Photographic Travel Review of 2019

 

“Once a year go some place you’ve never been before.”  – Dalai Lama

 

It’s a quote I live by and I wish everyone could do so as well. This year was no different as my wanderings took me to domestic destination, a familiar Asian location and to the end of the world. It’s always sad to see such a wonderful year end but it’s also the time to look forward to the next year and the new destinations to come. Before that, I’d like to reminisce on the year that just passed.

 

Sedona, Arizona

The travel year started in the first week of March with a seven hour road trip to Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is filled with spas and yoga retreats with the perfect backdrop of amazing landscapes. That landscape was what I was after. There are many trails here to enjoy the work of art that mother nature has created for us.

 

 

Philippines

In the month of April, I took the road home to my birthplace. You can visit the Philippines multiple times and never see the same island, if you wanted to. This country is made up of over 7,000 islands and they are so beautiful you’ll want to see them all, at least I do. This visit, of course, included a visit to my birthplace, Cebu City. I used this location as my hub as I visited two other islands that I had never been before. Coron and the islands around it are some of the most amazing set of islands I’ve ever seen and it was a tropical paradise everyone desires. The other stop was the island of Siargoa. This is the surfing capital of the country and it has some unique locations like the rock pools of Magpupunko and the unique beauty of Bucas Grande is worth the trek.

 

 

Yosemite

The renowned Yosemite National Park is a relatively close location to my home in California but has been an allusive destination. One thing or another has come-up to deter my planned visits. Last year I was too ill to do my planned trip but this year was the year that I finally completed the trip. It’s a top destination for a reason, It has such amazing landscapes. The amazing beauty is mesmerizing and if you’re a hiker, then this is your form of heaven. Yosemite is definitely worth a return visit.

 

 

South America – Chile, Peru

At the end of September, I was able to quench my thirst for discovery and a walk back into time with a trip to Chile and Peru. My visits to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Machu Picchu were the once in a life time variety. They, also, both felt like a trek back into time. The beauty of Patagonia was unbelievable and a definite must do for those who love landscapes. And, how many travelers can say that they have been to the end of the world. This trip included a visit to Tierra del Fuego, once known  as the end of the world to the flat-earth believers.

 

 

 

2019 has been an amazing trek around the world filled with beauty and discovery. The experiences have left an indelible mark on my mind. Thank you for allowing me to share my travel experiences with you. And, with the new year just around the corner, I can’t wait to share my upcoming treks as I venture to see more of this amazing planet.