A Look Ahead to 2025
- muse7699
- Dec 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Happy New years from the opulent city of Dubai. 2024 was an amazing year and 2025 looks even better with many beach destinations, European capitals and two cruises. I look forward to exploring 10+ new countries, experiencing new adventures. making new friends along the way and weekend vacations with old friends.
January - I start the year off with a bang, fireworks in Dubai. Walking around the second largest mall in the world which includes an aquarium and ski slope. Desert safaris, walking around the Palms and Atlantis resorts and so much more. Mid-month I fly to the Philippines to spend a month exploring the beaches of Palawan. With stops including Coron and El Nido.
February - I continue my exploration of Palawan with stops in Port Barton and Puerto Princesa. Mid-month, I trade in the snorkel gear for walking shoes as I spend a month in an Airbnb in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Looking forward to visiting the Petronas Tower, night markets, temples and museums.
March - The month starts with more exploration of this cosmopolitan city. Mid-month I take a shuttle bus up to Cameron Highlands, Known for their tea plantations for a three-day vacation. Ending the month in Penang for the infamous food and art scene then a ferry to the island paradise of Langkawi.
April - In 2023, I saw the big 5 in Kenya and Tanzania. In 2024, I saw the sloths in Costa Rica. And in 2025, I get to explore the home of the Orangutan, Borneo. I start off in Sandakan to visit the orangutan sanctuary and spend 3D2N on a river cruise. 3D2N Sepilok & Kinabatangan River Safari. Then off to Kota Kinabalu for cultural visits, mangrove kayaking and snorkeling, to the Muslim nation of Brunei and lastly Sarawak for more orangutan encounters, national park exploration, and cultural visit tours. Whew - that will be a busy month
May - It's time to say goodbye to Southeast Asia when I fly to Cape Town. South Africa for a six-day garden route tour. On the 14th I board the Norwegian Sky on a 21 day West African Cruise with port stops in Namibia, Angola, Sao Tome, Ivory Coast and Senegal. We make several stops in the Canary Islands before crossing the straits of Gibraltar and ending in Barcelona. 21-day Cruise to Africa
Life is a journey that have a lot of different paths, but any path you choose use it as your destiny.
June - (Tentative Plans) - I leave Barcelona behind and fly to Naples for three weeks exploring the southern coast of Italy with stays in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Wine, Pizza and Gelato. I end the month flying to a place I've wanted to visit my entire life. Greece
July - (Tentative Plans) Ahhh Greece. What a great month this will be. First stop will be the island of Corfu. Known for their beaches, old town, natural landscapes and rich history. Then board a ferry to Athens for a week stay then finishing off the month in the Greek island of Naxos., home of the temple of Apollo. The ferry system is amazing in Greece with lots of day trips to plan to other islands.
August - Needing to leave the European Schengen Zone for a little bit, I get to spend six weeks exploring Turkey. First stop is a week in the capital, Istanbul. Once the jewel of the Ottoman Empire. Known for the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. The city has reinvented itself into a cultural and culinary scene. Then off to spend a week in Izmir, one of the oldest mediterranean cities located at the end of the Silk Road. Bodrum is next. Home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. I board a Turkish Gulet and cruise along the Adriatic Sea. Sail Turkey: Bodrum to Fethiye
September - The first week I continue my exploration of Turkey for an 8-night stay in Fethiye. Home to beaches and historic ruins. I'm keeping the second week open with tentative plans of Bordeaux, France. Then off to Paris for a girl's weekend of food, wine and exploration. Alas it's time to say goodbye to continental Europe and board a plane to Edinburgh where I get to spend the last weekend with MEETin friends on our annual celebration.
October - The first two weeks have not been planned but it will be in the United Kingdom. On the 19th I board Celebrity Apex for a transatlantic cruise from Southhampton with stops in Vigo, Porto, Azores and Bermuda. Finally reaching Port Canaveral 13 Nights Western Europe Transatlantic Cruise from Southampton, England
November - Back in the US. Destination Unknown
December - (Tentative Plans) - I leave the US early in the month and make my way to Brazil. This is the start of a five-month South American journey. Brazil is a cultural melting pot with a mix of Portuguese, European and African ancestries. Stops will include Rio and Iguazu Falls.
Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all - Ernest Shackleton
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