While I may not be travelling all the time, my adventurous travel mascot, Yoshi, more than makes up for it.

 

His story began in the most unassuming way: a small keepsake from home, tossed into my suitcase just before a girls’ trip to Italy. A few days in, I discovered him at the bottom of my bag and slipped him into my purse as a quiet little link to home. Soon after, he began popping into our photos - and without anyone planning it, Yoshi’s Travels was born.

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Since that first trip in 2004, Yoshi has logged more than half a million kilometres, exploring dozens of countries and countless iconic landmarks. From standing atop the Great Wall of China to posing at the finish line of the 2021 Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi, he’s visited places most travellers, myself included, only dream of.

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Over the past twenty-plus years, he’s hit all seven continents with help from me and several generous friends. His Antarctic expedition was cut short by a rogue wave, but he made it to the Falkland Islands, so I like to think it still counts.

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Wherever he goes, Yoshi adds a playful spark and reminds us not to take travel, or ourselves, too seriously.