2023 Year in Review
2023 brought wonderful VoyEdge Rx travelers to a few new spots as well as a memorable return to Greece.
When putting together the trip calendar for 2023, COVID was still on the minds of everyone who wanted to get into the world. Our plan of attack was to schedule trips for later in the year in an effort to make sure the trips were in the best position to go. And go they did!
In early August above the Arctic Circle, our group of travelers met to begin exploring the Lofoten Peninsula of northern Norway. The trip started in the quaint village of Henningsvaer in the shadow of Festvagtind Mountain (which we hiked on day one!). A short drive away was the Lofotr Viking Museum where we learned all about the history of the Viking people in the area and ran into their yearly festival. There were some great group bonding moments like making cheese at a local goat farm and memorable, lively dinners at restaurants all around the peninsula. Without a doubt, two major highlights were the horseback ride during the midnight sun and a hike up Munken with the most incredible views many of us have ever seen.
Quote of the Trip: “My respect for seagulls has plummeted on this trip.” - The seagulls in Norway let their presence be known
A few weeks later, a small but mighty group took off for a slightly revamped Greece trip that included the island of Milos, a first on a VRX Greece trip. We began by visiting the classics in Athens such as the Parthenon, Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square and one of our two favorite workout places in the Athens area. Thank you to CrossFit Piraeus for a great experience once again! A sunset rooftop dinner saw us off before sailing the Myrtoan Sea to the island of Milos.
After getting the ATVs rented, exploration of the island began with visits to the Old Sulfur Mine, Sarakiniko Beach, and lunch at the seaside in Pollonia. A Milos highlight was getting caught in a rare Milos storm at Plathiena Beach. As our ATV’s rolled in, it started sprinkling but quickly turned into a full-on storm with sideways rain and the lightning doing its best strobe light impersonation. We huddled under the only shelter available which was a beach bar that had wooden reeds for a roof. After a summer of no rain, the rain caught every bit of brown dust that had settled on the reeds, which dropped down and turned anything white into a deep brown. The potential misery of the situation turned into a fun party as everyone from all over the world huddled near the driest places they could find, which were conveniently near the bar. While some people huddled in the bathrooms to escape the deluge of rain, the bar owners made sure no one stayed dry as they handed out a celebratory shot. Definitely 2 shots. Probably reached 3 shots. But that’s it.
Famed and fancy Santorini brought upon the most memorable moment of the year. A lovely couple on the trip became engaged while on a wine tour! As the winery cheered and the incredible sunset showed its colors, the end of the Greece trip was near.
Quote of the Trip: “Alright, what are your numbers?” - Greek waiter’s first question at lunch in Pollonia asking what we snatch and clean & jerk.
Finally, in 2023, another VRX first to Egypt was still to come. A 12-day trip took us through Cairo
and Giza, down to Aswan and the Nile River, and finally to the Red Sea. By the end, this trip had our group feeling like we had known each other for 10 years.
Egypt brought us all the rare opportunity to see the things that we read about in textbooks growing up and continue to have this mythical aura over them. Visiting the pyramids and being able to gaze upon the incredible achievement of them being constructed was awe-inspiring, as was seeing some of the most famous Ancient Egyptian Kings in their mummy form at the Egyptian Civilization Museum. Heading down to Aswan was the start of visiting many of the major temples in the country such as Abu Simbel, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Hatsheput, Edfu, and Luxor, all visited during our stay on a Nile River cruise. The chefs on the boat cooked up some wonderful food and we welcomed the chance to relax by the pool as we sailed past the fields and mountains along the famed Nile. A group highlight was the sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor. The pictures speak for themselves.
The final part of the 2023 calendar brought us to the Red Sea and the resort area of Hurghada. We had a bit of time to relax before hopping on a boat to Orange Bay where we snorkeled and enjoyed our final moments together after quite the experience throughout Egypt.
Quote of the trip: “Sherif just rawdogging the sun out there.” - Sherif was one of the wonderful Egyptian guides who did not mind the sun as we all sought shade.
We are so honored to have had the opportunity to meet such wonderful people this year and we can only be so lucky to have 2024 bring us even a fraction of the same.
Happy Holidays from all of us at VoyEdge Rx
MORE BLOGS
