2024, a look back

  The year began on the Lido Deck overlooking Copacabana Beach in Rio. The light smoke from the fireworks display slowly dissipates, revealing the grandeur of the bay and the surrounding hills awashed in light. Early January unfolded with the discovery of the Brazilian coast: Rio, Buzios, Ilha Verde and Florianópolis. The rest was spent in Argentina, flitting from one end of the country to another. From the vineyards of Mendoza to the Andean resort of Bariloche. Lots of delicious meat and stunning tango shows rounded out the month.

  Not to be outdone, February has me on another ship, sailing south to Antarctica. I am humbled and gobsmacked by its stark, raw beauty. And here I thought New Year’s in Rio was going to be hard to top! The rest of the month is spent in the discovery of Uruguay, an immensely charming country often overlooked because of its two larger neighbors.

  In March, as I slowly “marched” homeward, I stopped in Panama and finally made it to Bocas del Toro. A destination that has taunted me for 20 years: the first time, I missed my flight, the second time, a storm had washed out the road. And so, the proverbial third time was truly the charm!

  In April, a bit of R & R at home as I check in on friends and family.

  May had me crossing Canada via rail. At the end of the line in Vancouver, I board a cruise to Alaska. Sadly, after being to Antarctica, the views of Alaska, which everyone rave and rave about, simply paled in comparison.

  I returned to college over the summer, taking a Japanese language class. It was a good challenge but it stretched the limits of my intelligence. I can master an alphabet, two at the outside, but THREE, well, that’s where my mind throws in the towel. 

  The rest of this year’s plan got revised in late August when I hosted the son of a friend, who was starting college here in California. I had planned on circum-navigating Australia but not wanting to leave a teenager all alone in my house for 4 months, I ended up staying home as well. And in those months, I still ended up travelling, though not physically but rather down memory lane. In witnessing his first college days, I am sent me back to my own tentative steps into adulthood, and into reminiscing of the days of yore. It was a very nostalgic fall. 

  Now I find myself at the end of a spectacularly glorious year. It was an adventure to say the least. But at the same time, I find myself curious as to what comes next: the safari in South Africa; the absurdity of the skyscrapers of Dubai; the steaming jungles of Malaysia. Yeah, all that’s coming up in 2025. 

  To all of you, may the new year be filled with contentment and joy!