For some time I’ve been debating how to do a 2011 wrap up post that summarizes this year in travel. So, when I got the nomination by Ben from Adventures with Ben, I didn’t think it twice to go with it and use it as my Best of 2011 post. Here’s how my travels went during this year.
Best Domestic Travel Destination 2011
This year I only traveled domestically to Puerto Rico, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Of course, I love Puerto Rico, but that’s my home country. So, I will have to go with Tennessee. And my favorite activity there: Whitewater rafting in the Smoky Mountains!
Best Travel Experience 2011
Being the Road Warrior for MatadorU and the Belize Tourism Board. During the past three months I’ve been traveling through Belize, experiencing everything it has, especially the Maya culture, and blogging about it. I’ve gone as high as the tallest Maya temple in Caracol, and as low as the deepest allowable depth of the Blue Hole. Belize, while small in size, does have so much to offer.
This has been one of my best travel experiences ever!
Best International Destination 2011
This year I concentrated my travels to Central America, and while I love Guatemala and Costa Rica, I have to say that Belize has been the best international destination of this year because I’ve been able to experience it in depth. I went caving to the underground depths of Actun Yok’ Balum, enjoyed the “go slow” life of Caye Caulker, bet on a pooping chicken to win money, went diving in the Blue Hole, and more…
Worst Travel Experience 2011
It would have to be my worst travel accident in Honduras. I fell off the top of a Maya temple in Copan Ruinas, and cut open my knee. To make things worse, there was no immediate help in the nearest town, so I had to take a 7 hours bus ride and cross to Guatemala in order to get medical help. Read this post about the experience.
Most Embarrassing Travel Moment 2011
Hmmm… this one is hard as I’m not sure I had an embarrassing travel moment in 2011. But, if my dumb accident in Copan Ruinas counts as an embarrassing moment, then I’ll add it.
Best Local Destination 2011
I think I would choose either the High Line or Central Park – both in New York City. The High Line opened its new extension making it a longer linear park located on the top of a decommissioned railway. And Central Park… who doesn’t know Central Park?!
Best Travel Lesson from 2011
This one is a true travel lesson I learned this year. After my accident in Copan Ruinas I learned that I must carry butterfly Band-Aids in my first aid kit. You have no idea how hard it is to find those in Central America! Here’s a post on having a complete yet compact travel first aid kit.
Now, I’m nominating the following bloggers to share their Best of Travel 2011:
Follow Jeremy’s link to the “Best of Travel” Rules for all the details.
What were some of your memorable travel moments in 2011? Share on the comments!
I really enjoy these year end roundup posts. Good call on the first aid kit. I love whitewater rafting and hope to do more in 2012!
Thanks Laura! Oh yes, I love whitewater rafting! Hopefully there will be some more of it in 2012 for both of us!
I’m happy my home state (Tennessee!) was your best domestic experience. There’s a reason we just left California to move back to Nashville…
Ahh nice!! Well, Tennessee gave me such a great impression, so I’m definitely going back! I want to do some serious hiking in the Smoky’s. I went to Nashville over 15 years ago, so I believe a revisit is well overdue!
Looks to me like you had a pretty nice year, Norbert! I’ve enjoyed your travels through your posts and look forward to hearing about your 2012 adventures. Thanks very much for nominating me to share my best of 2011 — honored!
I did have a great 2011 travel wise and in general! You’re welcome! I was more than happy to nominate you since I’ve loved your posts and of course I loved meeting you in person this past year!
Hard to believe that knee injury was so long ago! Your trips to Central America were great reads as you discovered places many people don’t go reminding us that beautiful travel doesn’t have to be expensive or touristy.
I know! It’s been almost a year now since that fall! I love the fact that 2011 was concentrated in Central America and that I got to visit so many cultural places I had no idea they existed before I went there. Also, I’m really grateful I got the opportunity to learn a lot about the Maya culture since it is a culture the fascinates me a lot!
Had no idea you’ve been in Belize for so long…that’s awesome! Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful year of travel domestically and internationally. Here’s to a great 2012, too!
Hey Lisa! Oh yes… I was in Belize for 3 months!
Cheers to a travel filled 2012 for both of us!!
I hear you with the cut! I cut my toe just before climbing Coba ruins in Mexico and no one even had a plaster
It was horribly dusty over there and the toe kept bleeding for an hour or so but I still couldn’t miss the view from the top of the pyramid 
Ouch! That must have hurt a lot! We are stubborn travelers! Even with my cut knee I kept walking around the ruins because I didn’t want to miss them… haha
Belize is high on my list to visit – been loving your travels!
Thanks Ben! 2012 is actually a great year to visit Belize since it is the year of the Maya. I highly recommend it!
This is so helpful. Just had a mishap in Central America (ear infection from caving), and could have really used a first-aid kit. I’ll use this to create one.
Thanks!
Oh wow! Yes, it’s good to carry a travel first aid kit… you never know when it would come in handy!