Connecting Routes: Normative to Explorative
AUSTRALIA - ANGOLA - SOLOMON ISLANDS
Here’s to “Connecting Routes” ~ a space to spotlight a common theme in my travels that offers snapshots from one place to another, like the tantalizing tease of a tasting menu or a shortlist of your next dream vacation!
Top Three Places for Normative to Explorative
Bucket list or been before, Australia lands on the plan for a plethora of people. And why not? Great Ocean Road, Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Sydney Opera House, surf, sand, shopping and sight seeing – seems like a win win – an obvious choice. Indeed, my experiences down under are akin to many peoples. Normative experiences are needed. They offer us the ability to easily relate, to layer our stories and sensations on someone else’s and perhaps even, bring us closer to one another and the journeys we’ve made, albeit at distinct points in our lives. Adopting the mainstream, whether in travel, music, education or life aspirations can be powerful punchlines in our lives, particularly if we’ve not gotten used to hearing the soft voice inside.
There is something to be said though for dancing to the beat of one’s own drum, in spite the humdrum. Italy, India, Indonesia – yes please! These are definite dos and I’ve been grateful for the online reviews and recommendations millions before me have made. Yet as I go deeper into the dive for off the drive, off the grid and off the beaten path options, I’m seeing the bonus of being explorative. Suddenly, novel customs, traditions and ways of living go from hazy to “hang on, is this how you eat it/do it/see it/live it?”
The permutations, possibilities and permissions Life offers us often become pinpoint prescriptive if we only peruse other people’s paradigms. Side-stepping the normative intermittently (or often) can be refreshing. So let’s widen our lens beyond the masses to expand our expeditions of discovery - both of our world and within ourselves. With its recent relaxation of the visa process, and from beaches to battles, both Angola and the Solomon Islands are, in addition to ANZ, destinations also worth exploring … just sayin’.
Australia: Renowned for their coffee, Aussies sure know how to make a good cuppa - perhaps this is the draw for many who dream of these creamy concoctions. I meandered and sailed on land with blokarts, found natural hot springs, hiked infamous trails, learned how to gather my meals from home gardens, ran groups for youth and women’s empowerment, went sailing, diving, snorkeling and skydiving over the Remarkables - oh, and this is where my love for fancy cheeses began. The first bite of Pavlova, appreciating the views above and below the ocean or seeing/eating kangaroo were all memorable and perhaps ‘rights of passage-esque’ in some ways.
Angola: When I went, having a VVIP escort of the airport was a godsend, but now, the welcome is warmer and more efficient. Touring Ilha do Cabo seemed like a first stop, but quickly became the social staple that we saw in syndicate while exploring Angola’s beauty. With chic design elements, a ‘Calm Down’ vibe and a simple luxury feel, I wondered how it could be to live life having regular access to this type of scene.
Solomon Islands: Boasting rural and remote islands that require gumption to get to, frog dances from days gone by and an epicentre that recently hosted the South Pacific Games, untouched and unassuming Solo can offer a unique escape. The cultural shows, quality craftsmanship, culinary treats and the compassion of the locals confirmed that placing confidence on exploring his country was well placed.
May we enjoy the comforts of our norm while perhaps also exploring a few (less easily noticed) flavours the world has to offer,
So beautifully written! And a great reminder that living and experimenting outside the lines of mainstream culture holds such richness and curiosity. And we can even do this in our own cities as well as through travel. Thank you!