In just a couple of weeks will be the one year anniversary of my sabbatical, as I officially left Montreal on November 9th.

Since then, I’ve covered countless kilometers, flown several dozens times, visited 27 countries and 6 continents. I’ve traveled by airplane, seaplane, train, ferry, truck, car, van, motorcycle, tuk-tuk, paraglider, raft, scooter, bicycle, and foot.

Some of the things I did

  • Drank cocktails in speakeasy bars in Buenos Aires
  • Viewed the Iguazu waterfalls
  • Trekked Patagonia
  • Paragliding in Mendoza
  • Toured wine vineyards in Mendoza and Stellenbosch
  • Shark cage dived in South Africa
  • Safari in Kruger National Park
  • Hiked to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), 4130m
  • Stayed at an ashram in Rishikesh
  • Volunteered at an Eco ranch in Sri Lanka
  • Touched the Taj Mahal
  • Drove a motorcycle through the slums of Mumbai
  • Drove a motorcycle on a deserted beach in Goa
  • Danced all night long in Goa
  • Slept in a houseboat in Kerala, India
  • Visited a tea plantation in Kerala, India
  • Slept in a 5 star palace in Udaipur
  • Saw the cherry blossoms in Japan
  • Wrestled a sumo wrestler
  • Karaoked in Hiroshima
  • Ate Kobe beef in Kobe
  • Visited a ninja village in Japan
  • Ate dinner in the Hyatt Tokyo Bar (Lost in Translation)
  • Slept in a 500 year old Buddhist temple
  • Went to a Japanese baseball game
  • Visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone
  • Gambled in the world’s largest casino (Venetian Macau)
  • White water rafted in Australia
  • Scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef
  • Swam in lakes of pure rainfall
  • Surfed in Australia
  • Bathed in natural hot water springs
  • Visited Hobbiton
  • Ate an authentic Maori dinner
  • Visited the Super Trees in Singapore
  • Was humbled in Aschwitz
  • Traveled around Europe by motorcycle for 3 weeks
  • Surprised my brother in Florence for his 40th birthday, while he was there with his wife for their 10 year anniversary

Along the way, I met cool travelers and gracious locals, some of which I now consider long term friends. We shared precious moments, celebrating our limited time together while acknowledging a kindred spirit. And while it can be tough to constantly say hello and then goodbye to wonderful people, I’m happy to have slowed things down for the last 4 months in Poland.

I do miss my family and friends in Montreal, but am glad they read this blog to keep in touch (you guys do read this blog, right?) Plus the occasional Skype date helps.

The journey has humbled me, frequently pushed my comfort zone, allowed me to be completely comfortable with myself for long periods of time and taught me that all problems can be resolved one way or another. I firmly believe everyone should travel extensively, and if we all did, there would be less war and more love in the world.

My initial plan was to travel for a year and return to Montreal in November, but I’m having way too much fun and feel there’s still too much to do. Plus would you really want to be Montreal during the winter?

Thus I’ve decided to extend my sabbatical for another few months. The new plan is to come back to Montreal in spring.

Are you surprised? 😉