Highlights of Year 13 as Digital Nomads

This month was our thirteenth 12 months of full-time journey and a 12 months of reunions!

After greater than two years away from our households and pals internationally, we made some extent of going to see all of them. Of course, we did handle to slide in some aspect journeys to some new places too…

Las Vegas!

We started our thirteenth 12 months as Digital Nomads in Vegas! We splurged on an evening on the Bellagio, spent the afternoon consuming ridiculously enormous cocktails within the pool, and loved their awe-inspiring fountain reveals from our room.

I have to additionally confess to indulging in a little bit of playing. I went into the poker site with $200 and got here out with $280. Not dangerous for my first go in a reside poker site, particularly after I managed to lose $100 on my first hand (the much less mentioned about that foolishness, the higher).

Back to the UK

Our reunion tour started with a short cease in Milton Keynes to see Erin’s dad and mom, a aspect journey to London to see our pals and meet their youngsters (we met so many new youngsters this 12 months), and Burnley to see my mum and stepdad.

The Scottish Borders

My dad moved simply earlier than the pandemic and now lives up in Scotland, in a beautiful small village within the borders, and it was our first time visiting him there.

Scotland is a wonderful nation, and we found extra of it on varied walks and hikes with them.

My dad and stepmum have additionally gotten into taking part in curling, and so they took us alongside to strive it out.

The Peak District

We rented a spot within the Peak District for a month in March. We spent a lot time on this little stone cottage, consuming tea and doing puzzles by the roaring hearth, residing our greatest Cosycore lives.

Our family and friends from the Manchester space would go to us, and we’d go on pretty hikes with them throughout the encircling countryside.

Our favorite hikes within the space have been Lantern Pike, which started exterior our door, the Snake Path Circular, and the Kinder Reservoir Circular.

I found that I needed to discover ways to play golf to qualify for my Middle Aged Man membership card. So I acquired myself some golf classes, and it was tremendous enjoyable.

That is till I pulled a muscle in my again (though, tbh, I believe this impressed the Committee—nothing like pulling a muscle you didn’t know you had whereas doing a brand new sport to really feel the many years).

Highclere Castle and a Wedding

We headed again down South and took Erin’s Nan and Aunt to Highclere Castle, or Downton Abbey, as most individuals comprehend it. We acquired to see rooms from the present and, randomly, some Egyptian artefacts within the basement.

Some folks dressed as characters from the present like absolute legends. Having seen how properly they slot in with the environment, dressing like a Twenties flapper must be a situation of entry.

From there, we went to Stevenage to see my stepsister get married. I acquired to meet up with household I hadn’t seen in over a decade. We ended up sitting with a bunch of non-drinkers, but one way or the other all the wine on the desk acquired consumed.

Weirdly, I had a light headache the subsequent day. I believe it was from all of the speaking.

Worthing

Worthing is a pleasant seaside city that’s the smaller, quieter sibling of close by Brighton.

We spent our days hanging out with pals, occurring bike rides up and down the promenade, sitting on the pebbly seashore, visiting the pier, consuming on the nice meals vehicles, and having saunas on the seashore.

This final one concerned an incredible little transformed horse trailer proper on the seashore with views out to the ocean. When it will get too scorching inside, you run into the completely bloody freezing sea to chill again down once more.

Read extra about all of the enjoyable issues to do in Worthing and the finest Worthing eating places.

Erin’s dad celebrated his seventieth birthday whereas we have been there, and we handled him and some of his pals to a weekend away at Foxhills, a elaborate golf membership and resort.

I may put all of my golf expertise to the check and everybody I used to be with wished I hadn’t.

I visited London to play music with an outdated pal and in addition to fulfill up with a fellow app developer, Taiwo. He has an app on the iOS App Store referred to as Taiword, which I nonetheless play every day—when you’re a fan of five-letter phrase video games, test it out!

Corfu

Having been away from Europe for therefore lengthy, we couldn’t wait to get again there! We needed to be settled for a bit (and Erin needed a correct summer season), so we settled for six weeks on Corfu in a splendid, moderately grand home up within the hills.

There is an area customized on the island that you simply feed the stray cats which are round if and while you really feel prefer it. Three strays would frequently present up on the home, and we began leaving bowls of meals out for them.

Eventually, we gained sufficient belief for certainly one of them to steer her new kittens to us, and so they adopted our entrance porch as their new dwelling. It was the cutest factor on the planet! For six weeks, we acquired to play with these cute little fluffballs.

Playing with kittens wasn’t the one factor we did there (though it definitely was an important)—we additionally hiked to Porto Timoni seashore, which is that this pleasant cove with two seashores again to again, spent our afternoons on the solar loungers on the San George bar; and ate on the many little tavernas within the space.

We additionally rented a ship a number of instances to get to the quieter coves and the bluest waters. The sea was heat and alluring, and the color of the water was unreal.

Before leaving the island, we spent an evening in Corfu Town, a wonderful historic centre that’s a pleasure to stroll round.

Return to Puglia

Puglia is certainly one of our favorite areas in Italy, and a spot we now have written about extensively and returning there didn’t disappoint.

Matera

We went straight to Matera (truly in neighbouring Basilicata), a singular place with a storied and considerably troubling previous that has been reborn into a shocking metropolis that we love.

We spent our 4 days there searching down the very best locations to get pleasure from an aperitivo, and we discovered a winner: Terrazza Cavaliere. It’s an unassuming place with moderately priced drinks and first rate snacks (learn extra about our finest locations to eat in Matera).

Bari

Bari is extra chaotic than Matera however has plenty of appeal hidden in its slim, winding streets full of women making contemporary orecchiette pasta.

We spent our time in Bari like we spend our time in any city or metropolis in Italy, consuming! There is a few incredible focaccia, decadent panzerotti (fried dough full of varied fillings resembling mozzarella and tomato), and unimaginable pizza available.

Seriously, the pizza at Pizzeria di Cosimo is among the finest (and most cost-effective) we’ve ever had.

Read extra concerning the finest issues to do in Bari.

A Month in Salento

For August, we rented an AirBnB close to the charming little village of Felline. This unassuming village had a beautiful piazza with a number of good eating places, and so, in fact, we ate at as many as we may.

We spent our time in Salento trying out the very best seashores in Puglia, together with one indulgent day on the seashore at Porto Cesareo.

To lease the sunbeds price €200, however that price will get added as credit score to your account, and you can use that to order food and drinks all through the day. A candy reward for all our work hanging out on all these seashores with out champagne bars.

We additionally took a aspect journey and spent an evening at a seashore resort in Castro, one other fantastic little Italian city with a wonderful city sq. set excessive on the hill that overlooks the marina.

Sweden

My brother moved to Stockholm simply after my niece was born final 12 months. I nonetheless hadn’t met her or my two-year-old nephew, because of the pandemic.

We discovered a pleasant AirBnB overlooking the water, a two-minute stroll from my brother’s, which was an ideal little base for per week of kiddy time and a few exploration of Stockholm.

We took the commuter boat into the centre and wandered the outdated city, the place we stumbled upon the king and queen of Sweden arriving dwelling in a horse-drawn carriage.

Stockholm was an surprising gem for us that we completely loved.

It’s so pretty being surrounded by all that water. Everyone takes benefit of it in the summertime months, swimming and kayaking (Erin joined them a couple of instances—I didn’t as a result of I can’t deal with something colder than the Mediterranean).

Despite being a large metropolis, it has a laid-back really feel, and it’s straightforward to get away from the crowds and visitors and stroll alongside the water.

Back to the USA

We spent a couple of days in Bristol, catching up with Victoria and Steve from Bridges and Balloons. We met the newest addition to their household, and Victoria confirmed us a few of her favorite meals spots.

Bristol is a superb metropolis. It’s sufficiently small to be manageable however has quite a bit to supply, and we plan to spend so much extra time there in future.

Then it was off certainly one of my favorite locations…

Disney World Orlando

As this was my postponed fortieth birthday journey, we went all out.

We stayed on the Yacht Club reverse the Boardwalk and inside strolling distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. An ideal location which I took full benefit of—I cherished popping into the parks on a whim.

I used to be excited to see the brand new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge space at Hollywood Studios, and it didn’t disappoint. Rise of the Resistance is likely one of the most breathtaking experiences that Disney has produced.

The new Guardians of the Galaxy journey at Epcot can be plenty of enjoyable, if considerably difficult to get on to.

Read our information to the finest issues to do at Disney World and the finest rides at Magic Kingdom.

We had per week at Disney after which three nights at Universal, the place we stayed on the Portofino resort, which was additionally inside strolling distance of the parks.

Highlights at Islands of Adventure included Harry Potter World and the brand new Hagrid journey, which does issues that I’ve by no means skilled a curler coaster do earlier than, and the Jurassic Park Velocicoaster.

Austin

We spent three weeks in Austin, Texas visiting pals. Austin is a beautiful metropolis, and the realm we stayed in was filled with tree-lined streets that have been a pleasure to stroll round. Also, town has incredible tacos and margaritas.

We loved a raclette evening at Antonelli’s Cheese House and an evening out at Tiki Tatsu-Ya, this distinctive Tiki bar the place ordering sure cocktails would trigger dramatic issues to occur within the bar. Of course, we made certain we ordered these cocktails.

Hawaii

We love Hawaii, and getting again there’s at all times a pleasure. We spent a week on Oahu, mountaineering via the tropical forests, snorkelling, and flying across the island on a doors-off helicopter journey.

Some of this time was spent on the wonderful Turtle Bay Resort, which lived as much as its title when Erin noticed (after which swam with) turtles whereas on an early morning run. Then later that day, I surfed with them throughout a lesson.

Then we went to the Big Island, which is so totally different to the opposite islands. Landing on the airport and seeing miles and miles of volcanic rock in every single place with little or no vegetation is extremely dramatic and otherworldly.

We had probably the greatest experiences we’ve ever had—swimming with manta rays. These huge however mild creatures are interested in the plankton that themselves are interested in lights within the water.

The manta rays will swim so near you whereas they feed (typically solely an inch away)! Just so beautiful to get to see these lovely animals so shut.

We went paddleboarding at sundown on these customized paddleboards that characteristic clear noses with lights to see what’s occurring beneath you.

We had a cheeky evening at one of many resorts close by, the Westin Hapuna, after which headed over to the opposite aspect of the island.

This aspect is quite a bit greener, and we stayed at a beautiful little cottage within the rainforest the place Erin loved her hammock trip within the backyard.

Visiting close by Volcano National Park was a deal with. Hiking via the caldera with energetic smoke vents and returning within the night to see the eruptions in the dead of night was a particular spotlight.

We additionally, considerably randomly, had among the finest Thai curries on the Tuktuk Thai meals truck. I extremely suggest the Masaman curry, probably the greatest I’ve had exterior Thailand.

Read extra about our unmissable issues to do on the Big Island.

Return to New Zealand

We fell in love with New Zealand in the course of the pandemic and couldn’t wait to return.

Finally, after a 12 months of continuous journey, we have been able to cool down for a couple of months and located a home in Titahi Bay, simply exterior Porirua, close to Wellington.

It’s a beautiful little spot, two minutes from an extended seashore in a picturesque bay.

For my birthday, we returned to Martinborough, a splendid wine area with good wineries. I handled myself to a field of classic Pinot Noirs relationship again to 2009.

We had a correct Christmassy Christmas for the primary time in a couple of years, with an actual Christmas tree. We purchased presents to place below it, made some home made mince pies, and loved a correct roast dinner with our pals.

Since mountaineering the Narrows in Zion final 12 months, we now have found that we love strolling via chilly rivers, so between Christmas and New Year, we hiked via Patuna Chasm.

Afterwards, we retreated to a glamping spot close by. No telephones, no web, only a babbling river exterior our tent. An excellent option to recharge.

It’s been nice for us to have a house base for the final 5 months. I purchased a drum package to go together with the bass I left right here final time, and Erin purchased a stand-up paddleboard to take out on the bay—the place she was fortunate sufficient to see dolphins who, interested by her paddling, came to visit to see her and swim below the board.

Being settled someplace longer has allowed us to do issues we don’t normally do.

Erin took swimming classes to study a correct entrance crawl, and I did a stand-up comedy class the place I discovered how you can write and carry out my first 5 minutes.

We’ve taken a couple of aspect journeys whereas we’ve been right here, most notably to Cape Palliser, the place we stayed in one other glamping spot, this time fabricated from two transformed delivery containers with beautiful views out into the Cook Strait throughout to the South Island.

New Challenges

I’ve began visiting a life coach to cope with some relationship points (not with Erin, it must be mentioned—we’re as strong as ever!). It’s probably the greatest issues I’ve achieved and has opened my eyes to the other ways wherein we’re conditioned to behave which are usually detrimental to our well-being.

Men particularly usually are not taught how you can cope with their feelings correctly whereas additionally being taught that studying how you can (by, for instance, going to remedy) is a few sort of failure.

I now firmly consider it’s the other. If you have got the sources, strive it out. I’ve already made vital adjustments which have improved my high quality of life.

Our enterprise (now targeted on this journey weblog after Trail Wallet’s retirement this 12 months) continues to thrive, and this has been our greatest 12 months but, so thanks in your continued help.

It’s good to really feel like we’re on strong floor once more after the terrifying uncertainty of the pandemic.

I’m excited to tackle some new challenges this 12 months, certainly one of which is to reboot our publication!

I can be taking on the drafting duties, and when you’d wish to obtain my missives in your mailbox, enroll beneath:

In response to what’s occurring with the Big Name social networks, (a phenomenon Cory Doctorow has referred to as “enshittification“), I’ve been exploring options and created an account on Mastodon for Never Ending Voyage.

I’ll submit there completely sooner or later, so come be a part of us! You can discover us at @[email protected] (the Washington Post has a information that can assist you get began)!

Our visa right here in New Zealand expires in April and we plan to go to Queensland in Australia after which Japan later within the 12 months. We’re particularly enthusiastic about Japan because it’s certainly one of our favorite locations and it was closed for therefore lengthy.

It feels nice to have the ability to totally journey once more, and we’re excited for the 12 months forward!

Happy travels!
Simon (and Erin)