My Advice: Just Go!

Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.

My five-week solo adventure to New Zealand and Australia is over. Although I’ve done a lot of traveling, this was my longest trip, and my first international trip alone. I learned a few things along the way, and found that some of my travel skills were useful. I’ll share them with you, my trusty reader.

If you really want to see New Zealand, rent a car and don’t hurry. (And don’t forget to give back the keys when you return the car. That’s another-expensive-story.)

New Zealand highways are not like American Interstates. They are mostly two lanes, often winding,  with lots of traffic circles. Take your time. They’re fun to drive-if you are a driving nut like me.

Don’t be afraid to drive on the left. I worried about it, but found that after a day or two it came naturally. Just pay attention.

Be flexible. All the planning in the world can be stopped by unforeseen circumstances. Weather, accidents, unexpected closures…things happen. Take it in stride and make an alternative plan. Sometimes serendipity can make an even better itinerary.

ALWAYS give yourself time to take it all in. Just going somewhere and ticking the boxes as fast as you can is exhausting, and misses the whole point of travel.

Allow time in your itinerary to take advantage of an unplanned activity.

Give yourself time in each place. My ideal is at least three days in one spot. That allows time to get to know an area, and maybe do a couple of day excursions or activities. 

Allow time to relax. In the middle of my three-week trip, I spent five days on the seacoast. For the most part I just sat and looked at the ocean. It was just the break I needed.

Talk to people. Whether locals or fellow travelers, you may get suggestions for your trip, learn something about the area, or just find something to laugh about. 

Experience the culture. Learn a little history, get to know what life is like there, try food and drink you’ve never had before. If you’re just going to collect photos of the tourist sites, you might as well stay home and watch a documentary of it.