Prologue: 2025 Recap
We returned home in March from our 3 months of Epic Escapades South of the Border, but we didn’t stay put for long!
In late April we headed to Iceland for a couple of weeks - starting in the Westfjords - Iceland’s remote, northwestern peninsula, home to spectacular landscapes and abundant birdlife including a large nesting population of puffins (also known as “Clowns of the Sea” (highly recommended!).
After that it was on to the Ring Road which circumnavigates the entire island and more amazing sights and adventures (along with lots of driving!).
My lasting impression of Iceland: boy is that country expensive! (Iceland is often cited as THE most expensive country on the planet for tourists). I think the famous Icelandic hotdogs are the only thing on the island that are affordable!
In June it was on to Puglia, Italy to visit with our friends and get a taste of what life in the south of Italy is really like (hint: it doesn’t suck)
And then a short flight across the Adriatic Sea to Croatia to check out Dubrovnik, a remarkably well-preserved medieval city (not to mention the home for filming much of Game of Thrones)
And to enjoy the clear waters of the Adriatic off the coast of the island of Bol
In September we had one of our most epicadventures ever - diving with huge schools of hammerhead sharks around Cocos Island, 550 km southwest of mainland Costa Rica in the Pacific. The sometimes choppy and motion-sickness inducing 36 hour boat crossing was well worth an experience we will never forget!
As it turns out, we dodged a bullet on the dive trip, as one of the divers on the trip immediately after ours was left with more than just fond memories of his experience
Our post-diving R&R in Bocas del Toro, Panama was very much needed and welcome!
Having successfully dodged a shark attack, in November its was GenZ that intruded on our best laid plans. Shortly before we were due to leave on a 5 week trip to Madagascar, GenZ protests toppled the government of Madagascar and the military took over.
In Sri Lanka too, we dodged a bullet, as shortly after our departure the country was hit badly by Cyclone Ditwah. Anybody think there’s a theme developing here?
Now after suffering nearly 2 months of New England cold, we’re off on our next adventure: 3 months across Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines (and Hawaii just to break up the long trip home). As usual for us, it’ll be an active and varied vacation including summiting Mt Kinabalu on Borneo, scuba diving in Thailand and the Philippines, visiting lots of historic sites and having what I expect will be lots of fascinating cultural experiences (does getting a Thai massage count as a cultural experience?). Here’s to hoping that we won’t be dodging any bullets - real or metaphorical!
Our first stop is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where we arrived early this morning. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t know anything about it either, but I guess I’m gonna learn! And I’m happy to share so that you all can start planning your Kuala Lumpur vacation - so long as you are not put off by the length of the trip to get here (our route through Japan took over 22 hours of flight time)!
It’s only been a day, but my impressions of KL so far: the people seem super friendly, the traffic is a nightmare, and the architecture is a fascinating blend of traditional and ultramodern.
We’ll be spending the next few weeks here in Malaysia, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty to report back on.
In the meantime, GO PATS!!!!
Wow, 2025 was certainly epic, as you and Milady covered a ridiculous amount of ground outrunning danger with minutes to spare! 2026 looks to be on brand and smart money is on you two and the Pats!!
ReplyDelete