Hello Happy 2015!

Last year, right about this time I scribbled down my single goal for the year which was the abstract notion of “feeling good”. Feeling good through travel, going on adventures and spending less time online. With this New Year it’s time to say goodbye to my extended, adventure-filled and quite the feel-good maternity leave as big changes are taking place. First, I have already started a new job, and soon our family will be packing the apartment we live in, into boxes and moving into our very own and first house. Have to admit, the term settled has never tasted quite so good.

I’m not into making New Year’s resolutions, but if there’s anything I wish for the coming year and all the changes taking place, it would be the same feel-good factor combined with a sort of balance with family life, work, microadventures, travels, and an adventure or two categorised under the “once in a lifetime” thrown in the mix.

It’s been a long while that I participated in Instagram Travel Thursday hosted by my fellow bloggers at Skimbaco Lifestyle online magazine, so this Thursday I thought I’d start the year by sharing some of my favourite Instagram moments of the past year that I’d recommend to anyone.

1. Microadventures. If you thought that setting on an adventure is difficult, time-consuming and potentially expensive, think again. Alastair Humphreys’ microadventures concept is ingenious, and as I feel I’ve blabbed enough about it already, why not head on to his site to read more. Our microadventures haven’t been the official kind where you sleep outdoors without a tent, instead, I’ve been more than happy to latch the term “(micro)adventure” to pretty much any small trip we’ve made. Like this ski trip. The picture above is from a holiday close to home in a mountain hotel, not quite a microadventure but great experience nevertheless. And talking about adventures and Alastair, one of my favourite guest appearances was on his site where I wrote a few words why we moms need to go on our adventures.

2. Northern Norway. There is a reason why Lonely Planet listed Northern Norway as one of the top regions to visit this year. I fell in love with Lofoten in 2013, and although I vowed to be back in 2014, I went to explore Bodø and it’s surroundings instead. If you have no idea of where or what is Bodø, you are probably not alone and I’d advice you to check this post where I realised why it’s good not to wake up in your own bed. I might have said a few words about Bodø too. The picture above is from an arctic fishing trip with Nordland Turselskap, and if you are ever in the area, you got to do this for the views at least!!

3. The Wild Atlantic Way. If there is just one thing I remember from 2014 it is this: Wild Atlantic Way and its 2500 kilometers of windy coastal road, on bicycle with friends. “One thing” is not quite the right term for the WAW or our Ride Wild 2014 adventure though, as every single day we experienced, saw or met amazing people, sights and views. I have so much more material to go through from this trip but meanwhile if you are interested, have a look at all the posts (and stunning photos!), videos and Instagram images from Ireland. How to stay sane after a big adventure is a whole different matter altogether, and a month after our adventure that was all that was going through my head. Maybe I should read that post again myself!

4. New Zealand. Last year exactly around this time I was packing my bags for a two month trip to New Zealand. How I wish there was a time machine! Or alternatively, that we would’ve planned a similar stint for this year. As we haven’t, all I can do is to dream about our base camp close to Rotorua on the North Ireland (you should go there too!), the 15,000 kilometers of beach, and the way we took those two months delightfully slowly. The picture above is from Hobbiton with our very own Finnish-British-Irish hobbit.

Was it all happy, the past year? For sure not, but as we’ve started with the New Year, it’s those happy moments and places that I will remember while I plot the adventures to come. To starters, I’m heading to the Finnish Lapland this weekend to hopefully check out the northern lights. I got the print-out on how to take amazing aurora images all good to go, now it’s down to cold crispy weather, non-sleepy photographer and bit of luck to make them happen.

Although I did a quick post already this new year, I’ll take this moment to wish you a Happy, Adventurous New Year!! Did anyone else here skip the resolutions this year….?

Come and join us for Instagram Travel Thursday!

• See the guidelines on Skimbaco Lifestyle online magazine
• Write your own post on any topic covering Instagram and travel, or tag your images with #IGTravelThursday on Instagram
• Add the link to your Instagram travel post below