DREAMING OF SOULFUL TRAVEL MOMENTS BRINGING JOY
One cold dark evening, many years ago a naughty little girl was sent to bed early. She gazed at the moon from her sky light with half-open eyes and eventually allowed her to transition into sleep. Her eyes shut, she stirred intermittently but the whole time with a little beam of a smile on her face. For she was dreaming, but of what I hear you ask…
THE WARM AIR THAT GLIDED ACROSS HER FACE AS SHE
STEPPED OFF A PLANE
The feeling of warm tropical air that hits the face as that airplane door swings open instantly fills the body with joy and excitement to discover a new locale.
A BRAND NEW STAMP TO ILLUSTRATE HER PASSPORT
She was a fan of art so she knew that her favourite memories would be illustrated with beautiful stamps from across the globe. It may be hot, muggy and smelly but you’re not at home!
TAKING HER FIRST RIDE INTO A NEW LOCALE
The moment she left the airport, she could breathe in the fresh air of the locale and a little orientation tour from the taxi driver, before arriving at her hotel.
A MEMORABLE LOCAL ENCOUNTER
Meeting the locals and learning of their daily life and stories of the country and the many recommendations that they excitedly pass on, including where to eat, drink, visit and stay.
TASTING THE FOOD & DRINK OF THE LAND
The greatest joy is brought and shared by food and drink and think of all the different global cuisines. Pasta in Italy, Tortillas in Guatemala, noodles in Thailand, hot chocolate in Belgium would all be firm favourites that had only be samples at home up until now.
DISCOVERING LOCAL WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
Being a lover of animals she would get to see species that back home didn’t exist. She helped in the battle against animal conservation and preservation but most of all she would see her most favourite animal in the whole wide world, the elephant right before her.
Learn about a couple of the wildlife encounters; Hutsadin Elephant Foundation: The Mahout Experience and Orangutans: Connecting with our Descendants
THE MOMENT SHE STUMBLED UPON A PLACE FROM
HER TRAVEL GUIDE
A trip can be planned to detail but there will always be those instances when one stumbles upon a place that has only been studied in a travel guide such as the Iglesia de la Merced, Antigua, Guatemala.
GETTING LOST IN NEW SURROUNDINGS AND FINDING HER WAY BACK
From building tents under her parents dining table to remote adventures in the rain forests and jungles of the world, Eco-lodges in unusual destinations this would be her joy and inevitably her style of travel.
HELPING THE LOCALS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN HERSELF
She may have been a naughty girl but she was loved and always knew how lucky she was. She wanted other children in the world to encounter the things she was able to do made possible with books and education.
You can read all about this in the post, Evason Hua Hin: Sustainability and Social Responsibility.
HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPTURE HER MEMORIES
AS PHOTOGRAPHS
Photography was always going to be a hobby as her dad was a photographer but imagine all the stunning colourful photographs that could fill the mind with joy. The happiness when looking back on them in years to come would be so overwhelming.
For she knew that two of the most precious memories would be that of Machu Picchu and Tikal, for she was currently studying the Mayan and Incan civilisations at school.
As the crisp winter sun glimmered through the sky-light and the trees filled with birdsong, the little girls eyes opened and she realised she had been lucky enough to experience the most incredible travel moments.
These are the moments that provide joy, the moments that capture the true essence of travel.
I’d love to hear about your travel moments that have filled you with joy in the
comments below
Á Bientôt…
PIN FOR LATER
Binny
What wonderful moments Bejal! I love the drive from the airport to the hotel too!!
Bejal
BinnyThanks Binny! Awwe yes, its so exciting, the unknown!
the Curious Pixie
The passport stamp always gets me so excited,. I once got a London stamp in one of mine. When I told a nice official I collect stamps and please could he stamp my passport and make a happy geek.
Bejal
the Curious PixieHaha, that’s amazing! I have a collage of my stamps somewhere which needs hanging!
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN)
You’ve had some glorious travel moments!
Bejal
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN)Thanksyou! Must say I’ve been very lucky indeed!
Ngaire Ackerley
What a cool array of memories! I wish I’d gotten to Guatemala when I was in South/Central America!
Bejal
Ngaire AckerleyThankyou Ngaire. Guatemala is a dream come true for me, I’m sure you can do it in the future!
1dish4theroad
Really love how you’ve written this post, Bejal. And what travel experiences you’ve had too! Funnily enough, as I write this, there’s a poster-size photo of Machu Picchu staring back at me from our living room wall – a reminder of our own travels to this magical place. Keep dreaming (and travelling) Bejal!..
Bejal
1dish4theroadThankyou Aaron! Oh Machu Picchu, what a dream that is. It certainly is magical and so unbelievable until you go right?!
Neha D’Souza
Lovely read and dreams come true you just need to work hard to play harder. Your travel journey has been amazing and your photography skills are great ????????
Bejal
Neha D’SouzaThankyou for your lovely comments. I am getting more into photography these days and enjoying it at times.
aeparker81
Yes yes yes, and the smell of a warm country as you walk down the airbridge from the plane. We have a little flyers log book for our baby so getting a stamp in their for each new country is my new joy!
Bejal
aeparker81Thanks so much for reading and how amazing for your baby! Love a passport stamp too-thanks for stopping by x
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
I loved, loved, loved this post!
Bejal
Emma @ Adventures of a London KiwiAww thanks so much Emma!
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Love this post, found myself going yep, yep, yep lol. I also love getting lost in a new place!
Bejal
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)Oh so glad you agree! Oh yes getting lost is always fun as it just makes you discover more new places and hidden gems!