{"id":1826,"date":"2013-10-04T15:57:29","date_gmt":"2013-10-04T15:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2ndcupoftea.com\/?p=1826"},"modified":"2013-10-04T22:57:01","modified_gmt":"2013-10-04T22:57:01","slug":"travelling-feelings-favourite-photos-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/2ndcupoftea.com\/?p=1826","title":{"rendered":"Travelling With Feelings – My Favourite Photos of 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

2013 In Photos…<\/strong><\/p>\n

2013… Yes well. It’s fair to say at the start of the year I had only one ambition. Ten months in, it’s equally fair to say I have, despite the very best intentions and all the effort I could muster, failed spectacularly in achieving that.<\/p>\n

This failure has lead me all too often to also fail in seeing the bigger picture. In every other way this has been a great year (at least work wise); I have guided in more than 20 countries and found two wonderful new agencies to work for. I have new friends as well as re-kindled past friendships.<\/p>\n

I have managed to continue my true love of writing and visited some incredible places. I admit there were times when this all seemed a little pointless, but as my working season draws to a close and I write these words overlooking the Tagus in Lisbon from the best hotel I have stayed in all year, this city has been the reminder of how fortunate I am.<\/p>\n

Now with only two weeks of guiding left (until January) I miss – and always intended this to be a year of – travelling for two, but I am consoled by (and certainly have lived by) the words of Alvardo de Campos…<\/p>\n

The best way to travel, after all, is to feel<\/em>. To feel everything in every way…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is the collection my favourite photos from moments from 2013 where I certainly felt… Enjoy!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Past<\/p><\/div>\n

An old hotel by Lake Como. The Lake has become somewhat of a second home for me this year. I am extremely grateful to all I met. A big hug to Nina especially.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Sea<\/p><\/div>\n

Capri sailing to Sorrento. No season for me would be complete without at least one visit to the island. The sea is just the most wonderful healer…<\/p>\n

\"Death\"<\/a>

Death<\/p><\/div>\n

Lucerne- one of my favourite cities in Europe, and with it, the moving Lion Monument. I love coming here; it reminds me of our mortality and makes you think how important to achieve something in life.<\/p>\n

\"Under<\/a>

Under The Gods<\/p><\/div>\n

Mount Ida, Turkey – A real treat this. The trip came at the perfect time. It was a tough spell, but again being so close to history helps to put our ‘problems’ in perspective.<\/p>\n

\"Zorba\"<\/a>

Zorba<\/p><\/div>\n

Lesvos – an island can just be the most wonderful way to escape. Being washed by the waves and burned by the sun was total therapy. I saw virtually no one and literally did not speak to a person for 3 days.<\/p>\n

\"Politics\"<\/a>

Politics<\/p><\/div>\n

Sweden – time for Scandinavia. Strolling one morning in Sweden, I was captivated by this graffiti; is batman their biggest problem? This turned out to be the catalyst for my purchasing a house in Sweden.<\/p>\n

\"Green\"<\/a>

Green<\/p><\/div>\n

The Baltics – an unexpected delight was travelling the Baltics with Patricia a fellow guide. This little fellow marched off a beach in Latvia right onto (on paper at least) my new business cards…<\/p>\n

\"Home\"<\/a>

Home<\/p><\/div>\n

Denmark – Home. Wonderful. It had been far too long.<\/p>\n

\"Ice<\/a>

Ice Man<\/p><\/div>\n

Bolzano – Otzi the Ice Man. I don’t know why I find him so incredibly fascinating, but I am not alone in doing so. Perhaps it is the wandering spirit in him – where was he off to? – that attracts me?<\/p>\n

\"Zen\"<\/a>

Zen<\/p><\/div>\n

The Dolomites – Another tricky time this year. This girl sitting totally alone in the middle of a square as a huge lightning storm rolled in, burned itself onto my mind. What was she thinking?<\/p>\n

\"Toilets<\/a>

Toilets – Closed<\/p><\/div>\n

Brittany – ahh, you just have to love Brittany. Though fate continued to deny me my prize, the sheer beauty of the place made things easier. I just loved these closed toilets – ‘season over’, they suggest.<\/p>\n

\"Autumn<\/a>

Autumn Sun<\/p><\/div>\n

Giverny – an example of how the frequently visited and well-known can still surprise. Wonderful autumnal day and the gardens were at their very best. Nature again really helps to make you feel better…<\/p>\n

\"Escaping<\/a>

Escaping The Rain<\/p><\/div>\n

Lisbon and Portugal – destinations that are perhaps more loaded with memories than any other. I was uncertain about a return. I should not have been. The energy I get from this city is like nowhere else.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/a>

Man With Red Bag<\/p><\/div>\n

Lisbon – my favourite photo of the year. It sort of sums up how I have felt through most of 2013 in one image – hard to describe. And at the same time inspires such hope for the future…<\/p>\n

There you have it, a sort of ‘my year in photos’. In no way intended to show off (we all know I travel) and in every way intended to show that sometimes despite the beauty that surround us, life can still intervene and things be tricky… I am left feeling almost guilty and certainly a little ashamed for not having appreciated this year as much as I could.<\/p>\n

But feel<\/em> it Mr de Campos, well that I promise you I have…<\/p>\n

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