Hey all my lovelies! I am so excited about this post because I have never actually listed all the countries I have been to and the things I have experienced. I spent most of my life not traveling the world. I was a single mom for a long time and I truly adored being a mom, especially when you have an awesome kid! Now I am 44, but my son turned 18 when I was 40, and I was so looking forward to traveling the world once he was grown (could not travel much while he was growing up for a myriad of reasons). Unfortunately, right before I turned 40 I discovered a lump (a large one) in my left breast. This has taken me on a 4 year journey so far that was in the beginning so stressful and like a non-stop roller coaster ride, but eventually slowed down. But the cancer journey really started my world travelling anyway (hint: never let anything stop you if you can from doing what you want).
The very first country I visited was in 2003 and it was lovely Mexico. Two of my aunts, myself, my son and my cousin all went to a small town across the border called Cuidad Acuna. I absolutely loved it. The boys and I got to see a wedding, we shopped at a local craft fair and saw so much lovely architecture and met some amazing people. It was a whirlwind visit, over much too fast. I look forward to visiting Mexico more in the future.
In 2015, a friend of mine offered me a trip to Puerto Rico and a cruise to the Caribbean. I had never been on a cruise, but I did enjoy it and I met my husband while on this particular trip. Puerto Rico was amazing, I loved every minute of the 17 days I was there. I went all over that beautiful island. I saw so many amazing things and enjoyed some truly gorgeous beaches! The only thing I did not like about the cruise was the limited time we had at each island. I would have loved to have seen the islands at night and had more time to talk to locals and see more, but there is always time to go back!
In late summer of 2015, I moved to Oslo, Norway. In October of 2015, I traveled to Riga, Latvia. What an amazing city! While there, we attended a tribute concert to John Lennon. Riga is a gorgeous city and the food is amazing, especially if you are vegetarian!
I have seen quite a bit of Norway, but not as much as I would like to have seen as a few months after I arrived, I was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. That put off some of my travelling. The most beautiful place in Norway I have been is Geiranger Fjord. Absolutely breath taking! That was in May of 2016.
In June of 2016, we went to Bristol, England for We Love the 80's music festival. We stayed with some friends and went to Cheddar, England, I got to ride on a Harley Davidson hog through the beautiful English countryside. On that trip we also saw the world's first suspension bridge in Bristol. We also had a tour of the not even open yet Bristol City stadium (football, y'all, or soccer as the Yanks say!)
In July of 2016, I went to Nice, France with a friend. We stayed at the beach for 2 blissful, beautiful, hot days and ate wonderful French food and drank delicious French wine. Quick beach trip, but such fun! There was a decadent craft market with all kinds of lovely things. I spent quite a bit on some lovely items!
In March of 2017, I went on a girls trip (jentetur in Norwegian) to ICELAND!!! One of my all time favorite countries! I spent an amazing 4 days visiting the Blue Lagoon, walking and driving around Reykjavik. So many cool things to see and do! We also went to the Thingvir national park to see the famous three waterfalls and to see the geysers! Amazing! Beware if you are vegetarian or vegan in Iceland, it is very expensive. The island is mostly volcanic rock so veg is very costly! I want to revisit when it is summer time! I see enough snow and ice here in Norway! LOL
In June of 2016, we went to Skopelos, Greece. OMG, the food, the food, the food. So good, so tasty, so heavenly! That is what I remember most! LOL, I do love food! On the island of beautiful Skopelos, we took the Mamma Mia tour, and I walked all the hundreds of stairs up to the famous church. Quite an accomplishment I thought given that I was still in chemotherapy treatment! Highly recommend!
In August 2016, we went camping in Dovre Mountain. It was rainy and cold, and there was still snow and ice on the ground! We had a good time, but no fires were allowed so that kind of took away the fun for me. I am a woman who loves a good fire when I am camping! Besides, you cannot make s'mores if there is no fire!
Now I am on to my next big adventure! I am about to spend 7 days in Dublin, Ireland! I cannot wait! I am so very excited. This is the country my forebears came from! This is a trip I have been looking forward to all of my life! And, this will be my very first solo trip ever! This is a big deal for me, as it has been one of my fears for a long time. But I have to face this fear head on and just do it! If you want to see any pictures of these trips, please visit my Facebook page. Just search my name!
All right lovelies, must get on with my day, still have running to do and a house to clean! Blessings and Namaste!
