Maybe I do need it

In yesterday’s blog post I said I didn’t need unconscious bias training, but within a few hours of publishing those words I realised that maybe I did.

My childhood friend Megz made a comment about the blog post on Facebook, saying: “I don’t think I could retire. I need too much to keep my brain busy & I have no interest in travel, as it involves leaving the home we have set up.”

My immediate reaction was “you’re crazy!”

How could anyone want to work forever? How could anyone have no interest in travel? How could anyone want to stay home rather than going on adventures?

My mind was reeling for a while as I tried to process it.

Then I reminded myself that we all have different goals and desires and that’s fine.

It doesn’t mean someone is crazy. It’s just an alternative outlook to mine.

I replied and said: “It’s fascinating how we all have different priorities – people are so diverse in their thinking and outlooks – I love travelling and seeing remote places and wildlife. The best!”

Diversity in thinking is good. Not wanting to stop working is fine. Loving being at home is fine. Wanting to stop working is fine. Loving to travel is fine.

Each to their own.

But since this is a blog post written by me, I’m going to make my case for the wonders of travel and why it gets me out of bed in the morning.

I spent the first few decades of my life unmoved by the natural world. I preferred big cities and shopping my way around the world.

I thought travel could be improved by having a Tardis that transported you home to your own bed and bathroom each night.

Then I met DD and my mindset changed. I discovered wanderlust.

We love experiencing the beauty of the outdoors and taking photos of it. No gift shops or department stores required.

We’re particularly fond of aquatic exploration. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys is a great example. It operates eight daily tours that highlight the unique wilderness and wildlife of southern Tasmania. We’ve booked a few of their adventures and have spent wonderful hours seeing dramatic coastlines, dolphins and seals.

We discovered the joys of expedition cruising during COVID-19, miraculously getting the opportunity to visit the Kimberley region of Western Australia between lockdowns.

We were hooked. We returned last year and it won’t be the last time. It’s the most spectacular place, filled with colour and wonder.

We’ve also explored the Japanese tropical islands on an expedition cruise – visiting beautiful places that are difficult to see any other way.

And our most recent cruise from Cairns to Bali was a corker, exploring destinations that would take three plane trips and a four-hour boat transfer to see otherwise.

I wish I was back there right now, swimming with whale sharks, floating under waterfalls and snorkelling with shimmering tropical fish.

Expedition cruises don’t focus on docking in ports, they take you on adventures in zodiacs with naturalists steering them and explaining the sights around you.

I want to do as many expedition cruises as my body and bank balance will allow, because I’ve seen what can await you down the line. My father currently lies helpless in a nursing home bed, unable to walk, sit in a wheelchair or even feed himself.

Never take your body and health for granted.

And then there’s the other stuff that no one can prepare you for, such as war erupting in the Middle East.

I want to grab life – and remote parts of the world – with both hands while I can.

Stay tuned. I may have a new adventure booked …

PS I also love cocooning at home, but not 24/7.

Song of the day: Flock of Seagulls “I ran”