The Annual European Migration Is Underway.

And it appears that I am clearly an outlier when it comes to travel.

The annual European Great Migration has commenced, and as herds of Aussies stampede en masse towards warmer northern waters, my Instagram feed is beginning to look a lot like a curated reel of aspirational European hotspots. As I scroll through pic after pic of glorious beaches, spectacular sunsets and exotic cocktails, it dawned on me that I am clearly an outlier when it comes to travel.

I am the first to admit that “doing nothing” is not my strong suit. I am also not a huge fan of ‘doing nothing’ holidays. After twenty-four hours of luxuriating around a pool, I start tapping my fingers and annoying the bejesus out of everyone around me. I know it’s illogical, but other people doing nothing also irritates me ... (and there goes all future holiday invites).

Historically, our family vacations have resembled a cross between a school history excursion and an episode of the Amazing Race. Every day has a rigid and full itinerary, and no stone is left unturned, because in my mind, “who knows when we’ll be back here again.” My kids used to look longingly at pictures from their mates (with normal mums), lying beside horizonless pools in Bali, as we ventured out at dawn on a forty-kilometre bike ride around the Mekong delta in thirty-seven-degree heat and one hundred percent humidity. Ahhh ... memories to last a lifetime!

I wish I was that cool, ‘let’s just wing it’ chick … but I totally am not. I love to feel organised, and the absence of a plan makes me feel decidedly unsettled. I am also quite partial to a spot of research, (I know ... an irresistible combination, right?) In fact, I’d go so far as to say, that I am to planning as Federer is to tennis, which has led me to a bit of an impasse as I try to find a balance between my mind’s penchant for planning and my soul’s need for some space to explore. As Sue Monk Kidd said in ‘When The Heart Waits’ -

“To know exactly where you’re headed may be the best way to go astray. Not all who loiter are lost.” 

So, in an attempt to declare a truce on this internal tug-of-war between my head and my heart, I have formulated a list (because … who doesn’t love a list) to act as a guide for future trips.

1.     Collect stories not soundbites.

If I reflect back on my most memorable travel experiences, they weren’t the ‘box ticking’ trips where I stayed in a swanky hotel and ticked off a list of tourist hot spots. They were the ones where I immersed myself in a place, hung out with the locals and sought out stories. Because memories come to life through the magic of stories.

2.     Let curiosity be my guide.

I need to learn not to white knuckle my (meticulously planned) itinerary and lean in to curiosity as my guide. To let go of what I think I know and be open to what I could learn in order to see the world in new and exciting ways. I am going to embrace coddiwompling – traveling in a purposeful manner to a vague or as yet unknown destination. (my new favourite word).

3.     Veer off the beaten path. Seek out adventures.

So, I probs don’t need too much prompting around this one … (said as I plan a trip to Rwanda to trek with the gorillas). But a good reminder that the best memories don’t happen around the pool of the Sheraton Hotel.

4.     Travel consciously. Go lightly.

Where possible, put money into the pockets of local businesses and people and seek out authentic experiences. Give back and go deeper in less places. Take less. (this one might require some practice as evidenced from images below #babysteps).

5.     Stay humble.

Travel can humble you in a useful way by reminding you of how little you know, how much you have and that you don’t need as much as you think we do in order to be happy. It prompts us to question and think about what it means to live a good life. About what success really is.

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” -Gustav Flaubert

6.     Never shop alone.

Note to self ... local fashion trends including but not limited to Peruvian ponchos, Vietnamese fisherman pants and Bhutanese shawls are lost in translation when transported back to home soil. They do not exude that exotic, edgy vibe you were hoping for and should under no circumstances be removed from their homeland.

Safe travels friends … keep the pics coming.

Ang x