Story By A Fellow Traveller: ‘My Biggest Travel Inspiration: My Dad’

My Dad: The Reason Why I Fell In Love With Travel

A Fellow Traveller

My father has been an avid traveller at heart for as long as I can remember. He slept on beaches, hitchhiked, and rode in the backs of trucks. Despite being very young at that time, I vividly remember him telling me anecdotes of his adventures when he returned home. It didn’t end there. He was so passionate about travelling that he even got inked to mark his first solo journey. He went on several travel breaks while he was young. 

How did my father inspire me to travel?

My father would reach home from work, put his feet up, and tell us stories of the different places he had been. Sometimes he would even bring back souvenirs for us from different tourist places in the world. He mesmerised me by the tales he spoke of his experiences. His photos would motivate me to travel and live that experience myself.

Starting young, my father always instilled the importance of travel in me. He would take my brother and me on trips worldwide during our school vacations, exposing us to new cultures and languages. We visited all kinds of places: from the Amazon rainforest to the ancient ruins of Rome. I always loved going on adventures with him and seeing new places. He was my first travel buddy, and he instilled in me a love of travel that has stayed with me my entire life.

He would take my siblings and me on trips to top tourist places in the world, exposing us to different cultures and lifestyles. Consequently, I was always interested in learning about new places and wanted to explore as much of the world as possible. I am grateful to him for illuminating me to travel and explore new places and cultures. He familiarised me with the importance of being open-minded and respectful of other cultures.

His passion for travel rubbed off on me, and now I love to go on tours, scour new cultures and meet new people. When I was an adolescent, I would save all my money to travel to different countries. Now that I’m an adult, I continue to travel as much as possible. I’ve been able to visit dozens of countries because of my love for travel, and I plan to continue exploring as many places as possible. I owe this thirst for adventure to my father. Seeing the world through his eyes inspired me to travel as much as possible while still youthful and have the stamina to do so. And I am doing precisely that. In fact, I’m currently writing this post from a rooftop cafe in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh.

What does travelling mean to me?

Over the years, I have comprehended that travelling is one of the most enriching experiences a person can have in life. Visiting new countries and meeting new people have pushed me out of my comfort zones, inspiring me to see, taste, and experience new things. It continuously compels me to adapt and explore new surroundings, engage with new people, embrace new and significant experiences, and share them with friends and loved ones. 

Travelling is a great way to learn about other cultures and see the world. I have been fortunate enough to trek to some pretty exotic places in my lifetime, and each one has given me a new philosophy on life. My favourite trips are always where I get to experience the local culture. The offbeat destinations attract me to them. I love learning about the food, the music, and the people’s customs in the places I visit. It’s always an adventure!

Travelling also teaches you about yourself and helps you grow as a person. Every trip has been a fantastic experience that has taught me something new. I have learned that there is so much more to life than what I see in my own backyard. I have also learned that people are basically the same worldwide, regardless of their culture.

Places My Father And I Have Been To and The Experiences We Have Had

Thanks to my father, I have been to many diverse locations in my life and have had a lot of different experiences. Each place has its own remarkable culture and set of experiences. Our first trip was to Switzerland, and I was amazed at the sheer magnificence of it all. Our trip to China struck us by how different the culture was from ours. Everything from the meals to the architecture was utterly nonnative, and it was an excellent opportunity to learn about another civilization. The history and architecture in Europe and India are just incredible, and it was fascinating to see how different cultures have evolved. 

One of my favourite expedition memories was when we visited the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. It was an incredible venture to see such an old and well-preserved city. We also enjoyed visiting the temples and ruins in Greece and the beautiful beaches in Thailand. We got to Japan to see the cherry blossom trees in April. The best my eyes have ever seen! Cruising down the Nile river was the most calming experience. Bathing in the Ganges is the highest spiritual frequency we have ever reached.

Adventures We Had and The Emotions We Garnered

My father took me to Iceland. There we did Scuba Diving in the Silfra Fissure. Even after so many years, that experience sends chills down my spine. I overcame my fear and adventures, and since then, adventures and I have gone hand in hand. We have gone camping, white water rafting, and kayaking to various places on the globe. We have also gone skydiving and parasailing. Camping in New Zealand is a great way to get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors. The untamed Colorado River offers spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. It holds a special place in my heart as I experienced the best whitewater river rafting with my father there. The camper in us found solace in Pennine Way. The three-week journey challenged us and compelled us to deal with the mutability of crazy British weather. What an experience! 

I never knew I was ready to take the plunge. But my father motivated me to take my first skydiving plunge in Hawaii. My stomach might have almost come out of my mouth back then, but today I am thankful to my dad for pushing me hard enough and giving me an experience of a lifetime. Think of Kayaking and Ottawa river floods in my head. The amazing rapids and waves hold an exceptional place in my heart. Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach and unquestionably one of its icons, mesmerised us with the breathtaking vistas when parasailing.

Conclusion

I have so many travel memories of the best tourist places in the world. But all these experiences owe their credit to my beloved father. No experience can beat the escapades of the different places we went and the things we saw and did together. My daddy has always been a noteworthy influence on my life, particularly when travelling. When I would go on trips with him, I would watch in awe as he effortlessly negotiated his way through foreign cultures. His travels have taught me so much about the world, and they have also inspired my own travels. 
This post was written in honour of my father, who has always been a source of inspiration to me. His travel experiences have influenced my life, and I hope to emulate his passion for exploration and adventure with my kids. If you are motivated to travel, check affordable air tickets here.

FAQs

Can travel inspire you?

There’s nothing quite like exploring a new place to jumpstart the creative process. Travel can be a fantastic way to get inspired, whether you’re a writer, artist, or entrepreneur. Different cultures and landscapes offer a wealth of new ideas and possibilities. It can also provide a fresh perspective on your own life and give you new ideas for your work and personal life.

Who is a wanderlust person?

A wanderlust person is somebody with a strong desire to travel and explore the world. They are always looking for new experiences and adventures, and they often find themselves restless if they dwell in one place for too long. Wanderers are curious and open-minded, and they see the world as their playground.

Is it safe to travel by airplane post the covid-19 pandemic?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel by air if you have been vaccinated and follow the precautions.

How much does it cost to transit by air for a solo trip?

It depends on various factors. Where are you heading from? Are you booking in advance or a day prior? You can check flight tickets on www. cleartrip.com to get affordable prices.

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