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What a wierd 12 months. On one hand, it feels prefer it’s unimaginable that 2022 is just some days away, whereas on the opposite, it looks like this was one of many longest years but.
I actually needed to search “2021” in my photographs on my telephone to recollect all that we obtained as much as, and the place we had been.
I’ve been doing these reflection posts for 10 years now. Ten years!
Every year, I do a round-up on this weblog and mirror on our lives over the previous 12 months. As with my earlier posts, this 12 months has a phrase (properly, just a few phrases really) that may sum up the way it felt to us.
For Nick and I, 2021 was a blended 12 months stuffed with uncertainty, indecisiveness, and overwhelm surrounding the present state of the world and a few issues in our private lives. However, it was additionally a 12 months of journey, love, and wine… numerous wine.
The primary theme that stands out from the 12 months, nonetheless, is connection. This 12 months we wished to be surrounded by buddies, household, and strangers, and I feel we succeeded in doing so.
Aside from connecting with folks, two of our targets going into 2021 that I wrote about final 12 months had been to: “Reside off the fruits of our labor and transfer round as a lot as potential — whereas working as little as potential.” And to “Do issues that we take pleasure in”.
As you’ll learn beneath, I feel it’s secure to say we completed the above targets this 12 months. Learn on to see how our 12 months progressed by way of enterprise, life, and journey. And, what’s in retailer for 2022!
See the earlier reflections posts right here:
- 2012: A Very Memorable Yr
- 2013: A Yr of Firsts
- 2014: It Began and Ended With Mexico
- 2015: A Yr of Spontaneity
- 2016: A Yr of Massive Selections
- 2017: A Curler Coaster Yr
- 2018: A Yr of Achievements
- 2019: A Yr of Highs and Lows
- 2020: A Yr We Gained’t Overlook
Ideas on Journey in 2021
On the finish of 2020, I feel we had all thought (hoped) that life would return to “regular”. But, right here we’re two years later, nonetheless coping with the life-altering aftermath of COVID.
Slightly than a 3D, bodily reference to folks, 2020 was stuffed with digital get-togethers. As an alternative of going to eating places, folks ordered in. Slightly than becoming a member of a tour with different people, on-line experiences had been the norm.
Which will have been wonderful for 2020, however I choose to be with others, shake fingers, hug, and stand nearer than 6 ft aside!
In fact, everyone seems to be entitled to their very own opinions as as to if or not they really feel it’s secure or acceptable for them to journey proper now. Personally, we went for it and jumped in with each ft this 12 months, and have zero regrets about that.
We couldn’t wait to discover, work together and join with folks, strive new meals and expertise distinctive issues. In 2020, we had been largely simply in Portugal and Mexico. The world was ready!
By selecting to journey, we helped the native economies, small companies, and the journey trade as an entire — to not point out, our psychological well being and total wellbeing.
We’re conscious that not everybody is ready to journey proper now, which is one more reason why we didn’t need to take our potential to discover without any consideration.
Contemplating we had been nonetheless in our condominium in Playa del Carmen till Could, I feel we did fairly properly this 12 months by way of residing a “regular” journey life.
Dwelling in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The 12 months began with a bang, actually.
As we counted all the way down to midnight, Nick and our good good friend Tom nearly misplaced their eyebrows, and singed their leg hair whereas lighting fireworks on the seaside in Playa…what a method to ring within the new 12 months!
At this level, we had been residing in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for nearly 4 months. We had been next-door neighbours with Tom and Anna, and had different good buddies and fellow bloggers like Nathan, Sarah, Jen, and Sean residing close by as properly.
We even met up for espresso with certainly one of our long-time readers! That was so nice.
The 12 months began off surrounded by buddies, which was excellent.
Life in Playa del Carmen
Town actually is among the greatest digital nomad locations in Mexico.
With tremendous quick wifi, a great deal of lodging choices to select from, infinite eating places and bars, and many coworking areas, it’s no shock that many individuals put down some non permanent roots right here.
It had all the things we had been searching for on the time after which some.
After we weren’t engaged on our laptops, swimming within the sea, or going for walks, we volunteered strolling canines on the GSPCA, ate at some fabulous eating places, and hungout with buddies.
For probably the most half, nonetheless, we merely loved residing and having a little bit of a routine firstly of the 12 months.
Because it felt when we had been residing in Grenada, it was nice to have a “house” once more, to be surrounded by a group of like-minded folks, and to be within the sunshine.
Ultimately, we spent a little bit over 8 months residing in Playa between 2020 and 2021. Humorous sufficient, I didn’t really write about our time spent there! However I did write a whole information to residing in Playa del Carmen as a digital nomad if you wish to learn that.
Border Run to Costa Rica
As Canadians, we obtain a 180-day keep in Mexico once we arrive on the border. However, we stayed for 8 months. We had been ready to try this by happening a border run to a close-by nation.
Our nation of alternative was Costa Rica!
All it took was one textual content message to Tom and Anna, and we had our 12 day Costa Rica highway journey journey on the books. Different good buddies of ours, Dan and Casey, dwell in CR so our first cease was to go to them for just a few days within the beachside city of Uvita.
The remainder of the highway journey introduced us to the pristine Osa Peninsula within the southern a part of the nation which is stuffed with attention-grabbing wildlife, and to the northern space of La Fortuna with the Arenal Volcano towering over the city.
Right here, we lastly met up with fellow journey bloggers and buddies Sam and Yeison. They dwell in Costa Rica and run the favored web site, My Tan Toes. It was so nice to lastly meet in particular person.
Our Costa Rica journey was unbelievable, and as we stamped our means again into Mexico, we began planning our subsequent strikes for just a few months later.
The vacation was higher than we imagined, and once more, we loved extra time spent in particular person with nice buddies.
Exploring Extra of Mexico
Through the years, we’ve been fairly fortunate to see quite a few locations in Mexico. It’s certainly one of our favorite nations on the earth.
After a complete of 8 months in Playa del Carmen, we determined that somewhat than go on any extra weekends away, or border runs to close by nations, it was time to pack up and transfer on.
We spent a month and a half travelling to Manzanillo, the Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende.
Manzanillo
It had been 3 years since we’d seen household, so our first cease was Manzanillo to go to with Nick’s dad and stepmom. It was so good to see them and we loved quite a few enjoyable outings, tasty meals, and catching up.
Three years is a very long time and it was so nice to get in that high quality time collectively.
From Manzanillo, we flew north to Tijuana on the Baja peninsula. Right here, we picked up our rental automobile and headed for the Valle de Guadalupe — the wine area of Mexico.
Valle de Guadalupe
Previous to this latest stint in Mexico, we didn’t notice that the nation is understood for its large, daring, juicy crimson wines! The Valle de Guadalupe is an extension of the Napa Valley to the north, however with extra cheap costs.
We spent 10 days right here, together with our 14th anniversary, whereas sipping on improbable wine, having fun with the acclaimed delicacies, and sleeping in some lovely lodging. You possibly can learn extra about our journey to the Valle de Guadalupe, right here.
Puerto Vallarta
We returned to Tijuana and flew to Puerto Vallarta — a metropolis we’d been to quite a few instances.
On this journey, since we’d already seen a lot of the highlights of Puerto Vallarta, we had been capable of simply sit back and spend time on the seaside, wander round city, and hang around with buddies Juri and Nathan who dwell in PV.
It was the proper week-long keep, stuffed with seaside time, sunsets, and laughter.
Guanajuato
We hit the skies once more and flew to Guanajuato — our favorite metropolis in Mexico!
This time round, we spent 10 days climbing within the surrounding mountains and seeing corners of the town we in any other case wouldn’t have because of our expat good friend, Donna.
We walked in all places, ate tasty meals, and loved the bands that play throughout this musical, cultural metropolis.
San Miguel de Allende
This might be our first time in San Miguel, a vacation spot that could be very widespread with retirees and expats. We’d heard it’s a really picturesque place, much like Guanajuato Metropolis, however extra “polished”.
After 2 weeks right here, I’d say that’s a reasonably honest evaluation.
We weren’t right here to expertise simply the colonial metropolis, we had been additionally on a mission to go to the encompassing cities and the wineries of Guanajuato state.
And whereas we most well-liked the varietals on the Baja, we had been blown away by the distinctive wineries and improbable meals within the space. Once more, I can’t imagine we didn’t know Mexico produced such improbable wines!
One more merchandise so as to add to the listing of explanation why we love Mexico.
Now What?
After I talked about firstly of this text that we felt numerous uncertainty, overwhelm and indecisiveness this 12 months, it largely began once we weren’t positive the place to go from San Miguel.
It was the start of July at this level, and we had been completely uncertain of what to do.
We wished to return to Canada to go to the remainder of our households. It had been three years and we had been overdue for a go to for positive. With guidelines, laws, and restrictions actually altering each day, it made (makes) planning nearly unimaginable.
We had been continuously checking the web to see what the Canadian authorities was selecting to do.
With a 2 week quarantine on arrival (3-5 days of which had been spent in a resort at our personal value), and three PCR exams — restrictions on getting into the nation had been actually strict, even for residents at this level.
We didn’t need to take care of any of that, so we determined to attend it out.
The place ought to we go within the meantime?
We had 2 months left on our Mexico visa, ought to we simply keep right here? No. It was time to maneuver on. Go to Europe? No, that was too distant from Canada.
Central America? Possibly, however we weren’t actually “feeling it”. Again to Grenada? We wished to, however once more, a lot of restrictions for getting into.
We actually felt like we had been in limbo, till…
The Good Plan Varieties
One night whereas we had been in San Miguel de Allende I had a thought.
Me: “Hey, who’s taking good care of your hassle’s home in Montana? He hasn’t been capable of cross the land border from Canada for greater than a 12 months now…”
Nick: “I don’t know, why?”
Me: “Weren’t you saying you wished to dwell in a cabin within the woods, by a lake, and go fishing each day? Possibly we may go there.”
Nick instantly picked up the telephone. The thought was good and in reality, Nick’s brother wished we had considered it sooner as he actually wished a home sitter.
Inside a few days, we had been on a flight sure for the USA.
A Peaceable Time in Montana
It had been a 12 months and a half since we’d been in a rustic with English as the primary language.
It’s one thing we don’t typically take into consideration when travelling the world, however with the ability to talk precisely what we wanted whereas within the USA made our keep far more streamlined.
Although Nick’s brother had owned the home for greater than 2 years, this was the primary time we’d seen the summer time house we’d be staying at.
As quickly as we pulled into the driveway, we knew it was precisely what we wished (wanted) at that time. Surrounded by forest and only a brief stroll from the lake, we had been wanting ahead to the subsequent 2 months!
Many Canadians personal summer time properties within the neighbourhood we had been in, however because of the land border between Canada and the USA being closed, nobody may drive throughout…
This was very unlucky for the Canadians with empty houses in Montana, however for us, it meant we had the entire place just about to ourselves.
Our solely neighbours had been deer, and the one sounds we heard had been the wind and birds. It was probably the most peaceable place.
For 2 months, we loved the Massive Sky state — a spot the place it felt like life was fully regular.
Our days had been stuffed with nothing however fly fishing, climbing, swimming, and exploring small cities. And, each weekend, we rocked out at an outside live performance with tons of of individuals at a close-by venue!
Life was good.
Returning House After 3 Years Away
As we had hoped, throughout our keep in Montana the Canadian authorities modified the principles for residents returning house! So, we made a transfer north and simply drove throughout the land border from Montana into the province of Alberta.
There was no quarantine, however we did should fill out some on-line paperwork, do a PCR check earlier than going, and an at-home check once we arrived.
We didn’t care although, we had been wanting ahead to seeing our households! Over the course of 5 weeks, we travelled by land from Alberta into the province of British Columbia.
We spent high quality time with our nieces, siblings, mother and father, grandparents, aunts and uncles and buddies. A number of reminiscences had been made and many overdue hugs and chats had been had. We even managed to do some fishing and climbing!
It was an exquisite journey again house connecting with the necessary folks in our lives. However, after 5 weeks, we had been prepared to maneuver on once more.
Once more, we made a last-minute choice (actually 4 days earlier than flying) to go to Europe!
European Travels
Europe is our favorite continent. Although every nation is sort of small (particularly when in comparison with Canada), all of them supply distinctive cultures, cuisines and topography.
Enjoyable Occasions in Amsterdam
It appears unimaginable given how widespread this metropolis is, nevertheless it was our first time visiting Amsterdam — and it didn’t disappoint!
The mindset and openness of the folks and their progressive methods of pondering and doing issues are fascinating. Plus, the town is extremely picturesque with canals and lovely structure.
We joined a strolling tour, took a ship down the canals, checked out avenue markets, noticed dwell music, went to quite a few bars and eating places, visited the Rijksmuseum …and walked in all places.
Sooner or later we popped right into a wine store (as we regularly do!) and the proprietor requested us if we’d been in there earlier than as we seemed acquainted.
We stated no and proceeded to style some wine with them. After some time, it clicked and AJ says: “Wait, you’re Goats On The Highway!” His spouse, Malory, alternatively, had no clue who we had been!
Proper then, all of us began speaking a mile a minute about journey and residing overseas.
Then, they invited us out the subsequent night time to certainly one of their favorite “brown cafes” (a neighborhood neighbourhood pub). Good instances had been had and once more, it was so nice to attach with like-minded folks.
On prime of that, we loved day journeys by practice to Haarlem and Zaandam after which biked round these areas. We jampacked our 5 days in and round Amsterdam earlier than taking a practice to Belgium.
Beers in Bruges and Brussels
Subsequent up, every week in Belgium — one other new nation for us.
The Center Age, Gothic-style structure in Bruges is completely attractive. And it’s not just some buildings right here and there — all of the buildings, houses (and pubs!) are charming.
Many individuals do a day journey to Bruges, however we determined to spend 3 nights and are so glad we did.
In fact, we did most of the typical issues (canal journey and making an attempt waffles, fries, and chocolate) however since we had extra time within the metropolis, we had been capable of see and do a bit extra.
We sat and had dinners with locals and chatted with them about life in Belgium. Plus, we explored the parks and windmills and sampled many Belgium beers and meals (at many locations).
From there we moved on to the capital of Brussels. And whereas we thought the Grand Place with its UNESCO-listed structure was extremely gorgeous, Brussels simply didn’t WOW us like Bruges.
For us, there was simply one thing lacking — it lacked the vibe of Amsterdam and the great thing about Bruges. Fortunately, our subsequent vacation spot didn’t lack something…
In Love with Slovenia!
Slovenia was a part of former Yugoslavia, gaining independence in 1991. Today, Slovenia is a member of the EU and is bordered by Croatia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy.
For years now, we’ve at all times wished to go to Ljubljana, the capital metropolis of Slovenia.
We joined a strolling tour (as we at all times do once we first get someplace) to be taught as a lot as we may in regards to the historical past and tradition of Slovenia.
Plus, we wandered across the outdated city and new city, did hikes in Tivoli Park, went on day journeys for fly fishing, visited the citadel, and a lot extra!
Town has all of it: a pedestrian-only middle, an enormous park, a canal operating by means of the town, lovely structure, nice eating places and wine bars, and it’s an important base to discover surrounding areas.
As we might be taught throughout our 3-week keep, there’s a lot extra to the small nation than simply the gorgeous capital.
We rented a automobile for the remainder of our keep and explored the pristine Soča Valley with its towering alps and crystal-clear rivers, whereas fly fishing with a information for Marble Trout.
We spent a while climbing and fishing in and round Lake Bled — which must be probably the most picturesque locations on the planet.
We had been blown away by the sheer measurement of the Postojna Cave, whereas the Predjama Citadel constructed into the facet of the mountain was one thing out of a fairytale.
However, there was extra to come back.
Slovenia is understood for its wine manufacturing, nevertheless it’s not all that well-known exterior of the nation as they don’t do numerous exporting.
Our subsequent cease was the gorgeous Brda area — the Tuscany of Slovenia.
Our small condominium had attractive views of the vines and whereas it was just about the low season, we loved the autumn colors of the vineyards with fewer crowds.
We spent 3 days within the area, driving throughout to scenic lookout factors and small cities. We even employed a driver for a full day of vineyard visits…and many consuming.
It was the proper place to spherical off our 3-week keep in Slovenia. There’s a lot extra we need to see and do on this underrated nation, and I’m positive we’ll return.
Highway Tripping Via Croatia
From Slovenia, we drove south down the coast of Croatia. The last word objective was to satisfy up with Tom and Anna for a rendezvous in Montenegro!
However, somewhat than simply beeline it by means of the nation, we determined to cease in at Zadar, a metropolis we hadn’t been to prior to now, and return to Dubrovnik.
Because it turned out, Zadar is an unbelievable city. With Roman and Venetian ruins, lovely sunsets, and its location proper on the coast, we may’ve spent longer than 3 days right here.
We joined a strolling tour and discovered so much in regards to the historical past of Zadar, ate some scrumptious meals and loved the proper location of our Airbnb.
What an important shock!
From Zadar, we continued on and spent an evening within the lovely, widespread metropolis of Dubrovnik, earlier than persevering with on.
Assembly Buddies in Montenegro
Tom and Anna had been residing in Albania and we had been in Slovenia. So we seemed on the map and got here to an settlement on the place to satisfy up. Montenegro was the nation of alternative!
This might be our second time within the nation, however we went to fully new locations this time round.
Along with our buddies, we road-tripped across the small, various nation for 2 weeks whereas staying collectively in an olive grove house in Ulcinj, a 3-story lake home in Skadar, and in a contemporary lakefront condominium close to the city of Perast.
To finish the journey, we every obtained a room at an adults-only luxurious resort within the Bay of Kotor.
What was so nice about this highway journey collectively was we actually obtained to see numerous the nation. Every journey day, we might cease in at totally different sights on our method to the subsequent lodging.
Highlights of the journey embody visiting the outdated city of Bar, taking a ship across the Bay of Kotor for Nick’s birthday, the wineries of Skadar, the surprising coastal and seaside walks in Ulcinj, and the attractive drive from Kotor as much as Lovcen Nationwide Park.
The views from the 30 or so hairpin activates the drive to Lovcen had been gorgeous. However, probably the most unbelievable view was discovered within the Nationwide Park on the Mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic-Njegos — a must-see!
After many laughs and reminiscences made throughout the two weeks collectively, it was time to half methods with our buddies.
We drove again by means of Croatia, this time stopping in Break up for every week to take pleasure in some downtime, a lot of coastal and forest walks, and improbable meals. And, to plan our subsequent strikes.
Christmas Market in Frankfurt
Everybody ought to go to a European Christmas market sooner or later of their lives. This might be our first time experiencing one, and whereas issues positively weren’t “regular”, it was nonetheless fairly magical.
The pedestrian-only space was stuffed with picket huts serving up conventional sausages, fries, sizzling wine (and beer!), yummy desserts and different greasy snacks.
We loved ourselves surrounded by fellow travellers and locals having fun with quite a few cups of mulled wine. The world was stuffed with brilliant lights, a large Christmas tree, and vacation music.
And, other than bulletins regarding COVID blasting from the loudspeaker once in a while, police ensuring everybody was sporting masks (besides whenever you’re consuming, you don’t should), and the diminished opening hours, it felt very festive.
We’re simply grateful the market in Frankfurt wasn’t cancelled, as so many in Europe had been.
South America Sure
With increasingly measurements and restrictions coming into place in Germany and its neighbours (and with the winter season approaching), we knew it was time to depart Europe.
We’d heard a few month prior that Argentina had reopened to the world. After greater than a 12 months and a half of complete lockdown, this was thrilling information!
It was time for us to maneuver from the northern hemisphere to the south, and to the western facet of the world.
Our very lengthy (26 hour) journey took us from Frankfurt (Germany) -> Houston (USA) -> Buenos Aires (Argentina).
Buenos Aires
The final time we visited Argentina was again in 2017, and to be sincere, we weren’t overly in love with Buenos Aires — one thing was lacking. This time round, nonetheless, we actually loved our keep!
Our condominium within the Palermo Soho neighbourhood was surrounded by cute parks, avenue artwork crammed alleyways, bars and cafes, and many boutique retailers.
The locals had been so heat and welcoming and we had some nice experiences with strangers at wine bars, cafes and parks. Plus, we ate at some fabulous eating places, together with the thirteenth greatest restaurant on the earth, Don Julio.
I feel the place we stayed within the metropolis was the principle cause we most well-liked our go to this time.
South to Patagonia
After 5 days in bustling Buenos Aires, we took a flight south to the town of Bariloche within the Lake District of Patagonia.
Right here is the place we’ve been basing ourselves for the previous couple of weeks and it’s the place we’ve celebrated Christmas and can ring within the New Yr.
We’ll be staying in 4 totally different locations over the course of a month, which is form of annoying, however since we booked so final minute (with a lot uncertainty, it’s a must to as of late…) and it’s the vacation season, we’re fortunate to have discovered anyplace to remain!
The primary condominium was for two weeks and it was excellent. With a stunning view of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the encompassing mountains, it was an important place to base ourselves and luxuriate in close by hikes, seashores, rivers and eating places.
Sadly, Nick has been sick with strep throat for a lot of our time right here in Bariloche. Possibly it was because of the lengthy journey days? Altering climates? A brand new surroundings? Stress? No matter it was, it was fairly tough for him, however fortunately he’s on the mend and we are able to get again to having fun with ourselves.
Being surrounded by nature right here within the Lake District is the proper place to concentrate on our targets and goals for 2022 and to essentially take into consideration what we would like for the brand new 12 months.
Is Journey Value it Proper Now?
Admittedly, travelling as of late isn’t simple. It may be aggravating, costlier on account of testing necessities, and fairly frankly, airports merely aren’t a enjoyable place to be proper now.
There are quite a few logistics to consider relating to what paperwork you want, what the doorway necessities are, and what restrictions are in place whenever you arrive.
These are a few issues discovered this previous 12 months of travelling across the globe.
We have to be organized — extra so than traditional
There’s a lot to determine as of late, so Googling and becoming a member of journey/expat teams has actually helped us out to know precisely what we have to carry, put together, or do with a purpose to journey to the nation.
We did our analysis, after which continued to analysis up till the day we left — issues modified each day in some circumstances.
Minimizing flights
The objective this 12 months was to go by land and decrease flights when potential, which we did.
The airports are loopy as of late with a great deal of further hassles and safety/well being measures. However, in the event you journey by practice, bus, automobile, or campervan, the land borders are sometimes far more lenient and fewer overwhelming.
For us, taking the practice in Europe, and driving our rental automobile throughout borders was easy and gratifying. It was a stamp-and-go scenario generally, or within the case of the EU, there’s no stamping and basically no borders.
After we went to airports, we needed to arrive hours prematurely to ensure we had our paperwork so as. It felt like all we had been doing was continuously displaying our paperwork to totally different folks on the airport.
Plus, there was nothing however ominous bulletins about COVID and well being over the loudspeakers, seat separators within the boarding areas, and in Germany, police coming by to ensure your masks was on completely.
To not point out, sporting a masks for a lot of hours on a aircraft isn’t the best or most comfy factor to do! In fact, flying is a should in lots of circumstances, however we tried to restrict our flights and once we did, it was a extra relaxed journey for positive.
Reserving with free cancellation
Most airways have eliminated their flight change charges, however not all of them. When it got here to reserving flights, we checked their insurance policies and in the event that they didn’t supply free flight adjustments, we’d pay further for “versatile fares”.
We moved our flight to Argentina a few instances, and it didn’t value us something in change/cancellation charges. We merely needed to pay the distinction within the fare (which, because it turned out, was lower than we booked so we obtained a credit score!)
The identical goes for reserving rental vehicles and resorts and Airbnbs. We’ve been ensuring there are good cancellation insurance policies in place (simply in case) earlier than reserving and paying.
Simply go for it!
Our objective for the 12 months was to attach with folks and to journey. Simply go was the motto. In case you really feel secure now, journey when you can (in the event you can) as tomorrow isn’t promised.
The federal government web sites make it appear to be it’s unimaginable to go to their nation, whereas house nations could make it tough so that you can come again.
To not point out, entrance necessities are at all times written in a really complicated means.
However, many individuals are travelling proper now. It’s doable.
And when you’re on the highway, you’ll notice that it’s not likely that difficult and half the time the paperwork that had been so annoying to organize received’t even be checked by anybody…
Journey is completely potential and in the event you give your self sufficient time to plan and analysis, you’ll have a superb journey! Exploring our lovely world is most positively value the entire present complications and roadblocks.
Not solely does the journey trade want our assist, however when you arrive at your vacation spot, the planning overwhelm simply melts away and all that’s left to do is take pleasure in your journey.
We’re extremely grateful and grateful for the travels we had been ready to do that 12 months!
Objectives and Ideas for 2022
As we spherical out 2021 and sit up for 2022, there are many issues we need to accomplish — most of that are associated to enterprise and our private lives.
You’ll discover that this text isn’t associated to enterprise in any respect. This 12 months, we largely managed our groups and didn’t spend all that many hours on our laptops. We had been extra targeted on our private lives and travelling.
Whereas it’s nice that we’ve constructed our companies in a means that they produce passive earnings, we need to be extra concerned with our web sites once more.
This 12 months of “connections” has reminded us how necessary our private connections with folks actually are, and that features you… our readers.
We actually need to be extra private on this weblog once more and have enjoyable connecting with the individuals who learn this weblog once in a while.
Press Journeys and Campaigns
We’re really beginning the 12 months off with two actually thrilling press journeys. One has been supplied right here in Argentina by means of our area of interest web site, whereas the opposite is for Goats On The Highway someplace within the Caribbean. We’ll announce that quickly, so keep tuned for updates on these!
We’re actually completely happy to see partnerships within the journey sphere persevering with even amid the entire chaos, and we sit up for working along with extra manufacturers because the 12 months progresses.
Being Artistic Once more
We’ll be specializing in being extra artistic. This 12 months I hardly wrote an article right here on GOTR, I barely posted on Instagram and we didn’t create a single video for our Youtube channel!
Whereas I don’t remorse it, as we had been busy having fun with being within the second and travelling the world, we each actually benefit from the artistic facet of our companies.
2021 was spent largely managing our workforce of content material creators, however for 2022 we’re each feeling the pull to get again into it. We’re wanting ahead to connecting with you extra by means of our articles, our publication and social media channels.
In case you haven’t carried out so but, ensure that to subscribe to our publication right here.
Have a Correct Base
Our subsequent main objective is to have a house.
Someplace that we are able to name “house” year-round and use as a base to discover from.
We’ll be spending the 12 months looking for that excellent spot.
Ideally, that vacation spot would have forests, mountains, seashores, and rivers. A spot with a lot of facilities, a group of like-minded folks, and delightful lodging for lease (oh, and Nick says he wants there to be fly fishing).
Our excellent place would have a wide range of eating places, improbable wine, and quite a few enjoyable issues to see and do. I’d prefer it to be inexpensive, comfy, and have a great vibe. It additionally must be well-connected to different components of the world.
That’s not asking for an excessive amount of, proper?!
This “pull” for a spot to name house has grow to be stronger over the previous 12 months. We each actually loved residing in Playa del Carmen for 8 months and prior to now, we’ve beloved having a house in Grenada. However, these had been all non permanent.
We’re able to have an tackle to placed on types.
We’re able to have a spot to depart our private possessions once we’re away travelling as an alternative of continually promoting or donating after which rebuying.
We’re prepared to totally unpack our stuff for longer than a few months.
We’re able to have full-time buddies and group.
Thank YOU!
Nick and I need to thanks for following our journey this previous 12 months and all of the years prior. Lots of you’ve got caught with us by means of so many various iterations of this weblog and of our running a blog journey.
We’re completely happy to say that for these of you who take pleasure in our private journey tales and day-to-day lives, that content material will likely be returning in an enormous means in 2022. We need to re-connect with this unbelievable on-line group of like-minded “goats”.
2021 was all about wanting to attach and work together with folks, and whereas we’d not have met up with you in particular person, we actually do admire the entire emails you ship us, and the feedback you allow on our articles, movies, and social posts.
Our Tribe is what retains this web site going and with out you, there could be no Goats.
Wishing you an ample, wholesome, joyful new 12 months.
Dariece and Nick
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