According to the dictionary wanderlust means : “a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.”

Along the Campuhan Walk in Ubud Bali

In recent weeks with the announcement about the big Thailand Adventure coming up it has gotten me thinking about my wanderlust and my strong desire to help other women “travel about” 

How did it start? Why do I have wanderlust?

It could have something to do with the fact that I started my life in Germany. I was born in Baden Baden and as a baby was toted around by my parents with my older siblings. Although I have no conscious memory of this I am told we saw a lot of Europe while my father was posted overseas.

Years later after my boys were teenagers, I had the opportunity to go on an organized hiking trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I think it was here that the seed was planted and my dream started to grow. This trip was a group of about 25 people hiking for a week together, staying in huts along the way.

Heading out from Madison Hut in the White Mountains

We started as strangers and ended as friends. Our leader was a man named Willard Kinzie and he was so inspiring. Willard started hiking later in life and it became his passion. On my first hiking adventure he was 75 years old, leading us through he White Mountains. When I saw the joy on his face as we climbed and as he encouraged us and his pride when we successfully completed our climb, something inside of me changed.

Successfully made it to Mount Washington Summit

This trip changed my life. I still talk about it and still draw strength and inspiration from it.

It made me want to bring people together and share something I loved, like Willard loved his hiking. I became the “organizer” for my circle of girl friends, and I learned a lot. It started with organizing the two hiking trips for my group, including shopping excursions afterwards, trips to northeastern US many times, Quebec, England (which included it’s own hiking adventure 🙂 ) and Paris. Then I went to Shanghai, and wow it was another moment for me, I wanted to share this experience with others. By now I had started my business Wanderlust Scarves, so I had two buying trips to Shanghai that I organized and took a first timer with me each time.

E and I in Shanghai

Both travellers had an amazing experience and I was so thrilled and excited to finally be sharing travel with others.

More trips to Asia, including Shanghai again twice, Thailand, Japan and Bali, solidified my desire to share my travel dreams with others.

Miyajima Shrine Japan

The inaugural Wanderlust Scarves Travel adventure is booked for January 2019. This trip is already 50% booked. One of the great things about my trips is that they are small groups, meaning we really get to know each other and although they are scheduled with planned activities, I keep some days open so we can customize some outings, or of course do absolutely nothing except while away the day in a comfy lounge chair by our private pool.

The countdown is on to departure and with only a few spots left I want to hear from you! Isn’t it time to break out of your comfort zone? Come see the world with me, shop with me and discover why Chiang Mai is my happy place.

Please enjoy some photos from my travels.

Batik Demonstration

Bali Sunrise

Tegalalang Rice Terrace Bali

Indigo Dying Workshop

Bali

Hiroshima Memorial brought me to tears.

Japanese Girl at Hiroshima

Kimono Ladies in Kyoto

Kyoto Temple

The Great Wall of China

Me on the Great Wall

Chinese Girl at Imperial Palace Beijing

Old meets new in Shanghai

Parcel Delivery Shanghai Style

Dancing in the Park Shanghai

Me at Chiang Mai Temple