It’s an annual tradition. Every year I enjoy reviewing the places I’ve been, remembering the people I’ve met, and reflecting on the experiences I’ve learned along the way. You learn a lot by looking through all the pictures you have taken during the year. I find that selecting ten story-driven photos is a great way to relive the places and people who especially impacted my life during the year. I have been doing this for eleven years now, and I am always amazed by how reflecting on the past can help you navigate the future. None of these photos will win any awards, but they bring back meaningful stories for me. So in no particular order, here are my top ten photos of the year, and the stories behind them.
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Exploring New Zealand
. . . aboard the National Geographic Orion
How do you go about exploring an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean with two main landmasses and over 700 smaller islands? We could not think of a better way than a small ship cruise aboard the National Geographic Orion.
Although New Zealand Airlines provided a pleasurable overnight flight from Los Angeles, we were a little exhausted. But we were ready to begin our adventure as soon as possible. We landed in Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand and home to the “Port of Auckland” where we will board the Orion. After a couple of sightseeing days in Auckland, the Orion will navigate interesting bays, small towns, and national parks along the East Coast of the “North Island”, then cruise through Cook Strait on the way to explore the West Coast of the “South Island”.
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Chuck Palmer 