Why on earth would you go there?

by Te Aorere Tapp (New Zealand)

A leap into the unknown New Zealand

I have been obsessed with travel for as long as I can remember. Growing up I was fortunate to be able to travel with my family throughout my home country of New Zealand, exploring city by city, lakes to ocean, forest, and island to island. I love my home country for its comfort and isolation, but my true passion lies discovering the world, connecting with various cultures and experiencing a different perspective on life. My first overseas trip happened when I was 18, and right up until this age, travel magazines and a wild imagination was the best way of me ‘exploring the world’. I am extremely drawn to countries that are not considered mainstream and are typically off-the-beaten-track, and as a solo female traveler I am often asked “why on earth would you go there?”. Truth be told, visiting popular landmarks and taking a selfie at well-known locations can be exciting, but there is a true fascination with being off-the-beaten-track that really awakens my soul - sliding down sand dunes, living like a local Bedouin, experiencing a traditional Mongolian yurt, or being completely out of range; for me it is pure bliss. We are constantly fed fear of the unknown, certain places are a ‘no go’, they are dangerous and to never travel alone, but sometimes this advice is given by those who are not accustomed to travel. To truly understand a country, we must venture out and discover it. The world is a magnificent place and with the right research and planning it is safe to travel anywhere, wherever one’s heart desires. So, my question is, why on earth would you not go?