Collingwood And The Blue Mountains

It was so much fun spending a weekend in Collingwood and The Blue Mountains with a couple of good work friends. We created memories that will last a lifetime, while exploring the caves, and relaxing in the hydrotherapy spa.

Road Trip Home To Kincardine

Of course, no year is complete without a road trip to my hometown of Kincardine. Unfortunately in 2023 I was only able to make it once, however, it was the best time celebrating my best friend’s 30 years in real estate with the tunes of a live band playing around her pool. A weekend that I’ll never forget.

Niagara-On-The-Lake

What better way to end the year than a weekend getaway to Niagara-On-The-Lake with your family? As much as I love staying at the Pillar and Post, it was the time with my daughter and granddaughters that makes my heart the happiest.

2023 Travel: In Conclusion …

In the wake of unprecedented challenges, the travel industry has navigated a labyrinth of changes, adapting and redefining the very essence of wanderlust. From the resurgence of travel to the reshaping of tourism norms, 2023 has been a testament to the indomitable human spirit’s yearning to explore, connect, and experience.

As we navigate through the milestones, trends, and transformative moments that have defined travel in 2023, let’s celebrate the resilience of an industry that continues to evolve, enriching our lives with experiences that transcend borders and inspire the adventurer within us all.

To all of you, my followers, I offer a heartfelt thanks for following my journey as I travelled through 2023. I couldn’t have done it without you and I look forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for all of us!

Happy New Year My Friends 🙂

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