Thankful Thursday - Memories

Windang, NSW Coast, 2011
I spent most of my childhood holidays at Windang, its one of my fave place

Today I am thankful for holiday memories.

 When the weather is a little shit outside, like it is today, I love to look back over old holiday snaps. It doesn't make me sad, and miss that time, it makes me thankful that I was so lucky to have been able to go in the first place.

It gets me dreaming and excited. There is a whole world of possibility out there, and dreaming about the wonderful trips I might one day take is almost as fun as going on the trip for me.

California Adventure Land, next door to Disneyland, 2010
One of the places I hope to take Punky when she's older

I think of the wonderful places I've been and the places I would love to go back to.

I think of the sights and sounds I would love Mia to experience.

But most of all, I think about how happy I was on each of those holidays, the feeling of freedom, of time stretching out before us, not being answerable to anyone or anything.

The feeling of being an explorer and discovering new things to see, taste and feel.

I never thought I would be much of a traveler. I never really had much interest in it the way other people do. But in 2008 I went overseas for the first time in August, when we went to Fiji for our honeymoon. And my need to see the world was born!

The view from our balcony in Fiji, on our honeymoon in 2008

In 2010, I was lucky enough that my boss sent me to NYC for Book Expo America, a dream come true, and an awesome opportunity for Dave and I to take 5 weeks off and explore a country that I had never been too fussed over, but that now I really hope I can get back to one day.

NYC at night, taken from the top of a moving bus! June 2010
One place I must go back to before I die, Dave and I both absolutely LOVED New York City
This photo is untouched and unedited

I've never been to London or Europe. But it's on our list of places to see. I really want to do The Sound of Music tour, see the lost city of Pompeii, stand on the streets where Anne Frank stood.

I don't know if I'll ever get there, but anything is possible and it's fun to dream.

And even if I don't get to all the places I want to see, I am still thankful that I have gotten to the places I have. I am thankful for the sights, the sounds, the experiences.

Sunset at Port Stephens, NSW, August 2011
This photo is untouched and unedited

I am thankful for the memories. For without the memories, days like today, cold, wet, miserable days, would seem that much darker.

Sunset at Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 2010
Some of the best sunsets I have ever seen were in Hawaii, this photo is untouched and unedited.

Is there anywhere in the world you really want to see before you die? What's your fave holiday memory?

Linking this post up with the beautiful Kate for Thankful Thursday.