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After a couple of years of not being able to travel much due to the virus, 2022 was a much better year for travel and I’m pretty happy with the travel adventures I had this year.
In 2022 I traveled to seven countries and twelve U.S. states, exploring Colombia for the second time over nearly two months, I took a dream trip to the Galapagos for three weeks, spent seven weeks in Central Mexico, worked at Gorge Amphitheater in Washington for the summer helping Toby run the glamping onsite, had my Dad visit me in Mexico and the U.S., took a two week Canada road trip, revisited New York, Vancouver (twice), and Seattle (three times), visited a new State – Pennsylvania, explored Washington State extensively, and spent the last six weeks of the year with friends and family in my home country of New Zealand.
Before I get into my travel wishlist for 2023, I thought I would go over my 2022 travel wishlist to take a look at what I managed to do, and what never eventuated.
Review of My Travel Wishlist for 2022
Visit Some New to Me Places in Colombia
Yes, I did visit a number of new to me places in Colombia this year. I visited Isla Grande on the Rosario Islands, Medellin, Jardin, Guatape, El Valle on the Pacific Coast, Manizales, Santa Rosa de Cabal, San Vicente Termales, Filandia, Leticia, and Puerto Nariño!
Do a Central Mexico Trip
Yes, we spent seven wonderful weeks in Central Mexico visiting Mexico City, Queretaro, the Huasteca Potosina waterfalls, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, Cholula, and Puebla.
Visit One New Country
No. I didn’t make it to a new country this year, revisiting countries I had already been to instead.
Do a Multi-Day Hike
No. I didn’t end up getting to do a multi-day hike this year but I’ve already got one lined up for mid-January.
Explore the San Juan Islands in Washington State
Yes, I spent three nights on San Juan Island and one night on Orcas Island and I really loved them both. I also spent three days on nearby Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. I want to go to Lopez Island next year.
Visit Two New National Parks
Yes, I did visit two new to me National Parks this year – North Cascades National Park in Washington and Great Basin National Park in Nevada. I also revisited Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park
Spend a Month in Europe
No. This was a long shot. I didn’t make it to Europe this year but I’m really hoping I can make it happen next year.
Visit One New State
Yes. I visited Pennsylvania this year, my 47th state, spending three nights exploring Philly.
Do a Canada Road Trip
Yes, I did a two-week Canada road trip with my Dad through the Canadian Rockies then over to the mountains of the West Coast of British Columbia followed by an incredible week in my favorite city in the world, Vancouver. I also visited Vancouver for a second time for a long weekend.
Spend Fall in Colorado
Yes, I made it to southern Colorado for peak fall colors in Telluride where I did lots of hiking and took a 4WD tour to the top of Imogene Pass via Tomboy ghost town.
An Epic Adventure For My 40th Birthday
No, I ended up postponing my epic adventure (hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal) until March instead. I ended up celebrating my 40th with some of my American family at an incredible mountain house in Leadville followed by a small party with family and friends in Denver.
Return to New Zealand
Yes, I made it back to New Zealand in mid-November and will be here until the end of January.
My Travel Wishlist For 2023
South Island New Zealand Road Trip
I already have a South Island road trip lined up with my friend Dani in January and I am excited to introduce her to my home country.
We will be doing a loop from Christchurch visiting Arthurs Pass, the West Coast glaciers, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Arrowtown, Cromwell, Clyde, Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo for 2.5 weeks. We will also be hiking part of the Routeburn Track – hopefully it will be the third time lucky for me after two previous failed attempts.
Return to Sydney
I haven’t been back to my former home of Sydney since 2019 so I am excited to be spending a week there in January, visiting friends and some of my favorite places there.
Island Hopping in Thailand
I will be reuniting with Toby in Thailand and after getting our dental check-ups and perhaps some dental work done in Bangkok, we will be heading to the Trang Islands in the Andaman Sea for two weeks!
Hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
Postponed from November this year, we are now planning to hike the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal over two weeks in March and I am both nervous and excited!
See Wild Tigers in Nepal
Another plan for our Nepal trip is to hopefully see tigers in the wild in Chitwan National Park. We are going to try at least!
Trekking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route in Japan
Along with the Annapurna Circuit, I also want to hike the 4-5 day Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail in Japan. This pilgrimage route is one of only two listed with UNESCO – the other is the Camino de Santiago – and it takes you between temples on the mountainous Kii Peninsula in southern Japan.
Seeing Cherry Blossoms in Japan
We are going to be getting to Japan at the end of March so we’re really hoping we will get to see lots of cherry blossoms. I’m not sure where we will go to see them yet, I’m planning to do more research in the next couple of months.
Return to Canada
As we are likely returning to work the summer in Washington again, I definitely want to return to Canada again because we will be so close. As well as returning to Vancouver, I would love to visit another one or two Gulf Islands that I haven’t been to yet, and maybe return to Vancouver Island.
Cruise or Take Ferries on the Alaska Marine Highway
If I have three weeks off again in the summer like last year, I am seriously thinking of taking ferries from the top of Vancouver Island up to Alaska on the Alaska Marine Highway, or flying up and making my way back down. I have been wanting to return to Alaska since my first visit in 2015 so maybe 2023 will be the year.
Do a Backpacking Trip in Washington
Hopefully, Toby will be able to leave the site more this year and we can do a backpacking trip in North Cascades National Park, Mount Baker, or the Enchantments.
Take an Oregon Road Trip
Another trip I would love to do if we have a week to spare is an Oregon Road Trip to Bend, Smith Rock State Park, and maybe Crater Lake National Park. Lots of hiking and hot springs would be involved too.
Visit Two New Countries
This should definitely happen in 2023 as we have plans to visit Nepal and Japan, both new countries for me that I was meant to go to in 2020. I’m hoping I’ll get to visit a couple more at the end of 2023 too, depending on where Toby chooses to visit for our next winter trip.
Visit Family in Atlanta
I hope we can squeeze a visit in to Atlanta sometime in 2023 to see my brother-in-law and new sister-in-law who now live there. I’ve never been to Atlanta and I have heard great things, especially about the food scene.
Get Back to England
I haven’t been back to my former home of London since 2017 so I am well overdue a visit. I would definitely make sure to visit my friend Mel in the Peak District too and maybe finally get to Whitby and the Yorkshire Dales.
What are your travel plans for 2023?
Check out my Travel Bucket Lists for the past few years for further inspiration:
- My Travel Wishlist for 2022
- My Travel Wishlist for 2021
- My Travel Wishlist for 2020
- My Travel Bucket List for 2019
- My Travel Bucket List for 2018
- My Travel Goals for 2017
- My 2015 Travel Plans Revealed
- Update and my Travel Plans for 2014
