“This one will be easy!”

That’s what I told myself. A typically appropriate end-of-year piece.  Should be able to knock this one out quickly.  My Top Twelve Travel Memories of 2014!

Whoa!  When I looked at my “Last 12 Months” folder in iPhoto and saw that there were 7,451 photos . . . that should have been a clue.  Maybe this would take longer than I thought.

(Is anyone else as challenged as me to get rid of mediocre and duplicate photos?)

It took me awhile to realize that I was trying to do the impossible.  I was trying to match my “best” travel photos to my most precious travel moments – and they didn’t always jive.  So – if you want exceptional travel photos – go to National Geographic or another such site.  If you want to know about my most precious memories this year … keep reading!

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And – before I forget – thank you for reading my blog.  It is so encouraging to know how many of you open and read my stories!!  Keeps me motivated to do it all over again next week (er … next year!)!

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1.

Sometimes, one only needs to travel across town to create magical memories.  In my case, it was to Pasadena on New Year’s Day with my brother and nephew from Michigan!

 

2.

And then there are those times when one DOES travel to the other side of the planet for an extraordinary experience of a foreign place.  In February, I escorted members of my favorite non-profit, Dining for Women, to Cambodia and Vietnam.  My youngest step-daughter, Ashley, had been “gifted” with this trip for Christmas, as I wrote in my blog this time last year.  Little did either of us know that this experience would be the catalyst for a life-changing journey for her.  Travel can be transformational, as I’ll be writing about in my soon-to-be-published book!

 

3.

I have my favorite places, and if you read this blog with any regularity you’ll know that Cuba is one of them.  I organized a conference of electrical contractors and made friends with the 14-year-old daughter of one of the local dignitaries who spoke to my group.  When I returned to Cuba in November, I invited Natalie and her mother to the International Ballet Festival with us.

4a.

One of the greatest benefits of my job are the invitations I receive to “inspect” destinations, courtesy of wonderful suppliers (like Taj Hotels and Turkish Airlines).  An invitation included three amazing places – so I couldn’t resist!  Obviously the gateway for the airline, I enjoyed time in one of the world’s prettiest cities, Istanbul, and had a blast with new friends from my industry.

4b.

5.

If you’re one of those who think I’ve been everywhere, you’d be incorrect.  One place that has been on my list of “Intriguing Places I’ll Get to One of these Days” is the historic town of Todos Santos – on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.  This place is a sleeper!  In fact, I was so enthusiastic about it that a very important client chose it as the destination for their weekend retreat next April.  So I have another excuse (as if I need an excuse!) to go “inspect” it in greater detail, prior to operating the actual program!

6.

Even a beautiful place like Maui can be a challenge: how to “wow” people in such a laid-back, predictable destination?  But we can’t disappoint our long-time client – NECA’s Western Region – who have faithfully entrusted us with their summer regional meetings since 1989!  The answer: import my good friend and entertainer-extraordinaire, Andrew Johns, decorate with lots of neon – and throw an unforgettable farewell party!

7.

I’ve created a tradition in my family – when a nephew or niece turns “double-digits,” they get a round-trip ticket to California to visit their favorite Aunt Marilyn.  No parents allowed.  It’s always super-fun for all involved – especially for Aunt Marilyn!

8.

Slovenia was a first-time destination for one of my long-time clients: a group of radio advertisers from KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia.  And, oh, what a beautiful experience it was to “wow” them with experiences they’ll never forget!  So fabulous, in fact, that it will be a WOW! Travel Club trip in Fall of 2016!

9.

This was a milestone birthday year for me, and I was determined to celebrate my “sweet sixtieth!”  Me and my best friend, Kathleen (another Scorpio) took a road trip to see our mutual friend, Donna and her husband, Eric, up in Mariposa, near Yosemite.  People come from all over the planet to experience a place that’s practically in my backyard … a place I’ve been only once before.  We had an amazing time, and I came home with a life-sized flying pink pig as a birthday present to myself.

10.

Step-daughter, Sandy, lives on the opposite coast, in Jacksonville, Florida, with my grandkids, Rebecca and Bryce.  My infrequent visits there are short, sweet and always so much fun.  Nine-year-old Bryce wanted to skip school so he could hang out with us.   Sandy, Super-Mom and shrewd negotiator that she is, extracted his agreement to a haircut, which I got to witness.  Fortunately, he loves his new, “silky soft” hair!  Halloween night was spent on Lincoln Road in South Beach (Miami).  In a word: wild!

11.

My favorite aunt is 98 and still sharp as a tack!  Hope I’ve inherited her genes!  My husband, Scott, is a pilot … he flew us to Phoenix to visit with Aunt Lil and my cousin Karen for Thanksgiving.  I checked out a few private jets during a refueling stop near Palm Desert.  (One of these days, I want to own my own jet!!  A girl can dream, can’t she?)

12.

No matter how far I roam, there’s no place like home.  Corny, but true.  My wonderful husband, daughters Ashley and Erica, kitties, friends and my beloved CTP team are the glue that holds my crazy life together.

 

 

And so, the year draws to a close.  It was, indeed, a very good year.  Filled with fun, friends and family.  Yes – a very good year, indeed!

Thanks for sharing the journey with me!