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Recap fever has hit the travel and everyone is reflecting over the past year and looking forward. I really won’t recap too much because I just outlined my full RTW travel route (1) last week for you (route (2) and route (3)); those posts serve nicely as a highlight of my past year.
But this looking forward thing, now that I can get behind!
I’ve been holding out on you guys for the past week because my travel dates aren’t solid. But, well, the time has come: I am heading back on the road at the end of this month. I’m still holding out for a few more days on the precise details but let’s look at what this coming year will hold:
My 2010 Travel Plans and Dreams
- Travel south from Mexico down through Central America hitting every country I can safely navigate as a solo woman. While I traditionally don’t worry overly much about solo travel, I can honestly say that Central America has me a bit nervous…is that unfounded guys?! I just feel like it’s a different ball game down there right now than, say, solo travel in SEA…
- Meet a handful of fellow travelers and friends in Peru in late May to hike Machu Picchu.
- Head to the Napa wine country in Northern California for my best friend’s June wedding before hitting up Travel Blog Exchange conference in NYC.
- Backpack through Southeast Asia once again by fall for an undetermined length of time and no set plans.
Where is the Blog Heading?
- I’ll still fully share travel stories, videos, and advice throughout the year, so stick around…and even subscribe to my RSS feed so you don’t miss a single post (shameless plug, I know).
- Anticipate even more servicey posts aimed at helping other travelers prep for their trip – think reviews and guest bloggers sharing trips for eco-friendly travel and volunteering opportunities.
I am really excited for what this new year is going to hold – A Little Adrift has taken on a life of it’s own over the past year and I couldn’t do it without the support of the travel community and friends who contribute to the site, leave feedback and comments, and just generally make this blogging experience a whole lot more fun, so a very real and sincere thanks :-)
Cheers and Happy New Year guys!
And just to share the love, if you’re looking for some great posts over the past year from all over the travel community, check out Anil’s collection of the top travel posts of 2009 and Andy’s top inspirational travel stories for a bit of motivation in planning your own travels this year.
The Philippines have recently made it onto my list as I see other travelers
head there – pictures and stories are amazing – it will definitely be a
stop :-)
if you head back to Southeast Asia, i suggest you visit the Philippines :-)
The Philippines have recently made it onto my list as I see other travelers
head there – pictures and stories are amazing – it will definitely be a
stop :-)
if you head back to Southeast Asia, i suggest you visit the Philippines :-)
Hi Shannon,
I followed the link to your blog from Uncornered Market’s website, and have really enjoyed spending an evening looking through your articles. Crisp, intelligent writing always brings a surge of adrenaline to my chest, especially if it is about places I dream of experiencing myself, such as the Indian railways and Bosnia’s coffee shops – or if it gives a different perspective on familiar places (northern England, the Hebrides). I look forward to exploring your site a bit more when I have more time.
Happy travels in 2010!
Jon
Many warm thanks for the kind words about the site :-) The round-the-world
trip was such an incredible journey for me over the past year and it's
heartening to know that it has struck a cord with other travelers. As for
your corner of the world – I was just awed and amazed by the Hebrides, what
an amazing slice of the world right in your own backyard!
Do you have any travels planned in 2010?! :-) Cheers and thanks again!
My travel plans for this year are to take as many small trips as possible, and save up for a journey to Central Asia in 2011. Wish me luck!
I wish I could say that the Hebrides were in my own backyard, but having grown up in the south of England I can only get to the Isle of Mull once a year with my family. It truly is a wonderful part of the world. There are lots of photos and a story about it on my blog – I have a flight early tomorrow, but in the next week or so I'll put a link to your blog on my “Coffee Table” page.
Jon
Ooo nice! I'll be eager to read about Central Asia! :-) Have safe travels
and I'll return the link :-)
Ooo nice! I'll be eager to read about Central Asia! :-) Have safe travels
and I'll return the link :-)
My travel plans for this year are to take as many small trips as possible, and save up for a journey to Central Asia in 2011. Wish me luck!
I wish I could say that the Hebrides were in my own backyard, but having grown up in the south of England I can only get to the Isle of Mull once a year with my family. It truly is a wonderful part of the world. There are lots of photos and a story about it on my blog – I have a flight early tomorrow, but in the next week or so I'll put a link to your blog on my “Coffee Table” page.
Jon
Many warm thanks for the kind words about the site :-) The round-the-world
trip was such an incredible journey for me over the past year and it's
heartening to know that it has struck a cord with other travelers. As for
your corner of the world – I was just awed and amazed by the Hebrides, what
an amazing slice of the world right in your own backyard!
Do you have any travels planned in 2010?! :-) Cheers and thanks again!
Hi Shannon,
I followed the link to your blog from Uncornered Market’s website, and have really enjoyed spending an evening looking through your articles. Crisp, intelligent writing always brings a surge of adrenaline to my chest, especially if it is about places I dream of experiencing myself, such as the Indian railways and Bosnia’s coffee shops – or if it gives a different perspective on familiar places (northern England, the Hebrides). I look forward to exploring your site a bit more when I have more time.
Happy travels in 2010!
Jon
Shannon your plans sound awesome! Especially the fact that you will a. be at TBEX and b. maybe be in SE Asia around the same time as me. Here's to the new year!
I will cheers to that! It'll be great to meet you there – and then even
better if we can meet up once you set out! :-) It really is shaping up to
be an awesome 2010!
Wooo TBEX! Hope to see you there!
Woot! I'm pretty excited :-) Should be fun considering all of the peeps
already signed up!
I will cheers to that! It'll be great to meet you there – and then even
better if we can meet up once you set out! :-) It really is shaping up to
be an awesome 2010!
Woot! I'm pretty excited :-) Should be fun considering all of the peeps
already signed up!
Wooo TBEX! Hope to see you there!
Shannon your plans sound awesome! Especially the fact that you will a. be at TBEX and b. maybe be in SE Asia around the same time as me. Here's to the new year!
Awesome! Sounds like 2010 will be another exciting year for you!
I think it's wise to be aware of safety issues in Central America (especially Guatemala), but don't let it scare you from doing anything. When we first arrived in Guatemala (our first country in Latin America), we were really taken aback by all the safety warnings and horror stories we heard everywhere – it really started to get into our heads. We did change some behavior from Asia – we didn't take night buses and we didn't wander around much at night (and returned to our host family/hotel relatively early). However, we found that as we would push people as to why a place or experience was dangerous, we found that many times the danger lay in pickpockets, something that is universal in the world.
So, my advice listen to people's warnings, but don't allow this to paralyze you and prevent you from exploring the country. You may not be able to go out at night as often as you would in Asia, but you'll still be able to explore the towns, Mayan ruins, volcanoes and more.
When you have an idea of your itinerary in Central America, just let us know if you want any suggestions for places to visit, markets, hotels, restaurants or anything else. Enjoy!
Thank you Audrey! It feels silly to be so intimidated by C.A. after having
gone RTW, but I was. I appreciate your observations though and tips – as you
say, the pickpockets are everywhere so if that is the main concern, then I
feel a bit better. You just hear so many people talking up the dangers! Glad
to have the heads up about staying in for the evening – a fair trade off if
that's what it takes to keep safe!
I have absolutely no set plan yet, but you can bet that I'd be loving tips
on markets and towns once I get down there, your travels seem so immersed in
the local cultures that I'd love the advice :-)
Thank you Audrey! It feels silly to be so intimidated by C.A. after having
gone RTW, but I was. I appreciate your observations though and tips – as you
say, the pickpockets are everywhere so if that is the main concern, then I
feel a bit better. You just hear so many people talking up the dangers! Glad
to have the heads up about staying in for the evening – a fair trade off if
that's what it takes to keep safe!
I have absolutely no set plan yet, but you can bet that I'd be loving tips
on markets and towns once I get down there, your travels seem so immersed in
the local cultures that I'd love the advice :-)
Hey Shannon – I just came across your site and will definitely be following your adventures this year. Sounds like a busy plan! As for Central America, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I wouldn't linger too long in Guatemala City or Managua but that goes for anyone, solo or not. Apart from that, I found most of the 'dangers' of this part of the world to be completely unfounded after spending a couple of months backpacking there at the end of this past summer. I met a lot of solo women traveling through the region without problem. Actually, my friend and I joked about the fact that we didn't meet a single person who had run into any troublesome situations or had anything stolen. It's no Thailand of course, but a simple extra dose of awareness is all that's necessary! Enjoy!
Thanks for the tips Earl, it's really heartening to know that much of what
I've heard is overblown…because I've heard a lot of negatives! I'm pretty
exited about heading that way, it'll be my first time to Central America!
Cheers and thanks :-)
Thanks Emily! The year is really shaping up nicely – when I got back home in
October I had no clue what my next plans were going to be, so I'm excited
that I'll be making it down to South and Central America :-) As for the solo
travel, while I wouldn't mind a travel companion, I'm not about to hold back
my plans just because I don't have anyone willing to go! :-)
That'll be really excellent Amy! Thanks for all of your support this year on
the blog, I really look forward to meeting you in person at TBEX :-)
Thanks for the tips Earl, it's really heartening to know that much of what
I've heard is overblown…because I've heard a lot of negatives! I'm pretty
exited about heading that way, it'll be my first time to Central America!
Cheers and thanks :-)
Look like it's gonna be another great traveling year for you! :)
I also registered for TBEX'10. So I will see you at TBEX NYC!!! :)
That'll be really excellent Amy! Thanks for all of your support this year on
the blog, I really look forward to meeting you in person at TBEX :-)
Hey Shannon – I just came across your site and will definitely be following your adventures this year. Sounds like a busy plan! As for Central America, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I wouldn't linger too long in Guatemala City or Managua but that goes for anyone, solo or not. Apart from that, I found most of the 'dangers' of this part of the world to be completely unfounded after spending a couple of months backpacking there at the end of this past summer. I met a lot of solo women traveling through the region without problem. Actually, my friend and I joked about the fact that we didn't meet a single person who had run into any troublesome situations or had anything stolen. It's no Thailand of course, but a simple extra dose of awareness is all that's necessary! Enjoy!
Awesome! Sounds like 2010 will be another exciting year for you!
I think it's wise to be aware of safety issues in Central America (especially Guatemala), but don't let it scare you from doing anything. When we first arrived in Guatemala (our first country in Latin America), we were really taken aback by all the safety warnings and horror stories we heard everywhere – it really started to get into our heads. We did change some behavior from Asia – we didn't take night buses and we didn't wander around much at night (and returned to our host family/hotel relatively early). However, we found that as we would push people as to why a place or experience was dangerous, we found that many times the danger lay in pickpockets, something that is universal in the world.
So, my advice listen to people's warnings, but don't allow this to paralyze you and prevent you from exploring the country. You may not be able to go out at night as often as you would in Asia, but you'll still be able to explore the towns, Mayan ruins, volcanoes and more.
When you have an idea of your itinerary in Central America, just let us know if you want any suggestions for places to visit, markets, hotels, restaurants or anything else. Enjoy!
Very exciting, Shannon! It sounds like you have all kinds of great adventures in store. I don't blame you for your thoughts about South America — I have the same reservations about it, myself. I would rather travel those areas with a companion, though since you are already accustomed to traveling solo, I'm sure you will be just fine :) Can't wait to read about your experiences!
Thanks Emily! The year is really shaping up nicely – when I got back home in
October I had no clue what my next plans were going to be, so I'm excited
that I'll be making it down to South and Central America :-) As for the solo
travel, while I wouldn't mind a travel companion, I'm not about to hold back
my plans just because I don't have anyone willing to go! :-)
Look like it's gonna be another great traveling year for you! :)
I also registered for TBEX'10. So I will see you at TBEX NYC!!! :)
My wife and I will be headed north to the States from South America and I'm researching the route well. I've heard it's good to keep a heads up in parts of Central and South America. Perhaps our paths will cross then, if not, see you at TBEX NYC :)
It would be supremely cool if we do intersect along the way! You're a few
steps ahead of me, I haven't really done any of my research on C and S
America yet; I'll have to get on that to make sure I stay out of the more
dangerous areas. :-) Hope we cross paths, if not, TBEX indeed :-)
Very exciting, Shannon! It sounds like you have all kinds of great adventures in store. I don't blame you for your thoughts about South America — I have the same reservations about it, myself. I would rather travel those areas with a companion, though since you are already accustomed to traveling solo, I'm sure you will be just fine :) Can't wait to read about your experiences!
It would be supremely cool if we do intersect along the way! You're a few
steps ahead of me, I haven't really done any of my research on C and S
America yet; I'll have to get on that to make sure I stay out of the more
dangerous areas. :-) Hope we cross paths, if not, TBEX indeed :-)
My wife and I will be headed north to the States from South America and I'm researching the route well. I've heard it's good to keep a heads up in parts of Central and South America. Perhaps our paths will cross then, if not, see you at TBEX NYC :)