End-of-year travel news…Reflections and adaptations…New itinerary reposted…

The countdown begins…

As the year winds to a close, I find myself sitting with a warm cup of tea, reflecting on the ever-evolving world of travel. For nomads like us, this time of year holds a unique rhythm. While others may be decorating homes and planning holiday gatherings, we are contemplating new destinations, deciphering visa rules, and embracing the reality of spending the festive season far from family yet close to the heart of adventure.

This year, the travel landscape has brought its fair share of surprises. Some airports bustled with energy as travelers embraced post-pandemic wanderlust, while others bore the weight of delays, labor shortages, and an unpredictable winter season. It’s a mixed bag for those of us who have chosen the path less traveled. Yet, isn’t that part of the charm?

December is a peculiar month for long-term travelers. Flights often have inflated prices, accommodations fill up quickly, and the typical chaos of the holidays seeps into even the most remote corners of the globe. Still, amidst this bustle, there’s a sense of solidarity. Fellow travelers exchange knowing smiles at crowded airports, and the kindness of strangers becomes a constant reminder that the world is smaller—and more connected—than we sometimes realize.

For us, this end-of-year travel season has been a lesson in flexibility. Plans that once seemed set in stone have shifted, reminding us that adaptability is not just a skill but a necessity. It’s not always easy. Sometimes, it means trading the comfort of a familiar routine for the thrill—and challenge—of the unknown. Other times, it’s accepting that a missed connection or an unexpected change of plans is simply part of the journey.

One of the highlights of this year has been witnessing the resurgence of local cultures welcoming visitors with open arms. As countries continue to reopen and recalibrate their tourism industries, there’s an undeniable energy—a celebration of resilience and recovery. It’s heartwarming to see small businesses thriving again, meet locals eager to share their stories and experience the authentic essence of places often hidden beneath guidebooks and itineraries.

Looking ahead to the new year, we’re excited to explore lesser-known destinations and continue seeking out those moments of human connection that make this lifestyle so fulfilling. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics—the bookings, the packing, the endless checks of weather apps—but at its core, travel is about so much more. It’s about growth, perspective, and the incredible privilege of seeing the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder.

As the final days of December unfold, we remain grateful for the places we’ve seen, the people we’ve met, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. The end of the year may bring closure, but for travelers, it’s also a reminder that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning.

Wherever you find yourself this season, whether gathered around a roaring fire, watching the snow fall outside your window, or soaking in the sun on a distant shore, may the spirit of adventure be with you. Here’s to embracing the road ahead with open hearts and endless curiosity.

Again, here is our new itinerary, first posted on Christmas Day. We will continue to post it until New Year’s Day and then repost it as we make additions:

 Location or Ship  Days Dates
 Road Trip to Nevada 4 12/14/24 – 12/18/2024
 Lake Las Vegas, Nevada Condo 73  12/18/24 – 3/1/25
 Flight – Las Vegas to Nelspruit/Marloth Park, South Africa 2  3/1/25 – 3/3/25
 Marloth Park Holiday Home 90  3/3/25 – 5/31/25
 Flight – Minneapolis, Minnesota 2 5/31/2025 – 6/3/2025
 Hotel – Minneapolis, Minnesota 14  6/3/2025 – 6/17/2025
 Flight – Minneapolis to Nelspruit/Marloth Park 2  6/17/2025 – 6/19/2025
 Marloth Park, South Africa Holiday Home 90  6/19/2025 – 9-17-2025
 Flight to Barcelona to Spain Holiday home 40  9-17-2025 – 10-27-2025
 Cruise – Barcelona, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa  18  10/27/2025 – 11-14-25 
 Cruise –  Cape Town, South Africa to Singapore  17  11-14-2025 – 12-1-2025 
 Cruise – Singapore to Brisbane, Australia  12  12-1-2025 – 12-13-2025 
 Flight – Brisbane, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand 0  12-13–2025 – 12-13-2025
 New Zealand Holiday Home 60  12-13-2025 – 2-12-2026
 Flight –  New Zealand to Tasmania 0  2-12-2026 – 2-12-2026
 Tasmania Holiday Home 60  2-12-2026 – 4-13-2026
 Flight –  Tasmania to Brisbane, Australia 0  4-13-2026 – 4-13-2026
 Cruise – Brisbane, Australia, to Seattle, Washington  24  4-14-2026 – 5-8-2026 
 Flight – Seattle, Washington to Minneapolis, Minnesota 0  5-8-2026 – 5-8-2026
 Hotel – Minneapolis, Minnesota 38  5-8-2026 – 6-15-2026
 To be determined…
Total Days 546

Happy travels, dear friends.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, December 30, 2014:

Had I been there seconds earlier, I could have taken the rays from the sun reflecting on the ocean. This was the view by the time the camera loaded. For more photos, please click here.