My career choices and maybe even my hobbies have given me access to a broad range of travel opportunities to a wide variety of destinations. I’ve travelled on shoe string budgets and also glammed it up in some exquisite locations. The scope of traveling is huge. Travel crosses all demographics, longitudes and latitudes, social and economic segregations, cultures, beliefs and a host of other factors. The industry has been on the rise with many countries investing fortunes into
developing their travel and tourism economies. So much so that travellers are spoilt for options which can make the decision making process incredibly complicated.
So, take it from me, a pretty successful (self-proclaimed) traveller, I say “pretty successful” because I have made a few errors along the way. Errors make for great education, so let my lessons be passed on to you and let your travels be filled with endless happy memories and as few hiccups along the way as possible.
Travel creates the opportunity to learn from new people, cultures and ways of the world
Empower yourself (fake news, documentation, vaccines)
The modern era means we have access to the world, quite literally right at our finger tips. Whether it’s sitting in your home or taking some time out to enjoy a coffee at your favourite spot, purely for the free flow of WIFI, do it. Being informed gives you power, creates excitement and allows you to really connect once you arrive at your dream destination. It is important to know visa and vaccination requirements, forex and pricing exchanges. We, your travel agent are here to assist in this but being informed means no one can take advantage of you or lead you astray. With the gift of technology and knowledge comes the damaging result of fake news. Choose your sources carefully, question your agent, that’s why they are there. No question is stupid and certainly no question should make you more uncomfortable than your agent.
Firsthand experience is golden
Read reviews. These are firsthand personal accounts of people (like you) and their experiences. I say this hoping that common sense will also guide you. No single property, person or company can perform at 100% all the time, so please take the few negative reviews that there are bound to be with a pinch of salt. Having worked in the service industry for many years I can assure you, people have bad days, or fights with their partners and immediately without question, the food tastes funny, the service isn’t friendly, the coffee isn’t hot and any number of other quick fire criticisms. There is nothing anyone can do in that moment to change a person’s perspective while they are in a compromised mood. This being said, please be fair in your reviews. I place huge merit in how an unsatisfactory situation is handled. People are people and they do, and will, make mistakes it is how these mistakes are handled that is a true reflection of character and value.
Dinner views and great reviews. Photo: Geiger’s Camp
You can’t do everything all at once so don’t even try
Often, with all the information that is at our fingertips we can be overwhelmed by a sensory overload! The excitement builds you discover all the wonderful places to explore and eat and the activities to partake in. Next thing you have a trip itinerary that completely loaded, with no time left for flexibility and freedom. Sometimes the most magical part of travel is experiencing the unknown. Meeting a local who suggests his top five favourite spots, these places are often unspoilt gems. Pick your top experiences be it visiting the Victoria Falls or climbing Table Mountain or a bush walk tracking wildlife. Make plans for these priorities and then allow some freedom to breathe and learn and be present when a new first time unexpectedly comes around.
The experience is there to be enjoyed
Be present
We live in an era where our social wellbeing and happiness is only complete if it displayed for the world to see on our various social media platforms. I certainly don’t discourage this because personally I find social profiles to be a great memory bank for years to come, these platforms allow your experiences to be relived time and time again. Friends and family are kept up to date and your experience might inspire others to take the trip they have been dreaming about or explore the new café down the road. I do however encourage you to get your pics and then pause, take a breath and really focus on being present in the moment, realise what you are truly feeling and experiencing. We are all unique and different, be willing to learn from someone new in your world, be open to exploration of your own feelings and norms. Don’t take the pleasure of a moment for granted.
Be present in a moment that takes your breathe away
Dare to step out of your comfort zone
Explore your own boundaries, they might be keeping your from sleeping outside under a star filled night sky. Our natural instincts tell us we should be between walls and under a roof to remain safe from predators, wildlife, insects or whatever else it may be that we fear is lurking beyond our comfort zones. If the opportunity presents itself (within a safe environment) I encourage you to take that step away from what you find “comfortable” and allow yourself to face those fears of uncertainty, restraint or vulnerability. You might be surprised to find yourself fulfilled, not only by the accomplishment but also by a new found value and pride in yourself. How many people in this day and age have truly experienced sleeping under the stars in the African wilderness, or anywhere for that matter? This is just one example of the multiple opportunities that might surface throughout your life and travels.
Go where you haven’t been before
Be sensible
The term “street smart”, gets thrown around a traveller’s vocabulary relatively often. Stepping out of your comfort zone does not mean knowingly stepping into danger. Be conscious of what you are doing and where you are going. Unfortunately we do live in a time where trust can be misplaced or taken advantage of and being vulnerable can subject you to abuse. Be aware of your surroundings, don’t be naive, inform yourself, listen to your instincts and then trust them.
Flying high on the joys of travel
Relish the moment and start planning the next one
Travel is so incredibly rewarding and life is short. So take those “once in a life time trips” and then,
do it again!
Thank you for joining the journey
– Gemma
