If you are like me, then it’s the pinch me moments and memories you remember most fondly. You know, the memories that made something or somewhere special and once in a lifetime. Obviously there’s the life stuff – like finding someone brave enough to marry me 😘. The big stuff – like last summer when we had to pinch ourselves constantly that a home move resulted in cows at the end of the garden 🐄 ! And the work stuff – like a big promotion when I realised that, yes, I’ve got this 🌟 !
But more than these, my fondest memories are the places we’ve been and things we’ve done that I could never have dreamed of doing in my lifetime…
Experiencing the peace and quiet of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat which is so simple and beautiful in the centre of the city. The inside is of course ornate and sparkling, but for us it was the simple, rustic exterior that took our breath away.
Being awed by the splendour of sunset over the Taj Mahal from a quiet river bank. We’d been given the choice of the gardens or going to the Taj itself. I think we picked the best place spot personally, avoiding 10,000 people!
The surreal feeling of driving past a sea level sign half way up a mountain. Carrying on driving to 1190 feet below sea level. And then being in the Dead Sea floating completely unaided.
Our first taste of a tropical island paradise after sailing with friends to the completely untouched and truly beautiful Omani Daymaniyat islands. I think it is rare to find somewhere so unspoilt and spectacular.
The utter relaxation that comes from three days one mile off the Maine coast. Mr P was between jobs and we chose to totally escape for a few days. Just us on an island, in a lighthouse, with 360 degree views of the sea and the sky.
Being mesmerised by the rolling in and out of the clouds at 1800m at the top of Pico Ruivo in Madeira. Half way up we were in thick cloud and then we popped out into a garden in the sky.
When lady luck smiled on us for a honeymoon hike and our dawn walk up Lion’s Head in Cape Town was surrounded by a sea mist which extended miles out to sea and across the city too.
Getting to grips with the insane remoteness of being deep in the Empty Quarter desert as the sun sets. Not a sound, just the constant moving of the sand on the wind and the stunning colours as the light faded.
And how could I forget the beauty of our own island and the pleasure it brings us. Particularly sharing childhood Cornwall and Norfolk adventures with Mr P.
What’s fascinating is that Mr P and I both did a separate list… And it came out approximately the same! Apart from that one of his favourites was actually our first holiday. He took me to the Lake District and I basically got stuck half way along an arête on Helvellyn called Striding Edge! Another ‘abandoned’ (slow-moving) girlfriend was in the same terrified position and we helped each other to the end! Earlier that day we’d been sailing in a boat that had no keel and basically spent it’s whole time trying to capsize! Funny how different people remember things differently! It’s a holiday fondly known as girlfriend tests.
I didn’t get on a plane until I was 21. So whilst this little set of memories probably looks like nothing to more seasoned travellers, they’re the memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime.
What fascinates me is that in all the time (and money!) we’ve spent in fancy hotels, they aren’t what we remember first! I guess it’s personal taste – we revel in memories of places remote and unspoilt. Lush as the hotel may be, there’s always something better to explore.
Experiences over things every time (but with a nice place to lay our heads 😊).
Here’s to a lifetime of pinch me moments, memories and adventures with Mr P.
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“Experiences over things every time (but with a nice place to lay our heads 😊).” – this made me chuckle as it’s pretty much our mantra too… though sometimes we have to rough it a little… especially now we’re on the road for 8 months! Two of your once in a lifetime moments are ones I have on my bucket list – Table Mountain and Dead Sea!
Connie recently posted…Sigiriya – Lion Rock & Pidurangala Rock Guide
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I can camp with the best of them too, actually some of my best nights sleep actually!! 🤣🤣 I hope you get to both, fascinating places to enjoy
On a frosty morning here in the UK, your travel memories and photos provided a fantastic opportunity to escape! Thank you!
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Haha, my pleasure! So frosty, I thought spring was here when we saw all the daffodils in cornwall, but apparently not!!
I agree sometimes those quiet moments mean so much more than the big wow moments!
Angie Silver recently posted…My Top Ten Once in a Lifetime Moments Whilst Travelling
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One and the same the beauty is the wow, agreed
I think you could be a travel planner – at least for me – because I think we share the idea of a perfect vacation! Experiencing new cultures, getting outside, staying somewhere unique… I loved reading your list – and seeing where that adorable adirondack chair photo originated from!
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Happy to keep finding these beautiful places, don’t worry! The lighthouse stay off the coast of Maine was just incredible!!
Love the pictures of the Empty Quarter, which is on my travel “to do” list. I love desert scapes. Great list!
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I truly thought I would be bored in the desert, but I could watch the sand all day just like being by the sea! The hotel was pretty incredible too, it really was worth finding somewhere 3 hours drive from anywhere as it was real desert rather than something on the edge of the city. Go there!!
wonderful experiences..I’d love to see the Taj Mahal too! #travellinkup
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Once in a lifetime experiences #travellinkup
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It’s an incredible building, we saw it up close too but across the river in the peace and quiet was far more enjoyable and peaceful
Awww, you two are perfect travel partners. I love that your lists came out identical! Here’s to many more years of travels together.
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Thanks Polly – hopefully not to many ‘wife test’ weekends to add to his list of favourites!!
Your photos are stunning! Floating in the Dead Sea looks like so much fun, I have to try it 😛
https://missportmanteau.com/once-in-a-lifetime-experiences/
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Thanks Lara, I need to put more on the wall at home! The Dead Sea is such a surreal experience, it’s busy so you need to pick the spa that you visit carefully
Some fab memories in your list! I’ve wanted to visit Capetown for years, definitely on my to-do list. Here’s to many more pinch-me moments! #travellinkup
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I hope you get there, my husband visits with work regularly and the more time you spend there the better it gets!!
I have been nodding along vehemently to your post…it really is all about the moments that take our breath away that count, and more often than not it will be the simplest things! Love this! #travellinkup
Harpreet recently posted…WanderInspo…Confessions of a Serial Wanderluster!
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It’s fascinating isn’t it, that’s why I got Mr P to do his list as well as I thought I was missing something. The fancy hotel room or meal is bliss yes, but it’s the special moment or place that we actually remember most fondly!!
Lovely, lovely post Anna – such special moments!
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi recently posted…The Sea to Sky Highway: Vancouver to Whistler
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Thank you, I love that Sam and I both remember the same things as fondly!!
Nowadays, work keeps allows travelling widely over the years. This travel is unique with Vitamin Sea’ is rather than the obvious and impersonal relaxation of travel.
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Work travel is great for seeing places not on the wish list, I love what it lets me see! But yes, I prefer the hidden gems and personal getaways!