I have returned home after three months of travelling around Alaska, the Californian Coast, Mexico, Hawaii and French Polynesia and reality has hit me!
Real life after travelling is nice but overwhelming!
If you have been following my travels you will know I travel with my husband that works onboard a cruise ship. Hence my blog tagline ‘The Travelling Wife Cruising Around the World’.
Alaska
This has been another long trip, but it was lovely to see Alaska properly. I have worked many Alaska seasons when I was still working onboard, but I never really saw much.
This time I made the most of my 4 weeks there and visited glaciers up close from a small boat to landing on top of one in a helicopter. I saw wildlife up close and totem poles.
Glacier Bay | Juneau | Ketchikan | Skagway
Californian Coast
After sailing around Alaska, we sailed south to the California coast and on the way we stopped in Astoria, Oregon. This was a new port for me and I enjoyed a lovely tour of the Oregon coast.
We then sailed to San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The weather was great whilst in these port so I saw the Golden Gate Bridge in its full glory.
Santa Barbara was a food and drink day on an amazing food tour and LA was spent in Long Beach catching up with friends.
Oregon Coast | San Francisco | Santa Barbara
Hawaii & French French Polynesia
I went back to Hawaii and French Polynesia. It was fantastic to go back to Hawaii and French Polynesia as they are my favourites! Especially Bora Bora in French Polynesia, pure paradise.
It took a long time to get down there, only 8 days at sea! But it is worth it in the end when you get there. I got to see another new port; Pago Pago in American Samoa on the way down to French Polynesia. It is a beautiful little lush tropical island.
Hawaii | Oahu | Kauai | Maui | French Polynesia
Mexico
We spent a lot of time in Mexico on seven cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. They were nice for the margaritas!
Also, short mini cruises of 4/5 days either just to Cabo San Lucas or to Ensenada and Catalina Island, California. Catalina Island was another new port for me and it was a nice new place to go, a really pretty island across the water from Los Angeles.
Mexico | Catalina Island
Back Home
Since I have been back home my feet have not touched the ground. After a 14 hour flight, I have been suffering from jet lag. I wish my body would just understand and sleep at night-time!
Within two days of being at home, we have been to Lake Como, lovely but I would have preferred a week at home to recover!
Now, it is time to get ready for Christmas, our tree is up, the turkey is ordered and the Christmas shopping is done. If you need a helping hand with your Christmas shopping check out my gift guides for travellers and cruisers.
Traveller Gift Guide | Cruiser Gift Guide | Travel Beauty Gift Guide | Christmas Decorations
It’s Not the End!
I love to travel so, even though I am home there will be lots of travel blog posts from around Italy and the UK and you will be reading them very soon!
Happy Holidays
Love Lucy x
What a fantastic itinerary, from the Alaskan ice to the tropical dream islands of the Pacific… It’s so hard to be back home after living like in a dream for so long. 2 years ago I have spent 3 months around Asia and well, on the last day I wished I could start over again! But as you said, there will be more trips and it’s also nice to be back home for Christmas
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It has been nice being home, but miss the travel too! I know 2018 there will be lots of travelling!
Sounds like you had a great year. I dont know what I would like more your adventures in French Polynesia or Alaska. I mean they are all awesome…who doesnt like margaritas in Mexico but I love being in the outdoors hiking and smelling the woods while in reality I am an Island boy at heart. Bora Bora and Samoa are definitely on my bucket list.
To many great new adventures to you and your family in 2018…CHEERS!!
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They were both fantastic! Happy New Year for 2018
I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise ship. I certainly plan to get at least one in 2018. It would be really interesting to take a cruise along the west coast US, as that’s where I grew up. But Mexico also sounds fantastic. I didn’t realize the cruises from the US got to Bora Bora in only 8 days! Sounds like a really great adventure. I’ll be following in your footsteps.
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Cruising is a fun way to travel and see a lot in a short space of time. I hope you get to taste your first cruise in 2018.
What an awesome year of travel! Sounds like cruising is definitely your thing. French Polynesia and Bora Bora sounds divine! I’ll have to read up on your other post. I loved Catalina when I was there. Do you have your land legs back- must be an interesting transition adjusting back to life after cruising!
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It has been a great year! I have my land legs back, but I never leave anything too close to the edge of a table, just in case it falls off! Lol 😂
That seems like quite a bit of travel and a wonderful year too. I envy you for the Bora Bora islands and the Alaskan cruise. I sure would have wanted to do that as well. Especially Bora Bora for the clear waters.
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Bora Bora, is wonderful and my favourite place in the world!
Sounds like you hit some incredible destinations this year – Hawaii, California and Alaska are among some of my favorite destinations. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and look forward to hearing about your adventures in Italy and the UK soon!
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It has been a great travel year! I hope you had a lovely Christmas & wishing you a Happy New Year Meg!
I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like when we “go home”! We’ve been on the road for almost 5 years. In that time I’ve been home only once, for a visit. But you certainly seemed to pack a lot into your recent 3 months cruising. Having a rather strong fear of deep water, I’ve never seen the attraction of cruising – but it certainly gets you to some very exotic locations.
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Wow! Good luck! The longest I have been away travelling is 10 months and it is hard to get back to ‘normal’ It is a shame that you have a fear of deep water, as cruising is a great way to travel and see so much.
Wow – sounds like quite a trip! But yes, exhausting. Did you feel like you were ready to go back home? I love being on the road but every now and again I dream of having a house and a backyard and furniture! Your cruise sounds amazing – I’ve lived in both Oregon and Hawaii and they are so beautiful, glad you got to explore both! Happy Holidays and welcome home!
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I was ready to go home! Travelling is great fun, but isn’t always glam! I loved Oregon and Hawaii! Happy Holidays!
It all sounds so exciting, especially French Polynesia. I’ve always wanted to visit Bora Bora. But I know what you mean about spending some time at home to recuperate. My jet lag is always awful, too.
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I wish there was a pill you could take for jet lag! Bora Bora is amazing, I hope you get to visit one day! Happy Holidays