Adventure Travel – Our 3 Most Memorable Moments
Travel creates memories to last a life time, in our case it’s our adventure travel moments that stand out. When we first started traveling around the world, we drove our friends and family crazy constantly talking about what we did on our latest trip. We never stopped talking about our latest adventure until chance to hop on a plane and replace those memories with new ones.
So how does one come up with a mere three favourite travel moments when they have been to over 70 countries, 7 continents and been been on the road for a solid three years? It is a challenge we were willing to take when Christine of Jandal Road asked us if we would be a part of her team #TeamBlue in the latest #Travel Blogger relay, we whole heartedly said yes!
Travel Blogs Inspire Everyone
I love it when the travel community comes together. Events like this and the Capture the Colour competition and even the Expedia Find Yours photography contest are such a fun way for travel bloggers to create excitement in the world of travel and to get their readers and followers inspired for travel to their next destination. I have loved reading the stories so far and look forward to seeing other people’s most memorable travel moments. Lowcostholidays.com has added an extra incentive to teams playing along and an iPad 2, a digital SLR camera and walking boots are up for grabs. But we’re not too worried about the prizes, we just want to share our most memorable travel moments with all of you!
The Wonderful Leah of Leah Travels passed the blogger baton on to us so here you go!
Adventure Travel
Since we love a good adventure, we thought that we would narrow down the list by choosing three adventure travel moments that really stood out to us. As I wrote more of the post, I realized that these may have been adventures, they were also life changing moments that brought us closer together and helped us appreciate each day that we spend on earth.
1. Our Perfect Day on Paradise Bay – Antarctica
We experienced a perfect day in Antarctica in all forms of the word in a place aptly named, Paradise Bay. We had perfect weather, we were living our dream and traveling with the one we love and we had one memorable moment after another from the time we woke up to the time we laid our heads on the cushiony snow of the continent.
We called it the perfect day in Paradise and it was fitting. Antarctica is the ultimate adventure travel destination and we had the opportunities to take part in some of the biggest adventures that anyone can do there. We kayaked on Paradise Bay on a downright balmy day as we spotted Leopard and Weddell Seals sleeping on ice floats while giants glaciers calved around us. We experienced the thrill of paddling through brash ice and then had the joy of floating through calm waters as smooth as glass.
Right after a bar-b-que lunch on deck we donned our swimsuits and took the polar plunge into -5? Celcius waters. It was the scariest and most thrilling thing we’ve ever done but now we have bragging rights that we swam in the Antarctic Peninsula.
We waked on the shores of Antarctica and played with penguins and then ended the evening camping on the continent. As I drifted off into a fitful sleep tucked into my bivy bag, I wondered to myself “How on earth will I ever top this day?”
Check out Quark Expeditions for planning your own Antarctic Expedition. Mention ThePlanetD and receive 5% off your booking - 5% can be redeemed on any voyage and be combinable with any of Quark’s promotions.
2. Trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp
We have always loved mountains and nowhere is more beautiful than the Himalayan Mountain Range. I never thought that I would witness Mount Everest in real life. We had both read every book on the climb and saw every IMAX movie and documentary of Everest. We dreamt of seeing it one day and two years ago, that day finally arrived. While we didn’t summit this mountain (who has $60,000 to do that?) we did hire a guide to take us to Everest Base Camp.
We flew into Kathmandu and found a guide. We ended up climbing with Dipendra (Deep as we know him) and have stayed friends ever since.
To witness the Kumbu Ice Fall for the first time and to walk in the footsteps of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary was a dream come true. Adventure travellers have walked these steps for decades and here we were fulfilling our ultimate dream. As we walked through the Himalayas looking at the most beautiful views we had ever seen on earth, we felt as if we touching the hand of God.
The Khumbu region of Nepal is a spiritual place. Tibetan prayer flags flow in the wind sending their mantras over the mountains to bring good luck to everyone. Prayer wheels line entrances to villages, and monasteries can be visited as you walk along the historical route. We felt insignificant while walking through these lumbering giants and knew that there had to be more to our this great earth than our little lives that are a blip on the radar. It’s comforting to know that there is something bigger than you out there and the Himalayas prove that.
We made it to Base Camp in a little over a very memorable week. We made new friends along the route, showed ourselves that we are a hearty duo that can push ourselves to accomplish extraordinary things and created memories to last a lifetime.
To get in touch with Dipendra for your own Everest Base Camp trek drop him a line at Simrik Real Nepal
2. Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – Tanzania
We were in the middle of our greatest adventure; cycling through Africa when we had to take a flight over Kenya due to civil unrest. We were not allowed to cross the border so we bussed back to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and flew over the country while our support trucks and gear went on without us. As our brave drivers drove through Kenya, we waited in Tanzania for two weeks. Instead of taking a break from our 12,000 bike race, we decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Renting hiking boots and winter coats, trekking poles and warm gloves, we hired a guide and porters from Kessy Brother’s tours and climbed Africa’s highest peak on a wing and a prayer.
After the monotony of cycling for 2 months day in day out, Mount Kilimanjaro was a welcome change. It was exciting to change up the adventure but still pursue something extraordinary. We were in the best shape of our lives and trekking up the mountain seemed almost like a holiday after peddling 120 km a day. The scenery was breathtaking, the food was incredible and our guides and porters took great care of us.
One of our favourite things about that climb was learning the Jambo song which taught us the basic phrases of Swahili.
After 6 days we made our summit push in the middle of the night. The last 500 metres were the toughest moments we’ve ever had in our lives. Each step was a struggle, our legs felt like lead our hearts were pumping and it took all our willpower to not turn back. But to reach the summit was one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Once we made it back to camp, we were elated with our accomplishment. We were exhausted, but we were elated.
These three travel moments were not only adventures, they were moments that brought us closer, made us appreciate life and allowed us the opportunity to see some of the barren and isolated landscapes on earth.
We climbed with Kessey Brother’s Tours in Moshi, you can visit their website here.
Now Let’s pass the Travel Blog Relay Baton to Aaron Cruz of ElatlBoy Travel Blog, I can’t wait to hear what his moments are!
GO TEAM BLUE!!
To follow the greatest collection of travel memories by passionate travellers, follow the hastags #BloggerRelay and #teamBLUE on Twitter. If you’d also like to take part, feel free to contact us to get in the line you up in team BLUE.
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They sound like wonderful adventures. I have also hiked Kili (years ago) and it’s definitely in my top three. My other highlights are trekking the Inca Trail (which I did last year) and travelling in Alaska & Canada. I guess that’s four things.
I would also like to go to Antarctica – maybe one day
Hi Karen, great adventure you’ve had as well. Yes, it’s hard to top Kili isn’t it. It’s only a week, but it’s one memorable week indeed! So glad that you included my home country on your list. We love traveling Canada. Where did you go?
My brother lives in Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), so that’s my home away from home. I was there last year and will hopefully get back there next summer. I love going for bike rides around Stanley Park, hiking (or taking the cable-car) up Grouse Mountain, going to Granville Island, and also exploring some of the islands (we have friends on Mayne Island). But my favourite place in Canada is definitely the Canadian Rockies – mostly because I’ve done some wonderful hiking there. I can’t wait to get back there one day.
Wow, you two have had some truly amazing adventures. We hope to be only half as lucky.
Some of our own highlights would be our time in Iceland and Svalbard. Tim challenges me to do outdoorsy activities I might not otherwise do on my own.
That is what we love about traveling as a couple. We inspire each other to try new things. Dave is more adventurous than me as well. But with his support and encouragement I do things that I may not do otherwise. And he tries stuff that he would never think of either. I’ll talk to anyone and because of this, we’ve had the opportunity to really get to know people wherever we travel. Dave isn’t as talkative as me so we complement each other well:)
I never thought I wanted to go to Antarctica until right this second. Congratulations on inspiring me, a somewhat spoiled traveler, to dig out my Gortex. The pictures, as usual, are wonderful. Thanks for the shout out, too.
Leah, you would love Antarctica. You have to do the kayaking while you are there. It is the best way to experience it. Kayakers got on the water a total of 8 times during our trip. Weather permitting, when you sign up for kayaking, you will be able to kayak each time there is a landing which is every morning and afternoon. And make sure to camp as well. It’s awesome. The polar plunge is freezing and insane, but I’m so glad we did it!
You guys do the coolest stuff. All 3 of these are on my bucket list!
We’ve been so lucky to have the opportunity to do them. Last year we never dreamed we’d be able to go to Antarctica and then suddenly our dream came true. It’s always good to keep dreaming:)
My word, what are memories for you are to-dos for me! Especially Antarctica. Those mountains are spectacular. And look at all your gear, you guys are hardcore!
Thanks for the shoutout!
These are incredible adventures. Thanks so much for having the great photos to share. I’m not usually an adventure traveler, but I did go on a week-long rafting trip on the Grand Canyon. That’s a highlight. But, really, didn’t you cheat a little? These are definitely much larger than moments!!
These were humongous moments! Antarctica is beautiful. Wow! Did you really sleep on top of the snow in just that bag?? The Mt Everest Base hike has me thinking. . . looks like it would be quite a feat to strive for. Very inspiring!
I still can’t believe you guys did the polar plunge in Antarctica! Yeeooow! I almost didn’t want to read about it again because I get shivers just thinking about it.
Antarctica + Mt. Everest + Mount Kilimanjaro = Triple WOW! Loved reading about your adventures and experiencing them a bit through your photos.
You guys really have had some incredible adventures – I’d gladly recreate any of these trips!
Those are some pretty amazing moments and travel memories! I’m particularly fascinated by the Himalayas and their relative remoteness; I think the mountains appeal to the geology geek in me! In the last couple of weeks I’ve seen displays dedicated to Kiwi hero Sir Edmund Hillary at Dunedin’s Otago Museum and at the Auckland Museum. I think your description of getting “close and personal” in the Himalayas is especially poignant with the beautiful picture of the Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the strong winds.
Thanks for your post, Deb & Dave! Gooooo Blues!
Three incredible adventure experiences and what wonderful photos! I’ve trekked in the Khumbu, although chose to do the quieter Gokyo Lakes trek instead of EBC (still saw the big mountain tho!). Antarctica and Kili are still in the (achievable) dream categories
Hi! I think you guys have lots of fun there. The Pictures of Antarctica was best. You must have great memory for life time.
Hi Deb and Dave,
Beautiful photos, wonderful adventures, you are living The Life! For someone like me who’s been out of the country only once, you are living The Dream.
I wonder how one feels about it all when one has been to over 70 countries and 7 continents? When you’ve been to many beautiful places, seen so many interesting people and places?
I think it would be exciting to see what you’ve seen and to feel what you’ve felt and experienced.
Here’s to you and may you many more wonderful adventures ahead!
The picture of you trekking (or climbing) Mount Kilimanjaro is making me dizzy already, I doubt that would be my kind of adventure….
What a great article – so much and so many real adventures packed in here.
Enjoyed it very much.
WOWZA! These photos and adventure stories are amazing!!! You two rock and inspire.
I recently just got back from climbing Kilimanjaro and I did Everest Base Camp a couple of years ago. I can’t say enough about how incredible those experiences are. Antarctica is definitely on the list!
GO TEAM BLUE!!!
This is a great post Debra, although I’ve got to say I got exhausted just reading it. I am most certainly NOT a hiker (I have a ridiculous phobia of heights), although I do love to read about the adventures of other folks who do crazy things like clamber up Africa’s highest mountain! Antarctica honestly doesn’t appeal to me that much either, but props for swimming in the water and camping on the continent! I wasn’t even aware that you were able to do that.
Great article, I can’t agree more when you say these adventures were life changing moments. That is the essence of travel and exploration!
Thank goodness you two are Canadian lol. This native Floridian wouldn’t have lasted 15 minutes on any of these amazing trips. I don’t know how you were able to whittle down your amazing life to three most memorable. What memories you must have!! Love the picture of Dave about to jump (brrrrr). Deb, only you would look that stunning in a yellow parka with all of that snow! Did you really sleep there?!
Great travel memories. Have always thought about visiting Antarctica at the same time when in New Zealand. The aquarium in Auckland has a whole section dedicated to the history of exploration of that continent which really peaked my interest on what’s there. Thanks for sharing the great pictures and adventures there. So cool to just hang with penguins.
These are great pictures and may God bless you.Its good to know that travel has given you a different view of life.
Great Post Guys! Definitely living up to your Adventure Couple Title.
The Antarctica adventure looks amazing!! We would love to get that experience someday!
Congrats guys! I love the pics. Have you noticed that you have two second-best memories? Or did you do that on purpose?
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