The Trip That Started it All
As I’m writing this, we are battling epic snow in Durango with lots of shoveling and powder snowboarding. Don’t get me wrong, I love the snow and am always searching for that elusive, perfect powder run, but right around now, I wish I could travel back 3 years to my 50th birthday trip lounging by the pool and drinking gin & tonics in Saint Martin. I had rented the gorgeous Villa L’Ancre Bleue in Cul-de-Sac, Saint Martin, Caribbean, and I invited four of my dearest girlfriends to celebrate a big milestone and transition - turning 50. My friend Antje (we go back to pre-school days) even flew in from Germany for the occasion. We chose Saint Martin because it’s French, and we wanted to feel like we were in a different country, and enjoy a baguette, good cheese, and wine. Saint Martin delivered. The food was excellent, great fish markets and lots of awesome fruit and veggies. The restaurants were fantastic and we even went to a carnival in Grand Case. Our villa had a private pool and we could paddle board or kayak across to an uninhabited island, Islet Pinel, for lunch, lounging and snorkeling.
Saint Martin and others have been battered by Hurricane Irma recently but I’m happy to report that most of it is rebuilt. The Villa where we stayed on my 50th birthday trip is back and looking sharp.
My Travel Quest | I chose to celebrate my 50th with a trip because I had wanted to travel more, now that the timing was right. The kids are out of the house, my real estate business is well organized and I can leave without too much disruption. As an empty nester, I’ve got time, disposable income and energy, so what better than to do what I’m passionate about - traveling. In January of 2019, as I was making resolutions and discerning what else to do with my life, it came to me. I created my travel quest and 55 by 55 Travel was born! I’m going to 55 countries in 5 years, finishing up in two years with my 55th birthday trip. I’ve traveled to 16 countries so far and have a fair number to go. I’m excited to go see all kinds of new places, and especially want to visit South America, more African countries, India, and Asia. I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with you. Stay tuned for more.
Love Claudia