2018 Travel diaries

Well folks, 

Our precious 2018 is coming to a glorious end. But- it is not over yet! Still time to get those wanderlust/bucket list trips in. My year hasn't been as trip heavy as I would have liked, but the adventures that I have been on have been absolutely life changing. 

I started the year off with a New Years trip to the Grand Cayman Islands with friends. What I didn't know prior to, is that Grand Cayman is a British subsidiary- they had photos of Queen Elizabeth (whom I adore) and Price Phillip at the airport arrivals entry-way. Unfortunately, I didn't get to swim with dolphins or sea turtles as I had wished, but I did get to witness the pristine beauty and extreme hospitality of the residents of the island. 

Fast forward to July, work got little busy, but I did manage to carve out a little time to sneak away to.... YACHT WEEK!!! I did the Greece route with one of my best friends. The Yacht Week was definitely a bucket list item of mine for awhile, and it did not disappoint. It was utterly amazing. The beautiful Greece sunsets, the vibrant blue water, the dolphins swimming along-side our boat, even the kitty filled streets of Hydra (one of the last islands we stopped at- there were cats everywhere). 

However, I will say, yacht week is not for the faint of heart. You go to sleep around 3 AM, and are awoken around 8 by restless boat-mates who are ready to begin the day, usually with loud music and mimosas. But if you can hang, I promise you, IT WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF YOUR LIFE. The saying "living my best life" literally encapsulates everything that is Yacht Week.

I managed to sneak out on my own and explore a few of the towns and connect with the residents. It's crazy how pace of life changes geographically. The people in the towns lead such a more rested and assured life-style than those living in the States in that they work only when it is needed to support the needs of their family. They have different values- community being the overarching one. I got the sense, from speaking with a few of them, that their neighbors were the only people that they have ever known- a bunch of them had never even left their hometowns. 

Those were my two favorite trips this year, can't say for sure where I'll end up next, but I know where I want  to be! What are yall's travel goals for the rest of 2018?

​-Kaylan

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