Happiness Is Just Around The Bend

Over the past 6 months or so, I have fallen in love. Not with a person, though, but with a place. And that place is Scotland. After spending a couple of weeks last summer exploring Scotland's major cities and experiencing the beauty of the Highlands, I knew I was in danger of developing strong feelings. And then I got invited back for a week around New Year's to take part in Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations. After that, it was all over. I've got it bad for Scotland ; the country is now in my list of “Top 5 Countries I Love the Most,” and a place I'm already dreaming of returning to soon. I blame most of this on a tour I took in early August with a company called Haggis Adventures. 5 days. 22 international travelers. 1 sexy yellow bus. And the whole of the Scottish Highlands at our fingertips. My “Highland Fling” tour was, hands-down, one of the best guided tours I've ever been on — and one of my most memorable travel experiences from last summer. ...

Over the Australia Day long weekend, we took a family trip to Sydney to visit friends we made when we lived up there. It’s been over 2 years since we returned home to Melbourne and we thought it would be nice for the kids to go back to Sydney and see the old house and school and especially friends. Craig and I also went on a hot air balloon ride with Balloons Aloft. Choosing where to stay in Sydney is always a big task!