Laura, Traveleyes’ very well-travelled Holiday Researcher, shares her thoughts on travel and its many benefits.

We’ve all heard the old adage; “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” – a cliché that has truly stood the test of time. The funny thing about clichés is though, they tend to ring true.

Having spent the past three years of my life dotting around the globe, I can confirm that, whilst I came back with lighter pockets, nothing can outweigh the experiences I have had or the people I have met. Travel is something that we can all benefit from and, if we are fortunate enough to be able to do so, should be jumped at wherever possible. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to travel. My sole focus, year after year, was when and where could I travel? When the day came, plane ticket in hand, I was away.

For three years, I made my way from country to country. Some were whistle-stop visits, whilst other places became like a second home to me. I travelled across breath-taking Greek islands, the diverse and vibrant lands of South East Asia, pausing a moment on the surreal white beaches of the Gili Islands with water so pure blue it leaves you transfixed, before setting up a life in Australia and hopping over to New Zealand.

America and South America? I’ve had my fill too. When I came home I was greeted with “Wow, you must have had enough now!” and “That’s surely enough travelling for a life time?” But to me, the door to the world never closes, and all the hidden wonders that every country has to offer are just waiting to be discovered.

So what is it about travel? Why do people spend their life chasing new destinations and far away lands? For me, the answer is simple; travel opens your eyes to a world you never knew existed, and once you’ve had your first taste, you can’t help but want more.

I know that for many people, the thought of travelling to new countries, particularly far flung destinations, can be incredibly daunting. Every trip I have ever done follows a similar pattern of emotions. Excitement and apprehension evolve into butterflies, before transcending into sheer and utter panic as my plane leaves the runway. But nerves are normal, and, as quickly as they arrive, they disperse, as you are once more left with a dizzying feeling of anticipation as your next adventure grows ever closer.

I will hold my hands up and admit that before I embarked on my travels, my understanding of the world we live in was relatively sheltered. Until you have seen a place, sampled its food, tasted the air and heard the wildlife, you don’t really know it. Even the air feels and smells different. There is so much to gain with every new destination you visit; no single country is the same. For 5 months I journeyed through various areas in South East Asia and found myself constantly amazed by the vast differences from country to country, from town to town, even from street to street. The beauty of travel is that you are constantly learning and challenging any prefixed thoughts you may have held.

The real jewel of travel though, and undoubtedly what you will remember years from now when the memories of verdant lush jungles and azure blue waters fade, is the people you meet along the way. From the people you travel with, to the people you come across with every stop you make, these are the true memories that last a life time. The hospitality and generosity of both locals and travel companions wherever I have been has genuinely bowled me away time and time again. To me, this is the truest and purest aspect of travel.

Travel is something that opens your mind to diverse new cultures, rich histories, and such dazzling beauty that often it doesn’t feel real. I implore everyone to grab each opportunity to travel by the horns and ride that bull for as long as you can.

And with that, I’ll leave you with one last parting cliché; ‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page’.

 

 

Holiday Researcher