Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 466

12 Must-Experience Tonga Moments, Part 1

Brass notes hit us before the heat, rushing loudly through the opened airplane door.

“Who called out the band?” I asked my boyfriend.  Polished tubas and trumpet bells glinted under the airport floodlights.  Above the instruments, locals cheered and waved frantically from a second-story deck.

Smiling graciously, I felt like a celebrity, not a tourist.

The authenticity of this gesture was distinctly Tongan.  It didn’t matter that, three weeks later, we discovered the ceremony was not a personal welcome; instead, the crowd had gathered to receive King Topou VI, who had flown first class on our flight from New Zealand.

Here, hospitality is extreme.  Big meals and good music are genuine acts of appreciation.  Rugby matches and church services are community celebrations.    Though the airport’s Tourist Information kiosk is empty and the capital of Nuku’alofa feels like a ghost town, a guidebook is unnecessary in this under-developed nation.  In Tonga, it is the simplest opportunities that bring the greatest pleasure.

To become a part of this South Pacific kingdom, these are the moments you must experience:

1.   Spot a green streak at sunset.

Strung along the International Dateline, Tonga claims to be the first country to witness each new sunrise.  While waking up at dawn gives you a rare feeling of survival, watching a sunset is equally special.  You are the first person to say goodbye to the moment, staring fixedly across the ocean’s flat horizon.  With the national beer, Mata Maka, in one hand and a camera in the other, watch carefully for that illusive green streak, the stuff of sailors’ tales, as the sun disappears over the Pacific.

2.   Swim with humpback whales.

The Dominican Republic is the only other country that allows and encourages visitors to enter the water with these giant sea creatures.  From July to October, they migrate through Tonga’s rich coastal waters to give birth and raise their young.  Most professional operations are run by expats and can cost a bit of pa’anga, the national currency.  A cheaper alternative is simply to barter a trip with one of the local fisherman.  Tongans tend to know the ocean like a brother, and many seem wary of the international outfits that are luring tourists to their shores.  Do your research before you hop into the waves; and remember, sightings are just as common from shore.  As one shopkeeper explained, “If you can see the ocean, you can see the whales.”

 

3.   Befriend a spider. 

It’s impossible to imagine that these bulbous, bright yellow arachnids are harmless.  Waiting ominously in webs strung between electricity wires and low tree branches, their opulent bodies and nimble legs seem to imply something dark and dastardly.  But they are, locals assured us, non-venomous.  And if one should deign to creep down upon your shoulder?  Well, that’s just plain good luck.

 

4.   Drink the coffee.

What began as a 1900s government demand for all landholders to grow coffee plants is now a privatized industry with some of the smallest – but most flavorful – bean harvests in the world.  Just as good in a French press or an espresso shot, the distinctive taste is said to come from the nearby salt water of the Pacific Ocean.  This coffee is so good, rumor has it that when the King visits other foreign dignitaries, the only gift he shares is a bag of roasted beans.

 

5.   Listen to a church choir.

No hymn books, no instruments, no visible choir director; only one softly played pitch, and the sudden eruption of an entire congregation into eight-part heavenly accord.  Decades of Christian missionary influence have created a strongly religious population.  Many families attend two or three mass services on Sundays, and refrain from drinking or swimming.  If you express an interest in the music, most will be pleased to seat you in a front row pew for a church choir performance.

 

6.   Go snorkeling. 

Perhaps a safer alternative to swimming with whales, snorkeling off any of Tonga’s islands is like diving into The Little Mermaid.  The country has yet to devastate a majority of its vibrant coral reefs with dynamite fishing or water pollution.  So, while environmental experts wonder how increased development will affect its natural underwater kingdoms, there are still pristine coral gardens to explore.

Ticked off all these opportunities on your To-Do Tonga list?  Check out even more Must-Experience Moments in Part 2. View all of my posts on We Said Go Travel here.

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Australia: Experiencing a Land Down Under

Australia is an amazing, natural wonder. From exploring the world beneath the waves in the Great Barrier Reef to road tripping on the Great Ocean Road, there’s an adventure to be had whatever your interests.

I’ve travelled Australia a couple of times. White water rafted down the East Coast, surfed in Sydney, broken down in a beaten up camper van just outside Melbourne and paddled with dolphins in Perth. But the place that always stands out in my memory most vividly is the outback. The vast, overwhelming isolation of that immense part of the land fills me with fear and intrigue, and is home to one of the best travel experiences I have ever encountered.

I was absolutely blown away by the enormity of, well, to put it as dramatically as it felt at the time, the enormity of oblivion. I’m from a country where you cannot drive for a long period of time without seeing a building, let alone another human being, so the concept of all of this nothingness was alien to me from the start. After three days spent camping with a small group close to Uluru (Ayers Rock), I quickly embraced this foreign space and ended up with an unforgettable trip.

My short stay started out in the small, dingy city of Alice Springs. After a surprisingly long drive which included a stop off at a camel ranch in the middle of the outback which still kind of confuses me to this day, I arrived with my group at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. We eagerly digested all of the historical information about the sacred aboriginal landmark and watched the sunset over the iconic rock itself.

After a pretty exhausting day of travelling, walking and getting our initial taste of the great Australian Outback, we headed back to a makeshift campsite. We were given something called a Swag. A swag is like a heavy duty, hard-core sleeping bag and sleeping mat all rolled into one. It’s super warm and protective, and surprisingly comfortable. This is certainly not the most glamorous place I’ve ever slept, but who needs glamour? Roughing it to get as authentic an experience as you can without endangering yourself is an incredible feat, and something I will never forget.

The next couple of days were jam packed with activities. Hiking, trekking, walking, travelling far and wide in our little truck. An active day spent in the heat is, needless to say, exhausting, and after BBQ’s and beers in the evenings, it was getting easier and easier to slump into unconsciousness around the campfire each night and forget about the threat of spiders, insects, dingo’s and other various species of unwelcome outback visitors.

Although exhilarating, sleeping under the stars and really living a piece of Australia that has been relatively untouched by civilisation definitely wasn’t easy. From the sheer amount of travel involved to the physically draining aspects, it was hard at times. But the seeing the sun slowly creep over the infamous rusty orange of Uluru, and then sweep back down hours later, nestling into a big bunch of hardened material and being completely exposed yet totally safe and learning about an indigenous culture almost forgotten to the rest of world outweighed the effort. Like most things in life, nothing that is worth doing is ever going to be easy, and the tough journey up there just makes it more worthwhile. I couldn’t be more grateful that I did it.

About the Author: Gemma Fottles, an English travel addict. My passion in life is to follow my passion in life; exploring the world and penning the experience one country at a time. Learn more on my blog.

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Myanmar: Mandalay Traffic at 26th and 83rd (video)

WATCH: 41 Mandalay Traffic at 26th and 83rd, Myanmar (Burma)

There are no traffic lights or stop signs. There are so many cars, motorbikes and vehicles. It is not so easy to cross the street. The traffic at the intersection of 26th and 83rd was incessant. I actually enjoyed it like a show! This is the longest continuous video I shot in 27 days in Myanmar. Someday I think there will be a traffic light here.

This movie is from our 28 days in Myanmar (Burma) from September 28, 2012 to October 26, 2012 and our year TRIP in South East Asia, see all the videos from our trip.  October 24, 12.

Our Memoir, Traveling in Sin, is available on Amazon.

 

Traveling in Sin is a HOT NEW Release on Amazon! from Lisa Niver Rajna
Traveling in Sin is a true tale of TRANSFORMATION thought LOVE and TRAVEL! After meeting online (on two different sites), George and Lisa travel internationally, give up their jobs, condo, ice cream and toilet paper in search of adventure and love. Along the way, Lisa sheds over 60 pounds and the couple gets engaged underwater in Thailand. There are tears, twists and true love!
Recent Press: 

By Amy Sommer on Westside Today
By Dani Stone on Diets in Review

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Vanuatu is What?

I can barely open my eyes without squinting as hours passed as I lay in almost a complete daze of whiteness. A rhythmic crashing keeps lulling me in and out of consciousness as life on Champagne Beach in Vanuatu passes me by.

“Vana what?”

“What country is that in?”

“Oh, it’s a country?”

“Where is that?”

Those are the typical responses when we’ve told people we spent six weeks in the Pacific Island country of Vanuatu. Prior to living in Australia I had not heard of Vanuatu either, but what a country to know about! An island archipelago of about 82 small islands, Port Villa is the national capital and the main entry and exit point for travelers.  If you have never been, grab your bags and prepare for some sun and culture, here is a brief glance on life in Vanuatu.

 

Welcome to Vanuatu.

 

 

Considered to be one of the mot beautiful beaches in the world, Champagne Beach is on the island of Espirito Santo. Unbelievably, we often had Champagne Beach all to ourselves.

 

 

We camped much of the time we island hopped around the country – which made accommodations much more budget friendly.

 

 

The islands have rich soil making Vanuatu a heavy agricultural society.

 

 

On the island of Tanna, volcanic ash in the soil creates a great environment for farming. A must for visitors is to try the organic Tanna coffee.

 

 

 

Speaking of  volcanoes, Mount Yasur is one of the most accessible and active volcanoes in the world.

 

 

We were able to walk up to the rim and look right in.

 

 

Walking the steep trek to the top we stayed late into the night to see all the different phases of lighting with spewing hot lava.

 

Vanuatu is packed full of various natural wonders like these Blue Holes, which are natural springs showcasing different aquatic life. Bring your snorkel to see lots of fish in the crystal blue waters.

With an excitement and welcoming, Vanuatuans will openly share their culture with you. They know that visitors have traveled a long way to their country and they want to share their lifestyle with guests. Here a guide is painting Chris’s face before entering Millennium Cave to grant us safe passage through the cave.

Every four years on the island of Tanna they have a Toka Festival. Uniting the villages for a three day celebration, all the chiefs talk and forgive any wrong doings. It’s nearly impossible to pin down an exact date, but the next celebration should be in October 2016. It is a festival worth going out of your way to experience.

Hundreds of people participated non-stop for three days celebrating their culture. It was one of the best and unique festivals I have ever been to.

If you have never been to an island Pacific country and want to have a true cultural experience, I would jump at the chance to go to Vanuatu. If you want to go some place that’s not full of resorts, shopping malls and paved roads, Vanuatu should fill your quest for adventure. We felt safe and at ease traveling around the islands. It’s a county that’s ready to share itself with travelers who don’t mind getting a little dirty to experience their way of life.

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Venice: Crossing the Bridge of Sighs

Crossing the Bridge of Sighs

 At my first job right out of college, I spent eight-plus hours a day getting people to “Call now!” and “Learn more online!” for clients of a small-but-ambitious ad agency in Chicago. Needless to say, I wanted to put my writing to work in a way that was actually productive for society.

Luckily, my friend Brandon, who I spent a semester making snarky comments with in our math for morons class at Indiana University, was a do-gooder. He’d just accepted a job as the Director of Development for a nonprofit that helped homeless women and children get back on their feet, and they were looking for a volunteer to work on branding and brochure projects.

So, I rolled up my sleeves, pulled out the laptop and penned a tri-fold brochure that would be used for fundraising. When I was asked to tackle their annual report a few months later, I needed reinforcement. I recruited one of my art director friends, Andrea, to lend a hand with photography and layout. We wanted to let the women of the program tell their own stories, and decided our concept would focus on getting the keys to a new life.

Brandon, Andrea and I arrived to the housing campus one particularly humid, sweltering Saturday morning to start interviewing. As we opened the gate, school-aged kids playing in the yard and their smiling mothers greeted us. The recently built brick campus was located in Chicago’s West Side, in the kind of neighborhood that’s fine during the day but not one you’d particularly want to walk alone in late at night. Its buildings included a mix of brightly painted studio apartments and townhomes surrounded by a lush green lawn.

Our first interview of the day was with Sharon. A short woman with deep dimples and a cheerful belly laugh, she enthusiastically invited us in. Her apartment was a modestly decorated studio, flanked by a full kitchen and private bathroom. Sharon was eager to share her story as she showed us around, pointing out pictures of her kids and grandkids back in Mississippi, furniture she’d paid for with money earned from her full-time job and a three-tier shelf with her prized book collection.

“I haven’t done a lot of traveling. But in books, I’ve been all over the place,” she said. “Even though I haven’t been to North Carolina, I’ve seen the trees. It’s some place I really want go someday.”

Above her small dining table, Sharon had hung two illustrated framed prints on the wall. One was the Bridge of Sighs and the other was a gondolier on a canal. Both in Venice.

The sight of those simple prints hit me in the gut. My husband and I had the same bridge hanging in our apartment. Except it was a photo we’d taken on our honeymoon in Venice a few years before.

I remember snapping the photo with our new digital camera, a wedding gift, as our petite tour guide pointed out the Bridge of Sighs. The bridge, which connects two prison buildings across a canal, dates back to the early 1600s. She explained in her thick Italian accent that two windows had one spectacular view—it was the last thing inmates saw before being taken to jail.

In that moment, in that apartment, it took a framed print to show me that every opportunity is a gift. And it shouldn’t be taken for granted.

By no means have I had a life of privilege. I grew up with parents who didn’t care much for each other but cared a great deal for me. I graduated high school, something that not everyone gets to do. I went to college. A man loved me enough to marry me, and we traveled to Italy. To say I felt humbled in that moment doesn’t begin to describe it.

For Sharon, the framed print symbolized a new life. She worked with determination and discipline to build her future. She fulfilled a dream of having her own apartment and took pride in hanging pictures on her wall.

Sharon crossed that bridge from homelessness and drug abuse. And as she looked out the window on her Bridge of Sighs, she saw freedom, a good life on the outside. And she worked until she earned that opportunity.

*Some names in this article have been changed for privacy purposes.

About the Author: Amber Davis is crazy about Chicago but is usually found daydreaming about her next trip. A copywriter by day, Amber spends her free time going to brunch, training for races, cooking and checking out concerts. She hopes to eat and drink her way through the world, most recently traveling through Buenos Aires, London, Brussels and Amsterdam. Follow her escapades at @amberdaviseyes and @bloodybestchi.

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Dominican Republic: 27th Biennial of Visual Art

 

Santo Domingo has a varied landscape

27th Biennial of Visual Art, Dominican Republic

The Biennial of Visual Art in Santo Domingo is a competition which is decided in August, but the exhibition stays open to the public for much longer, into November usually. The prizes are awarded by a panel of three; this year the panel were Chus Martinez, of the Museo del Barrio in New York City; Quisqueya Henríquez and Bingene Armenteros. All the artists in the competition must be natives of the Dominican Republic or must be resident there. Anyone who wants to see the cutting edge of Caribbean art should make sure they don’t miss this exhibition.

 

How to get there

Santo Domingo is served by two international airports, the main one being Aeropuerto Internacional de las Americas. Flights from the UK are long, but they are straight through although many people chose to break their flight in the USA. First Choice fly from Manchester, Glasgow and London Gatwick. Santo Domingo is also a port and there are ferries and connections from there to other Caribbean destinations. The Dominican Republic is a very developed area in the Caribbean and Santo Domingo is its administrative capital. The colonial centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some amazing buildings including the cathedral, which is the oldest in the Americas.

What to do

Walking around Santo Domingo can be a little challenging as the drivers have a very casual attitude to road safety and the pedestrian is way down their list of important things not to hit! However, there are some shopping malls which are traffic free as are sections of the Colonial Area. Eating is a very varied opportunity, as there is practically every cuisine on the streets of Santo Domingo, from MacDonald’s right up to gourmet restaurants. If there could be said to be a local dish it is ‘pica pollo’ which is a fusion of Caribbean, Chinese and KFC, being a pile of fried rice, fried plantain and fried chicken. It is not very elegant to eat but it is tasty and keeps you full for ages. The Caribbean is normally quite cheap when it comes to eating out but Santo Domingo comes in on the slightly more expensive side but if you stick to the comedors (cafes), pica pollo shops and fast food, it is not so pricey.

Why not grab a drink as you go?

 

Nightlife

Night life is great although most places close at midnight so don’t expect to dance all night. Sadly, this early closing is an attempt to try and cut the crime rate, which is high so it is important to take some precautions when out late or even in the daytime – not carrying too much money is an obvious thing to do and also to keep jewellery to a minimum. Hotels can give help about how to behave on the street to avoid attracting notice – which is not to say that Santo Domingo is a scary place, not at all, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

About the Author: Robert Plumb is a copywriter and travel fanatic from Gospel Oak, London. When he isn’t planning his next adventure, you can probably find him down the local boozer, with his nose in some dusty old book

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Palau: At the Edge of Paradise

We Said Go Travel Newsletter 34: Sept. 19, 2013

Two weeks in Palau: The Edge of Paradise

Our time in Palau was filled with natural wonders and outdoor adventures like kayaking, snorkeling, double rainbows, incredible sunsets, Milky Way (below) and UNESCO sites: the Rock Islands(see beach photo below) and Jellyfish Lake. I loved diving Blue Corner where I was hooked into a rock at 47 feet and literally flew like a kite in the current as gray tip sharks sailed by. A giant thank you to Molly, Jayvon, Alu, Kadoi and Marvin from the Palau Visitors Authority for an incredible trip. We are working on several articles and movies to share all the sights and great hotels with you as soon as possible. Our new friends, Annette, Dean, Donna, John and Terry, made the trip even better!

SAVE THE DATE: Oct 3rd in Oahu, Oct 16th in Los Angeles and Oct 23rd for our online webinar with the University of Pennsylvania. We hope to see you or your friends at one of our upcoming events!

Enjoying the mud at Milky Way, Rock Islands, Palau

Today we just discovered that our site, We Said Go Travel, is now listed on Nomadic Samuel’s Top 100 Travel Blogs. Thank you for all your support to help us make the list! We appreciate all of you who read our newsletters, articles, website and BOOK! Thank you to everyone for your support of our journey and all our writing. Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn,  Pinterest,  SlideShare,  Twitter, and  YouTube.

Happy and Safe Travels! We are now in Guam!

Lisa and George (Click here to sign up for this newsletter. )

More articles to enjoy: Our interview on Trover, Fight the Inertia with our whaleshark photo! Lisa in Tiffany Hawk’s Huff Post article FEEL the FEAR, Travel ANYWAY! Our latest Myanmar video traveling to Meiktila and George playing with the band in Samui.

Our Gratitude Travel Writing Contest began on September 11 and will close on November 28 with the beginning of Chanukah and Thanksgiving. Where do you find AWE?  Share your story today! 

Thanks to Annette for this photo of us from our private island luncheon in Palau!

Thank you to Annette White for the photo above learn more about her photos, food journeys  and life as “a passionate restaurateur, fearless nibbler and new experience collector who is traveling the world in search of bucket list worthy experiences.”

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Two “Foreigners” in Thiruvannamalai, India

I had a lot of trouble pronouncing the name of this town: “Thiruvannamalai”. It required me to roll my tongue too much and too many times. It had too many syllables. Hailing from North India, living in the south Indian city of Bangalore, I initially found south Indian names to be tongue twisters – especially the longer ones, with many letters in them. I often felt like a foreigner in my own country; foreign to the names, to the food, to the traditions and even to the hair styles!

To remove this foreign feeling in our own land, my friend Shuie and I decided to explore south India. The journey started on an ironic note when Shuie, recently returned from the US, had trouble pronouncing “Thiruvannamalai” to the bus conductor. We just shrugged when the conductor looked unhappily quizzed. “It seems like we are going to be foreigners here for some time”, Shuie exclaimed, and we burst out laughing. The conductor suddenly shouted “Right!” and the bus started moving. “That is how they signal to the bus driver”, I explained to a startled Shuie. We laughed again as the bus hurtled along to Thiruvannamalai.

Life in Thiruvannamalai revolves around the Arunachala temple and the holy Arunachala Mountain, and our few days there were no different. Anyone, from a child to an old woman, on any road, by-lane or house, at any time of the day, can point you to the temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of rejuvenation who destroys all negativity. The Arunachala Mountain is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva himself appeared as a shaft of light to dispel ignorance from the world. It is revered by Shiva devotees as a sacred place of pilgrimage.

We reached the temple at dusk. It was buzzing with people in single colour clothes. A bunch of people in red clothes; another group in just plain black clothes; yet another bunch in green. It was a bit strange. On our first day to the temple we were overcome with a strong sense of peace that pervades the temple, which penetrates into one’s very being. Despite the crowds, the calming energy was unmistakable. On the second day, the calm had settled in. Seeing a bigger crowd of people at the temple we got more curious. I nudged Shuie to ask these people why they were dressed like that. After a few exchanges of , “No, you go”, “No, no, you go”, I managed to bully him  into asking an older gentlemen in a green dhoti why he was dressed like that, and well, what was he doing here.

Devotees of Lord Muruga in Green Dhotis at Thiruvannamalai Temple

I saw them talk animatedly from a distance, making me curious as a cat. My patience caved in. I had to know what they were talking about. I went and stood next to Shuie, smiling at the group. I listened to the old man who was talking about his home town. When he finished talking, Shuie introduced me and thanked him and we took our leave. As soon as we were out of earshot, I asked him, “SO?”, my eyes wide with expectation. He smiled triumphantly.

“They are worshipers of Lord Muruga, who is associated with the color green. Similarly the ones wearing black are devotees of Lord Shiva and the ones in red worship Devi, the divine Mother. They are all here on a pilgrimage, having taken leaves from their jobs to visit all the sacred temples. The old man I was talking to is a lecturer in a college.” I was quite taken aback. I thought these people were villagers! I couldn’t help thinking how we automatically associate simple clothes with poverty. These people were devotees who had put aside their material life for a few days and had plunged into a spiritual practice with all their heart. I was again reminded of how little I knew of the many traditions in my own country.

We ate a south Indian breakfast at the small restaurant tucked inside the Seshadri ashram. The owners spoke Tamil, and only Tamil. We only knew how to say “Thank you” in Tamil. So we just gestured to them that we wanted masala dosa and kaapi (coffee), for two people. We were glad to get what we had ordered and made sure we thanked them. Wanting to have something sweet all of a sudden, we walked around in the nearby market street and found a sweet shop. This time it was my turn to do the “talking”. I bought a few sweets. The shop owner who spoke a very broken English with a fake and heightened accent asked me a lot of questions about me which I did not want to answer. When I was done, he asked me, “Which country are you from, madam?”

I dint know whether to get mad or laugh. “India!” I answered. Shuie was smiling.

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Trover Interview: Building a Personal Travel Writing Brand

Fight the Inertia – Building a Personal Travel Writing Brand

Thank you to Trover for inviting us for an interview to talk about how to build your own Travel Writing Brand.

Lisa Niver Rajna and George Rajna, founders of We Said Go Travel, host travel storytelling contests for emerging travel writers.

They shared a few minutes with Trover on building a personal travel brand. Here are a few gems from our chat.

You and George have established quite a travel blog together. What advice would you give to someone considering a travel blog of their own?

Lisa: Thank you! We have been fortunate to have so many travelers choose to share their stories with us through our website and contests. My advice for someone considering a travel blog of their own would be to just start. The inertia against beginning is one of the hardest things for most people. There are many choices to be made but you can always refine your site later.

Pick a day of the week and post once a week somewhere. Once you begin, you can figure out the next pieces. As they say, “Every journey begins with one step.”

One great first step would be our travel-writing contests. The “Gratitude” contest begins September 11. It has a free entry and $1,000 USD in cash prizes. All contest entries that meet our requirements will be published on our site.

 Read the full interview — click here

Learn more about our Travel Writing Contest: Click here!

Lisa and George are speaking in Oahu October 3rd at Lotus Honolulu, in Los Angeles October 16th at Luxe on Sunset and in an online webinar on October 23rd for the University of Pennsylvania! Join us!

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Feel the FEAR, Travel ANYWAY!

Thank you to Tiffany Hawk for including me in her article, “How to Make Dreams Happen. Right Now. Even if You’re Scared,” on the Huffington Post.

The article begins:

Feel the fear and do it anyway. More than 25 years after Susan Jeffers released a bestselling book by that title, the go-get ‘em phrase remains a mantra for the world’s adventurous and successful. Hell, I never even read the book, but its title alone changed my life forever.

When my college friends went backpacking around Europe after graduation, I burned with envy. I was dying to see the places I’d spent four years learning about, but I didn’t have anything resembling a saving account, let alone a trust fund. Determined to finagle my way abroad, I had the bright idea that I’d become a flight attendant. I loved the idea of airplanes. I loved the idea of travel. The only problem? I was afraid to fly.

Quote from me:

Lisa Niver Rajna and her new husband, George Rajna, have turned a one-year sabbatical into a thriving travel-writing enterprise, a book, and a popular blog - Wesaidgotravel.com. It seems like a match made in heaven – the couple got married shortly after hitting the road together – but before they left for their trip, Lisa had her fair share of fears.

Before George, my boyfriend, and I left for a year sabbatical in Asia, I worried and I walked and I wondered what would happen. Under the moonlight in Fiji, I had said yes to his dream backpacking together for a year. Back in Los Angeles while preparing and planning, I had doubts. After years working at sea, I was not worried about what to do if I was ill, and I knew that if someone at home needed me, I was only a plane ride away. But I could not wrap my head around what if — we — did not work out. Finally, a friend said on one of our many walks, “Imagine he goes without you and you teach for another year. How will you feel when he returns from a year of adventure and you had another year in the classroom?” In that moment, I had clarity. I was going. No matter how it turned out, I wanted to try.

Read the full article: click here.

Learn more about our Travel Writing Contest judge, Tiffany Hawk: Click here.

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