2018 – Review – Year of Fantastic Travel

Yup, I’m starting 2019 in this little country that sits on the continental border of Europe and Asia and is surrounded by Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Black Sea!

After Michael and I’s Christmas Mediterranean cruise, I had three days to blog about our adventures and be blog up-to-date ready for my solo trip here during the second week of my Christmas break.

Because Michael and I work at different schools, and our schools started the 2018/2019 year on different dates, our two week Christmas break didn’t start at the same time. Michael’s Christmas break started a week before mine.  So he and a buddy went to Georgia for a week. Michael returned to Qatar then we cruised the Mediterranean together, and now he is back to work and it is my turn to check out this county!

But this blog isn’t about Tbilisi…this blog is a reflection of  2018’s year of travel!

Shout out to blogger My Dusty Flip-Flops because it was her 2018 Travel Review blog that inspired this blog!

Essex, Ontario, Canada

Our 2018 year of travel started in March.  We travelled to Essex, Ontario, Canada for two weeks to be with Michael’s father during his final days.  

Athens, Greece

Hydra, Greece

Naxos, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Lisbon, Portugal

Kapuskasing and Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Barcelona, Spain

Rome, Italy

Vatican City

Genoa, Italy

Marseille, France

Bringing us back to Doha, Qatar

It feels a bit narcissistic – posting so many selfies of us – but I do so because I love my husband so much – and we just travel so well together!  

Travel tests a marriage – because all of what I post is generally the happy stuff.  But the jet lag, airport disasters, long layovers, long flights, getting lost in strange cities, getting lost in strange cities on an unfamiliar metro or bus system….are also part of travel. Just when we think we’ve covered every travel basic to avoid any bumps – something else happens.

As well, this reflection of our travels during the 2018 year shows me my growth as a traveler….how I am more settled, able to absorb and be more in the present moment rather than overwhelmed by so much newness and unfamiliarity around me.

Basically, I’m becoming a better traveler.

This blog wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention gratitude.  

To be able to see the world…experience different cultures, foods, traditions, beliefs….to walk into the unknown and take it all in…..

I’m so blessed…both with the ability to travel and have such a wonderful husband, life partner to wander the earth with.

Thank you, those who take the time to check out my blog….our adventures…..because I just love sharing my pictures, my joy, my love, my enthusiasm for life!

I wish for you that 2019 be filled with lots of laughter, love, joy, delicious food and travel adventures both near and far…

With heart,

Stephanie, 🇬🇪