I’m often asked, “So, where ya’ off to next?” or “Hey world, traveler. Where’s the next destination?” or “Jesus. Do you ever stay in the country?”
Haters gonna hate.Â
This year is starting off like most, with future travel plans mostly solidified or at the very least set in motion. But there’s a twist, because we don’t have anything set on the docket after May. Blasphemy! Read on to find out (sorta) why.
January – Key West, FL
Hubster was here in Fort Lauderdale for a brief time after Christmas and then me and the gals hit the road down to Key West. We stayed at the Sheraton Suites Key West, right near Smathers Beach and rang in the new year on Duval street downtown. Overall it was a great, well-needed getaway with my close friends.
I’ll be honest, I was shocked at how bad The Keys were between Key Largo and Key West. For those of you unfamiliar, The Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching 120 miles below the Florida peninsula, starting with Key Largo and ending in Key West; 43 keys are connected via bridges all the way down to Key West. The Keys are quite literally still recovering from Hurricane Irma and it broke my heart. How could I live in the same state and not know this? How did it fall off the media radar so quickly? Please keep The Keys and Puerto Rico in your mind when making any donations in 2018. I know we certainly contributed with our tourist dollars in Key West.
February – Hong Kong
As I mentioned last year in My 2017 Travel Plans, we were hoping to string together 2 weeks of vacation to head back to Southeast Asia in 2018. Mission accomplished.
We booked these flights last year, all on miles and points, all in business class, landing in Hong Kong and departing from Bangkok. Up until last month, that was all that we had planned. Ha! My original intent was to go directly to Myanmar via a cheap regional airline once we got to Asia. But the human rights atrocities that are happening to the Rohingya Muslims sealed the deal on my conscience not letting that happen.
As some of you may remember, we had originally planned to go to Myanmar back in 2015, but the entire trip was canceled. I mentioned then that it broke my heart that I wouldn’t get see the temples in Bagan, Myanmar. I guess they will still have to wait.
So we start our adventure in Hong Kong, which I’m so excited to show the hubster. I went there alone in 2015 and knew the first night I was there that he’d love it. We’re staying at both The Intercontinental in Kowloon and also the Conrad on the main island. Both were booked using points. I love travel hacking!
See how little I paid for my last trip to Hong Kong here: How I Stayed in Fancy Hotels for 10 Nights for under $400
Also, can we talk about all the dumplings and pork buns I’m going to eat?!
March – Hanoi, Vietnam; ? & Bangkok, Thailand
From Hong Kong, we fly into Hanoi, Vietnam and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn near the Old Quarter for 3 nights. Yup, you guessed it, both the flight and hotel were all booked on points again. So far, this trip has only cost us a few booking fees and taxes. Yeah, buddy!
See how I little I paid for all my flights in Business Class here:Â Airfare: How I Flew In Business Class To Australia, New Zealand And Hong Kong For Under $100
After Hanoi, we may go to Halong Bay. We may go down to Hoi An. We may take a flight to Cambodia and explore the country we love so much a little more. We know we want some beach time and are looking at beaches in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
Who knows where the next stop is?! That’s part of the adventure!
We depart from Bangkok really late at night, so we may stay the night before in Bangkok to see the city that I have a love/hate relationship with. Oh and to also be able to sing, “One Night in Bangkok” the entire time.
Because I’m 13 years old.
April – Las Vegas, NV
Just like last year, I’m heading to Vegas for my nugget niece’s birthday. She’s turning the big 0-4 this year. Oh. And. THE HUBSTER BOUGHT ME ELTON JOHN TICKETS FOR CHRISTMAS! So, I’ll be doing that. Yup. I’ll be heading there to see that man with my man. Yup. Just a little excited.
May & Beyond – ?
As I alluded to in my end of the year post, there’s a big announcement coming. (Nope, not pregnant, dbags.) It’s still something quite life changing. In fact, it will determine if I’m traveling a whole-heck-of-a-lot more after May or sticking close Fort Lauderdale. So, I can’t totally make travel plans as of yet.
Stay tuned.
Now share with me – what are your travel plans in 2018!