I am often asked why did I embark on this trip. A fifty something woman, travelling solo around the world for nearly two years. The eyes that look at me are expectant, trying to phantom a reason, trying to imagine a change in my life so drastic that all I could do was to pack my bags and set off to see new worlds. They see me spyglass in hand, perched from the highest mast, glimpsing at a new horizon.

Happy Birthday! At Borobudur, Java

I inevitably feel I am going to disappoint them with my answer as it is so much simpler than that. I talk about not wanting to look back on my life when I get  to a ripe old age and be filled with regret at the things I never found the time or the courage to do. For the most part, they seem unconvinced for they imagined a firework display instead of my plain answer. I feel frustrated at my own ineptitude trying to convey the message.

Angkor, Cambodia

After a while it seemed best to let Mark Twain do it for me: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Ready! Whitsundays

And here I am. Exploring. Dreaming. Discovering.

Lake Louise, Canada