Last week I wrote about the experience of leaving Vanuatu and finding myself in Rarotonga. You might ask ‘why’ – why do this, why this journey – and perhaps you might ask what happened next!
People I think travel for all sorts of reasons – to escape from the hustle and bustle, to rest perhaps to heal; to have fun, to celebrate; expand your perspective, understand yourself; build or strengthen relationships; have an adventure…and some just want to understand more about how the world works.
Travelling solo…this may be by choice, or it may be because you no longer have a partner. You may find yourself alone unexpectedly and the idea of travelling for the first time can be terrifying, however you really feel you want to do it. I remember feeling that way after my divorce. What I found was that it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be alone, it helps you get to know yourself better , to experience something new …and you can do exactly what you want! Once you’ve done it a few times, its freeing.
For me, sometimes you just feel nudged to do something, it’s almost as if you can’t help yourself. A few months ago, I found myself longing for more, I wasn’t quite sure what. Then, I became aware that, much as I loved the lifestyle in Vanuatu, I’d built a box around myself… I’d lost my sense of adventure. And, for a long time my dream has been to have a home in different places and travel…I started asking how could I create that? I decided it was time for another adventure!
For me it was about letting go of an attachment to a place and journeying… travelling as a way of life.
And so, on 17th April, having decluttered, I packed up and set off from Vanuatu, a refuge I found during Covid that became home for 3 years. Imagine …..clear blue skies, jaw dropping tropical island sunsets, beautiful water the most exquisite shades of turquoise, and people with happy smiling faces, people who live simply on island time, resilient, accepting what is, still in a tribal system…it was all of that…and more (potholes, cyclones, earthquakes, corruption).
I set off challenging myself – no destination, go with the flow, explore the possibility of travel writing. Exciting and scary at the same time. I’ve spent a good part of life planning and organising, I was a mum after all, and that is important…. and when I’ve gone with flow and taken risks the most unexpected and sometimes magical things have happened.
Brisbane
Anyways, first stop was Brisbane, capital of Queensland, a place to transition, where I spent a few days strolling along the riverside, through the Botanic Gardens, along the south bank… and… I learned to cross the road again, roads with shiny clean cars, no potholes or pickup trucks! It was interesting to watch the pedestrians, it seemed there was some sort of uniform (Aussie women like to wear white sneakers, I’m not sure why) and people seemed really focused in their stride. There were not so many smiles….and certainly no bush knives!
I learned how to use Uber again and racked up quite a bill. I enjoyed a coffee and macaron at Le Bon Choix, and a mushroom risotto at Olive & Angelo, such a treat with supplies often scarce in Vanuatu. I ate alone for the first time in a while and was reminded how daunting that can be when, as a woman, you find yourself travelling solo for the first time in a long time and maybe feel sad or uncomfortable or worry about what people might think…and what I’ve realised is that feeling safe is an inside job and it can take time if a relationship has just ended.
Summer Island
Next stop was Summer Island in New South Wales where I visited some dear friends who have invited me to house-sit later this year – a place to sit down away from what I had and ask what next. And what I kept on being reminded of was joy…life is to be enjoyed!
At Summer Island my friends were really great, thoughtful and generous in taking me to different places – Hat Head, South West Rocks, Crescent Head, beautiful coastal towns and Belligen, a quirky little place with different shops and restaurants. We walked, we talked, we laughed and we had fun together.
Heading then for Auckland en route to the Cook islands, I realised I was getting nervous again with next to no accommodation booked… Of course you’ve heard about all that. It all worked out and I didn’t end up in jail!
The Cook Islands
Rarotonga has been a great place to relax and reflect and, as a woman on my own, I have felt absolutely safe, not at all uncomfortable going out at night. If its somewhere you think you might like to visit, here are some Tips on Rarotonga. And, if you’re a spiritual traveller, if you’re curious as to what this part of my journey was telling me, what were the lessons….you can read here! And for what happened next …see next week’s instalment!