Travel

I feel traveling and seeing other distant lands and cultures is an important part of life. You can take Geography in school but until you see it first hand you never fully appreciate what's beyond your own home ground. Some people enjoy the simple life and never really venture too far from home.  This existence, while certainly great for some, was never really my thing.  As kids my parents never took us on world adventures but they did take us on lots of different traveling adventures relatively close to home.  We would go visit family and relatives each summer. One of my fond memories as a young child was my Mom putting my brother and I on the bus to reach my relatives place for March break. That ride took forever. I wasn't even 9 yet. It was a simpler time back then. We would go to my Dads co-workers cottage or camping. Such great memories and I learned a lot those years traveling. From the day I was old enough to get my drivers licence I managed to buy a cheap car.  It was a 1981 Honda Civic.  How I fit in that thing is still a mystery!

I took that car everywhere!  I was very fortunate to have the freedom to travel around on countless road trips and of course locally.  I had family 8hrs north and always jumped at the chance to go visit them when I could.  Now I didn't have take the bus anymore. Visiting was always an adventure as my family in the North were, I guess you would now call them Homesteaders so there was always wild things to do. The travel was always a big part of the visit.  This sparked my interest in going further and seeing more.

I get asked quite a bit from people in passing on where they should travel to.  This is what I would tell them and I stand by this for anyone interested in travel;

See your own Country first!

I feel strongly that whatever country you live in you should explore it and fully experience all it has to offer first before you start to spread your wings and see the rest of the globe.  Most people don't do this and I can't quite figure out why.  This gives you a deeper appreciation for your own culture and your countries geography.  It gives you a much better understanding of current affairs and events as you can now relate to the information being portrayed having possibly visited these area yourself.

TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS 

Here are some of the highlights I have found while travelling so far.  More will be added as in a few years my wife and I are set to tour the globe by sailboat.  Don't worry that will all make it to my Youtube page eventually.  

These are in no means in order of importance but just a top few things that I have experienced, that when I look back on pictures etc. they just bring such fond memories and I think,  man I am so glad I did that.  

FLY FISHING FOR ARCTIC GRAYLING IN ALASKA

I have always dreamt of catching Arctic Grayling but unfortunately I don't live anywhere near where you can catch them so I had almost given up on this dream.  At first my wife had to talk me into this as the price was quite high but then I came to my senses and realized I may never get a better opportunity to do this again so I'm all in.  I really don't know why I hesitated.  I am so glad I did.  

While in Denali Alaska we booked a guide to take us fly fishing for Grayling.  They picked us up at our hotel, hooked us up with all the gear and licences,  drove us to the river and showed us what we needed to do.  I could have spent all day there.  I landed a bunch that day and got some great pictures and video.  Check that out.

BIOLUMINESCENT ALGAE IN JAMAICA

While on a trip to Jamaica I had the opportunity with a bunch of friends to go swim in lagoon filled with bioluminescent algae.  We were picked up at night and driven to a small lagoon. We then hopped on a boat and motored out in the complete darkness. Once out in the lagoon we were given the all clear to go swimming. This seemed very unnerving as you couldn't see anything in the water. No idea how deep, or what was in there with you except for the fact that when the algae is disturbed it glows bright blue. For those that are unaware, Bioluminescent algae are a group of tiny marine organisms that can produce an ethereal glow in the dark.  The light flashes occur when the algae is disturbed. This was quite possibly the coolest thing I've done as your every movement was accentuated by the blue vapour trails of the algae. If you ever get the chance and at the right time of year to do this, then I highly recommend it.  

RIDING A CAMEL IN THE SAHARA DESERT

While on an extensive trip through Morocco we took a car tour from Marrakesh to Fez.  Part of the way through the 4 day trip we had a stop right on the edge of the Sahara desert.  We abandoned the car and grabbed just the essentials for an over night excursion. Leaving close to dusk we climbed onto camels and headed out into the Sahara desert with a Bedouin guide. For those of you that have never been close to a camel or on it. You are close to 9ft in the air. They are super tall. We stopped along the way to watch the sunset over the sand dunes. Pretty amazing. Once at our Berber camp we were treated with an amazing dinner, entertainment and an amazing sleep in Sultan tents. The next day we woke early for a sunrise over the dunes and then hopped on our camels and trekked back to town. Riding a camel is much different than a horse but what an amazing experience.

TRAVERSING A RIVER TO A WATERFALL IN OMAN

While on a cruise in the Persian Gulf we had a day in Oman.  We decided to rent a car and made our way about an hour south of the port to this small roadside stop.  At the roadside stop we donned our bathing suits and hiked a rough trail along the edge of river called the Wadi Shab.  We headed upstream for an hour before stopping and entering the water for a swim.  

The rest of way to the waterfalls you had to half swim and hike right up the river until it started to get vary closed in and narrow.  At this point you swam down this very small cut in the rocks and into a waterfall located in a cave.  Check out my video on this.  

You Only Live Once

It's easy to get caught up in the every day life and just watch time pass by but as Ferris Bueller once said.  "Life moves pretty fast. Sometime you gotta stop and smell the roses" For me this means travelling and seeing new sites and cultures.  I think I will keep looking for the next adventure and encourage everyone to do the same.