I didn’t write a spherical up in 2020 as a result of I spent most of it caught in a strict lockdown in Goa, all my work initiatives and journey plans, together with working my first group tour in Kerala, had been cancelled so I didn’t really feel I had a lot good to say! (I did get to go on a tremendous journey to Sri Lanka in February 2020 earlier than the world modified although)
However regardless of the percentages 2021 turned out to be an amazing 12 months of journey for me so I wished to write down a spherical up submit, firstly for my very own reminiscence, but in addition to present you a peak behind the scenes of what appears like a glamourous life on Instagram and to point out that journey is potential in these difficult instances!
Goa, India
I noticed within the New 12 months, as ordinary, watching the fireworks on the seashore close to my residence in Goa, India. It was a little bit of a lonely Christmas and New 12 months and an odd season for me as many shut associates who would usually spend the winter season in Goa had been unable to return as India was not open for vacationers.
However whereas the remainder of the world was again in lockdown, India was reporting herd immunity and most of the people thought Covid was completed in India. Goa was extremely free – having fun with events, workshops and social occasions beneath the sunshine with none restrictions and busy with home vacationers.
With no worldwide vacationers some companies had closed and the place there was noisy seashore shacks was as an alternative fishing boats and nature.
A small, intimate neighborhood had fashioned as a lot of the remaining foreigners had been (fortunately) caught in Goa because the nation closed in March 2020, whereas Indian’s who may now do business from home started to maneuver to the seashores of Goa. With out my common circle of associates there was quite a lot of area for private progress and I additionally ended up making quite a lot of new associates.
Simply after New 12 months I had a small scooter accident which led to me having to remain residence for just a few weeks whereas my foot healed. As I spend a lot time in Goa it kinda felt like a street accident was inevitable sooner or later so I’m simply glad it wasn’t too dangerous, plus it gave me time to remain at residence to get numerous work executed and simply to be nonetheless and alone with myself.
Random street journeys to ‘actual India.’
As every state in India has totally different entry guidelines I haven’t travelled round India as a lot as I’d have favored just lately. One of many highlights of the season was a random 2 day group street journey to Karnataka and Maharashtra.
A gaggle of associates from our writers membership had been lacking ‘actual India’ so we headed out on scooters alongside the backroads of Goa, up and over Chorla Ghat to Karnataka.
We stayed on the cute Pink Hills Nature Resort and went for lunch within the city of Belagavi (also called Belgaum) earlier than driving on throughout the farm lands of Maharashtra and discovering Tilari Waterfalls. There was no visitors or checks on these again street borders. It was exhilarating to be so free and exploring once more!
Whereas heading again down the Ghats into Goa, beneath the sunshine of the complete moon, I noticed a sight that can stick with me ceaselessly when a leopard crossed the street and disappeared into the jungle proper in entrance of me! What a blessing, I virtually couldn’t consider my eyes!
This street journey jogged my memory of the sensation of freedom that journey provides me and the thrill of exploring and new place, even when it’s not a touristic vacation spot. I really like exploring random locations the place I’ve no expectations essentially the most! Particularly discovering new locations which are so near residence.
The second wave
By April the warmth had intensified and Covid instances had been quickly on the rise as a result of a brand new variant. It felt like dejavu – however this time alot worse with no oxygen or hospital beds obtainable. I feared getting caught in one other strict lockdown with no meals or flights out. So I began to make plans to depart however didn’t get there in time earlier than the UK introduced arrivals from India must bear lodge quarantine.
The one flights working to and from India we inside the air bubble scheme and with most nations banning arrivals from India and UK choices had been very restricted. It was a demanding time with guidelines altering consistently. I booked flights to Egypt and The Maldives however each had been cancelled as extra borders closed.
Hola Mexico!
Actually the one nation that may let me in at the moment was Mexico! It was someplace I’d at all times wished to go to and sounded much more thrilling than an costly lodge quarantine! I booked a ticket and three days later flew with Air France from Mumbai through Paris to Mexico Metropolis.
Two lengthy flights to the other aspect of the world nevertheless it was among the best flight experiences as a result of I had an entire row of seats to myself and getting into Mexico was simple – No visa, quarantine or take a look at required (I did a take a look at anyway earlier than I left India to make certain I used to be secure)
Mexico Metropolis was so alive! It was charming, intoxicating and in contrast to wherever I’d visited earlier than. I cherished the historic Spanish structure, the thrill of the trendy metropolis, the hip neighbourhoods, parks, cafes and museums, the traditional pyramids at Teotihuacan and naturally the meals, color, music and enthusiasm for all times that the Mexicans have.
After every week in fascinating Mexico Metropolis it was time to flee town life. As an alternative of the favored and touristic Yucatan Peninsular I headed to the scenic and little developed Oaxaca Coast. First to the surf city of Puerto Escondido after which to Mazunte and Zipolite – Mexico’s solely nudist seashore!
These laidback, hippie, yoga hotspots felt just like the Goa of Mexico and had been arduous to depart. After just a few weeks I prised myself off the seashores to discover the colorful metropolis of Oaxaca earlier than heading again to Mexico Metropolis.
The one downside was I didn’t converse Spanish and hardly anybody spoke English. I picked up primary survival Spanish on the street and the Mexicans are pleasant, useful and tolerant so I managed but when I’d had extra time to plan I’d undoubtedly study some Spanish first! Learn extra of my ideas for Mexico right here.
Additionally See: My Mexico Itinerary and Route and My Suggestions for Touring Mexico
The draw back of the touring and digital nomad way of life
Whereas I cherished Mexico and wished to discover far more I couldn’t shake this sense that one thing was lacking. There have been loads of travellers to attach with however I nonetheless felt lonely. I used to be lacking a sure somebody and it appeared meaningless to expertise all these stunning locations with out somebody particular.
One of many largest downsides to the touring and digital nomad way of life is that it’s arduous to type and keep long run relationships. Positive, you meet many fascinating folks on the street however they arrive and go. All too quickly you need to say goodbye as folks proceed on their very own journeys. It may be a lonely life.
I met Damien in Goa just a few years in the past. He was staying in a hostel that my pal was working in so we grew to become a part of the identical friendship group and regularly progressed from being associates to extra.
We had been separated for 7 months as a result of journey restrictions. As Mexico was not on the UK’s lodge quarantine checklist, I may now head again to the UK and reconnect with Damien and my household after simply residence quarantine.
Despite the fact that I like to journey as a lot as potential, I feel it’s actually vital to go residence not less than annually to have a break and meet up with household, associates and my roots.
Reconnecting with my roots and household within the UK
I used to be nervous to return to the UK however I discovered it actually wasn’t as dangerous because the information made it out to be. For the primary time in ages I truly loved being in my residence nation that I had been working away from for thus lengthy!
As an alternative of going to my residence in Suffolk, I stayed with Damien in Canterbury and loved exploring the historic Cathedral metropolis, the quaint, oyster mad, seaside city of Whitstable close by and the countryside and castles of Kent. It was nice to have somebody to go exploring with once more.
We took a visit to Glastonbury city and found the city had a lot to supply than simply the well-known pageant with sacred websites and a excessive road of eccentric characters and non secular retailers – it felt just like the Goa of the UK!
We additionally loved the buzzing environment of the hip seaside city of Brighton throughout a heatwave because the UK celebrated ‘Freedom Day’ when all restrictions and masks mandates ended and the nightclubs reopened.
The UK appeared just like the freest place to be and it was nice to be with my family members once more, having fun with household visits in Suffolk and Wales, seeing my sister’s first residence and assembly my associates new infants. I even attended a weekend music pageant with associates I hadn’t seen for 10 years – an virtually surreal expertise after latest restrictions.
Additionally see: My Information to Canterbury and My Information to Brighton
An epic Spain and Portugal street journey
In September we set off on an epic street journey round Spain and Portugal. I felt like so lengthy since I had been in Europe and it was good to fall in love once more, each with Europe and with Damien discovering our circulation touring collectively.
We took a 24 hr ferry from Portsmouth, UK to Bilbao in Northern Spain and spent a month feeling the liberty of journey and driving 3,500 km throughout Spain and Portugal!
After exploring San Sebastian, Madrid, Granada, Orgiva and Seville in Spain, we drove throughout the bridge from Spain to Portugal with none checks or paperwork required.
As soon as in Portugal we explored the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto. We spent a while with associates on their farm in central Portugal and found the historic village of Monsanto and even met a relative’s two week outdated child in Braga earlier than heading again to Spain to catch the ferry residence.
An sudden spotlight was the gorgeous, alpine like, areas of Austrias and Cantabria in Northern Spain with the elegant, laid again metropolis of Oviedo and the gorgeous harbour city of San Vicente de la Barquera.
I additionally rekindled my love for Andalusia and completely fell in love with the structure and flamboyant fashion of Seville. What an epic journey!
Learn Extra: Our Epic Spain and Portugal Street Journey – Route, Itinerary and Suggestions
Feeling dangerous concerning the impact on the surroundings of all this journey I researched Carbon Offsetting. The Gold Customary offsetting program is backed by inexperienced teams together with WWF. Their web site makes it simple to calculate your carbon footprint and select the place your cash goes to assist offset the carbon. I selected to donate to renewable power and cleaner cooking stoves initiatives in India and take steps to cut back my footprint the place I can.
Again to the sunshine – collectively this time
Coming again to the UK from Spain and the climate was already feeling boring and miserable. To keep away from being caught in several nations over winter once more we made a fast cease within the UK to type out visas and paperwork for India and headed again residence to Goa in November simply in time for one more season within the sunshine of the place I really like essentially the most. This time collectively!
Learn Extra: India Reopens for Tourism! – Entry Necessities and The right way to Get a Visa.
Plans for 2022
We plan to work collectively on the weblog; Damien’s working behind the scenes on a contemporary new look, we can be including extra on {couples} journey and attempting to not get separated by borders once more!
Solo journey has been a tremendous and transformational journey that I extremely advocate everybody tries not less than as soon as. However to expertise the sweetness and journey on the planet with somebody particular to share it with provides one other dimension to my ardour for all times and journey.
We hope to discover extra of Goa, hop throughout from India to the Maldives, and to journey extra in Europe, Mexico and Central America.
2022 appears prefer it may be one other 12 months of changeable journey restrictions however Mexico and Central America are at the moment the most effective wager for trouble free journey and such stunning and thrilling locations to discover.
Who is aware of what sort of challenges 2022 will throw at us however no matter occurs not less than we are going to face it collectively.
Right here’s to the subsequent chapter and a wonderful 2022!
What was your 2021 like? Did you journey wherever and what are your hopes and goals for 2022?
Additionally see:
My 2019 Roundup
Our Spain and Portugal street journey
My Mexico Itinerary
