The Adventure of a Lifetime Begins

One of my great passions in life is travel. I love everything about it, including the planning. For the last several months, I've been preparing for a four-month adventure across Asia and Europe. Frankly, I lack the words to express my excitement fully, but believe me, I could burst with joy as I count down the days to September 1st, when it all begins.

If I've planned this well, it will be a healthy mix of vacationing, exploring new places, volunteering, and creating content for my other, newer passion: coaching. How I came to coaching is a story for another time. Let's stick to travel for now.

I'm leaving on September 1st, Tokyo-bound, followed by Kyoto and Osaka. That part of the trip will be all about vacationing and exploring. I've never been to Japan, but I've read so much about it and can't wait to see all those amazing places myself.

The next stop is Davao City in the Philippines, where I'll spend about two weeks. There, I'll work on my coaching content and have the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with some talented women at a local seminary to improve a currently time-consuming process.

Next, it's off to Cebu for a couple of days to enjoy what I've been told—and what certainly looks like—paradise.

From there, it's off to Hong Kong and a day-trip to Macao, where I'll explore some of the amazing places my son visited earlier this year during his college term abroad.

Next is Chiang Mai in Thailand, where I'll spend about two and a half weeks working on coaching content and exploring the beauty of the area. Then, it's a short trip to Krabi to explore another place that looks like paradise.

A very special treat is the next stop: celebrating Diwali with friends in Hyderabad. Fun fact: Hyderabad is the only place on this adventure I've been to before.

That concludes my travels in Asia. From Hyderabad, I'll make my way to Athens and shortly thereafter to Voula, a suburb south of Athens. I'll be in Voula for two weeks, where I'll have the fantastic opportunity to combine my love for traveling and coaching by working with some refugee families.

Then, I'll spend a couple of days exploring Crete before continuing my journey to Macedonia, where I'll have the opportunity to serve with local missionaries and continue working on my coaching content for about two weeks.

That'll conclude three months of exploring new places as I make my way to Germany, into familiar territory, to enjoy time with friends and my favorite: Christmas markets.

Do you now see why I'm so beyond excited about all of this?

If you want to follow along, tune back in in September. I'd love to share all the adventures with you.

With gratitude,

Renate