2014 Travel Highlights

Today’s tidbit: “It is through living that we discover ourselves, at the same time as we discover the world around us.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson

Going through thousands of photos trying to narrow down the highlights was both a challenge and also neat to relive it all again. 2014 was a year full of travel, and I’m planning to make 2015 even more so!

Where to in 2014? 5 countries.

USA: Albany & Saratoga, New York + Tampa, Florida + Washington, D.C. + Denver, Colorado
Central America: Cozumel & Costa Maya, Mexico + Belize + Roatan, Honduras
Australia: Perth + Western Australia

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Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

 

{ROATAN, HONDURAS} February. The first stop on a Western Caribbean cruise with my mom and sister.
More: Roatan blog post 

Highlight (and bucket list check): Riding on the beach

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Highlight: Making monkey friends

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{BELIZE} February. The second stop on a Western Caribbean cruise with my mom and sister.
More: Belize blog post

Highlight: Exploring the Lamanai Mayan Ruins

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{COSTA MAYA, MEXICO} February. The third stop on a Western Caribbean cruise with my mom and sister.
More: Costa Maya blog post

Highlight: Explored the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Highlight: Mayan Experience tour, authentic lunch with a local Mayan family

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{COZUMEL, MEXICO} February. The fourth stop on a Western Caribbean cruise with my mom and sister.
More: Cozumel blog post

Highlight: Chankanaab park, pristine beaches + snorkeling, followed by the best hammock

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Highlight (and bucket list check): Chankanaab park, swimming + interacting with dolphin

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Highlight: Chankanaab park, (best) tequila factory

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{WASHINGTON, D.C., USA} I enjoyed reconnecting again with where I currently am, D.C. Although I crave a fresh start and new adventure I’m grateful to live in such a beautiful and thriving area.

Highlight: April. Cherry blossom festival
More: Spring in DC blog post

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Highlight: October. Exploring the mall + monuments

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{PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA} June & July. Oz is a place I’ve dreamt about for as long as I can remember. I decided to turn that dream into a reality, following my heart, taking a risk and going on my longest and furthest international trip yet (alone).

For more on this amazing adventure, be sure to check out these blog posts:
Hello Australia |  Flights, Perth & Cottesloe beachJurien Bay & KalbarriKalbarri National Park |
Shark Bay & Monkey MiaCarnarvonCoral Bay | Whale SharkExmouth | Perth, city + nature |
Leederville & FremantlePerth, day & night | Kings ParkCaversham Wildlife ParkMargaret River |
Margaret River, part 2 | Perth, last day

There are SO many highlights from this trip, below are a few.

 

Highlight: Explored Perth, WA + Kings Park

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Highlight (and bucket list check): Made kangaroo friends, first time seeing them

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Highlight (and bucket list check): Made koala friends, first time seeing one. Close enough?

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Kalbarri, WA. Start of the most amazing picnics on the beach + sunsets

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Kalbarri, WA. Hiked around Kalbarri National Park

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Highlight (and bucket list check): Road trip up north | Shark Bay + Monkey Mia, WA. Interacted with wild dolphin

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Carnarvon, WA. Blowholes (powerful ocean swells force water through sea caves and up out of narrow holes in the rocks)

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Carnarvon, WA. Spectacular snorkeling (really all of WA)

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Carnarvon, WA. Color coated air
During and after sunset the sky would be amazing warm colors on one side and in all other directions there would be amazing blue/purple/pink (cooler colors) colors.

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Highlight (and bucket list check): Road trip up north | Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef, WA. Swam with the world’s largest species of fish, whale shark!
Every year, between mid March and mid July (so right when I was there), these gentle giants congregate in the Ningaloo Marine Park. Really a hectic and amazing experience.

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Coral Bay, WA. Ended perfect beach days with these views

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Exmouth & Ningaloo Reef, WA. Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort + most amazing chalet (view from balcony)

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Highlight: Road trip up north | Exmouth & Ningaloo Reef, WA. Hiked in Cape Range National Park

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Highlight: Road trip down south | Margaret River, WA. Wine tasting + roos in the vineyard

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Highlight: Road trip down south | Margaret River, WA. Top of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

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{DENVER, COLORADO, USA} August. Visited Allie & Brian + celebrated our 26th birthday together.
More: Denver blog post

Highlight: Explored downtown Denver

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Highlight: St. Mary’s Glacier hike

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There you have it, my top travel highlights from 2014. Great year exploring. I hope you’re inspired to travel more in 2015, I know I am. Who already has plans?

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ― Saint Augustine

Check back next week as I share a final 2014 reflection post + New Years goals.

5 Responses to “2014 Travel Highlights”

  1. Angela says:

    I have one word for this… AMAZING. Wow what incredible places.

  2. hannah says:

    So inspiring, good for you. Where to in 2015??

  3. Chris says:

    I think the Gopro is gathering dust! So I reckon you need to come back to Ningaloo http://www.australia.com/explore/icons/ningaloo.aspx
    or maybe try Rowley Shoals http://www.northstarcruises.com.au/cruise/australia/coral-atoll-cruise/
    or perhaps the Abrolhos Islands http://www.abrolhosislandcharters.com.au/
    or even just boring old Rotto! http://www.rottnestisland.com/
    Then again the dolphins are just a short trip from Perth http://dolphins.com.au/ They are friends with those liddo guys seen here http://www.penguinisland.com.au/
    You had quite the year. Heaps of adventures to still go on though… hurry up and come back to Perth!

  4. Melissa says:

    Fantastic photography and what beautiful destinations. Love all the adventures you got to do/see and animals you were able to interact with… especially the whale shark!! On my bucket list, how was that experience?

  5. Amber says:

    Love that you’re able to do this. I am enjoying living through your experiences and can’t wait to see what 2015 brings.