6 Things Travel Will Teach You

[Melanie]

I think whatever nationality you are, returning home makes you appreciate your country, culture etc

 

[Salty]

I spent over 7 years ( 3 separate tours) in Germany with the US Army.
One of my biggest regrets is not traveling more and learning more of the language an culture.

 

[HappyMole]

Travelling is my passion and get better each time I do. Discovering people, beautiful places and cultures of other countries make me feel good about life. Travel gives me unique experiences and some relevant personal benefits.

 

[shodan]

Yes, #7 is pack lightly. My first trip overseas was for 30 days and only a carry-on backpack. I could have done it no other way. Wash socks/underwear in hotel sink to dry over night.

High on the list, Don't learn this lesson the hard way: learn to be safe. Keep the odds in your favor. Best advice that I read recently (which I've always followed), dress to fit in, not to stand out. Leave your American team ball cap at home (Yes, you will see natives wearing knock-offs but they look different under one than you do). Same with American flag T Shirts and the like. When someone asks me where I am from, I tell them my home state, not "America" or "US."

#8. You will learn that you should have worn high quality walking shoes if you don't have them. (Glad I read the guide book, first.)

 

[Melanie]

I have had a bus tour around the East Cape of the North Island of new Zealand. Well, it seemed more like "lets eat our way around the East Cape" but I enjoyed my 8 days away. We bused up from Wanganui on the river that now is a person, and enjoyed the magnificent scenery of the National Park which has my favourite volcanoes. we based ourselves for 3 days in Whakatane, which does sound rude as the "Wh" is pronounced "F" but NEVER in Wanganui. I was able to cross off on my bucket list being up close and personal with a marine volcano namely "White Island" which is sulphorous yellow with amazing oxidised rocks and driftwood. The stink was throat catching. The bay was swarming with fish and dolphins and dive bombing Australiasian Gannets that were in the area for mating. The glorious weather held for the whole trip (thank you Lord), and I saw NZ oldest pohutakawa tree (NZ Christmas tree), a macadaemia nut farm (yum), resisted playing with wild stingrays and indeed stroking them, saw an emu (Obviously lost), saw a very good marae and cultural thing, walked for what seemed miles on a very long jetty, and wended our way back to Wanganui by the byways and roads less travelled

 

[Melanie]

I live on a river that now is a person .....can you one up that, do you want to try? I think it is ridiculous personally. The river is important in the Maori dreaming, but the beauttiful river is not so revered....I would like folks to stop dumping animal carcasses into it for a START.