I birthed a baby last night.
Gestation was a little over 9 months. It was a long labor, but not a difficult delivery in the end. I’m proud and happy – I think she’s a beauty!
Hope you’ll agree. Take a peek: www.wowtravelclub.com
Yes, a new website!
If you’ve ever created one, you can probably empathize with me. It takes longer than expected and costs three times (maybe more!) than estimated. But a labor of love, to be sure.
I have to thank my midwife, without whom the delivery would not have been possible. My awesome executive assistant, Ellen Gruetzmacher, deserves the lion’s share of the credit for keeping this project on track, despite her boss’ crazy travel schedule, incessant distractions and conflicting priorities.
The web developer, John Bundy from squawkdog.com was the perfect collaborator. He struck that delicate balance between tech guru and creative genius – displaying limitless patience with my unending suggestions, and even incorporating some of them into the finished project!
I put out a call for testimonials to all my WOWee (travel alumni) and was elated with the responses that came back, testifying to the care, connections and cherished memories they’ve experienced on a WOW! journey. Like I always say, travel is one of the most life-changing, transformational experiences that one can have, and I’m thrilled to have been part of that experience for so many travelers.
In the process of updating my “past” pages, I revisited the journeys of years back and revived memories of my own . . .
… playing elephant polo in India with a tartan-clad marching band playing between chukkas (watch out for the poop!)
… being welcomed to the village of Misminay in the Peruvian Andes where villagers showed us cityfolk how to spin wool, shear sheep and milk a cow
… showing our Zambian chefs how to make s’mores at the end of a beautiful dinner under the star-filled sky, after which they thanked us with a spontaneous song and dance
… planning a picnic in the Ecuadorean rainforest – only to be washed out by a torrent of (you guessed it!) rain
… stepping over sleepy sea lions, past marine iguanas and around blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos
… witnessing the delight of stickball-playing boys in the backstreets of Havana when I gave them a bright green tennis ball to replace their homemade ball made of rags
… dancing a pizzica folk dance after enjoying a picnic lunch (and lots of wine!) in a grove of ancient olive trees in Puglia
… hanging out the window of our bus in Myanmar to photograph scenes of harvest with oxen and wooden carts
… snorkeling next to a giant whale shark in the Sea of Cortez and petting a gray whale calf in Magdalena Bay
Oh – yes, there have been some incredible, indelible and amazing experiences in the 10-year history of The WOW! Travel Club. Thanks to everyone who helped make the memories possible, all of you who shared them with me, and everyone who contributed to my beautiful new website!
Here’s to many more magical memories!
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8 Comments
Michael Dlay May 27, 2016 at 5:48pm
Congratulations, Marilyn! It’s an absolutely beautiful baby. I can only imagine how proud you are…and rightly so. Seldom does a newborn have so much energy and appeal. Your new WOW! Travel Club website is spectacular!
Kathleen Barry May 27, 2016 at 5:57pm
Mazel tov on the new baby!
Rick McKinney May 27, 2016 at 8:06pm
Congratulations, that is great this could slow you down a little.
Julie Franz May 27, 2016 at 8:32pm
I love it!! And now I actually know what WOW stands for!
Andrea Michaels May 27, 2016 at 9:48pm
The great thing about giving birth is that once it’s over you forget the pain and only remember the joy that this new life brings. So, for all the little things that annoyed in “getting there” congratulations on birthing that baby (wasn’t there some kind of line in Gone With the Wind about that?}
Nancy Goodell May 27, 2016 at 10:01pm
Oh, Marilyn. What an inspiration! Your baby will bring joy to many. Congratulations.
Jill Stoliker May 28, 2016 at 9:50pm
I enjoyed spending time “touring” this new website. Especially all of the “past” trips that I have taken. I still want to take that trip to Puglia, Italy that I missed. The “Indie” trip concept is interesting; I will want to discuss that more with you as I want to go to Baja again. Bouncing around throughout the website was effortless and efficient. I especially appreciate the identifying information on your magnificent and humorous photographs. Congratulations to the entire staff!
Helene Volkman May 31, 2016 at 5:59pm
Great job, Marilyn, as only you can produce. I know the hard work that went into all of your journeys, much to the delightful experiences for all the participants.