Life is a Journey that begins during early childhood and goes until the journey ends. Our journey is not necessarily about the destination but the knowledge that we gain and experiences that we have along the way.
I have been blessed to have traveled most of the world and can truly say that it is all about the journey. I remember growing up and having my parents talk about wanting to travel more and only talk about their dreams. Early on I loved reading about animals and places all over the world that I wanted to visit – someday. My favorite past time was visiting our local zoo. Unlike today, animals then were either in small cages or small cement enclosures. I would always try to imagine what their life would be like if they had space to roam.
My very first trip was to Hawaii and I purchased the normal Hawaiian travel books to study before making my final travel arrangements. I found that I was actually more excited about doing the research than traveling to my destination. I had heard stories from my grandparents about their lives in Hawaii and when I actually arrived, it felt like home. My research on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii provided me enough information to know; the places that I should visit, the places that I wanted to visit, and where to have fun. I love Hawaii and no matter where my journey takes me, I take a piece of the islands and my Hawaiian heritage with me.
Being an avid reader and learner, I start every new journey by doing research. Planning out everything that I want to do and see adds an element of excitement and anticipation as to what I might experience along the way. I make a detailed checklist so that I can make a decision as to whether to purchase a tour or travel by myself. I study the culture, points of interest and photographic opportunities.
I currently use the internet to do my initial research but am always drawn to books since I enjoy that part of the journey along with being able to take them with me on the trip.
When I take published tours, I know from prior experience that I will have to make some concessions. I would have to contact a travel agent and receive all of the brochures that they have on my destination along with requesting brochures from the actual locations. Sometimes choosing the right tour package is difficult unless they have optional side tours that make it closer to what I had dreamed of seeing. Traveling as a single woman without the benefit of a tour package offers me the opportunity to customize my journey on my schedule so that I can experience all that a particular location has to offer.
Traveling can be done by plane, bus, car, train, helicopter, microglider, landrover and recreational vehicle. No matter how I travel it is still about the journey. The destination may be someplace; today, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. The journey is all about the experiences and folks I meet along the way.
Join me each week as I share my journey with you whether it be; around the United States, in Canada or somewhere in the World. From time to time I will talk about photography and other things that are part of my journey. Until then, remember that life is about the journey and what we learn about each destination.
