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Blog Posts - the "Daily Diary"
Explore solo travel stories, cruise experiences, tips & guides.


Eating Kangaroo in Australia: My First Time Trying Roo Meat
Trying kangaroo for the first time in Australia—from the grocery store to the first bite. Surprisingly affordable, easy, and tasty.
colesjoholm
Jan 202 min read


Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: Sydney’s Most Scenic Beach Trail
No trip to Sydney is complete without the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, one of Australia’s most iconic seaside trails.
colesjoholm
Nov 16, 20252 min read


Chapter at Sea, With Gratitude: 42 Nights on the Carnival Miracle
Reflections on living aboard the Carnival Miracle for 42 nights—cruise ship life, Europe itineraries, community at sea, and what comes next.
colesjoholm
Jul 31, 20253 min read


Having Fun is Free—A Reflection from Life on Cruise Ships
— Gen Maldonado What if your entire life could be summed up by one simple sentence: “having fun is free”? Circumstances shape us all. Pain, joy, love, loss — they leave their marks. But happiness? That’s a choice. Just like having fun. I’ve seen this truth play out in some of the most unexpected places. Like that catamaran tour in the Seychelles, where the crew crafted beautiful, heartfelt music with nothing more than milk jugs, spoons on a countertop, and a lone tambourine.
colesjoholm
Jul 10, 20252 min read


A Birthday in the Middle of the Atlantic: Life at Sea at 43
This is Forty-Three Twenty-two days of travel since I left home on February 19th, and today, I’m celebrating my birthday in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Celebrity Apex departed the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11th, and we’ve been sailing through fairly rough seas ever since, making our way to Ponta Delgada, Azores. We’ll arrive there on Sunday, March 16th, before eventually disembarking in Barcelona on Friday, March 21st. There hav
colesjoholm
Mar 14, 20253 min read


A Beautiful, Wicked World: Seeing Wicked on Broadway in NYC
A reflective New York City night—Wicked on Broadway, historic Lower Manhattan, legendary bars, and a quiet moment of gratitude for how far life can take you.
colesjoholm
Nov 22, 20243 min read


A Day of Remembrance: Visiting the 9/11 Memorial, Museum & NYC Icons
A deeply reflective visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, followed by unforgettable moments across New York City.
colesjoholm
Jun 19, 20244 min read


Unveiling Filling My Bucket: Solo Travel Book Release
Announcing the release of Filling My Bucket: A Year of Solo Travel Across Seven Continents, a solo travel memoir about personal growth, adventure, and stepping foot on all seven continents.
colesjoholm
May 31, 20242 min read


Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina: Buenos Aires Before Antarctica
Rainy days in Buenos Aires brought tango, culture, unforgettable meals, and quiet reflections before the journey to Antarctica
colesjoholm
Dec 19, 20239 min read
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