Where to Next?

One of the things I always have a hard time with is deciding where to go when I travel. I have so many places that I want to see that deciding on just one or two can be difficult. After struggling with my choice of destination several times I have come up with 3 questions that I ask myself to help me decide.

1.       What time of year is it?

This question is a great place to start when planning a trip. There are so many amazing festivals and events around the world that the time of year can make a huge difference. I won’t be taking cruise to Alaska in December and I won’t want to visit Oklahoma in tornado season. The cherry blossom viewing in Japan, the Balloon festival in New Mexico or the running of the Bulls in Spain are all things on my bucket list and if I get an opportunity to travel during one of those events it’s easy to decide where I am headed too.

 

2.       When will I be able to travel there again?

One of the things I have learned from the jetsetters before me is travel wisely. When you are young and you have the option to travel, choose the destination that is farthest and hardest. If you are deciding between camping in the Sahara and going to Niagara falls. Pick the Sahara. Unless it’s on the very top of your list, save the trips that are easy and closer to home for your retirement years.

3.       Can I Afford it?

This is the ultimate question that all others rely on. Unfortunately the answer to this question is often no. So, I try to shuffle my options to see if I can make the trip cheaper. Can I take a different flight? Can I stay at a hostel instead of a hotel? Will cutting few days off the trip save me money without ruining the experience? Hopefully I can find a happy balance between an amazing travelling experience and not having to sell my car when I get home.

These three main questions will not solve all of your travel decision dilemmas but for me they help put my options into perspective. What questions do you start your travel planning with? How do you decide on your destination?

 

Sincerely yours, Lady of Adventure

 

 

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Shanghai Boat Ride

We didn’t even want to go. But when we realized that our first night in Shanghai would be spent in the hotel room, we joined the rest of the tour group for the boat tour down the Huangpu River.

                Jannie and I jumped on the bus with the rest of the tour group and drove through the street lamp streets of Shanghai. We arrived at our destination and stepped of the buss to a skeptical looking building. We walked into huge waiting room full of people and joined them in waiting as our tour guide secured the boat tickets. After a few minutes we were lead down a narrow hall and through a back door of the building, just like that we were standing on the docks waiting to board our boat. The chill in the air kept us awake as we watched as passengers slowly filed of a riverboat style vessel. When the boat had been emptied it was our turn to board.

                                                 (Managed to catch one of the crew for a pic)

                Up the gangplank we went, surveying the riverbank views. But it wasn’t until we reached the far, river facing side of the boat that I was glad I had come. The views opened up to the brightly lit riverbank with skyscrapers decorated with lightshows and varying architecture was a unique sight. As we waited for the boat to debark, we explored the two open air decks.  The boat slowly left the bank and the crisp air turned into chilling breeze that took my breath away. I couldn’t take enough pictures of the banks the light displays on the buildings fascinated me. The unmistakable Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower was a light show in and of itself constantly changing colors and light patterns. Cruising along the river were boats that were as bright as fireworks decked out in light designs and arrangements. We were passed by boats designed as floating rainbows and dragons.

 

            In every trip there is always a moment when the gravity of the adventure finally hits you. The riverboat ride in shanghai was my moment. Shivering from the cold, breathless from the breeze and entranced by the view I stood at the bow of the boat and realized that I was on the adventure of a lifetime and I may never be here again.

Sincerely yours,
        Lady of Adventure

I don't think of it like that...

I was talking to a friend of mine this afternoon and he started asking me about my upcoming trip to Europe.
"How long are you going for?" He asked
"A month." I replied.
"Wow, I wouldn't know what to do for a month vacation. " he commented.
Then it hit. I never think of travel as a vacation.  It's what I do when I have time off, sure. But to me it's just as important for me to travel as it is for me to work. 
When I travel I rarely relax. I am constantly on the move, exploring every corner of the place I am visiting. I get up early,  go to bed late and don't rest in between. Travel expands your point of view.  When I travel, how I look at the world, changes with every new experience,  every new country and city. A person that doesn't travel limits themselves to their surroundings.  They will never understand what they are missing. I guess a lot of people consider travel a vacation but for me it's a necessity,  a drink to quench the wanderlust in my soul.