One of the many benefits and delights of out TPW group is getting to live vicariously through the travels and adventures of others. A true smorgasbord of experiences - here's a snapshot and highlights of travels in 2024 - sorry if I've missed any
- A cruise to Antarctica - through the Drake Passage no less - including 1.5 hours in a kayak (the highlight), sleeping outdoors with no tent (!) and a polar plunge (sans life jacket!) (SM)
- A few days in Buenos Aires - just don't ask about the currency! (SM)
- A week in Mexico City - lots to see and do (LM)
- A cruise down the Douro river in Portugal with interesting educational content (CN)
- A special milestone birthday celebrated in magical Costa Rica (NR)
- Visiting the pyramids (yes THE pyramids) with sunrise in the Jordanian desert and cruising down the Nile (SK)
- And speaking of lots of sand and sunrises, Morocco and Marrakech were enjoyed by PD (did not hear about any camel rides??)
- And who can forget the amazing photos (and accomplishments) of DM and husband swimming in the seas around Turkey?
- And the "almost" swim in the Irish Sea by another intrepid swimmer (CN)
- A special visit to France for our favourite Francophile and son, with pictures of exquisite roses in Gourdon (MG)
- A very busy spring for LR with new grandson in Edmonton, touring England and London then completing the half marathon there!
- Another spectacular sunset in Ucluelet, BC, exploring Vancouver and the Island, (LB) and the mystical Haida Gwaii (SM)
- Winter getaways (did someone mention shopping?) in the sunshine state and Marco Island (LB)
- More sightseeing for SK in Dubrovnik
- Hiking and exploring in Columbia (PK) Colombia is a fascinating and still developing country; we hiked in the Colombian Andes at around 8,000 feet of altitude, along up and down rocky paths; we visited a coffee plantation where we picked some berries and watched the processing of coffee beans; we climbed up a mountainous EcoFarm which is being reforested; we took row boats into a mangrove forest, visited a national bird sanctuary, and roamed around the historical city Cartagena in +30 degree weather. We also witnessed heartbreaking poverty that reminds us how grateful we all should be to live in Canada.
- Hiking in the Cotswolds and becoming an expert on those pesky styles! (MG)
- A trip to Gibraltar (don't bother) and time in Malaga (definitely) especially in the depths of our winter (BDL)
- Hugging sheep in Ireland (SK) - looks like the pleasure was mutual:)
- More beach walks for NR in sunny Crete (accompanied by the gulls!) and in Cayman Island
- A springtime visit to blossoming Washington, DC (which may never be the same again) for MG and CN
- And in true SM fashion - manages to lock herself out of her lovely lodgings in the Algarve - but recovered nicely and enjoyed many walks along the sea
- And PD in Jerusalem at the old city walls
Also heard from folks while visiting Vancouver, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, New York, Bahamas, Dublin, London, Maine, northern Ontario, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Quebec City,
And to recognize the many pleasures of staying home - we were so fortunate to spend time in the lovely pools of RR and CS this past summer. And the glory and wonders of our walks in the cemetery, High Park (Cherry Blossoms) and along the waterfront - mother nature showing off again.......
We'll see what more travel adventures await this group in 2025!