Well travelled

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Finally the time has arrived when you can clock off from work, shut down the emails, flick off the mobile to have a HOLIDAY.

“Aahhh at last ” a sigh resonates as you let go and relax. Sometimes you immune system shuts down when you finally give yourself permission to rest. Travelling when unwell is a not quite how a holiday is planned. Well travelled is a blog to boost your wellness – even if you are not leaving your state.

Before Leaving

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Before leaving there is a frantic sense of urgency that puts my immune system on hyper alert depleting its stores. Increased work hours to earn holiday funds can further drain the reserve tank of wellness. Imagining a pool of calm in my dream destination provides respite for my nervous system and a boost of energy. Maybe this is where I could change things to travel well.

Lists of to dos and what to bring, humuor my need to be organized. Bag cramming to achieve the airline weight allowance requires rolling and folding till it fits. Before trying to fill the dead spaces in baggage, I remind myself it is possible to get what I need anywhere in the word. The art of minimalism does pay for my bank and backs wellbeing. I discover what I really need is very little. The reality that I am on holidays sinks in when I am seated in the vehicle transporting me to my destination.

Sleep

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Oh sleep on a plane a great idea – the reality is very different. The travel neck noodle does mop up the drool and prevents whiplash. There is an economy section yoga class crafted to work with the limited space you are in. Frequently I am found upside down near the bathrooms. I am grateful for aisle seats where I can move without falling on passengers.

I do look like the Jet Lag Hag in my first 24 hours in a new time zone, as I try to push on without sleep to accomadate myself with the new dawn and dusk. Driving or operating heavy machinery in this time warp state is not possible in the interests of public safety. Sheer exhaustion sleep I surrender to finally.

Tea time

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On holidays I love the ritual of a tea party having the time to let a brew steep as I yarn with friends or read in a cafe. My whole digestion changes are as I take the rush out of eating and I get to indulge in new delights. Recently a friend gave me her list of things to eat in New Zealand – so I had to oblige. Though ….

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Moving right along

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Tramping (as they say in New Zealand) walking is the best way to explore taking in the wildlife, gaining Vitamin D, preventing blood clots, breathing, burning off calories of what I have consumed and rebooting in nature.

Running wild

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“WAHOO Holiday” out come the wild ones to play. “Welcome to the jungle” I awoke to in a hostel where a guy retorted to being poked for snoring. So my adventure began as a lone traveller -responsible for my folly and fun. Though I share with friends where I might be found in the big wide world to guide the search party and now there are social media sites for this.

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Oy Ozie

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As much as I love being “wild” being sensitive to the local culture is in my wellness interest. I don’t want to come home with a criminal record or a tropical disease. That moment is best avoided.

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Sometimes your country of origin shares a little to much of its creatures, it can be a source of rift and opportunity for diplomacy.

Great expectations

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Sometimes your intentions and expectations of where you are to travel are not possible due to forces of nature or..

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mankind. My yoga teachers saying “expectation breeds frustration” rings in my ears as I exhale letting go of the illusion of control.

Sunsets

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Once I traveled with an Englishman who stopped us every sunset, watching the golden orb blip over the horizon and being thankful for our day. This practice I still love and try to do wherever I am.

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