What to say about 2018? You were crazy, beautiful, unexpected and nothing I could have ever prepared for!
Below you’ll find my 10 favourite travel moments from 2018 and why they mean so much to me!
This blogpost is a little more personal than what you can usually expect from me but I hope you’ll like it nonetheless.
10. Eating gelato and pizza all around Cinque Terre
Why was this moment so special?
Well, it’s the first time I travelled together with Katie (you know her as @goalsbykate on Instagram) and I can’t imagine my life without her anymore. This trip marked the end of the “old” Charlotte, the one that did everything for the person she thought loved her as much as she loved him. Little did I know that while I was taking photos in Cinque Terre he was on a ship somewhere in Montenegro cheating on me.
One of the main reasons I grew out of it stronger? Thanks to the fact that Katie literally joined me on every trip I could come up with.
And for a less dramatic reason: Cinque Terre has something for everyone.
- Adventurous hikes
- Lounging days at the beach
- A photo worthy spot around every corner
- Delicious Italian food: pack some flowy dresses cause your shorts won’t fit anymore after this trip!
Wanna read more about my trip to Cinque Terre? Click here.
9. Running around Paris
Why was this moment so special?
This trip had everything: amazing nights with a view of the Eiffel Tower, my best friend who was always up for taking “a few more shots”. And well, there is just no city like Paris. It was the first time I didn’t go to Paris with the sole purpose of emptying my wallet at the Rue St. Honoré. It was just a lot of fun to chase all the picturesque spots in this city of lights.
Besides that, the fact that I got to share it with my best friend made it that much more special. Over the past years I have gained and lost a lot of friends. It’s something I struggle with ever since I was a little girl. Getting bullied and being left out… it made for a lot of the insecurities I still have to this day. Like the biggest one: not feeling good enough. And over the past years Thomas has seen me at my best and at my worst and he always stood by me and supported me. He came on this trip even that he wasn’t feeling good himself and I can’t thank him enough for it.
Want to chase those places yourself? Click here.
8. Gazing upon the Pyramids of Egypt for the first time
Why was this moment so special?
Seeing the pyramids was something I had been dreaming about ever since I was a little girl. And that dream finally came true this year. There is nothing that can prepare you for it. Photos simply don’t do it justice. The chills that run up and down your spine when you think of all the blood, sweat and tears that came with building them. Then standing in front of them yourself. It leaves you speechless, humble and grateful that you are able to be here.
This trip was one that I had originally planned to do with my ex. But it was in this very moment that I realised that I never would have had as much fun with him as I had with Katie. And I am happy that I went at the exact time that I was supposed to visit him in Budapest. At points it was gut wrenching and I cried myself to sleep more than once. But it was also part of my healing process and I came out a lot stronger in the end.
Want to read more about my trip to Egypt? Click here.
7. My last time in Budapest
Why was this moment so special?
Over the past 3 years I visited this beautiful city more than I can even remember. It’s where some of my happiest memories were made but also had some of my saddest moments. This was one of them and even that you can’t see it in the photos I cried before, during or after they were taken. Having my heart broken wasn’t something unfamiliar. But the pain that went with this one most definitely was. For almost 3 years I had put my heart, soul and money into this relationship. All to have the rug pulled out from under me. To come home and realise that everything was a big fat lie. Thinking you could still be friends… I guess that’s not an option when out of nowhere all of your photos together get deleted and he puts himself in a FB-official relationship 2 days later. For months I couldn’t believe what had happened. I had believed a liar. Me, the person that had been cheated on so many times before and vowed to herself to always see the signs. I didn’t see it. I didn’t have a clue. And for a long time I blamed myself for not being smarter.
Now I look back on these days with mixed feelings. I am grateful for these last moments spent together in complete and utter denial. But also angry for not getting the chance to properly react on the betrayal. At one point I wasn’t even sure I wanted to post these photos. Then again, I had pulled through the tears back then and I am proud of myself that I found the strength to do that again.
6. Exploring the White Desert in Egypt
Why was this moment so special?
It was by far one of the best trips I ever did and the one I really regret only being 2 days. They say people come here to reflect and take some down time from the busy outside world. Well, I totally get that. The White Desert feels like a giant playground. You can run, jump, sing and just be extremely happy without anyone judging you for it. We stayed overnight in a half-open tent from where I could count a million stars above me. It’s a truly magical place that you can’t miss when visiting Egypt.
It was in this very spot that I laughed out loud like a child for the first time since I got hurt. Everything that had happened just faded away. I don’t know if it was because of the seclusion of this place, but I felt happy. And happiness is a feeling that you simply just can’t put a price on.
Want to read more about my time in the White Desert? Click here.
5. Watching the balloons at sunrise in Cappadocia
Why was this moment so special?
Besides the fairytale vibes in the air, this moment was most special to me because I got to share it with my mom. In the past year we went through a very rough time. I blamed her for a lot that she wasn’t to blame for. I am grateful to have a mom that supports me in my crazy ideas. One who truly believes in me and who only wants the best for me. Even when I sometimes don’t realise what that is exactly.
If you want to read more about my time in Cappadocia, click here!
4. Staying at the Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, India.
Why is this moment so special?
It was my first ever collaboration with a hotel. At only 16K followers back then, Suryagarh saw potential in me and until this day I am so freaking grateful that they did! Suryagarh isn’t just a hotel, it’s an experience. They will make you feel like you actually left this time and transport you back to when maharaja’s ruled over India.
I was treated like a princess for 3 full days and felt like I never wanted to leave. Breakfast was like my own personal Disney movie. Ducks came waddling down the stairs, followed by 2 donkeys, peacocks, white doves and 3 golden retrievers.
Until this day I still have to pinch myself when I think back to this moment. And for that I will be forever grateful.
What did I learn?
I never thought I would be able to stay in a palace like this. But I learned a lesson that day that I keep in mind every time I plan a trip. If you don’t ask, you will always have a no. It’s only when you ask that that no can be turned into a yes.
Want to read more about my stay at Suryagarh? Click here.
3. Chasing waterfalls in Iceland
Why is this moment so special?
Even though Iceland tried to kill us almost everyday (I am not kidding). This trip was the trip of a lifetime! Driving the ring road of Iceland chasing waterfalls was just so much fun and a road trip everyone should do at least once in their life. From slipping on ice to singing along in the car at the top of my voice and spending the night at some amazing camp sites.
Iceland is a country I would love to visit again one day. Driving a big ass camper van was definitely a first for me and the moment we left the station I was absolutely terrified. This thing was huge! But once I got the hang of it I felt so damn proud of myself to be able to control it and drive safely around Iceland.
I kid you not when I tell you that there were several times where I had to plaster on a straight face so Katie wouldn’t completely freak out because of the weather conditions. There were wind gusts like I had never experienced before and that made the wheel shake like crazy. Not ideal when there is nothing standing between you and the icy ocean. Not to mention a mountain pass covered with snow and ice.
Did we have snow chains? No… Did the van loose grip at one point and go backwards towards a ravine? Hell yes… Thank god, or better thanks to that tiny piece of gravel right next to the edge that wasn’t covered in ice where I was able to steer towards to and get our van back on track.
So besides the wonderful scenery, Iceland is especially dear to me cause it gave me so much more confidence in myself.
Want to read more about my road trip? Click here.
2. Exploring Petra
Why is this moment so special?
Well, besides that it’s Petra of course… I almost wasn’t able to see it. Clumsy as I am I had twisted my ankle 2 days prior in Wadi Mujib. By the time we arrived in Wadi Musa it had all the colours purple and was swollen to the size of a tennis ball. I told myself, no biggie, I will be able to stand on it. No… that wasn’t the case. Even jumping on one leg was hurting so much that I was crying on my bed from the pain and frustration.
The entire point of coming to Jordan was to explore Petra… and now I was going to miss it.
There was nothing left to do than put ice on it, keep my foot up and rest.
For an entire day I was on my bed contemplating on how stupid I could have been and why I hadn’t been more careful.
So what happened in the end?
By the time it was evening I carefully tried standing on it and to my surprise it was hurting less! So, then and there I decided to wake up at 4am the next morning and head down to the visitor’s center of Petra to be the first one there!
I was limping all the way through and I most definitely took a pain killer before I went but in the end I made it. I even climbed up to the famous view point and was able to explore almost entire Petra!
Want to read more about my trip to Petra? Click here.
1. Going to Bali on the Pangea Dreams retreat
Why was this trip so special?
If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while I am sure you have heard me gushing about Pangea Dreams more than once. Where to begin…
I guess I have to start with the beginning which was me sitting on a bed in Budapest crying my eyes out. Then and there I decided that I wanted to meet new people, I saw a few other girls talking about the retreat on Instagram and decided to go for it. I booked my flight to Bali the very next day. I was gonna travel to Bali (from Belgium) for the total duration of 7 days… people were calling me mental more than once. But I am so freaking happy that I did it. From the moment I arrived I actually felt understood and these girls that I had only seen on photos before were all so nice and extremely eager to teach us.
What did I learn?
I learned so much from Tracy, Sam, Lisa and my fellow retreat members and truly felt empowered. There were long conversations and moments where you had to look into your soul and be open about who you are and what you feel. But it’s that particular thing that made this retreat so special. It’s not just about teaching content creation, it’s about getting to know and love yourself. So thank you Tracy for creating this community. Thank you Sam for teaching me your magic behind the camera and thank you Katie for being there so I got to meet you and go on batshit crazy adventures with you.
Want to read more about my experience? Click here.
Thank you for reading about my 2018 journey. I hope you like this more personal blogpost and if you do, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Love,
Charlie
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