The Indie Travel Challenge ended yesterday! What an amazing month with adventures shared by dozens of travelers around the world. Here’s the recap from the last week and a review of some of what you might have missed earlier in the month. The ITC is just the beginning! Keep traveling and sharing your adventures with us!
The Indie Travel Challenge drew to a close last night. What an amazing month of sharing travel lessons, experiences and adventures in the BootsnAll community. Our deep gratitude to each of you who participated. Please don’t stop adventuring, or sharing those experiences! Feel free to tag us on Twitter any time @bootsnall, and be sure to join the BootsnAll Community; a great place to share your travel dreams, ask questions and share the wealth of information we all bring to the table.
Today’s round up includes the last few days of the challenge and then a nice selection of what you may have missed earlier in the month. Enjoy!
This week asked about:
Physical activity
Rachel Walmsley, World Beneath Your Feet
“I walked the Camino de Santiago the summer before last – 775 km in 37 days. The thing that struck me the most was the way my mind cleared. I expected to feel physically fit and healthy (despite the three course pilgrim meals and the copious amount of red wine) but I was surprised at how meditative it was.
By waking up every day and knowing that the only thing I had on my ‘to do’ list was to walk I was creating space where there had been none before. And instead of contemplating all of life’s big questions I found myself quieting my mind and taking pleasure in just being in the moment. Next physical and mental challenge on my list is the west coast trail on vancouver island.”
Day 27 Mental & Spiritual Growth As Much As Physical Adventure CHALLENGE: Go do something outdoors that you haven’t done before. Whether it’s hiking a new trail, riding a bike for the first time, or reaching the top of a hill – get into nature and experience something new. Today we went for a walk in #cerrosancristobal in #santiago, #Chile . We went up by funicular and got walking down the curvy road around the hill. The panoramic views of the city were gorgeous and the walk was fun and easy. #lovely #DoYouIndie #explorers3dot0
A photo posted by William R. J. Ribeiro (@billbsb) on Nov 27, 2015 at 8:04pm PST
#DoYouIndie Getting out of your comfort zone and being alone makes you grow mentally + spiritually. Choose to walk – grow physically as well
— QuarterLifeEpiphany (@myQLepiphany) November 27, 2015
Through my travels, I have discovered that the only limits to what I can do are the ones I place on myself. The first time I tried SCUBA diving, I was terrified and it didn’t go well. Still, I never gave up and eventually got my certification. Here’s me before my third dive in Cuba. I can’t wait to do more. #DoYouIndie #travel #mytravelgram #diving #travelstoke #cuba #lifeofadventure #scuba #instatravel #neverstopexploring #instagood #travelphoto #beach #swim #worlderlust #adventure #instadaily #GetOutThere #HealthyTravel #gooutside #freshairandfreedom #
A photo posted by ZenTravellers (@zentravellers) on Nov 28, 2015 at 3:19pm PST
Discovery vs. Escape
Kelli Mutchler, Too Mutch for Words
Writes a touching letter to her Dad, thanking him for introducing her to travel:
“Still, it’s a nice gesture, from one (new) parent to another. At last, a show of public appreciation for all the trips you took my brother and me on. It won’t make up for that awkward teen journey to D.C. when I ignored you the whole time, but it’s definitely better than the bar of Toblerone I brought back from Switzerland….
Because I loved those trips, Dad, and now, looking back, I love you for introducing us to the States and proving that 33 hours to the coast is a measurable eternity to be stuck in a van….
I thank you for every enjoyable, educational, boring, excruciating and confusing moment of all 30 family vacations, because you taught us that travel is normal.”
#doyouindie challenge: have your reasons for travelling changed over time? Absolutely yes! I went on my first #rtwtrip in 2004 with a couple of uni friends. After that, travel became addictive. I couldn’t wait to visit new countries and check them off my #bucketlist. I didn’t realise how privileged I was and how insensitive I was appearing in my attempt to finish first in the travel race. Now I’m a bit more deliberate. I don’t race through countries just to get travel points. I try to take it slow, talk to the people who live there. I have realised that everywhere, people are the same. They’re not exotic. They’re just human like me and they deserve to be treated with the same love and respect I expect. #payitforward #traveldeeper #travelogues
A photo posted by Suzanne (@suzanneausha) on Nov 28, 2015 at 5:24pm PST
Danielle Bricker, Worldsmith
She wrote elegantly about escaping the urge to escape:
“You can’t order up discoveries, epiphanies, and revelations like a burger and fries. That way of thinking is how shorter trips became a commodity.”
I started traveling for both discovery & escape. I hated working in a cubicle and experience another part of the world. #DoYouIndie
— Aleya (@audaciousaleya) November 28, 2015
Adapting vs. Micomanaging
Cristina, LooknWalk
“Generally speaking, when we plan a trip we never micromanage. I do make a list of what I want to see but deciding exactly when to do it is something I do once I get at the accommodation. “
Danielle Bricker, Worldsmith
“In many ways, travel is like cooking. If you know basic techniques, you don’t really need a recipe.”
Flying to #Paramaribo at night without having any hostel reservation, I got ‘adopted’ by a Surinamese family. For a WEEK. 🙂 #DoYouIndie
— Culturiously (@culturiously) November 29, 2015
A couple of years ago I took a last minute trip to Nicaragua. In true American fashion I had a packed week planned, but I scrapped my entire itinerary a couple days in when I found this eco farm nestled in the foothills of a volcano on Ometepe, an island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. I spent the remainder of my trip on this beautiful island, hiking, practicing my Spanish with local schoolchildren, reading in a hammock, getting to know other travelers, and almost getting trampled by a wild horse (but that’s another story). It was so fun not having a plan and just going where the day took me, and it gave me confidence to follow this approach in future travels. #doyouindie #day29 @bootsnall
A photo posted by @postcardsfromsarahb on Nov 29, 2015 at 9:48am PST
One of my favorite days was while visiting Austin, Texas and the third day of the ACL music festival was canceled. Had the most fun running around exploring Downtown Austin. Sometimes the days that don’t go ask expected are the best. #doyouindie
A photo posted by Megan @ Traveling9to5er (@traveling9to5er) on Nov 29, 2015 at 4:53pm PST
Advice for other travelers
#DoYouIndie Day 30: 3 pieces of advice to new travelers: Don’t wait, don’t wait, don’t wait. But then it’s never too late. I began at age 30
— Greg Rodgers (@vagabondinglife) November 30, 2015
Want to go #RTW? Set a date, save like it’s a bill, and tell your loved ones. #DoYouIndie https://t.co/vmC3FbYNcd pic.twitter.com/kUwHccLKxV
— Danielle Bricker (@worldsmith2015) November 30, 2015
don’t be scared, don’t be shy, pack half the clothes and twice the money! #DoYouIndie #rtwchat #ttot https://t.co/XbQAnIRL05
— Jessica Beck (@beckasaurousrex) November 30, 2015
#DoYouIndie Advice to Future Travelers https://t.co/ltp74Iyewt pic.twitter.com/0OhzXuJfNW
— Cristina P. (@AradInfo) November 30, 2015
Last Day #DoYouIndie: New Travelers: Start small, evaluate interests, be open https://t.co/za2mXHPIGv @bootsnall pic.twitter.com/qeDH3D4Pn9
— Nellie Umutesi (@Adven_Chica) November 30, 2015
In case you missed it…
Here are some submissions we loved from earlier in the month:
#doyouindie challenge 2015 Question: where did you go on your first #rtwtrip? Actually it happened by accident. One of my friends at uni was studying abroad in #hongkong and we thought it would be a good idea to visit him over the summer break. A return trip to Hong Kong quickly turned into a round the world ticket with stops in Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and USA. One of the best decisions I ever made and certainly one that changed my life irrevocably.
A photo posted by Suzanne (@suzanneausha) on Nov 8, 2015 at 7:28am PST
I’m totally with the #DoYouIndie topic today: travel experiences over possessions ANY DAY! @BootsnAll #traveldeeper pic.twitter.com/LjQHFHu4fu
— Amanda Kendle (@amandakendle) November 3, 2015
Long term #travel has taught me to spend life on your passions #DoYouIndie #adventure #photography @BootsnAll pic.twitter.com/fxz5jqV3h3
— Robb Saunders (@Robb_Saunders) November 3, 2015
Sean Keener, CEO, BootsnAll
What has travel taught me?
- My way is not the only way
- Humility
- Beauty
- Love
- Endurance
- It’s not about the sights, its about the people
- Breathe, slow down
- Everyday is Saturday
- There is not a “wrong” way
- Let go of control
The top thing to explore about #Sacramento is it’s #Farm2Fork food scene. It will make your mouth water. #DoYouIndie pic.twitter.com/sN5dHcrorc
— Megan MacNee (@Traveling9to5er) November 4, 2015
DAY 5 QUESTION: Have you had an experience based on information from a local and how did work out? We were in #Cusco when we noticed that some stages were being built in the central plaza. We asked a local and he told us it was for the celebrations of Cristo Reye on the 31st of October. We went to see the festival and it was a beautiful and cheerful parade from many provinces around. It was also Halloween so it was a big mix of people in costumes on the street. Quite a party! #greattip #Peru #DoYouIndie #explorers3dot0
A photo posted by William R. J. Ribeiro (@billbsb) on Nov 6, 2015 at 11:59am PST
Seek the quiet moments while enjoying time in nature #FocusFSChallenge #DoYouIndie #travel #mytravelgram #travelstoke #travelpics #instatravel #sky #hiking #mountains #lifeofadventure #love #me #neverstopexploring #mountainpeopleunite #colorado
A photo posted by ZenTravellers (@zentravellers) on Nov 7, 2015 at 4:53pm PST
OK, I like water #RTW Gidelim mi @miskbay? https://t.co/ikD2btmVrs thanks @BootsnAll it looks real! <3 #DoYouIndie pic.twitter.com/o6YTJp7RPZ
— Aysu Erdoğdu Miskbay (@aysuuu) November 9, 2015
#doyouindie challenge question: what’s your #1thing you cannot travel without? I cannot live without a notebook and a free flowing ball point pen with a medium nib in my bag. I just have to get it down immediately or I lose it. Pictures can never capture all my first impressions of a place so I rely on pen and paper to help me relive my experiences. #wanderlust #travelogues #traveldeeper
A photo posted by Suzanne (@suzanneausha) on Nov 11, 2015 at 7:01am PST
The 2 things I never #travel without besides #passport: #Epipen [#PeanutAllergy] & #Ventolin [#Asthma]. #DoYouIndie pic.twitter.com/1Zok842J1x
— Culturiously (@culturiously) November 14, 2015
Stefan having a moment with his camel at sunset in the Mongolian Gobi Desert.
A photo posted by Nomadic Boys (@nomadicboys) on Nov 14, 2015 at 4:50am PST
@BootsnAll #DoYouIndie day15: Local producers are hard to find. Forage beyond markets. Stop by the roads in villages pic.twitter.com/HE5Qkj7Li6
— Andrea Pisac (@AndreaPisac) November 15, 2015
Watching the joy of Korean children on a school trip brought us a #SimpleMoment of joy as well. #DoYouIndie #travel pic.twitter.com/HQWKcZ1XmE
— Mojito y Cafe (@mojitoycafe) November 17, 2015
Indie Travel Challenge Day 17 #DoYouIndie #IndieTravelChallenge #happinessinlittlethings https://t.co/PksMdQulMz pic.twitter.com/H4ZwE9yjVE
— Arlie Bledsoe (@redhead_wander) November 19, 2015
Day 18 QUESTION: Have you used travel as an educational experience? If so, where did you go and what did you do and learn? Many times actually! We already did classes in many different things like, Spanish, salsa dancing, Thai massage, Thai cooking and surfing! Most of them were just for fun, nothing really serious but we did learn one trick or two. #DoYouIndie #antigua #guatemala #explorers3dot0
A photo posted by William R. J. Ribeiro (@billbsb) on Nov 19, 2015 at 2:20pm PST
#doyouindie @bootsnall D20; my travel ‘aha!’ moment: sitting in a boardroom & realising my life had been captured by work. Answer? Travel.
— John Ahern (@johnahernoz) November 20, 2015
#DoYouIndie Day 19 – right now visiting Eloubaline Village #Senegal. Only way there by boat @BootsnAll pic.twitter.com/sV2gQdzDme
— Nellie Umutesi (@Adven_Chica) November 20, 2015
One of my favorite things about slow travel is enjoying a long lazy meal. I love slowing down to savor every course and the details around you. A recent one I loved was dinner at the Pink Door in Seattle. Loved everything from the green bottles the wine came in to the live music and of course the pasta! #doyouindie
A photo posted by Megan @ Traveling9to5er (@traveling9to5er) on Nov 23, 2015 at 1:55pm PST
Photo credits: Bplanet , Fabio Lamanna , Hanoi Photography , MorganStudio , muratart , zakalinka