2018 was the most epic year of my life.
17 countries, 3 continents and countless priceless memories.
Aside from my public victories, I had a lot of little private victories that were equally as important.
I started reading again, I stopped doubting myself, I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone (too many times to count!), and I developed a much stronger sense of self. I laughed, cried and loved with people from all walks of life and many different languages.
There were times my heart was so full from the beauty in this world, I thought it might burst. And there were times I was homesick and my friends (no matter how many thousands of miles away) were there for me in an instant.
But before fully turning my attention towards 2019, I want to pause and appreciate the wonderful, joyful things I was able to experience in 2018.
My Best Travel Memories of 2018
Flying a plane myself
*with a LOT of assistance from a co-pilot 😉
You read that correctly. In 2018, I flew an actual plane. I sat in the front seat and I did most (well, some of!) the steering. I assisted in the take off and landing too, so that counts right?! What a rush. I’ll never forget the feeling of sitting in the front seat and taking off.
Someday I plan to keep working towards my private pilot’s licences but as of right now, I’m not in one place for long enough to finish the training.
But one day you’ll see me up in the sky flying a plane!
Praying in the Holy Water Temple in Bali
In my very own “Eat, Pray, Love” story, I found myself more spiritually connected and internally at peace in Bali than I thought possible.
And the peak of this internal connection, was the day we participated in a prayer ceremony at the Holy Water Temple.
We arrived on scooters with a local family we had stayed with the night before. Our new friend Putu brought us inside, helped us tie our sarongs and shared how his family had been praying at this water temple for generations. It was their tradition. And despite what religion you practiced, anyone was welcome to participate.
As Putu guided us through the opening prayers and offerings, I felt such a wonderful connection to the universe as a whole.
We went step by step and prayed at each of the water fountains, just as Putu had taught us.
After we dried off, our local friend Alit showed us a series of beautiful pictures he captured of this deeply moving moment on our journey.
I’m so thankful for these photos and the memories they hold.
Flying in a private jet
I truly never thought I would get to experience this fun (outlandish!) and VERY surreal opportunity.
But on my birthday, I was invited to attend some meetings and a dinner in Nebraska. We flew down in the afternoon and flew back that same night. The pilots served us cold drinks and there was even a mini red carpet leading up to the plane.
While this was insanely fun to experience once, I am typically crammed on a budget airline sitting in economy, ha!
What a special and unique memory though 🙂
Winning a free a sailing trip around Indonesia
It sounds too goo to be true, but I was the winner of a loop giveaway on Instagram. I had entered the contest a week prior and then forgot all about it, assuming I would never hear back.
But as it turned out, I won a free all-inclusive sailing trip around Indonesia for two with Star Clippers Sailing. I couldn’t believe it. What a dream come true!
Everyone was convinced it was a scam but nope! It was a very real. And one of my most memorable travel experiences of all time. Best of all? I got to bring my best friend on the trip with me for free.
We spent a magical two weeks exploring the islands of Indonesia, sleeping on board a gorgeous sailing ship and watching the stars every night.
Read 10 Magical Indonesia Sunset to Inspire Your Wanderlust
Taking my first solo trip
After a lifetime of only dreaming about traveling abroad, I finally took my first international trip… solo. And it was epic.
I traveled London, Scotland, Germany and Portugal by myself.
I saw shows on the West End, attended Scotland’s massive New Year’s Eve Festival in Edinburgh, volunteered teaching English with Diverbo, danced the night away with new friends at a club in London, couch surfed, drank local beer in Germany, got lost more times than I care to admit and had an absolutely wild, unforgettable time.
Read 10 Things Traveling Solo Has Taught Me.
Read How To Get A Free All Inclusive Stay In Europe.
Going on my first African safari
My first African safari was everything I thought it would be and more! Spontaneous, adventurous, exciting and inspiring. We visited Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa and stayed in a wonderfully luxurious villa. I made incredible friends, saw so many wild animals up close and am dying to go back to Africa now!
Read Big 5 African Safari- 7 Things to Know Before You Go
Working at Oktoberfest
German beer, endless fun, tons of new friends and memories to last a life time. We lived at a German campsite all 6 weeks while working for a travel company that provides accommodation and fun for travelers coming to the festival. It was quite the adventure!
Read How to Get An Epic Job At Oktoberfest
Riding camels in the Sahara Desert to see the Pyramids of Egypt
Egypt has been my number one travel destination of all time. I’ve always been fascinated by the history.
The first time I tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, I wished that I would get to see the Pyramids of Egypt before 2018 was over.
Well I’m happy to say, I worked really hard to make my dream come true. When it seemed like I wasn’t going to be able to go, I switched things up and made a new plan.
I’ll never forget the moment I saw the Pyramids for the first time.
Read How To Travel Egypt On A Budget- 8 Day Guided Tour For Under $500
Swimming with penguins on a beach in South Africa
This was a dream come true for me! The penguins are everywhere and totally friendly. (Or at least, not scared of humans!)
They sunbath on the beach with you and are swimming around in the water beside you. This might be the most joyful place on earth!
Read Sunbathing with the Penguins at Boulder Beach
Being swarmed by pigeons in Venice
Now I know a lot of people hate birds. They call pigeons the “rats of the sky.” But I find pigeons with their smokey gray coloring to be quite beautiful.
Well lucky me, because I was quickly surrounded by them one morning while taking a walk by myself through Piazza San Marco in Venice. A local Italian man captured these incredible photos of the experience.
More on Italy? Read Best Day Trips from Rome By Train
Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp
My first time visiting a concentration camp was hauntingly heartbreaking.
I left the Oktoberfest campsite early one day to travel there by myself. I wound up making friends with a fellow traveler on the bus who was also heading to Dachau. We spent the entire day together and shared some incredibly personal conversations as we walked the path of Germany’s dark history together.
The grounds were quiet, still and oddly beautiful in the early fall air. The leaves were a vibrant color of orange and red as we walked the grounds where so many had lost their lives. Standing inside the gas chambers is a difficult emotion to explain. And an important part of our history to understand.
We parted ways late that afternoon. I have no idea where he is in the world today but I’m so thankful for the afternoon we shared.
Interacting with elephants
I’ve always loved elephants and been fascinated by their friendly, playful nature. I even have a tiny elephant tattoo on my ribs symbolizing my best friends. But never before had I gotten to feed, wash or generally interact with elephants. They are even more incredible up close 🙂
Scuba diving for the first time
I spent one of the happiest months of my life working for a spring break company in warm, sunny Mexico. I was housed at an all-inclusive resort and got to socialize with all the guests on a daily basis. As a social butterfly who loves to travel, this job was a dream come true!
We spent afternoons by the pool, evenings in downtown Cancun and I saw too many sunsets and sunrises on the ocean to count. Cabanas, swim up bars, island cruises, and scuba diving were all part of my daily life in Mexico.
Want a job in a tropical destination? Read How to Get a Travel Job At A Hostel and Where Exactly To Apply.
Swinging over the rice terraces in Bali
Lush, beautiful rice terraces mixed with the feeling of flying. What could be better?
I returned to the rice terraces several times during my stay in Bali. (We had befriended a family that owned a little shop nearby that sold fresh coconuts!)
We even hitch hiked across Bali at 5am to watch the sunrise from this spot once.
Reach 10 Things I Learned Hitchhiking in Bali.
A boat ride around the Amalfi Coast
I fell head over heels madly in love with the Amalfi Coast.
It’s scenic and quirky. Delightful and charming. And it doesn’t hurt that gelato (my favorite food) is so popular in Italy, it’s practically it’s own food group.
We stayed in a little coastal hotel with gorgeous rocky cliff and ocean views. If you wanted to go to the beach, you climbed several hundred teetering steps all the way down to the rocky shore.
I hope you also had a year full of growth, love, adventure, self discovery and inspiration. Excited to see what adventures 2019 holds!
Wow!!! What an epic year! You are so inspiring for chasing your dreams. Hope 2019 is just as good to you!
Thank you so much!! I’m very excited for everything 2019 has in store! I appreciate your support 🙂