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SHARING TRAVEL STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
“The best-laid plans of mice and [wo]man may often go awry.” Do you know this quote? I just discovered that it is actually an adaptation of line in a Robert Burns poem “To A Mouse.” As it was recently Burns night in Scotland and for Scots the world around, it felt timely and apropos. If you ever receive an invite and have the chance to attend a proper Burns Night – do it. Here’s a toast to the lassies and laddies. And try the haggis. Cheers!
But what happens when your best-laid travel plans do go awry. What happens when forces outside your control impact itineraries and timing and whole countries? In our house, January has been filled with excitement and then subsequent trepidation over our collective upcoming travels. My eldest who has been working hard to save money for his gap year journey is to spend a month in New South Wales where brush fires have been ravaging. So we were checking the NSW rural fire service system daily for updates and warnings and have decided it is safe for him to keep his plans and hope his travel monies will inject some needed relief into the region.
The rest of the family was thrilled to meet up with him at the end of his tour of Asia to follow and booked tickets to touchdown in Beijing, China for five days and then continue on to South Korea for ten more days. We were beyond excited, researching what section of the Great Wall we’d all love to see and what kind of crazy food we would try in Seoul and beyond. But a little virus called the coronavirus is curbing our enthusiasm and causing much anxiety. So our new feed turns to updates from the CDC and CNN to see what we should do. Our thoughts are with the Chinese people who are living within quarantined regions that containment and healing comes quickly.
We’re still watching and waiting and anticipate adapting our plans – although not without financial loss and a less compatible time to go. Have you had travel plans impacted by forces unseen? Perhaps a tsunami or hurricane or closed borders beyond your control? How did modify or reconcile your route? I’d love to know. This is a first for our family to fathom something so big.
FAVORITES FROM FARAWAY FILES #150
So maybe we’ll look at traveling to one of these destinations instead for now. These were Claire of Suitcases and Sandcastles, my Faraway Files co-host’s favorites from last week. Thank you to all who linked up.
Maybe we should go to London for one of the many shows and exhibitions on this year. Thanks to Scarlett from Diary of a Londoness for this great guide and inspiration.
Or maybe we could consider checking out any one of these beautiful European castles collected by Lorelei of Caliglobetrotter. There are so many to fulfill any fairytale fantasty! I picked this shot of the Heidelberg Castle and old bridge as we loved this quick stop last year on our grand European summer road trip.
Vaucluse Dreamer shares that maybe we can experience a taste of Asia in our European backyard. Check out tea time and the ancient Japanese artefacts on display in Aix, France
And last, but not least – Usha of Le Coin des Bobby blog shares her interrailing journey to European Christmas markets. I could definitely be down for a train ride to gluhwein.
This week I’m remiscing about our wonderful winter break trip across the Baltic to the capital of Latvia. Lovely Riga is really worth a visit, full of interesting culture and a pretty impressive collection of vintage cars including some cult classics. You can see them all and more on display at the Rīgas Motormuzejs, Riga Motor Museum – come take a virtual drive with me.
FARAWAY FILES TRAVEL BLOG COMMUNITY LINKUP #151
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Jump in! The water is fine! Faraway Files is a creative community of travel bloggers who inspire, engage and share each other’s posts. All participating hosts will read and comment on every post that participates in the spirit of the link-up. We will also share them on social media too. Each week we’ll choose our favorite posts and highlight them on our blogs and social media channels using #FarawayFiles.
HOW IT WORKS:
- Link up one travel-related post and add the Faraway Files badge onto the post or your blog (code below) or link back to the hosts.
- The link-up will go live every Thursday at 8 am UK time (9 am CET) until midnight on Friday. It will alternate between Oregon Girl Around the World and Suitcases and Sandcastles. Check Twitter #FarawayFiles to confirm who is hosting each week.
- Link ups work best if everyone engages so please comment on each of the hosts’ posts and at least two to three others that take your fancy.
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Thanks for picking my castle post! I looooove Heidelberg so I love your choice! xx
I could definitely spent more time there – it’s sooo adorable and such a great vibe. But so many good castles on your list! Cheers Lolo!
Oh dear indeed 2020 started super dramatic – as you say devastating bushfires and viruses! Not us but good friends had their business travels to Hong Kong and it was a huge relief to hear. Praying for all the people in China and the ones already affected globally, amazing to see hospitals built in 48 hours and prompt reactions to what it can become a huge crisis.
Yes it has been crazy to watch! Hoping for China and the world that containment and healing comes quickly.
Start of 2020 has been a bit tough, with the Australian bushfires, coronavirus. Hoping the healing comes soon. I have had a few experiences where we had to cancel or rejig the plan, but they were mostly due to medical emergencies My husband had to have emergency surgery, and then we had to change 15 days holiday to 3 days. And our first of the three day holiday I accidentally spilt a mug of hot coffee over my hand leaving my hand scalded. It was a bit stressful but we still managed the rest of the holiday. And last year we had to change a ski school holiday because I had a corneal damage. Interesting and trying times, but it’s all part of the journey. Thank you for choosing my post as one of the favourites. I will join in the linkup next time.