I posted my first post on the 30th of December 2008. It wasn’t much; just a simple welcome note and my tagline:
go explore. experience. and be inspired.
I remember the first few months very well. I’d just made my first foray into the blogging world and everything about it was new. What do I write about? What is ‘Velvet Escape’ all about? How does this WordPress thingy work? Someone mentioned that there are plugins for everything. Plugins? Err.. what? Who’s going to read my articles? There are many more aspects to blogging that I’ve yet to discover but when I look back at those first few months, I can only grin. Writing was the easy part. Photos weren’t a problem too – I have loads of them. The technical aspects were my biggest challenge. There were times when I really felt like flinging my laptop out the window but the wondrous resources on the internet always came to my rescue. Getting a problem solved gave me the biggest kick.
Writing about my travels allowed me to re-live those marvellous trips and share my personal experiences. I enjoyed it thoroughly (I still do) but people weren’t exactly banging down the door to read my articles.
And then I discovered Twitter. I was delirious the first time I was re-tweeted. I later found out it was a bot but hey.. an RT is an RT! 🙂 When Lonely Planet re-tweeted one of my articles for the first time, I opened a terrific Merlot reserve to celebrate! The rest is history, I guess, but it certainly has been a memorable year full of wonderful challenges, great discoveries and new insights.
One year on, and 250 posts later, I look back proudly but more importantly, I’m thankful for all the new friends that I’ve made this year and the enormous support they’ve given me. THANK YOU! Another big thank you goes to the many guest writers who have contributed dozens of beautiful articles. Finally, I would like to thank Frits and my family for their unwavering love and support. You’re the best!
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a fabulous 2010. May the new year bring you happiness, good health and much travel inspiration.
Cheers,
Keith
Top-10 Velvet Escape posts in 2009
- Plane views: Bora Bora
- Ten things to do in Kuala Lumpur
- Ten things to do in Cape Town
- The Blue Grotto, Capri
- Ten things to do when you travel alone
- Ten tips for planning a RTW trip
- A little piece of heaven
- Ten reasons to travel alone
- A world of inspiration: A lesson in humanity
- Travelations: the trip that opened my eyes
Umm… five of the top-10 were ‘list’ posts. Now there’s a lesson! 😉
Hi Carrie,
Thank you for your comment. I’m really glad you like the articles on Velvet Escape. Wish you all the best too for 2010! It’s going to be a fab year! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
Congratulations Keith. I’m a recent newcomer to Velvet Escape, but I’ve really enjoyed your articles and I’m looking forward to reading Velvet Escape in 2010. Best wishes for the New Year!
Congratulazioni Keith! And all my best wishes for the new year: I am sure it will bring you many more great things!
Gloria
Thank you Jen! All the best to you too. May 2010 bring you lots of joy, love & new inspiration! 🙂
Big hugs,
Keith
A well deserved success! Wishing you all the best for the New Year! I’m sure it will open many, many doors!!
Thank you JoAnna! Have a fab 2010! We’ll be in touch.
Hugs,
Keith
Congrats Keith! I love Velvet Escape … keep up the great work!
Knew I could count on you Stephanie! 🙂 Have a fab 2010!
Hugs,
Keith
A flick of my Bic and consider it done “)
ANYTHING for you my sweetest tweep of all!!
Congratulations and I look forward to many more years of velvetescapes with you-
Stephanie
Hi D&D, Amy & MJ,
Thank you so much for your support throughout the past year. Really glad to have met you through Twitter. Best wishes for 2010!
Big hugs,
Keith
Congratulations on such a successful year! You have come a long way baby and can’t wait to see what 2010 brings you!
Happy Blogiversary!! 🙂
You are a pro in my eyes. I have enjoyed your blog posts and all your articles. I wouldn’t know that you have been blogging for only a year. I’m looking forward to many great things to come from Velvet Escape.
Have a great year ahead and happy travel!
Happy anniversary!
Your blogging and travel stories have brightened my year. May this be the first of many, many anniversaries.
And Happy New Year!