My Top Travel Moments of 2017

“Nobody but you is responsible for your life. It doesn’t matter what your mama did; it doesn’t matter what your daddy didn’t do. You are responsible for your life…. You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself, and you’re responsible for the energy that you bring to others.” -Oprah Winfrey

2017 was the year I vowed to myself to live FULLY & BOLDLY, despite the unpleasant surprises that life threw my way! I promised myself that no matter what, I would be the owner of my happiness, which is a process and not an outcome. This year, my journey to living intentionally took me to 7 countries across four continents. Here’s a recap of my most memorable domestic and international travel moments of 2017:

Perfectly Executed Weekend Girls’ Trip to New Orleans.

As the honorary travel planner of my friend groups, I couldn’t have been any prouder of how efficient and stress-free my girls’ trip to New Orleans (Nola) was. We maximized our time and enjoyed a weekend of Nola’s history, food, and nightlife.

Placing 15th out of 457 teams at Questival.

Questival is an adventure race where you spend 24 hours with your friends in a city you choose, crossing amazing experiences off your bucket list. Each challenge is documented by video and uploaded to the Questival app for judging. My friends and I competed in Durham, NC. It was an exhilarating experience and a great way to explore Durham and its surrounding areas deeply. We slayed the challenge and placed 15th out of 457! Not bad for our first time!

First International Trip With My Family.

This year, my family and I went to Jamaica, which was our first international trip together. One of the sweetest moments was seeing my mom so relaxed! She worked hard; this trip was her first time out of the country. Seeing her at ease put a fire in me to work even harder to provide her with more moments like this.

Indulging in Jerk Chicken in Jamaica.

Jamaica was special because it was my 20th country and the first Caribbean country I’ve visited. I’m a huge fan of Jamaican food! My experience eating jerk chicken in Jamaica was borderline life-changing! If you are in Ocho Rios, go to Scotchies and order the jerk!

Transformative Birthday Hike at Hanging Rock.

For my 28th birthday, I went hiking with some of my closest friends at Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury, NC. After a fairly intense hike to the top of Hanging Rock, my friends and I sat down and soaked in the glorious panoramic views. Everyone spoke affirmations for their life and then spoke affirmations over my 28th year. We each threw a few sticks over the cliff to represent what we wanted to release from our lives. It was a powerful and much-needed exercise for all of us. I left that hike feeling invigorated!

Feeling at Home in Morocco.

My entire experience in Morocco was majestic! I’ve never felt so at home in a foreign country as I felt there. I loved the flavorful food, the exquisite riad experience, the diverse landscape, and the warm people.

Checking Off Bucket-List Items in Morocco.

Beyond feeling like a Queen in Morocco, it was special because I checked two items off my bucket list: an overnight adventure in the Sahara Desert and visiting Chefchaouan, the Blue Pearl City. I’ve been dreaming about these experiences for years!

Hiking to a Hidden Beach in Portugal.

One of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to was Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo. It is in Sesimbra, about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, and can only be reached by hiking. My friends and I didn’t expect to hike to the beach, and the route wasn’t straightforward. Along the way, we made friends with other travelers trying to make it down, and we all helped each other. When we finally arrived at the beach, we quickly realized it was well worth the effort!

Eating Portuguese Pastries.

Eating Portuguese pastries is like having a symphony in your mouth. Pictured below is a queijada. It’s a local treat made with flour, sugar, egg yolk, fresh cheese (unsalted) and cinnamon. They are so delicious! I could eat them all day!

Meeting Lifelong Friends & Reconnecting with Old Friends.

In June, my friend Fi and I traveled together to Morocco and Lisbon. While in Lisbon, we met up with her college friend Rino, a Japanese woman living in Singapore, and we went on a walking tour together. A few minutes into the tour, I started talking to Laura, a fellow American living in Miami. We all four vibed with one another and decided to take a few day trips exploring Lisbon together. You would have thought we were all friends for years. 

I went to Bali and Singapore in October with my best friend, Maritza. While in Singapore, we met up with Rino and my college friend Tess. My friendships mean the world to me, and I appreciated that precious moment when friends from all walks of my life were meshing together.

Impromptu Layover Exploration in Taipei.

On our way to Singapore, Maritza and I had an extended layover in Taipei, Taiwan. We headed to the informational area, spent about 10 minutes planning our trip, stored our luggage, and converted 20 USD each. I love how in the moment that experience was and how we navigated the metro system like the actual New Yorkers we are! 

Living it up in a Private Villa in Bali.

Our trip to Bali served as an extended birthday celebration for me. And our private villa in Payangan (near Ubud) was the icing on the cake. It was uniquely placed among paddy (rice) fields and had a beautiful infinity pool.

Sunrise Trek on Mt. Batur.

The first time I busted into tears during a travel experience was my trip to the Vatican in 2013. The 2nd time was during a sunrise trek on Mt. Batur. Starting in the dark and hiking up towards the lightness symbolized the personal struggles I’ve been actively working through this year. I felt triumphant, and the experience left me speechless.

Adding to My Travel Memento Bedroom Gallery Wall.

This year, I started a travel gallery wall in my bedroom filled with some of my favorite travel souvenirs. It is a daily reminder of precious memories close to my heart.

I’m so grateful for all these experiences and look forward to where life takes me in 2018!

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