Yearly Newsletter: 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had—from the beautiful landscapes of South America to the unforgettable experiences in South Africa. Here’s a recap of our travels from December 2023 to December 2024.
Chile
We started the year in Pucon, Chile, a paradise for outdoor fun. Some of our adventures included swimming under a 300-foot waterfall, hiking the San Sebastian Trail with panoramic views of nine volcanoes, and unwinding in one of the many natural hot springs. Our rental car company wouldn’t let us cross borders, so we walked across the border to Argentina to extend our stay in Chile. To our surprise, the border crossing went smoothly—no bribes required!
Next, we made our way to Chiloé Island, a remote island in the south, where we experienced the Fiestas Costumbristas, a cultural festival that showcased local traditions. Our experience with the locals gave us a real sense of the community on the island. We attended a basket-weaving workshop, tasted local dishes, like ‘Chochoca’, and appreciated the traditional dances and colorful costumes at the Pid Pid Festival. And, Courtney’s love of animals brought us to the Puñihuil Penguin Sanctuary, where we saw Humboldt and Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat.
Our time in Chile ended with a 1200 km scenic drive through the country. We made a stopover at a local dive bar to sample home-brewed Chilean cider and chicha (a traditional fermented drink), admired the stunning Salto del Laja waterfall, explored the Botanical Gardens at the University of Talca, and had a nostalgic visit down memory lane at the Wonderland Café, a restaurant with an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme.
Sicily, Italy
After Chile, we returned to Castelbuono, Sicily to see if it was really the place we wanted to build roots long term. We stayed on the same farm property as we did in August/September 2023, so it felt like such a relief to return to a place that felt somewhat familiar. Our new mischievous goat friends next door provided loads of entertainment.
Springtime in Sicily was the perfect weather for exploring some of the hiking trails in the Madonie Mountains. Our hike to Pizzo Carbonaro at nearly 2000 meters was breathtaking, and there was just enough snow to make a mini snowman! We were equally impressed on our hike to Abbazia San Giorgio, a 1000 year old castle. Over Easter time, we indulged in an Italian tradition by eating columba, an Italian sweet bread. It was like a ‘right of passage’ to blend in with the locals.
Paul spent the next 90 days focused on finding land to settle. During our final week in Castelbuono, we sealed the deal and signed a contract to purchase land. A friend of the land owner treated us to a wonderful dinner party at her home to celebrate the occasion. The hospitality of the Sicilian people never ceases to amaze us.
The Balkans: Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo
Our 90 day Schengen time limit came to an end once again, so we spent the summer months across the Adriatic Sea in the Balkans. Just a ferry ride away from Italy, we started with two months in Durres, Albania to catch up on life.
We decided to ‘do as the Italians do’ and visited Abaia Winery and Vineyard, a fairly new winery in the area, for a relaxing 3-course dinner + wine tastings, and indulged in some delicacies in the region, like frog legs and crocodile meat.
Our next stop took us to North Macedonia where we had a unique experience in a small village up in the mountains. We loved visiting the Kamenjane Waterfall Trail, a little oasis just outside of Tetovo. Though our time here was short, it left us eager to return.
From there, we ventured next door to Kosovo—a destination we were slightly hesitant about because of its complex political history. We were pleasantly surprised by the safety and friendliness of the people. A fellow motorcycle enthusiast really helped Paul out of a jam when his motorcycle was on the fritz.
Tucked in the middle of a rural area, we had a nice reminder of Canada at Maple Restaurant. We also enjoyed our visit to the cultural festival, Etno Fest, where we witnessed the preparation of flija, an ancient local dish, watched traditional dances, and listened to talented local musicians.
Our time in the Balkans ended with a fun birthday celebration— including a few games of bowling, checking out a cool restaurant and catching a movie in an ultra modern movie theater.
Canada
As a surprise 40th birthday gift, Courtney returned to Canada to visit family and friends in Ontario. The short time to reconnect with everyone was so rewarding—a birthday party, catching up with a childhood friend, checking off a bucket-list item, spending hours chatting and sharing travel stories, and some ‘big kid fun’ playing in the pool and a water gun fight.
While Courtney was in Canada, Paul remained in Albania for motorcycle repairs to ensure it was ready for the long ride back to Sicily.
Sicily, Italy
After reuniting in Sicily, we were thrilled to be back for the third time. Sicily has truly become a home away from home. We officially completed a year’s worth of Italian lessons, and spent the next three months exploring the vibrant food scene.
We checked out various food festivals, including the Castelbuono Mushroom Festival, a sausage festival by the sea, and a gelato festival in the Madonie Mountains. Autumn in Sicily was a time for celebration and indulgence.
It wasn’t all fun and food though. We also spent a chunk of time working through the legalities of purchasing land. Between meeting with property owners, translators, surveyors, and notaries, we navigated the complexities of buying property in a foreign country without a lawyer. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that taught us a lot.
South Africa
As the year comes to a close, we find ourselves in South Africa, marking the final chapter of this incredible year. We’ve spent the last few weeks exploring the country, and already, we’re in awe of its beauty and diversity.
Kruger National Park was a dream come true. During our 10 days of self-drive safaris, we saw the “Big 5” up close, experienced a thrilling elephant parade with 50+ elephants, came within 3 feet of a female lion, and even witnessed a baby impala take its first steps.
The people in South Africa have been incredibly warm and welcoming, and it’s been fascinating to drive through the country, passing through rural villages to see how people live. Farm animals are considered domestic animals, so they roam freely (even on the highway!).
We’re on the North-East coast in St Lucia, SA, for the holidays, a remote town known for its scuba diving, turtle nesting beaches, and safaris. We’ve quickly learned that wild animals, like warthogs and hippos, can be found wandering the sidewalks!
As we head into 2025, we’re filled with excitement and curiosity about the next chapter of our journey. We can’t wait for the adventures that await us!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
