The 51 most magical travel moments – by @Cheapflights followers December 30, 2013

I got this tweet today - @ctough24 Yours was one of our 51 most magical travel moments. Thank you :-).

Here is the tweet I entered - @ctough24 ‏After a year of surgery/chemotherapy. On the beach at sunrise. Thankful to God for family and healing and the beauty I’m seeing.

Below is the article with the other winning tweets.

Thank you @Cheapflights

Written by: Oonagh Shiel on December 30, 2013.
Earlier this year we held a competition on Twitter. We asked our followers to tell us their #MagicTravelMoment and their answers were a heart-warming blend of love, travel, family, friendship and adventure.

Here are the 51 most magical travel moments of the past year by our friends:

@ReltinRooy My # MagicTravelMoment was when we flew over Africa on our way to Thailand, what an awesome view and experience. :-)

@DilaraLit A month after wedding, was away from hubby for three weeks. Flight delayed, almost missed, hugging him was best feeling!

@kgbearclaw Watching our son put our prayers at the Western Wall was our #MagicTravelMoment Still brings a chill.

@mariab76 The first time I ever went on a plane, it was to Vegas and flying over the Grand Canyon was amazing.

@natmmom My #MagicTravelMoment was the moment I saw my new soon-to-be son in Colombia in his foster home. Magic happened!

@martiferg #magictravelmoment Finding out we were expecting while at the beach last year. :)

@lord_vimes5 Proposing on a Portuguese mountain overlooking the sea at sunset and she said yes!

@Black_Fire79 I was in Tombstone, Arizona late at night and it started to snow. Wasn’t expecting that. Looked like a dream!

@_EricaDawn Seeing my mom waiting for me after five years of not seeing her. #MagicTravelMoment

@eleenie The day when everything was late … plane, bags, car. Walk out of the airport as the car pulls up. #Reunited

@neutkidz My #MagicTravelMoment is when I was away from my hubby and kids for a while. Seeing them again was pure magic!

@iheartmykids Watching my daughter’s face light up to see Disney On Ice.

@sweetmatcha Our helicopter ride over the lush, breath-taking landscape of Kauai.

@ctough24 ‏After a year of surgery/chemotherapy. On the beach at sunrise. Thankful to God for family and healing and the beauty I’m seeing.

@ameecq The moment that my boyfriend proposed to me at sunrise in Maui.

@SpecialRach Going 400km to my destination by rickshaw, bus and train with just smiles, hope and kindness due to the language barrier.

@LuckyLauz7 ‏This! Disneyland Paris 2011! Seeing the smile on my little boy’s face was magic.

@SaraOC230765 Can’t afford tickets to see family in Malaga, just by luck we managed to get a good deal and saw them all!

@mrmikesharman Flying back into Manchester from working anywhere – because I am then almost back home with my family.

@dublrs Last year we got to take our 13-year-old-twins on our first real family holiday to Cancun. It was amazing!

@kzarr In Saint Lucia where the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans meet!

@sarahlucy8825 Climbing Mt Tongariro and finding the energy to run most of the way down! A must-do for all. Beautiful sights.

@MaxxBpm Riding camels in Israel was one of the best experience I’ve ever had!

@PhyliciaSP Gondola ride up to the top to overlook Lake Tahoe! Scared of heights!

@andreama13 When my daughter (now a cancer survivor) went on her “wish trip” to Disney World, I still have goose bumps.

@For_Kate Breaking down on tour in the Arizona desert and hitching a ride with another tour – 16 of us in an 8 seater!

@LisaAnnNola Watching my grandkids play on the beach after travelling six hours to visit them!

@debbutterflys Being able to have family fly out to visit with us, priceless!

@f1nallyr1ch Having a well-behaved little man on my first and his first flight. Great first!

@govols111 My #MagicTravelMoment taking daughter to Disney and all characters were real to her. Nothing like seeing child meet Mickey. :)

@kelandab Watching the sunset on our honeymoon with the kids x.

@lorikeet8 First trip with my boyfriend (now hubby!). Travelling is a true test in a relationship! :)

@BallParkBlues Seeing my sister for the first time stepping off the plane. Never forget that.

@HollywoodHeathy Travelling on my honeymoon! Visiting the Mexican Rivera for the first time!

@MOM4EVEREVER Taking my mother on her first-ever flight as well as her first true holiday – no work at all.

@sdiego1717 The conductor stopped the metro on a bridge so we could see the Eiffel Tower light up.

@CAnGoNiNNy My #MagicTravelMoment was two months ago finally getting to fly for the first time in my life. Now I want to fly everywhere!

@textiff Standing at Makapuu Point, Oahu with my husband was my #MagicTravelMoment. Breathtaking and inspiring!

@CathBrad Seeing my Mama at the airport when I got off the plane, after not seeing her for a year! Priceless!

@ShannonAnne23 Seeing my grandmother’s name at Ellis Island. That was a #MagicTravelMoment.

@gracepap My #MagicTravelMoment was when we approached Yosemite and saw Half Dome for the first time. It stopped us in our tracks!

@mummycat111 Sitting with the pilot taking off from Rome to help me lose my fear of flying.

@faewings My most magical #MagicTravelMoment was flying down to see my first granddaughter for the first time! She’s so beautiful!

@DilaraLit One of my first flights was Rome to Mumbai, long for a 5-year-old. Pilot gave me a quick tour of cockpit at night.

@carley222 When I got to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. So beautiful!

@hannahmdy The first time my big brother, who lives in Canada, met his nephew. Such a special holiday.

@durstslovepens My #MagicTravelMoment was standing at the feet of President Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial and his words carved on the walls.

@AZcomm Climbing China’s Great Wall.

@LindseyClark20 Going to Rome one Easter and hearing the Pope giving Mass to the crowd from the Square by the Vatican.

@mrsbee1234 Seeing the Indian Ocean from Mullaloo beach in Australia for the first time! Wow!

@SooperSandy My #MagicTravelMoment was visiting Graceland and Memphis after being a fan of Elvis since I was young!

Love, Laugh, and Always know where the nearest bathroom is

Boone Hall Plantation cont.

There are eight original slave cabins located on Boone Hall Plantation. Each of the cabins on Slave Street present different themes in telling the black history story. Visitors are able to see the different aspects of daily life, how they worked and lived, struggles that were faced, as well as follow different periods of historical progression from the beginning all the way up to present day.

Life size figures, pre-recorded narratives, audiovisual presentations, photos, pictures, biographical information, and actual historical relics, are interwoven and meshed together in displays throughout the cabins presenting this new exhibit.
http://boonehallplantation.com/black_history.php

Themes for each cabin are as follows:
Cabin 1 – Praise House
Cabin 2 – Slave Crafts
Cabin 3 – Their Life & Family
Cabin 4 – Archaeological Discoveries
Cabin 5 – Their Work and Life
Cabin 6 – Emancipation & Freedom
Cabin 7 – Struggle For Civil Rights
Cabin 8 – Heroes and Leaders

Merry Christmas

Boone Hall Plantation cont.

The beautiful oaks in the back of the property

What part of the Plantation should we explore next?

Some more oaks…

How about some horses…

Love, Laugh, and Always know where the nearest bathroom is

Boone Hall Plantation cont.

Boone Hall Plantation is one of America's oldest working, living plantations. They have been growing and producing crops for over three centuries.

Once known for cotton and pecans, they are still actively producing strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins, as well as many other fruits and vegetables for visitors to enjoy.

The Cotton Gin (under restoration)

The beautiful gardens

The house:

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures inside the house.
To be continued…

Love, Laugh, and Always know where the nearest bathroom is

Boone Hall Plantation, Charleston, SC

In 1743, the son of Major John Boone planted live oak trees, arranging them in two evenly spaced rows. This spectacular approach to his home symbolizes southern heritage and will take root in your memory for many years to come. It would take two centuries for the massive, moss-draped branches to meet overhead, forming today's natural corridor and a scene that NBC Daytime television says is "a must see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C."
(http://boonehallplantation.com)

I loved photographing these oaks. They are so beautiful.

So very beautiful…to be continued…

Love, Laugh, and Always know where the nearest bathroom is