Gallery – GriggsGoneGlobal.com – Family Travelers

"To the world you are a dad. To our family you are

"To the world you are a dad. To our family you are the world."
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Happy Father’s Day to the best dad ever ❤️, and to all dads making a huge difference in their childrens’ lives.
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#happyfathersday #fathersday

What began on the shores of many slave dungeons li

What began on the shores of many slave dungeons like Elmina in Ghana ended on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people were finally set free in America.
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Known as Juneteenth, it is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
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It should be a national holiday. Happy Juneteenth.
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#juneteenth #fbf

In the book "Tipping Point," the author describes

In the book "Tipping Point," the author describes what happens when you fill a jar to the brim with water and add small drops, one by one, to it.
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The water creates somewhat of a dome, rising above the level of the glass itself. It can take quite a few, but at some point, a single added drop finally causes the water to spill over the side of the glass.
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Every murder of an unarmed black person has been a drop added to centuries of drops, that have finally spilled over. Except, these are drops of blood and the country is beholding its flood.
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What happened to George Floyd on video for the world to see was categorically wrong, evil, and devoid of human and moral decency. We stand with the entire country this #BlackoutTuesday to denounce racism and police brutality.
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I can't help but to think, "there but for the grace of God go I." Everyone must.
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We remember George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many brothers and sisters before them whose lives were cut short by those sworn to protect and serve.
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To love your country, as we do, is to want it to be better. To live up to its ideals, for all. Let us not squander this tipping point moment, however sad and unfortunate it may be, but use this momentum in their memories to forge a better future with real, lasting change. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
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P.S. - Instagram does not support the amount of words that poured out of my heart about what's going on, but they can be read at www.facebook.com/jermainegriggs

#tbt Whenever things get back to normal - or the "

#tbt Whenever things get back to normal - or the "new normal" - (whenever that shall be), I predict two obvious responses as it relates to travel.
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The first is to shun away from it. To let this virus alter our living. (And to be clear - I'm referring to a future timeframe where all experts agree it is relatively safe, vaccinations are readily available, and researchers know a whole lot more about it).
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Assuming these things are true, there will still be some who are forever altered by the circumstances of today. They will stay put, remain distant, and modify their lives heavily to avoid the dreadful fate they've concocted about this virus. And even though that will not be my response, I understand.
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The others realize that, "this too shall pass." They will proceed with caution but will eventually get back to whatever it was that gave their lives meaning, variety, significance, wonder, and joy. For me, that is exploration, learning and experiencing new things, being free.
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Considering how unique of a philosophy one must have to uproot and wander around the world, I've had many discussions about what it means to "live." The definitions I've heard are as vast as the ocean. But one thing I reject is the idea of living as merely existing. ROCKS EXIST!
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In my early twenties, I had the privilege of not thinking about getting older, for it seemed so far away. As I get closer to 40, I find myself thinking more and more about how quickly time moves, how fleeting life is. It waits for no one.
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Life is short. Make the most of it. To survive a pandemic but be physically or mentally imprisoned indoors forever is not survival at all. It is death with a delayed burial. When things get back to "normal," let's live. Let's live more. Let's live fully.
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"Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five."
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#throwbackthursday #throwback #australia #sydney #sydneyaustralia

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” - MLK
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This evening’s run was for Ahmaud.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone about

Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone about seizing the moment. After all, today is all we've got.
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This person just finished a major project, which was massively successful and received well. Yet, had the current events been shifted by just a few weeks or months, things could have been much different.
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Then, I got to thinking what things would have been like if we decided to travel around the world just 2 years later than we did. Imagine selling your home, setting off on the voyage of your life, and then a pandemic hits.
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I can only imagine what we'd be feeling right now, isolated somewhere in the world, trying to make our way back, not knowing what the future holds. The two cancellations we were forced to make in March/April pale in comparison.
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Sure, I acknowledge that the scenario above is a "first world" problem and many are really suffering as I type. I wouldn't dare compare a hypothetical situation to what is real and occurring before our eyes.
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But it does underscore how important it is to live for TODAY. Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today. For the safety, security, love, and dreams of tomorrow are not promised.
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Seize the moment, whatever it may be.
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That is all.

It’s our anniversary. 🎊 🥂 ❣️ . Welp, g

It’s our anniversary. 🎊 🥂 ❣️
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Welp, grandma was right and we never made it back to Bora Bora 🌴. So rather than write this from paradise today, I write this from quarantine instead. 😫
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How things accelerated so quickly last month since we announced our plans to celebrate our 15th anniversary internationally. Since then, we learned the importance of staying put to do our part in flattening the curve.
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Our hearts go out to anyone directly or indirectly affected by this virus, the medical workers on the frontline all over the world battling this vicious infection, and the leaders tasked with difficult decisions moving forward.
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This engagement photo was taken 16 years ago in 2004. As high school sweethearts, we had already experienced the best 5 years of our lives, having traveled to over a dozen states by this time. And we chose April 2nd as our upcoming wedding date because 4-2 was the sum of 21+21, our ages. We deep y’all! 😂
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All in all, no trips, no fancy gifts or would-be special outings today can replace the foundation of what we have: true, enduring love and respect for one another.❤️
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“Quarantine Quindecima” (fifteenth) is what this will go down as... in Griggs history. And in another fifteen, we’ll look back and laugh at the anniversary that sequestered us to our home, this fateful day of 2020.
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On a brighter note, we’ve worked hard to re-erect our garage gym, have each ran 27 miles in the last 2 weeks, and gotten our kids organized for distance learning (yet again!). And this about sums up life together. Turning lemons🍋 into lemonade and not stopping now.
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While I’m honestly saddened by the recent turn of events😭, I must remember we’re happy and healthy, and that’s all one can ask for right now. ❤️I love you to eternity. ❤️

Despite all the hysteria surrounding the coronavir

Despite all the hysteria surrounding the coronavirus, we’ve decided not to alter our upcoming international travel plans for our 15th wedding anniversary.
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I told my grandma, “We are Griggs Gone GLOBAL, not Griggs Stay Home.” She answered, “You gon’ go to your heavenly home messing with that corona!!!”
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What’s your take on it? #TeamGo or #TeamStay
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#FBF

Twenty Valentine’s later, you’re still rocking

Twenty Valentine’s later, you’re still rocking with me like we’ve just met. It’s like a perpetual first date. I love you.❤️
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Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

So honored once again to share our story in front

So honored once again to share our story in front of 5,000 entrepreneurs at @clickfunnels’ FHL 2020 event with @RussellBrunson, @tonyrobbins, @prince_ea, and others.
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My topic centered around freedom, something I advocate so strongly. Traveling for over a year was about more than air miles and destinations - it was about our God-given right to freedom and the pursuit of whatever fulfills us. No career, no job, no business model, no house, no relationship, no ideology - should ever threaten that freedom.
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“Some people die at 25 but arent buried until 75" - Benjamin Franklin
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Also so fitting a topic during Black History month, where so many fought for this basic right. In the words of MLK, “Let freedom ring.”

Happy Birthday 🎂 🎊 to my Queen and youngest

Happy Birthday 🎂 🎊 to my Queen and youngest Princess, who celebrate their birthdays back to back.
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Unfortunately, a bug was going around in Layla's class and a few kids, including her, caught it. It's no fun turning 10 while sick, but she's a trooper. Brendan seems to be next (hope not!) -- and I'm a little lethargic typing this as well tbh.🥴
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Layla, so beautiful, so wise, and poised beyond your years, sometimes I sit in awe of your articulation of words and your command of language. At one point, your kindergarten teacher didn't even know you spoke because you were so quiet and she was surprised to find out you were our talker of all talkers at home. But you came out of your shell and have blossomed into a confident, social butterfly. Keep shining bright princess.
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Sarah, wow, this is literally 20 years. I've seen you turn 16, 26, and now 36 (should I be putting age out there? Oh well, you look good!). I simply do not know adult life without you by my side. Like fine wine, you've only gotten better with time. Always striving to be your best, you give our children such a great example of excellence.
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❤️Love you both to infinity and back.❤️
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(Please help me in wishing them a Happy Birthday. 🙏🏾)
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#throwback #birthday #happybirthday #spain #barcelona

💙Until next time Fiji!💙 Vinaka vaka levu! 🤙🏾🏝👏🏾🏖🙏🏾

No doubt, we return to Fiji 🇫🇯 because of it

No doubt, we return to Fiji 🇫🇯 because of its gorgeous beaches, views, & vibes, but we also enjoy immersing ourselves in their culture.
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As a Melanesian island, Fijians are typically brown-skinned with coarse hair - attributes inherited from their African lineage (South Africa, Tanzania, etc). In fact, the name "Melanesia" was given to this region by early European explorers, which means "island of black people.”
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Other nearby Melanesian islands include: Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, & others. Many of these groups can be traced back to 60,000 years ago when they left Africa to settle in this region (no typo).
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As Sarah's mom is Samoan, I remember getting a history/geography lesson from her on the 3 major sub-regions/groups of Pacific Islanders: Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia. It wasn't until our honeymoon to Fiji in 2005 that we realized "Melanesia" meant melanated. Guys were asking me where I got my haircut (back then, no hair now!🤣).
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Being in the village, touring the school, buying from the women who work so hard on their crafts, & playing with the children is always a highlight. While Brendan didn't find a soccer (football) game to join this time, it was still fun nonetheless. We also met with the Chief's brother, sat in the church briefly during a service, & learned about their history, various clans, & school system.
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They also told us of "Winston," a category 5 tropical cyclone with winds of 185 miles/hr, which almost decimated their island back in 2016. It ruined their cargo boat (pictured) & many of their homes. But like all societies after disaster strikes, they banded together & rebuilt.
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I've always wondered what it would be like to live in a small place like this where everyone knows each other. Maybe one day we will. Here in the west, it's easy to think we've got it all. But these places continue to make me feel like there's yet something to learn about happiness, contentment, & values from these villages that we visit. They all take care of one another & the Fijians have been voted the happiest people in the world. Go figure!
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4th visit back and for good reason. And it definitely won't be our last! Vinaka!

Happy 9th Birthday Brendan! 🎂 🎁 🎈 Always

Happy 9th Birthday Brendan! 🎂 🎁 🎈

Always smiling, always happy, always positive - this about sums up Brendan.

Thanks @paradisecoveresortfiji for the memorable birthday song! Always so great with the kids.

For a week, Layla and Brendan are the same age so we got a 2 for 1 performance!😉 Layla will be 10 next week. Where is time going!?!
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P.S. - Shout out to our cousins @adrian_m_hunter & @ashlene23, who joined us this year. Their gorgeous daughter literally just turned 2 last month and is holding down that camera phone pretty well!🤣. So smart! #happybirthday #fiji #paradisecovefiji #birthdaysong

I admit, I thought New Zealand was going to be a l

I admit, I thought New Zealand was going to be a little hotter, considering summer officially commences at the end of this month. When we first visited during New Year 2018, it was much warmer. However, it was just as gorgeous this time, all the same!
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But our second week, now here in Fiji, has brought the sun for sure. 🏝☀️🏖
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Bula! 🇫🇯 Glad to be back for the third year since making it the country that began our world voyage.
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Have you been to Fiji or planning to in the future?
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#fiji #paradisecovefiji #fijiislands #fijiwater #bula

Do you put your marriage or children first and why

Do you put your marriage or children first and why?
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(No easy answers like “both” please)😉

It seems like we blinked and these kids just sprou

It seems like we blinked and these kids just sprouted up overnight.

One is as tall as her mom, and the other two are on their way.

Life is short and fleeting. That is why we’ve decided to live it to the fullest now and not later.

Not everyone will agree with our decision to pull them out of traditional school for a year or even now on occasions. I, on the other hand, don’t agree with “breathing” but not “living.” So that creates a conundrum that I’ve solved my way.

I’ve seen the stats on adult happiness (or lack thereof), education and career path alignment (virtually no one works in the same field they studied), fear of automation stealing majority of future jobs (2030, watch out), and it is all grim.

My solution? Secure today, live today. Don’t put whatever it is off for a single year, month, or day. Plan it now.

That is all.
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📷 @susu_madeinchina
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#newzealand #queenstown #queenstownnz #travel

How that tree in the lake manages to stand tall, I

How that tree in the lake manages to stand tall, I don’t know but very cool nonetheless! This is literally called “That Wanaka Tree” and it’s pretty famous around here.
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Funny story - We told a local we were going to drive to “Wakana.” She goes, “I think ‘Wakan(d)a’ is somewhere else but Wanaka is about an hour up the road.” 😂 Got my places mixed up.
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Driving on the other side of the road around windy bends is something else but we made it!
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#newzealand #queenstown #queenstownnz #wanaka #wanakatree #thatwanakatree

Today is Thursday in Queenstown, New Zealand 🇳🇿 and while it’s no official holiday here, we spent our Thanksgiving outside 🚲 in nature with The Remarkables 🏔 as our backdrop. What a perfect way to reflect on what we’re thankful for - family, health, and life. 🙏🏾 Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
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#thanksgiving #newzealand #queenstown #queenstownnz #theremarkables #cycling

Honored to be on my alma mater’s speed dial and

Honored to be on my alma mater’s speed dial and invited to tell our story at the launch of #UCI’s biggest $2B campaign yet, “Brilliant Futures.”
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And now, off to our favorite region of the world 🌎 this weekend and can hardly wait! Any guesses?
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#ucialumni #brilliantfutureuci

Thanks @essence and @jetsetsarah for the article i

Thanks @essence and @jetsetsarah for the article in November’s edition. The kids thought we were going to the store to pick up a treat, but the look on their faces when I pointed to the magazine and they flipped to their pages...☺️
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#essence #essencemagazine #travel #travelnoire

#FBF Just booked our 3rd annual trip back to our f

#FBF Just booked our 3rd annual trip back to our favorite region of the world - the South Pacific!
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But instead of going straight to Fiji like in the past couple years, we’ve decided to spend the first week in Queenstown, New Zealand - and this view is why.
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There are many places around the world that have stamped indelible memories in our minds, but there are a special few among them that simply make us feel at peace and free. Queenstown is one of them. #chasingfreedom
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It’s difficult to convey but I believe locations carry certain feelings/spirits that, for whatever reason, you either resonate with or not. Some make you feel anxious for reasons you cannot consciously explain while others do the complete opposite. We’ve had our share of both but the South Pacific has never disappointed in providing the rejuvenation, relaxation, and reinvigoration we seek.
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If you haven’t considered adding this region to your future itinerary, you won’t regret it. What’s more, if you dislike the winter cold, you can escape to this hemisphere of the world, where it will be summer and hot during the holidays! In fact, we missed winter for an entire year during our voyage for that very reason. #SummerInWinter
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November/December can’t come fast enough! Hurry! #OkTryingToLiveInThePresent 😌
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#flashbackfriday #newzealand #queenstown #queenstownholidays

#ponderings There was this quote I read that said

#ponderings There was this quote I read that said something to the effect of - "you can be childlike while not being childish. Children just want to have fun." 🥳
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So in life's busyness, it's important to ask, "Am I having fun?" So simple, yet so forgotten.
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On a recent webcast interview, when asked for relationship advice, I replied, “We don't take ourselves too seriously... we always have fun and make each other laugh. Not very many things are worth arguing about."🤐
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And I believe that's also the key to a stress-free, happy life, too. Not many things are worth worrying about. Things have never failed to work out ‘til now right? #stillhere
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My buddy @thelesbrown says: "If you've got a problem man or money can solve, you ain't got a problem!" #message
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For most, happiness is a choice.
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Here's to a happy, fun-filled week!

“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” ❤️👨🏿‍🦲👩🏾👧🏾👧🏾👦🏾❤️

#tbt The Egypt you’ve likely not seen on TV, the

#tbt The Egypt you’ve likely not seen on TV, the visit to the Sohail Nubian village in Aswan was a highlight of last month’s trip.

Anyone of these beautiful girls could be my daughters. It’s sad that these villages have had to relocate over the decades because of the creation of dams and other political reasons. But like many moments in life, you rebound, you rebuild.

In our travels, I’ve learned if you want to really understand the history of a country, go find evidence of its indigenous population and said country’s relationship with/to them. You’ll find vast history and concern in more places than not, all over the world, from Australia and New Zealand to India, China, and the Americas.

All in all, children in the west - including my own - can take a page out of their book. I felt a general happiness and contentment from both the boys and girls, although it was clear that resources are very scarce. It underscores, however, where happiness is derived. Not from a single material thing outside of us. “If you cannot generate it from within, it cannot be generated.” -Jermaine

If you want to join me in donating to this village, please see details below:

Mohamed Elnor, Ghar 6 Sohail Village
PO Box 81541 Aswan Egypt
Elnour.asmo@yahoo.com

Note from village: Kindly send school supplies, gym shoes, backpacks, solar lights, LED bulbs, art supplies, flashlights, iPads, “How-to” books about repairing things, toothbrushes, puzzles, jump ropes, and first-aid kits. Thank you, 🙏🏾

We often get asked for advice on what destinations

We often get asked for advice on what destinations we’d recommend or where we’d go first.

While there really isn’t one correct answer (go everywhere!), it helps to ponder the types of experiences you’re after.

As goal-oriented people, it took a while to switch from desiring “things” & “places” to “experiences” & “feelings.” Here’s how we categorize the places we’ve been:

1: HISTORICAL - Does it offer the opportunity to learn & uncover mysteries of the ancient and/or recent past that intrigue or fascinate you?🤓 These were places like Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Cambodia, India, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Italy, Germany, & Japan.

2: BEAUTY - Will it inspire & relax you by its natural beauty? Being in these environments spark creativity & positive thoughts/aspirations for me.☺️These were places like Fiji, Bora Bora, New Zealand, Samoa, Philippines, Switzerland, South Africa, & Norway.

3: ADVENTURE - Will you have an opportunity to do something outside your comfort zone that raises adrenaline?🤪 For us, parasailing, snorkeling, jumping off boats & cliffs, hiking, sea walking, helicoptering glaciers, landing via sea planes, desert trekking, and an African safari top the list. Places like Fiji, New Zealand (Queenstown), Indonesia (Bali), Morocco, Australia, Kenya, & South Africa offered great opportunities.

4: WONDER - Does the country boast a monument, natural or man-made wonder of the world, or unique culture you’d love to behold in person? Something that makes you say “WOW!”😲 Egypt, Cambodia, India, Jordan (Petra), Norway, Brazil, Italy, China, & Mexico have all provided this.

5: EXCITEMENT - Typically opposite of beauty/relaxation (but not always), these destinations offer loads of people, things to do, places to walk, & social events.🕺🏾💃🏾 For us, city centers and metropolitan areas like London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, Marrakech, Barcelona, Lisbon, Nairobi, Amsterdam, & Accra.

6: HAPPINESS - Sometimes, a place just makes you feel good. ♥️ This was Copenhagen, Bali, Queenstown, Lauterbrunnen, Accra, Fiji, & Samoa for us.

We said all of that to say #Hawaii has provided great beauty, wonder, adventure, & happiness this week.

What are your categories?

I’ve come to prefer nature over any other luxuri

I’ve come to prefer nature over any other luxuries of life.
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"We need to find God, and God cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls."
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#hawaii #maui #roadtohana #sunset #hawaiisunset #nature #family

Not going to let these youngins’ show us up on t

Not going to let these youngins’ show us up on these Maui beaches!🤣
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In all seriousness, so many joke innocently about things being “downhill from here” after a certain age - especially when kids enter the picture. And we’ve partaken in the joke as well.
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But, ‘age ain’t nothing but a number’... nothing but a mindset. Everything is relative. Still feeling good, full of energy, vibrancy, and our healthiest EVER.
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So this post is for all the grown folk’ out there with kids. It ain’t ovaaa!!!!!!
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“If it’s gonna be, it’s up to me.”
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#summer #beach #hawaii #maui #beachbody #hotmom #hotdad #sunsoutgunsout #marriagelife

The deal was a trip to Egypt for dad to explore py

The deal was a trip to Egypt for dad to explore pyramids, tombs, and temples followed by an immediate family trip to Maui to chase waterfalls, caves, and beaches. But something tells me this was a win-win for him. 🤔🤣 Mom trip anyone?🙋🏾‍♀️
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Hawaii is special for us because it was technically our first destination before leaving U.S. soil on our voyage. We stayed 6 weeks and folks thought we’d never leave. But those nuclear bomb alarms they started doing every month back in 2017 got us up outta here! 👋🏾
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Happy to be back on the island this week though. This waterfall was on the Road to Hana. A nice little drop and lesson in courage. Once overcoming the initial fear of being up there, the kids climbed the rocks to do it a second time.
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In anything in life, all it takes is that initial push to realize there was nothing to fear but fear itself. Story of their lives.
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Thanks @matias.meyer for the amazing day.
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Left to right: @brendangriggs | @laylagriggs | @jermainegriggs
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#hawaii #maui #roadtohana #waterfalls #cliffjumping #island #islandlife

“The sun enlightens everyone, but the light of k

“The sun enlightens everyone, but the light of knowledge enlightens those who are actively seeking the light.”
Debasish Mridha
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#Egypt #dendera #denderatemple #africa #luxor #light #sunlight #knowledge #knowledgeispower #nofilter #realcolors

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