Things that travel’s taught me

I was helping out in the local primary school recently when a discussion came up about where countries were in the world. One boy exclaimed loudly that he’d “never left East Anglia” and there was lots of agreement; most kids seemed not to have either. It made me wish that I could give each one of them the chance to travel. To go somewhere new. Anywhere- it didn’t have to be far. It may be a cliche but I think being able to travel has made me who I am and has taught me more than I could have ever learned otherwise. It would be great if every kid could have the same opportunity; to explore, to roam, to learn.

I know that travel is a very personal thing, but I thought I’d share what its taught me so far. This is in no particular order and isn’t a definitive list- I hope I’ll keep learning as I continue to explore. Some of it relates directly to travel, and some things are wider life lessons. Maybe some of it will ring true with you, too.

No one ever regretted travelling. I doubt many people look back and think, ‘I wish I hadn’t travelled’. No, you’ll only regret not taking opportunities to travel when they came up.

The journey is half the fun (or more). I know this isn’t always the case (think long haul flights), but sometimes getting somewhere is as memorable as the place itself. Renting a motor home one summer in France, or a boat on the Broads in England meant we never really ‘got’ anywhere but saw so much anyway.

You learn to be more adaptable. And to throw plans out of the window. Travel often calls for a Plan B, or maybe even C or D. The point is, not everything will work out the way you hoped. From flight delays, to bad weather to disappointment. I’m slowly learning to try and see the good in any situation, and travelling helps you with this.

You can’t change the weather. I will blame repetitively watching a video with Tigger being followed by a rain cloud when I was young as to why precipitation seems to follow me. I still would prefer it if the sun could shine every day (who would’t) but I’m learning to accept the weather whatever it does. From dancing in the rain and riding out a huge storm in the Bahamas, to running through Miami in the middle of a tornado, I’m not going to let the weather stop me.

You can never take too many photos. Snap away, be a tourist. It doesn’t matter what people think; capture those moments that will bring back the memories in ten years time.

But at the same time… know when to put down the camera. Sometimes we all become obsessed with that perfect picture and end up seeing our whole trip through the lens. The best moments aren’t always easy to capture with a camera, but you’ll remember them forever anyway. I don’t have any photos of myself underwater with dolphins in the Bahamas, because I didn’t want the burden of a camera taking away from the experience. But I will never forget those moments.

Its ok not to do/ see it all. I have a serious case of FOMO when it comes to travel (fear of missing out). I always worry that I won’t be able to fit everything in, and that whilst I’m doing one thing or seeing something I’m missing out elsewhere. I’m learning to enjoy whatever I choose to do and accepting that there is no such thing as a ‘must-do’. Each experience is personal and what you make of it.

You don’t have to spend loads to live it up. Travel can be super expensive, but it doesn’t have to be and you still won’t have to rough it. I’ve never stayed in a hostel to save money, but I rarely spend too much on five star hotels either. Self-catering is a great way to keep costs down and still gives you the opportunity to stay in amazing places. Like the apartment in Corfu or the place in Phuket; both had beautiful pools, helpful staff and amazing views for peanuts. And some countries are cheaper than others- we stayed in a 5-star in Bangkok for the price of a 3-star in the US or Europe.

I’m lucky to have what I have. The world is full of people with less than me. Enough said.

Some places won’t live up to the hype. This can be disappointing, but if you don’t go you won’t know! I found Miami to be underwhelming, for example, but I still had a good time, once I dealt with my expectations.

Some places will live up to the hype. New York’s Empire State Building? Ignore people who tell you not to bother- there is no view quite like the one from the top.

And some places will surprise you. The first time I visited France I wasn’t expecting much- but now I head back whenever I can. I was expecting Phuket to be over-run and spoilt by tourism, but it was one of the most beautiful islands I’ve visited. Moral of the story- wherever you go, go with an open mind.

You can never know a place too well. I’ve been to India more times than I can remember, even lived there and still I’ve barely seen anything. Last time we went on a train trip which was a real eye opener, but there’s still so much more there to explore.

Your bucket list will keep growing. Following on from the last point- there is always more to discover and if you’re anything like me, for each trip you take you will add two more to your bucket list.

The world is still a beautiful place. Despite what the media wants us to believe, there are still good people out there and places that will take your breath away, from the jungles of Malaysia to the chateaux of France.

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy yourself. I spent last summer exploring Norfolk, and had many amazing experiences.

Travelling solo isn’t as terrifying as it sounds. I’ve been on two solo trips now and although there were moments I wished I had someone with me, I also had the opportunity to meet new people, make my own choices and learn more about myself.

Always say ‘yes’. Travel helped me take risks and step out of my comfort zone. Whenever an opportunity comes up to try something new, whether or not it scared me, I’ve tried to say yes.

Its the best way to learn new things and meet new people. I’ve learned to surf, ski and snorkel whilst travelling, had the opportunity to practice my French in small village bakeries in France, learnt about the ecosystem of the African bush, and about different cultures and traditions, all whilst meeting interesting people.

Its good to wake up early. Not too early, but early enough to watch the sunrise, whether its over the Alps, the calm silvery Ionian Sea, or burning red like a furnace in Zimbabwe. And extra points for getting up before the light and hiking up 1000 steps to watch the sun rise through the mist (as in Mysore).

You will feel small and insignificant. Travel is humbling, at least for me it is.

As some one very smart once said, “the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page”.

What are your thoughts? What would you add to the list? Now get out there and wander!

All photos taken by either Maya or me