LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds. Explore. Dream. Discover."  -Mark Twain

I think my desire for exploration and adventure was born in the back of my family's station wagon. As the youngest daughter of a Navy officer, moving from station to station consisted of packing up as much as we could in the moving van, then smooshing the rest of our belongings, along with ourselves and the family pets,  into the largest vehicle we had. As I sat on the back bench seat, I watched out the tailgate window the receding view of the place I had been, while in my mind I was dreaming of the place I was heading next.

Being a military brat often has one of two effects on you. Either you can't wait for the day you can plant yourself in one locale and never leave, or you obtain this trait of being somewhat of a nomad, often thinking of a new start somewhere else. Of course these effects differ in degree from person to person, but for me it left an unquenchable thirst to experience the world. I want to see as much of its wonders as I can before I die, from its people and all the different cultures, to its natural beauty both on land and under the sea. This desire has a profound effect on my vacation choices. You will very rarely find me returning to a place I have visited before. Why, you ask me? Because there are so many other places I have yet to see.

Often times, I find travelers who get set in their ways. They found a destination once upon a time, a long time ago, where they felt comfortable and year after year they return to that same spot. Sort of like migratory birds, huh? That drives me crazy. Don't you want to see and experience something new? There is a whole world out there to see, smell, taste and experience. Why would you limit yourself to the same old thing year after year.

Are you afraid to visit destinations you don't already know? Why? Take a chance. Go some place you have never been before. I find travel to a new destination exhilarating. Yes, I get a little nervous at first not knowing how things might go, but that is what makes it an adventure. Things may not always go smoothly, trying to find your way around an unfamiliar airport or city, but those little mishaps are what make for great stories when you regal to your friends the adventures you experienced during your vacation.

I am an advocate for leaving your comfort zone at home. You enjoy going to a beach in the Caribbean every winter - that's awesome. The Caribbean has many beautiful destinations, but why not try an unbelievable beach in French Polynesia? You say you know Belize inside and out and just love diving there. Why not change it up and go to Baja, or better yet Borneo? Dare to do something different. There are so many places to see out there.

Use your travel agent as your resource for possibilities. Let them know where you've gone in the past and activities you've enjoyed. Whether you prefer to travel alone or in a group. Whether you like modern, metropolitan resorts, or something a little rustic and out of the way. Maybe you are looking to celebrate an occasion and need them to suggest something special. Let your travel agent know your needs and your constraints, then give them the opportunity to find that place you've always wanted to go but never knew. That's our job. That's why we're here for you. We lay the groundwork for your next worldly discovery so that there is no need for you to worry...just enjoy the journey.