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You are here: Home / Travel / 2011 – a year of travels far and wide

2011 – a year of travels far and wide

by Jeanne Horak on January 3, 2012 13 Comments in Travel

AYearOfTravels © J Horak-Druiff 2012

Old Year! upon the Stage of Time
You stand to bow your last adieu;
A moment, and the prompter’s chime     
Will ring the curtain down on you.
Your mien is sad, your step is slow;     
You falter as a Sage in pain;
Yet turn, Old Year, before you go,     
And face your audience again.

Excerpt from The Passing of the Year by Robert W Service

 

Isn’t it funny how we tend to mark the passing of the old year with food and music and dancing and alcohol and friends, as if to provide our minds with as many distractions as possible from the fact that we are another year older and that another 12 months have slipped from our grasp?  When you put it that way, it’s a pretty depressing prospect – and no wonder we all need our new year’s day hangovers to divert our attention from this inescapable fact!  But once the party streamers have been swept away, the new page on the calendar turned over, the empty champagne bottles recycled and the Paracetamol has taken care of the hangover, it’s a great time to sit down and reflect on the year gone by; to congratulate ourselves on milestones and goals reached; to indulge in happy memories; and to try and learn from painful experiences.  When I think back on 2011, the one word than springs to mind is travel, so here is my retrospective on 2011 as seen through an aeroplane window 🙂  So sit back, fasten your seatbelt and ensure that your tray tables are down before we take a last flight over the year that was.

JANUARY: We packed our salopettes and headed off to the French Alps for our annual ski chalet holiday.  After two years in the Portes du Soleil, we felt it was time for a change and havling loved our visit to Chamonix in the summer of 2008, we decided to return there.  Chalet Prarion provided outstanding luxury accommodation for 12, directly on a blue piste and with a hot tub that overlooked the Chamonix valley – a truly spectacular chalet and highly recommended! We will be back…

 

2011RetrospectiveJanuary1

 

2011RetrospectiveJanuary2

FEBRUARY: Time for our annual trip home to South Africa.  In two weeks we managed to fit in loads, including speaking at the Food Blogger Indaba in Cape Town, renewing our marriage vows on the beach at Cape St Francis, drinking great South African wines and enjoying some spectacular dinners, including one at the unforgettable Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge in Hout Bay.

IndabaJeanneWritingWorkshopPhoto – © Yuppiechef

 

SAFBITItle2

 

StFrancisAfterService

 

2011RetrospectiveFebWine

2011RetrospectiveFebTintswalo

MARCH: Shortly after we returned from our February trip, my 88-year old father fell at home, broke his hip, and did not recover from surgery.  He passed away a few days short of my birhday and so I found myself back in South Africa two weeks after I had left, for far sadder reasons.  The only bright spot in the sad visit was that I got to spend more time with my awesome nephews, and that I was reminded how amazing my friends are.

 

Lovey

 

2011RetrospectiveMarchNephews

2011RetrospectiveMarchLurpak

 

2011RetrospectiveMarchPaul

APRIL: Prince William conveniently decided to marry his Kate the weekend after Easter, giving us a public holiday bonanza – so Nick and I took the opportunity to head for Portugal:  First a few days in a lovely cottage near the beach in Afife, and then a weekend in Porto itself – a fascinting place full of history and (of course!) excellent port!

 

2011RetrospectiveAprilAfife

2011RetrospectiveAprilPorto

 

MAY: The month of flowers – so it is quite fitting that I went on a short press trip to Dublin to attend Bloom – a wonderful food and flower show.  And at the end of the month, the first Plate to Page workshop took place in Weimar, where I presented the writing component of the weekend together with my talented friend Jamie (and Meeta and Ilva presented the photography component).  Twelve participants arrived as strangers but left energised, inspired, and as friends for life.

 

2011RetrospectiveMayBloomProducers2

2011RetrospectiveMayBloomProducers

P2PSatMeeta

 

P2PPicnicMrsBalls

 

P2PFinal

Photo © Jenn Oliver

P2PWholeGroup

 

JUNE: The month when all my South African friends seemed to descend on Europe at once! Not only did we have 2 sets of houseguests but also met up with my brother and his family in Paris (well, Eurodisney to be exact!).  And the next weekend I was in Rome with my two of my friends from back home for a girly weekend of fun, sun, food, shopping, culture… and general silliness!

 

2011RetrospectiveJuneDisney1

  2011RetrospectiveJuneDisney2

 

2011RetrospectiveJuneRomeVatican

 

2011RetrospectiveJuneRomeTrevi

 

2011RetrospectiveJuneRomeColisseum

AUGUST: brought my second press trip, this time to the rather fabulous Atlantis The Palm resort in Dubai.  I was fortunate enough to spend three days there in the rather awesome company of Niamh, Neil, Chris and Maitha during which time we ate like kings, lived in hotel rooms larger than my entire house, stared at the giant aquarium on a daily basis, and laughed a lot. Despite the heat, I managed a trip to the spice and gold souks too – my favourite part of old Dubai. I also managed to squeeze in a daytrip to Paris with my good friends Lisa and Marius on the Eurostar.

 

DubaiTitle

 

DuibaiSculpture

DubaiAquariumCrowd

 

DubaiDeiramosque

 

DubaiSouks

 

2011RetrospectiveMayAugParis1

2011RetrospectiveAugParis2

 

2011RetrospectiveAugParis3

Also in August, I travelled to Lincolnshire here in the UK to be the official wedding photographer at a friend’s wedding for the first time – nerve wracking but incredibly rewarding!  More photos from the day can be viewed here.

 

ClarePaulWedding3

 

ClarePaulWedding5

 

ClarePaulWedding7

 

SEPTEMBER:  We finally for to take our Summer vacation and headed off to Corfu with some friends to spend a week in a villa overlooking the sea.  It was our first visit to Greece and we fell totally head over heels in love with the place, from the clear blue water, to the friendly people, to the outstanding food.  The last weekend of the month we also made our annual trip to Munich for the Oktoberfest.

 

CorfuTitle

 

CorfuTown2

 

CorfuVillaSofiaCollage

 

CorfuBoating6

 

2011RetrospectiveSeptOktoberfest

2011RetrospectiveSeptOktoberfest2

OCTOBER: I had never been to Sweden before, and I could not have wished for a better introduction that the seafood journey organised in October by the West Sweden Tourist Board.  Together with four other five other bloggers, I was lucky enough to enjoy a mussel safari in Lysekil, a seafood feast at Café Ferdinand in Lysekil, a walk around car-free South Koster Island and lunch at Koster Gardens, a lobster safari and lobster lobster dinner at Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs, and an unforgettable oyster experience with Everts Sjöbod in Grebbestad.  At the end of October I travelled to Italy for the second Plate to Page workshop, this time in Tuscany, to be reunited with Meeta, Ilva and Jamie and to meet 12 new and unforgettable attendees.

 

SwedenGroupPic

 

SwedenMusselsServed

 

SwedenIslandFinal

KosterBoats2

 

KosterLeaf2

 

KosterGrass

KosterLunchSteam

 

EkenasLobsterHead

 

GrebbestadOysterHarvestt

GrebbestadCrayfish

P2PbagsCollage

 

P2PWritingworkshop

 

P2PMeetaPhotographyWorkshop

 

P2PKnifegirls

 

P2PBisolCrostini

 

P2PNutsVines

 

P2PGroupWalking

P2PInstructorsMartas

 

P2PGroupPic - edited

 

DECEMBER: As the days grew shorter and Christmas drew closer, I planned my final two trips of the year.  First up was a return to Sweden, once again organised very kindly by the West Sweden Tourist Board.  This time, Su-Lin and I spent the entire weekend in gorgeous Gothenburg, discovering its food, fika culture, Christmas markets – and hitherto undisclosed status as a shopping Mecca!  And on Christmas eve, we departed for our final trip:  a week’s skiing in Obertauern, Austria with my dear friend Johanna and her family.  If you have never skiied in Austrua, all I can say is go – you will love it! And if you are after a reasonably priced, family-run small hotel virtually on the slopes with great food, do try the Hotel Solaria!

 

2011RetrospectiveDecSweden2

2011RetrospectiveDecSweden1

 

2011RetrospectiveDecSweden3

 

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2011RetrospectiveDecSweden5

 

2011RetrospectiveDecSweden6

2011RetrospectiveDecAustria1

 

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2011RetrospectiveDecAustria3

2011RetrospectiveDecAustria4

Phew.

It was quite a year!! It has been a pleasure and a privilege meeting and spending time with so many of you, in so many different places – everybody that I met this year has enriched my life in so many ways. And for 2012?  Well, I am not much one for new year’s resolutions, but I hope to travel as much in 2011 as in 2012; and I hope that Plate to Page continues to grow, inspire and nourish people in their creativity.  And for my readers, I wish the same as for myself:  the ability to appreciate happiness in the moment (not in retrospect); to let it go (in every possible sense of the word); to make time for yourself; and never to forget who your true friends are.

 

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes – Henry David Thoreau

Wishing you all the very best for a scintillating 2012!

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  1. andrew says

    January 3, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    What a year! Amazing what one can pack in, when you look back.

    Reply
  2. Móna Wise says

    January 3, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    What a lovely recap Jeanne. So sorry to see you lost your Dad – I love that photo of him.
    Wishing you a great New year. May all your dreams come true xx

    Reply
  3. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

    January 4, 2012 at 1:18 am

    What an incredibly full year filled with family, friends and adventure. That’s an inspirational way to live, soaking up everything life has to offer.

    Reply
  4. Sanjeeta kk says

    January 4, 2012 at 9:49 am

    Fun, friends, travel and work..a perfect year that was, J! Love those beautiful clicks and reading some of your personal moments you shared with us.
    Happy 2012 to you and yours!

    Reply
  5. johanna says

    January 4, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    i need those obertauern pics!
    what a fun-filled year, travel-wise, we shall continue soon with our trip to SA! can’t wait!!!
    PS will i get a chance to see anton, paola and kids again? would love that…

    Reply
  6. Marion Ellis says

    January 4, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    The Thoreau quote is wonderful and the simplicity of the new year wishes most powerful.
    Thank you for both!

    Reply
  7. Vermont Ski says

    January 5, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Wow! I get so excited seeing your photos. Love those lobsters and crabs.

    Reply
  8. Jamie says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Happy New Year, dear Jeanne! Whew, your year flew by in a whirlwind of travel that left me dizzy just following it on twitter! You are so lucky! My what fascinating, gorgeous places you’ve been…even makes my travel a bit boring 🙂 I have been lucky enough to see you 3 times and work alongside of you 3 times….I love working with you, teaching with you…you inspire me, make me think and make me laugh and I look forward to many more “working” weekends – and a girly slumber party or two. Cheers to you and Nick and hope that 2012 brings you much happiness, good health, lots of time with friends and family and abundance of wonderful things. xo

    Reply
  9. Meeta says

    January 6, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    Oh what a year it has been for you my darling sister! Filled with so much travel, many highs and a few lows – but you have always stood so resolute and filled with the grace I admire you for. Honored to have been a part of your 2011 and looking forward to many highs in 2012 with you – I know it we will have a blast! Let the good times roll! Cheers!

    Reply
  10. Colleen says

    January 7, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    Oh what a life……OH what a year! Amazingly you are still able to blog sweetie! And so well too :)I live vicariously through you every time I open up this page. It is wonderful to be able to see so much of what you see by what you capture through your camera lens and write here for us all. Your photos are beautiful and so full of life. I wish you a wonderful 2012, with no sad shadows other than milestones and memories ….joy at every turn, happiness overcoming you when you least expect it…..beautiful food, beautiful memories and I pray for good health and good fortune for you and your Nick. I love you and I thank you for the huge part of my life that you have become and I pray it will get bigger and bigger.I am so honoured and privileged to be a part of yours in some small part. Thank you for the wonderful mention and the sweet reminder of that day! “Dad” sends much love too xxxx

    Reply
  11. @Kanga_Rue says

    January 7, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    When do you sleep woman?!

    Reply
  12. Simone says

    January 8, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Such a gorgeous collection of photos and what a year Jeanne! I was so fortunate to meet you in Germany and I truly hope our paths will cross again at some point at some location around the globe!

    Reply
  13. Kit says

    January 17, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Wow – I’m gasping for breath seeing it all together like that! What a busy year – wishing you plenty more wonderful travel this year too!

    Reply
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Perspective: a particular attitude towards or way Perspective: a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something.

Perspective is the one thing that the Covid-19 pandemic has given us plenty of. It has certainly made us re-evaluate what is truly important, and also what we did and didn't enjoy about our lives  before the pandemic and its associated lockdowns. It made me appreciate how much happiness my house, my job, my friends, my own company and my running bring to my life (and how fortunate I am to have all these things). But it also brought home how much I enjoy and miss travel, the theatre, and the luxury of reataurant visits at the drop of a hat. I don't think words can describe my joy at sipping the first coffee purchased from a coffee shop in summer 2020 as lockdown eased. It's the little things...

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Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

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Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
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