For the travel wonderlusting soul, the need to travel burns like an insatiable need. It's being in one far-flung destination and planning where to jump next. Or returning from one trip and organizing the next immediately before unpacking your yukky luggage. Apparently, the planning stage is when you are the happiest, so maybe travel junkies thrive on the ‘happy’ endorphins thrumming through their veins more than enjoying a sedentary life on their home turf. Everyone is different, from adventurers to couch potatoes and armchair travelers who never realize their dreams. We all have our own motivation for travel, as we are as individual as the brand of undies we choose to wear.
Social media explodes daily with tempting visions of international destinations, and as much as these air-brushed pics lure the devout voyeurs, travel should not be defined by attempting to recreate such perfection caught on a mobile camera by Instagrammers with supposedly thousands of followers—remember, quite often they are given a freebie ride purely for the exposure of where they are—it's a marketing tool. We all love to holiday in a beautiful place, but don't miss out on travel purely because your bank balance can't withstand the hefty price tag of that stunning luxury boutique hotel on an endless perfect beach—most regions have alternative accommodation at more affordable prices—or go to a less pricey destination. Travel should excite you for far more reasons than posting a drool-worthy shot on Instagram to say 'look at me.'
I am a travel junkie, having moved around the world in both luxury and in basic mode—think an aging backpacker squished into a dorm of 4 people with communal bathroom facilities, only to find that an amorous couple on the top bunk decided to indulge in their lust in the middle of the night! I definitely learned about tolerance that night. On the other hand, I have had the good fortune to stay at some of the most fantastic luxury boutique African lodges, listening to the wild critters outside the front door at night and picnicking on a spread fit for a king at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, which was definitely not a cheap scenario. Travel opens your eyes to the possibilities of who you can be and the experiences you can have—the world is one massive village waiting for your footsteps.
For those who have that one holiday per year, relaxation is at the top of their list of reasons to travel. Wellness retreats, spa hotels, or anywhere that allows them to switch off from their real world is the prime motivator for their holiday. Relentlessly exploring the world is a foreign concept as they wish to be indulged, pampered, and disconnected. They want that Instagram picture experience that has teased them all year. The beauty of many luxury resorts is that you can have your zone-out time sitting amidst nature, plus the chance to interact with local wildlife or the community in stressless ways for frazzled guests—the perfect remedy for uptight minds.
Crossing oceans and borders gives an objective perspective on the lives of others in the world. It can teach you to be humble and grateful for what you have in your own life when you see how less fortunate people live. It's a lesson in respect for others and teaches us to appreciate our privileged lives, and quite often the chance to give back to the unfortunate.
Above every other reason, I travel to explore and feed my senses with the unique and the impossible to believe—from culinary traditions to ancient iconic landmarks. I want to gawk at the pyramids, see with my own eyes the art masterpieces of yesteryear, witness the Serengeti great wildebeest migration, ride a ferry along the muddy waters of the Irrawaddy River, sleep under the stars in the desert; my list is endless with some achieved and some to come. I love the adrenaline rush of meeting people from different cultures and eating food I would never usually contemplate putting in my mouth.
The world is an amazing place that broadens your mind and reinforces that it does not revolve around you—in the universe, you are merely one little ant among many. You can have a travel saga over endless weeks or take delicious small weekend bites every time the hunger to see a different sunset overpowers you—the positives of travel are endless.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
