Bonjour, 2025! Our Thoughts, Travels, and a Big Adventure Ahead
Happy New Year, fellow wanderers! 🥳 We hope your holiday season was filled with love, joy, and plenty of good food (we know ours was!). As the clock struck midnight and we welcomed 2025, we couldn’t help but reflect on the amazing year we had in 2024. From weekend getaways to longer trips, it was truly a year to remember. And now, we’re excited to share our plans for 2025 – starting with a trip to New Orleans and a week-long cruise around the Gulf of Mexico!
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But before we dive into all the exciting details, we’d like to pause and acknowledge some sad news we came across as we prepared for this adventure. The New Year’s Parade tragedy in New Orleans weighed heavily on our hearts. It’s a reminder that safety should always come first, whether you're at home or on the road. Naturally, it got us thinking about safety in New Orleans, especially as first-time visitors.
We did some digging and came across a great article by Andrew Helling from Travellers Worldwide (you can find it here). Spoiler alert: New Orleans is safe to visit, but like with any bustling city, you need to keep your wits about you.
Here’s what we learned:
1️⃣ Stick to Popular Areas: The French Quarter, with its charming European vibes, and vibrant Bourbon Street are relatively safe. These areas are well-patrolled and filled with foot traffic.
2️⃣ Stay Alert: Petty theft is the most common crime in touristy spots, so keep your valuables secure, avoid flashing cash, and watch out for scammers offering "free beads" or unsolicited fortunes.
3️⃣ Nighttime Precautions: We’ll be using rideshares like Uber after dark instead of wandering unfamiliar streets. And yes, we’ll be keeping our drinking fun but responsible – no easy targets here!
4️⃣ Weather Warnings: Although hurricane season isn’t until later in the year, it’s good to remember that New Orleans can be unpredictable. We’re packing for comfort and keeping an eye on the forecast, just in case.
The best advice? Use common sense, trust your gut, and soak in the joie de vivre that makes New Orleans so special!
And let’s talk about what makes this city worth visiting. Beyond the crime stats lies a world of vibrant jazz clubs, decadent beignets, and a history steeped in French, Spanish, and Creole influences. It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible!
We’re so excited to kick off 2025 by diving headfirst into the magic of New Orleans. From exploring the French Quarter to sampling every po’boy we can get our hands on, we plan to make the most of our time in this iconic city. After two days of soaking up the culture, we’ll board the Norwegian Getaway for a week of cruising through paradise.
Our itinerary? Picture-perfect stops like Cozumel, Roatán, Costa Maya, and Harvest Caye. Think turquoise waters, endless sunshine, and plenty of tropical cocktails. 🍹 It’s the perfect escape to shake off the winter chill and start the year with adventure!
Stay tuned as we share our journey – the sights, the sounds, and (of course) the food. We’ll be back with tips, stories, and maybe a few dance moves from Bourbon Street.
Here’s to a year of safe travels, unforgettable memories, and embracing the world with open arms. Cheers to 2025 – let the adventures begin!
Love and wanderlust,
The Trekking Pawns
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