Festival of Fifty

 And so it begins...

The Festival of Fifty — a year-long celebration of half a century of life, laughter, and slightly creaky joints. We’re starting a little early (because why wait to celebrate?), and what a year it’s shaping up to be!

The plan? To circle the globe — almost entirely. Antarctica didn’t quite make the cut this time; we couldn't squeeze it in! The mission is simple: tick off bucket-list dreams, enjoy amazing experiences, and hit a few personal milestones along the way.

Here’s the whirlwind rundown of the Festival of Fifty World Tour:

The Americas – starting now!
We’re kicking off in Ecuador with a brief stop in New York City. The Galápagos Islands are about to be crossed off the list — blue footed boobies, here we come!

Australia – December 2025
It’s cricket season, so naturally, the itinerary includes Brisbane and Adelaide. (Yes, the timing is very deliberate.)

Asia – January 2026
The original plan was to cruise on Disney’s new Adventure out of Singapore... but Disney had other ideas. Cue a pivot to Royal Caribbean instead, followed by a short escape to Chiang Mai. This trip’s a family affair — parents and kids included.

Africa – February 2026
Rwanda for a bucket-list encounter with gorillas, followed by a wellness retreat in Nepal. (Yes, yes, I know Nepal isn’t in Africa — consider it a “spiritual detour.”)

Asia – May 2026
Japan calls! I’ll be tackling the Nakasendo Trail with my gym buddies — because apparently walking ancient postal routes is our idea of fun.

Europe – June 2026
Revisiting the stunning Dolomites with Mal, Richard, and Ali, then hopping aboard Club Med 2, the brand’s luxury yacht, for a Croatian coastal cruise. Because by this stage of the Festival, we’ll have earned the indulgence.

And somewhere between all this globe-trotting, I’ll be hitting 75 countries by age 50 — even if it means counting that highly cultural transit in Qatar.

Let the Festival of Fifty begin. 🎉

Let's go. First stop Singapore!