Well, after 50 blog posts transmitted over 15 months, from 6 continents and over 36 countries, we’re finally coming in for a landing. We've had an incredible year of full-time international family travel, we've met some life-long travelling friends, seen some of the most remote and beautiful places on earth, and grown as individuals and as a family. But change is what we do best, and we look forward to this family change back to a more traditional (and temporary) lifestyle in the USA. (Click below right to read more . . . . )
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We disembarked in Buenos Aires with 3-week’s worth of laundry in our 8 suitcases and visions of icebergs and cruise dinners dancing in our heads. We spent the weekend staying on the temple grounds in Buenos Aires and then flew north to Iguazú. While thoroughly enjoying the falls, we traversed the boardwalks and paths amidst a downpour of a typical rainforest thunderstorm. We also took the opportunity to cross two rivers in order to step foot in Paraguay and Brazil while we stayed at the geographic junction of the three countries. We continued on to Peru, passing through Lima, Cusco and Ollantaytambo on our way to Machu Picchu, another glorious and somewhat rainy day. Highlights:
(Click below right to read more . . . . ) We departed the waters of the Antarctic continent and, as we cruised north, the icebergs made less frequent appearances. Each day the weather got warmer and the sunsets got earlier and the end of our 3-week "floating home" drew nearer. We had one more week on the cruise and three more countries to visit, including Falkland Islands-UK, Argentina and Uruguay, before disembarking in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Highlights:
(click below right to read more . . . . ) This part of the cruise was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When again will we ever come to the frozen continent of Antarctica? As we cruised south of Cape Horn, we were informed about the Antarctic treaty and the requirements that were placed on the ship and passengers (or “expeditioners” as named in the treaty) as soon as we crossed the 60 degree latitude (no smoking outdoors, outside running lights dimmed at night, no trash overboard, etc). As we ventured further south, the first iceberg appeared large and angular off the port side, and as iceberg neophytes, we were all excited to take pictures. This was the first of literally thousands of icebergs that we were to see. First, the northernmost islands came into view: black cliffs, devoid of any flora, with stark white ice caps and glaciers descending into the ocean. Past the islands, we viewed in the distance the Antarctic peninsula, with even more whiteness enveloping the land, hidden under the blanket of ice and snow. Whales and orcas and penguins and seals appeared and the freezing weather put a covering of snowflakes on all the outdoor walkways. The Antarctic summer weather was, for us, completely tame, and with the coming days the blue sky and sunlight would give a stunning ceiling to the white icy landscape. It was an incredible time and such a unique opportunity to be there. Highlights:
(Click below right to read more . . . ) We finished our wonderful 6 weeks of summer in Santiago, picked up Megan from Girl’s camp in the morning (spanish immersion – go Megan!), and in the early afternoon we were on board the Zaandam, a Holland America Cruise Liner for our trip south. It was fun to be back on a cruise ship and forget about shopping and cleaning and cooking and doing dishes, all while a ship takes care of the logistics of traveling for us, we don’t have to unpack and repack, and we still get to enjoy visiting new parts of the world together. Highlights of the 1st week of the cruise:
1. Patagonia fjords and islands and waterways 2. Hiking in the Tierra del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia 3. Beagle Channel & Glacier Alley 4. Punta Arenas Naval Museum 5. Meeting a group from “Cruise Lady” on the Ship 6. Science talks and presentations onboard the ship 7. Incredible family dinners every evening (To read more click below right . . . . . . . . ) After our blissful 2-week cruise through the Panama Canal to South America, we disembarked in San Antonio, Chile, drove inland to the capital city of Santiago, and happily settled in for 6 weeks of a summer "staycation" in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather was gorgeous, the city fun and easy to navigate, and our apartment was comfortable was great views all around of the Andes mountains. Highlights:
1. Meeting wonderful people at church and being welcomed right in 2. Cultural Arts - accessible and affordable 3. Productive education filled days 4. Public transportation ease of maneuvering 5. Close proximity to temple 6. Spanish immersion with local church youth camps for kids 7. Moderate summer weather, great mountain views, and no bugs! 8. Planning 2019 9. Anticipating our next adventure to Antarctica! (Click below right to read more . . . ) We excitedly boarded the Norwegian Sun and checked into our 2 cabins that would be our home for 2 weeks. Fortunately, they were outside cabins with unobstructed views, but unfortunately, they were on different floors. Our first week was spent happily exploring the ship and smoothly sailing south past Cuba and the Dominican Republic, porting in Columbia, passing through the Panama Canal, and finally entering the vast Pacific Ocean. Our second week took us south of the equator to Ecuador, Peru and Chile with a final disembarkation in San Antonio, just an hour's drive from Santiago, where our next stay will be. Highlights:
(Click below right to read more . . . ) After completing our Asia adventure, we returned to the United States via Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and came back to Nana’s place in Orem where we unpacked for a two-week whirlwind visit. It was anything but restful as we focused on accomplishing what was necessary before we headed abroad, again: Anna completed her 9 online school classes + final exams; Tyler took his needed finals and signed up for his next courses; Tera helped gather everything necessary to host a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner and repack for our upcoming 3-month trip; Erik and Nana recruited the kids to help move furniture and clean out the house to get it ready to sell; and we all enjoyed treasured celebrations with friends and loved ones. We then headed out on our next adventure to South America, beginning with a perfectly planned stopover in Dallas to see family, followed by Miami for a temple trip and preparing to embark on the Norwegian Sun cruise ship. Highlights:
(Click below right to read more . . . ) We closed out our Asia trip with a visit to the Maldives, a true island paradise. Then, after a few days on the Maldivian island of Huraa, we flew to Singapore for the weekend to visit with some good friends and closed out our Asia trip for good. The Maldives are world famous for their white sand beaches on their thousands of islands and their crystal clear aquamarine waters. In this regard, they did not disappoint. We snorkeled, and scuba dived, and fished, and boated to our own private island to play in the white sand. Highlights:
(Click below right to read more . . . . . . ) After being in India, it was great to head back to a tropical island - full of plenty of nature to explore and fresh air to breathe in. So on we went to the island of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon during British colonial times. We flew into Colombo and then spent 3 days in Dambulla, then drove down to Kandy to spend the rest of our time. We visited ancient Buddhist temples, saw wild elephant herds roaming, climbed a hilltop fortress, and took a local train ride up into the highlands and tea plantations. Highlights:
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Plan? What plan?Our first Gap Year was a fabulous "2017-2018 School Year" of travel: from the Netherlands to Jordan to Texas to Hawaii to Mexico to Central America to London and back to the Netherlands. Our "2018 Summer Vacation" took us all around Western Europe, back to the USA on a transatlantic cruise, a road trip through New York and into Canada, and ending up in Utah. We have now kicked off the "2018-2019 School year" with a trip to Asia. Follow along with us on our visits to new places, as well as revisiting some of our favorite places from our time living there. It's going to be great!!
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March 2019
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