Small Inspirations, Big Adventures
Planning travel for others got me thinking about how & why I travel. And sometimes your wanderlust can be triggered by something as simple as a beautiful picture. Here are some examples of phenomenal places I’ve visited simply because of a photo.
Eleuthera, Bahamas - I once saw an image of the Glass Window Bridge, a tiny strip of a bridge 30 ft wide that divides the Atlantic from what many (incorrectly) refer to as the Caribbean Sea (real name - Bight of Eleuthera). It was an aerial view and it was stunning. On one side, the water was a deep navy color and the sea was wild. On the other, it was gorgeous turquoise and smooth as glass. That’s really all it took for me to buy a plane ticket. The photo I had seen was an aerial shot, so it required climbing nearby rocks to really see it for myself.
On this same trip, nearby Harbour Island offered a ‘bonus’ site I’d also read about - The Lone Tree. Its origin is somewhat of a mystery since there are varying accounts online (many say it was deposited during Hurricane Andrew in ‘92), and a Google search even identifies two different trees as The Lone Tree. Didn’t matter- I took photos of both trees and was thrilled to have experienced this in real life.
Lone tree #1 - so popular people horseback to it:)
Lone tree #2
Machu Picchu, Peru - If you seek a deeper connection to nature, value authenticity and want to immerse yourself in the Machu Picchu experience, hike the Inca Trail to get there. Like everyone else, I’d seen the remains of this ancient Inca civilization in photos but nothing compared to trekking the rugged terrain and sleeping under the stars to see the real thing. After hiking for 3 days, that final moment of walking up the stairs, stepping through the Sun Gate and seeing it with our own eyes was so emotional some in our group actually wept.
Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia - The vast expanse of flat, endless white salt crust here creates the perfect backdrop for perception distortion photos. I had seen so many pictures online from others who traveled here that it was only a matter of time before I did the same. When my niece opted to live in Bolivia for a year, it was the perfect opportunity. Getting there is somewhat challenging, but it was totally worth it. My niece and I had a blast creating crazy photos like the ones below, and shared a unique bonding experience that created lifetime memories.
Bondi Icebergs Pool - Sydney, Australia - When I spent a semester in Europe, hanging out with Australians was always a party. So when I saw a photo of the Bondi Icebergs Pool at Bondi Beach, the combination of visiting here and hanging out with Australians made it a done deal. I finally made it when I stopped in Sydney for a few days on my way to New Zealand. Not only did I see the pool, I swam in it. Being able to swim in a controlled environment yet be so close to the untamed sea was incredible. The added jolt of adrenaline every time the ocean waves smashed over the pool wall and rained down on your head was exhilarating.
Inspiration comes in many forms. And when it comes to travel, even the tiniest things can be a trigger to pack my bags. If you have the urge, don’t hesitate. Trust me- your world will be richer for it.