One year, one world! Our reflection on circling the globe, starting with Kilimanjaro and safari in Africa, navigating the ancient chaos of India, trekking in Nepal, cruising the Adriatic, exploring the deserts of Morocco, and sailing the icebergs of Antarctica.
We ended our year of adventure with two weeks of Fiji island hopping! Using an Awesome Adventures package, we snorkeled with reef sharks and swam with majestic manta rays. Our itinerary included Bounty Island, Wailaili Island (Naqalia Lodge), and the famous Blue Lagoon caves and coral. Bula!
The full New Zealand North Island Road Trip! We hiked the 19.4 km Tongariro Alpine Crossing (volcanoes, emerald lakes), explored Rotorua’s geothermal wonders, dug a hot tub at Hot Water Beach, visited the Art Deco city of Napier, and drove to Cape Reinga for sandboarding and Kauri Giants.
Our ultimate New Zealand South Island guide! We cover the entire loop: hiking to the Lord of the Rings location Edoras (Mount Sunday), seeing the Franz Josef Glacier, braving the weather for a stunning Milford Sound cruise, and exploring the wild Catlins (Cathedral Caves, Slope Point, seal colonies).
The final stage of our South America journey: We cross the Andes to explore Valparaíso (street art, chorillana) and Santiago (mausoleums, terremoto). A long layover allowed us to tour the Panama Canal before reuniting with family in Las Vegas for a thrifty, fun week of sightseeing.
Our ultimate post-Antarctica journey: Experiencing the massive Iguazú Falls (moonlight tour, Devil's Throat), a detour to Uruguay (Montevideo, Punta del Este), horseback riding and asado in wine country Mendoza, and St. Paddy's Day fun in Córdoba.
Aboard the MS Expedition, we experienced the Antarctic peninsula with Drake Lake luck! Witnessing pods of Orcas, up-close encounters with Leopard Seals, being mobbed by curious Gentoo Penguin chicks, exploring historic bases (Port Lockroy), and braving the unforgettable Polar Plunge at Deception Island.
Our pre-Antarctica journey across Argentina! We explored the history of Buenos Aires (Recoleta, Plaza de Mayo), trekked to Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre in El Chaltén, witnessed the immense Perito Moreno Glacier calve, and reached Ushuaia—the End of the World—to set sail.
Our Egypt adventure: Exploring the Pyramids of Giza, descending into King Tut's Tomb and the Valley of the Kings, admiring Abu Simbel, visiting the Cairo Museum, and two nights sailing the Nile by Felucca. Concluded with a few days relaxing by the Red Sea and the long journey to Argentina.
Our transition to South India: Spending Christmas on the beaches of Goa, exploring the ancient Hampi ruins via scooter (including a birthday surprise!), recovering from illness in Bangalore, and navigating the chaotic but beautiful Kerala Houseboat backwaters tour.