First Travel

There is a unique and exhilarating charm in setting foot on the path less traveled and starting your first travel journey, in abandoning the familiar for the allure of the unknown. Every traveler, adventurer, and explorer can vividly recall the surge of emotions that wash over them as they embark on their very first backpacking journey. The heart races with anticipation, the mind buzzes with curiosity, and the soul dances with a mix of excitement and trepidation. It’s a transformative moment, a rite of passage into the world of wanderlust. Join me as we delve into the kaleidoscope of feelings that mark that unforgettable inaugural trip – from the quiver of excitement that runs down your spine to the wide-eyed wonder as you take your first step into uncharted territory.

First step to the unknown

As I sit down to pen down the chronicles of my very first travel escapade, I can’t help but let my mind drift back to that moment when I nervously boarded the plane to a land unknown. It’s funny how the memory of that first step into the world of exploration still feels so vivid, like it was just yesterday. The excitement mingled with apprehension, the curiosity that bubbled within, and the realization that I was embarking on a journey that would forever change the course of my life.

You see, travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a bucket list or collecting passport stamps. It’s a profound encounter with the unfamiliar, a chance to immerse oneself in diverse cultures, landscapes, and ways of life and identity. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and into a world that challenges your perspectives, broadens your horizons, and encourages you to embrace the unknown.

As I wandered through bustling markets in far-off lands, hiked up misty mountains, and shared stories with locals over cups of aromatic tea, I began to realize that travel is more than just a physical journey. It’s a journey within – an exploration of the depths of our own souls and a revelation of the threads that connect us all as human beings.

We all have our reasons for traveling. Some seek adventure, others chase serenity. Some are driven by a thirst for knowledge, while others are simply looking to escape the monotony of routine. But regardless of the motivation, every journey has the potential to transform us in ways we can’t even fathom.

It’s in those moments of vulnerability – when you’re navigating foreign streets without a GPS, attempting to communicate with locals in broken phrases, or savoring dishes whose names you can’t pronounce – that you realize the incredible strength and adaptability you possess. Travel teaches us to be resilient, patient, and open-minded. It reminds us that the world is vast and beautiful, yet wonderfully interconnected.

The people we meet along the way become chapters in our personal stories. Their stories, their laughter, their struggles – they all weave into the tapestry of our experiences, enriching our lives with a sense of shared humanity. The friendships formed on the road have an authenticity that’s unparalleled. They remind us that despite our differences, we’re all on this journey together.

And oh, the stories we gather! They’re the treasures we carry back home, the memories that bring smiles to our faces during mundane moments. They’re the tales that remind us of our courage to set foot into the unknown and the wisdom we gained from navigating its twists and turns.

My first trip

Traveling is a lifestyle. When I left for the first time, I would have never thought that I would have been gone for an indefinite time. After coming back from 10 months as an exchange student in Australia at the age of 18, I have always kept in mind to go again as I came back with my memory loaded with unforgettable experiences. These 10 months away were a challenge but also the sparks that gave birth to my thirst for travel and adventure.

Ten years later, after a day of boring routine, I applied randomly for the working holiday visa in Australia. This visa allows you to stay in the country for a year on holiday or working. You can apply until your 30th birthday so if you haven’t yet reached your 30´s, think about it, it will be the best experience of your life. So, two days later, I got my visa approved and, without realising it, I was already gone. Within 3 months, I left my job, my flat and was getting everything ready for my trip. My brother got very inspired by the project and decided to follow me along with his best friend.

As the last night descends upon France, a whirlwind of emotions swirls within me. Tomorrow, I step into a year of uncharted horizons, a symphony of new cultures and faces. The air is tinged with a bittersweet excitement, the scent of adventure intertwining with memories of home. Underneath the starlit sky, I savor this ephemeral moment, poised on the brink of an extraordinary journey.

Embarking on that first trip was like opening a door to a realm of infinite possibilities, and little did I know that it would become the defining chapter of my life’s story. But what made it truly extraordinary was the presence of my brother by my side, a companion in adventure, laughter, and shared awe.

In the midst of unfamiliar streets and foreign languages, we stumbled upon a treasure trove of connections. The people we met – locals and fellow travelers alike – painted the canvas of our journey with vivid hues of friendship. Each story exchanged, each shared meal, became a testament to the human spirit’s ability to transcend boundaries.

And oh, the unexpected twists that serenaded our days! From getting lost in labyrinthine alleys to stumbling upon hidden gems far off the tourist trail, spontaneity became our compass. Every detour led to an unscripted experience, a delightful detour from the planned itinerary.

Adapting to a new country was like learning to dance to a different rhythm. The challenges we faced weren’t obstacles; they were stepping stones towards growth. We navigated the maze of local customs, savored the taste of new cuisines, and embraced the flow of life in a foreign land. The richness of this experience can’t be measured in possessions; it resides in the intangible treasures of cultural understanding and empathy.

And amidst this whirlwind, I discovered a transformation within myself. The journey was more than just geographical; it was an evolution of the soul. I became a canvas painted with the hues of confidence, resilience, and an insatiable curiosity. The constraints that once held me back were left behind, replaced by wings of newfound freedom.

Looking back, that first trip was a symphony of serendipity, a tale of unexpected encounters and uncharted territories. It was the catalyst that ignited my passion for exploration, opened my eyes to the world’s beauty, and showed me that life’s richest experiences are often found in the unplanned and the spontaneous. It was the journey that led me to discover not only the world but also the person I was destined to become.

Traveling in Australia

This trip was a mix of chaotic organisation. We arrived in Melbourne after a long, long flight, elongated by a storm that didn’t allow the plane to land. Anyway, we got to our destination and started to think about what to do in Melbourne. After a few days in the city, we agreed that we didn’t like the city’s busy, noisy life and were ready and eager to start our exploration. Australia is the realm of backpackers, a word that didn’t make sense to us until we experienced it. We started to look for a car, and found a Subaru break that became our home. We had the minimum to do camping: a gas cooker, basic cooking utensils, pot and coffee plunger, tents, sleeping bags, maps of Australia as Google Maps as internet was not developed at this time.

Like this, off we went on the wild roads of Australia with our lovely Subaru. Later on, we met other backpackers with very nice vans that made us realize that our Subaru and our gears were very basic. Oh well, we made it..

From Melbourne, we started to head west, toward the great ocean road where we had our first mind blowing landscape experience. All Australia is an explosion of beauty for the eyes, as long as you don’t just look, but see with your entire soul. And magic happens.

From there, we drove slowly north, then East again to reach the coast through Canberra, trying on the way to find fruit picking jobs. We had a bit of savings and we were not in a hurry to work but any opportunity was good to take.

We followed the coast, went through Sydney, the Gold coast, Nimbin where we met Johny Ganga, Brisbane, the Sunshine coast, learning surf with the surfboards we bought, stopping to work planting strawberries, picking cherry tomatoes, camping anywhere we could, being caught by the rangers, visiting the most amazing places on earth and meeting the most amazing people and travelers of the planet. We kept driving toward Cairns, staying in abandoned houses, then crossing the Queensland desert to get to Darwin where we saw our first wild salt water crocodiles, drove for a week through the red dust desert with camels and baobab trees going West to arrive at Broome where we stayed for the rest of our visa. Broome was our money saver. We arrived with no money there and had no choice but to stay there and work. And we made so much money. A year has gone by. My brother and his friend left to go to another chapter of their journey to Thailande. I was not ready to go home or to leave Australia, so I extended my visa for another year in Australia for more adventure on my own.

Australia

Australia, the land down under, is a realm that feels like it was plucked right out of dreams and woven with threads of magic. As a traveler and explorer, I had the privilege of immersing myself in its breathtaking landscapes, uncovering its hidden treasures, and connecting with its warm-hearted people.

Western Australia, a jewel in this land of wonders, boasts a landscape that seems to belong to another world entirely. The vastness of the Outback stretches as far as the eye can see, a tapestry of red earth and golden sands. The ancient rock formations tell stories whispered by the wind over millennia, and the clear blue skies seem to go on forever, as if they hold secrets waiting to be unraveled.

But it’s in the heart of this wilderness that the true magic of Australia comes to life. Broome, a coastal paradise embraced by the Indian Ocean, is a place where time seems to slow down, allowing you to savor every moment. The sunsets over Cable Beach paint the sky in a symphony of colors, a mesmerizing dance between the sun and the sea that leaves you in awe of nature’s artistry.

And then there are the people, the soul of any destination. Australians radiate a warmth that instantly makes you feel like family. In the remote corners of Western Australia, where distances are vast and communities tight-knit, the kindness of strangers transforms into lifelong friendships. Whether sharing stories around a campfire or engaging in a heartfelt conversation at a local café, the genuine connections I made were as vibrant as the landscapes themselves.

But it’s the fusion of all these elements that creates the enchanting spell of Australia. The wild beauty of its landscapes, the authenticity of its people, and the serenity that pervades its air make it a place that resonates with your very soul. As a traveler and explorer, Australia, especially the radiant tapestry of Western Australia and the captivating allure of Broome, for

First Travel

So, whether you’re reminiscing about your own maiden voyage or are on the cusp of setting out into the world for the very first time, prepare to relive the exhilaration, uncertainty, and sheer thrill of embracing the title of a backpacker, traveler, and explorer.

So, my dear fellow adventurers, let’s continue to explore with open hearts and curious minds. Let’s keep seeking the beauty in every corner of the world and within ourselves. For in the end, it’s the journey that shapes us, molds us, and guides us toward becoming the vibrant, compassionate, and enlightened souls we are destined to be.