It is a time for us to put into words the daydreams that will ultimately lead to new travel plans. Yet, moving to the next adventure can’t really be done without a backward glance or two. . . and a bit of introspection.
This last year we were again reminded that travel isn’t so much about ‘what you saw’ but ‘how you’ve changed’ as a result of your experiences.
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| Musician in Pape'eti, Tahiti with traditional Maori body tattoos |
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| A dining experience not to miss in Pape'ete, Tahiti |
Once you’ve experienced the ‘different’ - smells, colors, people, food, music, religion, culture – you find that upon your return home you are different as well . . .
You’ve been reminded of your insignificance as you sail across vast stretches of ocean. . .
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| Setting Sail from Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii |
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| A view of Chora Sfakia, Crete |
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| Tahiti, French Polynesia |
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| Auckland, New Zealand |
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| Tahiti's Black Sand Beaches |
Where will your adventures take you this year? How has travel changed you? We look forward to reading your thoughts and plans. Tell us by adding a comment below or send us an email!
Our wishes for Happy Travels and Happy New Year!
We are linking up with:
Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday
The Tablescrapers’ Oh The Places I have Been
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ReplyDeleteGreat photos...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by today, always a treat to see a comment from you!
DeleteI love your take on the memorable travel year you both had and the beautiful photos to go along with them. Travel is about experiences, memories and growth for us too. Travel brings me out of my comfort zone and I cherish and love that. You're right, it always reminds me of my insignificance in the grand scheme of things and that I still have a lot to learn, see and experience. I hope to keep teaching my kids that as they get older. We're headed Down Under with stops in Fiji and Bangkok this year and an overdue visit to family in Guam.
ReplyDeleteMary, I am so excited out your upcoming trip Down Under! A good friend began her newspaper career working for the Pacific Daily News in Guam so it has always been a 'destination' on my futures bucket list. You are so right about being removed from our comfort zones and isn't it a great feeling (at least in retrospect at times? ;-) )
DeleteAfter travelling for a longer time last year, I have found it hard to settle into home life this time. I too miss the experiences that travelling gives you, the lessons of new cultures and customs and the taste of wondrous food. Oh to be on the road again. It'll be a bit longer than I had planned before we head off again but we'll returning to Turkey and hopefully exploring Israel are on the cards!
ReplyDeleteJenny you so nailed it! We are finding the longer we are gone the harder it is to return and 'fit' into our old world. For at least a few more years we will continue having the fantasy about staying away even longer or why return at all?
DeleteI think your cruise across the Pacific really gave you a sense of the size of the planet. And good for you for taking the time to reflect. I need to do more of that.
ReplyDeleteBetween now and September I have a lot of Canadian travel and after that who knows. I'm contemplating a 3 week trip to include Patagonia just after XMAS next year - especially if I can book it on points in the next few weeks.
I really enjoyed this post for its different take on why people travel. Indeed, travelling to foreign lands, meeting extraordinary people, and getting a taste of a culture, can ultimately change one's outlook on life, and/or inspire an introspective observation within, both integral factors on individual growth, acceptance and perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Poppy
Thanks for your insights as well, Poppy. Travel really does change one's outlook on life and certainly - in recent years anyway - has inspired some introspection.
DeleteIt's so true, I am so grateful to see different worlds and then come back a different person and inspired....it's so easy to try and pick up but now I want to keep exploring the world!
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying, Noel! I am so grateful to be able to travel.
DeleteI agree, travelling certainly broadens your horizons, a trite but true comment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by and visiting me!
In our case it certainly minimalizes what was once so 'important' to do, or think about back home. Thanks for the visit!
DeleteIt's so hard to go back to your old world and old existance when you've been travelling. But you are always a different person. Great post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Johanna. . .it really is an expansive world and results in expansive growth if you let it.
DeleteFor some reason Marcia Mayne from Inside Journeys has been unable to get her comment here to appear, so I am pasting it in for her - it is too thoughtful to miss:
ReplyDelete"I love this take on your review, Jackie. I couldn't agree more: travel changes us, sometimes imperceptibly, sometimes not. Each trip has changed me. Yucatan sparked my interest in seeing historic and cultural sites. Spain taught me the benefits of slow travel, Africa showed me my roots.
After spending most of the year nursing my ankle, I'm looking forward to getting back on the road. Looking forward to visiting Nicaragua and Charleston and New Orleans later this year. Oh, and I'm planning to go to TBEX, my first trip. Had to cancel last year when I broke my ankle. I'm excited to get back out there and discover some new places, interact with people, taste different foods and have fun! Best wishes for 2014!!"
I had to be your biggest cheerleader on your South Pacific tour due to my lifelong infatuation with Tahiti! I'll get there someday. You were so spot on with "travel isn't so much about ‘what you saw’ but ‘how you’ve changed’ as a result of your experiences." Very true in life too for me, Jackie! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting today, Mike. You make a good point about life and the experiences one has in it changing you. You will make it to Tahiti one day - I have no doubt in my mind!
DeleteWhat a lovely post! Looking forward to reading more of your experiences over the coming year.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked this Irene! Looking forward to having you along in the coming year as well!
DeleteHi Jackie, what a beautiful and inspiring introspection on your travel. So true, travel is not all about seeing. For me and Keith, it's more about connecting. Our most enriching travel experiences are from those where we made deep connection with the people, culture and nature. Seeing the vastness of the world is very humbling, I'm always reminded that I'm just a small part of it. Meeting different people and experiencing their culture always refreshes my perspective. Living in New York for a long time, one of the important things that traveling reminds is that we cannot equate poverty with unhappiness. The people I've met in the economic challenged countries are much more happier and grounded than the people in my city. This perspective also gave me more appreciation for my home country the Philippines. I always wished for the Philippines to be wealthy, but I realized that the people are already wealthy - not in money but in spirit, in joy for life, in gratefulness for every little things. For me, I think that's the kind of wealth that matters most.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your South Pacific posts are very inspiring. Guess, where we are heading next?
Your word 'connecting' is perfect to describe our travels. Sadly we don't often stay long enough to 'immerse' ourselves somewhere but we do try to connect! And your observations about poverty and unhappiness are right on target. We have often said our US society could learn a lot from those deemed 'less fortunate' by our society's definition, because they seem to still value the simple pleasures in life: family and friends, time spent together. In Tahiti we learned kids go to school only half days on Wednesdays and Fridays. . . .our system would be fretting over all they don't learn; but there, they were enjoying time with family on those days. I can hardly wait for your posts from your next destination!!!! How soon do you leave?
DeleteLas fotografías son geniales. Ha estado un regalo el visitar tu bloc, te invito visitar el mio y compartamos nuestros blogs y si te gusta espero que te hagas seguidor.
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Bienvenidos, Julia a TravelnWrite! Muchas gracias para su visitante hoy! And if my Spanish were better, I would tell you how much we love Barcelona and our travels in your Spain. Please do visit often as I will at your blog!
DeleteWord, Jackie! And I love your photos, especially of Auckland. We lived there for a bit 11 years ago. Reminds me a return visit is long overdue! Happy travels in 2014 :)
ReplyDeleteSophie we had such a short time in Auckland and walked until we nearly dropped. The city was far grander than I ever had imagined and so welcoming! The tourist guides were everywhere offering suggestions, map reading, and a warm and friendly smile. I have far more to write about it and I am envious of your having lived there for a bit. Look forward to your journeys in the coming year and Happy New Year!
DeleteI inherited my wanderlust from my father who took us to live in Mexico for a year when I was 9 in 1963. A few years later, we lived in England for a year where he was an exchange teacher. When I told my parents that I wanted to study for a semester in Bogota, Colombia, I received their hearty endorsement of that idea. Somehow, I managed to marry someone who has many opportunities for international travel as part of his job (we live in Philadelphia). I'm writing this in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We leave for Luang Prabang, Laos tomorrow, followed by Siem Riep, Cambodia; Hong Kong; Vietnam; Bangkok, Ko Sumai and then Singapore. We end up in Honolulu where my husband is doing a 3 month sabbatical. 2014 should be a banner travel year. He has a conference in Munich in September and one in South Africa in October. With family and work responsibilities, life sometimes seems too complicated to make travel worth the trouble----but then I arrive there, wherever there is, and all that falls away.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, what a lovely comment! I am following your current travels via your blogging and FB. Thailand was -- long ago -- one of our first far distant travels and I still remember thinking as you so aptly wrote yesterday on FB, "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore!"
DeleteYou two had an amazing year of travel. Love all your shots, and particularly the Tahiti shots. Those really get me day dreaming. This is one of those years for me when I can't do a lot of planning, so we'll see as the year progresses. Right now, just enjoying hanging out in CM working on a couple of projects, and eating WELL! :)
ReplyDeleteWe really did see a lot of the world and yet there is still so much more to explore. It makes 'staying home' seem rather confining no matter how much you enjoy yourself while there. We are ready to hit the deck runnin' and will head out soon. Love your reports from CM. Say hi to Suzanne for me tomorrow
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