Reminiscing: 2007 in travel

Another year already? Admittedly, I haven't been exactly prolific in my blogging this past year, except for those 7 or 8 weeks in the fall when I wasn't, well, either working or sick, or working while sick. This year was a much less stellar year in terms of miles traveled (only about 70,000, didn't make it to 1K on United -- ack! No more red carpet for me!), but in terms of life experiences and perspective, it's definitely got a one-up on 2006.

Cities visited in 2007 (in no particular order) -- in an homage to the Facebook / TripAdvisor variable-sized text format:

Barcelona Hyde Park Hong Kong Las Vegas Orlando Bangkok Albany New York Frankfurt Hanoi Siem Reap Maui Point Reyes Monterey Napa Detroit Cambria Kailua-Kona Manassas Carmel Hilo Macao Bangkok Chiang Mai Vancouver Yountville Denver San Diego Washington DC
Ann Arbor San Simeon

Some particularly memorable moments:

All beds and no breakfasts - stayed at not one but two B&B's this year, one for night, and another for a week and still managed to not eat a single breakfast. The two places were the Maison Fleurie in Yountville and the Journeys Inn in Hyde Park. Both were excellent and highly recommended. Not so sure about the breakfasts though.

The upgrade of a lifetime - that would be the Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok. We booked two regular rooms, and got upgraded to one of the penthouse suites in the hotel (the hotel was sold out), complete with formal dining room, a separate entrance for 'the help', and a jacuzzi on the wraparound balcony / patio with panoramic views of Bangkok. I mean, what else would you have on your patio? My parents are still talking about this one.

The most un-vacation-like vacation - the Pastry Boot Camp at the Culinary Institute of America. Lectures at 7am, baking in the bakeshop by 8am. And yet I loved every moment of it.

Most "duh" moment - going to Hawaii (Maui, to be precise) for the first time. Ever. Closely followed by the second time (Big Island). Why didn't anyone tell me about this place?!

Best last minute getaway - Barcelona. Planned only 2 weeks in advance. 4 days of all-out Spanish goodness. Doesn't get better than that.

Biggest luxury - Time. Taking 2 months off this year really helped to put life in perspective. And gives a whole new meaning to work/life balance.

Hardest farewell - You know who you are. It's been one crazy roller coaster ride these last couple of years, but it just wasn't in the cards for us. It's been fun traveling the world with you. Take care of yourself, and goodbye.

And with that, 2008 starts with a bang! First up, Honolulu (island #3 of 5 in my Hawaiian adventures), closely followed by LA, Vancouver, and Vegas. And who knows what other travel adventures await this year!