It took my parents 18 years of saving to take their family for a visit to their mother country. We were going via Disneyland (a treat for the kids) and reuniting with family in the UK (a treat for the parents). Expensive airfares in those days meant they planned to get quality and quantity for their money – we were going to be away for six months.
There were six months of planning and excitement before we stepped onto a plane. Family in the UK had to be notified by snail mail to make room, we would be staying with them. Money would not be unnecessarily spent on hotel rooms. Family would generously host and give up their bedrooms for us. And, we would incur the wrath of uncles and aunties if we did not come to stay!
Fast forward 40 years. Airfares have become more affordable and the four corners of the earth more accessible. Air travel and exotic holidays are the norm for so many of us.
Articles in glossy magazines, travel brochures and advertising on billboards today make great efforts to promote tours, luxury escapes to resorts, retreats and spas in exotic destinations, cruise and tour companies now offer deals and bargains too good to pass up. You can tick off all the destinations on your “bucket list” in a few short trips.
Why spend all that time and energy planning and organising your own personal adventure when someone else has already planned the perfect one for you? It must be good because everyone else is doing it too by the snippets friends share of their exotic holidays on social media. And, the icing on the cake – somebody delivers your luggage to your room!
Having been enticed and indulged in this type of travel, it didn’t take us long to work out that this didn’t suit us. On reflection, the most memorable moments of a trip were always events that had occurred during the days we had been travelling by ourselves before and after a group tour. Resorts with their comfort and dining experiences were relaxing and rejuvenating for a couple of days but didn’t satisfy our desire to see a country and experience how people live.
Over years, we have embraced simple travel by taking the slower and independent road staying in countries for longer when possible, sometimes visiting a country or city multiple times, immersing ourselves into local neighbourhoods by staying in apartments and eating and drinking where the locals eat and carrying our own bags (there are a few stories to tell here).
These days, more often than not, instead of jumping into a taxi, we take a bus or train from the airport to our accommodation (more to come in a future blog about the people we’ve met on the way) and whenever possible we self-drive going slightly off course when something catches our eye or take a wrong turn (something interesting always occurs by the time we reach our destination).
Chance encounters with other travellers from around the world, the generosity and curiosity of the local people, visiting out of the way attractions recommended or guided by locals have all become highlights.
Our spare time is most often spent reading books by popular travel authors, pouring over travel articles, watching travel shows and planning future travels. It is true, just as in days past, the planning and anticipation are as much fun as the trip itself.
Don’t get me wrong. We appreciate luxury and being pampered and do indulge. However, the only way to find out about a country, its people and how they live is to immerse yourself. The best travel memories are the ones that you have a hand in the making.
We hope you enjoy our stories, small finds and recommendations from our past, present and future travels as I share them. But more importantly, that you are inspired to embark on your own simple travel adventures.
0 Comments
11 Pingbacks