Try Something New; I Dare You
Sometimes as travelers we can get stuck in a rut. We find ourselves going to the same places and doing the same things — or doing nothing at all. Sometimes we don’t even realise that we have lost the thrill of exploring the new which is an essential part of a great travel experience. Let me give you an example, borrowed from the lives of two friends of mine.
Stuck In A Rut
My two friends had been visiting the same Caribbean island for more than 10 years. They had found a hotel they liked and had explored the island on their early visits and it pretty much got into a routine. Then they discovered that their usual all-inclusive hotel was closed for renovations and would not reopen in time for their annual visit. They were offered an alternative but because it had a different atmosphere from the homey ambience of their usual hotel, they decided to forego that and book their own accommodation.
Now For Something Completely Different
Surprisingly, they went for something completely different. They chose a self-catering apartment in a different part of the island. Because it was off the tourist track, they shopped in local supermarkets rather than overpriced convenience stores and made a conscious decision to buy local where ever possible, doing their bit both for the environment and for the local economy. They loved it. And what they loved most was the restored sense of adventure. Instead of having every meal on tap and feeling that they should take advantage of what they had already paid for, they roamed the island looking for great places to eat and found some new eateries that they might never otherwise have discovered.
Lessons Learned
The lesson? Sometimes it pays to step out of your comfort zone and do something a bit different. Getting out of the rut that you are in will improve your travel experience. Next year, my friends have decided that they will not return to their favorite all-inclusive hotel. Instead, they will book another apartment — or possibly the same one — and enjoy the freedom that brings.
Of course, there was another lesson in it — this one for the hotel. The renovation was originally planned to be finished in time for the winter high season but it wasn’t finished in time. The hotel gave its formerly loyal customers the chance to try something else. Many of them decided that they had found a better option and won’t be returning to the hotel. The lesson for the hotel is not to throw away repeat business. What have you learned while travelling? What keeps the sense of adventure for you?
(Photo credit: Atli Harðarson)
Tags: travel
