Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Kuwait City, Kuwait on March 31st.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

What motivates you to travel?

We want to know what motivates you to travel and how do you like to travel?

Everyone has a different reason to travel and enjoys traveling in a different way. No way is the wrong way if it is the right way for you.

Kevin and I have both loved to travel even before we knew each other and since being together our reasons to travel and how we do it have changed over the years just as our lives have changed. We have always been thrifty when we have traveled right from the get go.

One thing that hasn't changed is that we like to take our time. On our honeymoon we drove down to Florida and went to Disney World. We drove along the coast all the way down and when we returned we came inland and through the Blue Ridge Mountains. We took back roads most of the way and almost always stayed off the interstate which is still the way we drive most of the time now. At the time we picked Florida because when we were in school many of our friends went there with their families and we had always wanted to go but our parents never took us. We stayed in cheap hotels and watched every penny we spent but we had a great time.

When we had children we did a lot of camping trips. In those days camping was a cheap way to travel with a family. That's also when we started to get into hiking which has never stopped since then. Again, it was an affordable thing to do as a family. One of the first big trips we did was out to Newfoundland and then another time we took the children to Disney World (we weren't going to be parents that didn't take their kids there, lol). Both trips we were camping and both times we went for two weeks.

Lindsey (7) Alex (6) and Ruth nearing the summit of Gros Morne Mountain, while on our 16km hike up Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

As the kids got older our ideas on travel changed. Our son, Alex played competitive baseball throughout the spring and summer so our travel revolved around his baseball games and tournaments which meant we didn't get proper summer holiday, instead we started doing the one week all-inclusive holidays down south in the winter time. We can get some great last minute travel deals out of Canada and one of those holidays took us to Cuba for a week. It was a great cultural experience for both us and our children.

View of Old Havana taken from the balconey of the Capitolio Nacional (Governement Building), Havana, Cuba

Again, times changed and our children are out of the house at least temporarily, so we decided to take a holiday out to Alberta and British Columbia. We took our camping gear and flew to Calgary where we rented a car and drove to Vancouver.

View of Lower Joffre Lake and the glacier in the distance, taken from the Joffre Lakes Trail, Joffre Lakes Provincial Rec. area near Pemberton, B.C.

Our travel was constantly changing but our love for it has never died. We wanted to explore more, see different countries, experience new cultures. In 2007 we got together with my cousin Helen and her husband, Tony to take a trip to Portugal. We did this on our own, Helen found a beautiful little cottage up in the mountains in the Algarve away from the tourist crowds and Kevin found a car rental. We stayed for two weeks and explored the whole area sometimes in place where no English was spoken, this was when we decided we liked this kind of adventure.

A pretty cove in Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal

It was in the summer of 2007 that we decided to sell the house buy a motorhome and travel North Amerca, including Mexico. We did this up until the spring of 2012. We love this lifestyle and we found that we loved Mexico. We also discovered that we like staying away from tourist areas. This way we were able to learn more Spanish and really experience the culture.

Sherman parked up  by  Lago Avandaro at Chago's embarcadero, Nautica las Olas de Valle de Bravo, San Gaspar near Valle de Bravo, Mexico, Mexico

Once our dog, Whiskey died it again changed our way of traveling. We miss her dearly but it also opened up new adventures for us. We could now travel by air freely. The summer of 2012 we traveled to Europe. We stopped first in England, spent time in London and the ventured out further. Did you know there is more to England than just London. Once you are outside of the big cities things suddenly become a little cheaper, and just as interesting. We spent a week in Leeds which is quite a bit north of London in West Yorkshire. What a beautiful city and the countryside around it is gorgeous.

The Kirkstall Market inside of the Leeds City Market building in downtown Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

We continued on to other areas of England before heading to Prague, Czech Republic and this is when we really noticed the difference in getting off the beaten path. It's also when we noticed that the majority of people who visit Czech Republic and many other countries just head to the capital city, forgoing many of the other smaller cities and towns. For us, we have found that you don't really get the true feeling of the country just from the major tourist city and the fact that it is always more expensive. We spent one full day in Prague. Don't get us wrong it is a beautiful city and has lots of history but the smaller city of Olomouc is just a beautiful, has lots of history, is less crowded and wonderful friendly local people. We spent three weeks in Czech Republic exploring many small towns and villages and loved it and even then there was still so much that we didn't get to see.

The Holy Trinity Column (a UNESCO site) and Town Hall in the Upper Square (Horní náměstí) in downtown Oloumoc, Olomouc Region, Czech Republic

Have you heard to places like Svitavy, Boskovice, Zašová and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. These were all places that we visited and were full of interesting things to see and wonderful places for hiking. We can confidently say that we have visited Czech Republic. We did the same thing in Slovakia and we never even made it to the capital of Bratislava. Boy, I sure visit we had more time there, the hiking is some of the best that we have ever seen.

Kevin standing on an outcrop of rocks with the town of Terchová in the distance at the summit of Malý Rozsutec in Malá Fatra Nat'l Park, Biely Potok not far from Terchová, Žilina Region, Slovakia

I could go on and on but this post is already long enough.

What motivates us to travel? Well I guess it is the idea of seeing new countries, learning about their history, understanding their cultures, enjoying their food and exploring the countryside and the cities. We love to go places where we can hike, this way we can get away from the crowds and see things that only those that hike can see. We love being off the beaten path and doing things that the normal tourist wouldn't do.

Staying in amongst the locals at Bulungula Lodge on the Wild Coast in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Let us know what motivates you to travel?

Today's header picture is from December 2008.

At dusk looking onto Laguna de  Catemaco just across the road from our campsite in Catemco, Veracruz, Mexico.

27 comments:

  1. Love the re-cap of your travelling adventures! I've been following your blog since last summer. You are great writers and photogs. Checked out the campground website and I could tell which new pics were yours! I start my morning with your blog and hate it when I miss a day and miss the header pic.:( Thank you for your blog.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for those encouraging words, Shirley. We enjoy writing about our travel experiences and hope that some of the information we write about it helpful or that we can inspire others to get out and travel even if it is just in their own backyard.

      Delete
  2. I have always loved travel, was even a travel agent for 15 years of my life. Now, we try and get away at least 1 or 2 times a year. Just came back from Portugal and loved it. The more different a place is from where we live the better. My favorite trips were Egypt and Turkey, so exotic. I love following along in your adventures too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are happy that you have just been to Portugal. We loved our visit there and hope to make it back there one day as there is still so much to see. What area did you visit?

      Both Egypt and Turkey are on our lists of must see places, especially Turkey. I don't think we have heard one bad thing about it, and it looks beautiful with friendly people. Thank you for taking the time to share your trips with us.

      Delete
  3. I used to work for Air Canada and before the dogs we travelled the world ( India, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, Tahiti,the Carribean many place in Europe and the US. Then when the weiners showed up we bought an RV and now travel to the beaches and the sun ( mostly in Mexcio ). When they will no longer be with us, we are likely to start globetrotting once again. There are so many places yet to see and many thanks to your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These are all on our list as well. It really helps when you have worked for an airline, makes getting to places so much easier and cheaper. Which one has been your favourite other than Mexico? And what is one country that you would most like to visit once you start globetrotting again?

      Delete
    2. I forgot to mention Hong Kong, China, so many places. We both have the same favorite, India, each time you turn around you will see something you have never seen before, so much beauty but also so much poverty.

      Delete
    3. NYC is my personal favorite in the USA, I would love to live there. The city is so full of energy. Despite visiting over a dozen times, it is never enough.

      Delete
    4. We definitely want to make it to India. We have heard from people who have visited there that you either love it or you don't. I think if you go knowing more or less what to expect you won't be let down and will enjoy it more.

      We think the same of NYC, every time we go we want to go for longer. We may have to look for a house sit there for a month or so. It's such an interesting city!

      Delete
  4. I grew up an international kid...
    Born in Saudi Arabia, childhood in Venezuela, teenage years in the Netherlands, and as of age 18 in Canada.
    The travel bug has always been with me. Since Shelagh and I have been together we have visited many places, but we are now on the threshhold of retirement and more travel. Our blog, mostly dorment, will revive to become like yours; updated daily.

    We will meet some time soon, and share a great time.

    Cheers, Peter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, you really have been all over the place. Must have been pretty cool growing up in some of these places because you would have spent enough time in each have gained a knowledge of the country, the culture and hopefully some of the languages.

      Can't wait to see your blog revived and see where your adventures will take you.

      Thanks, for sharing Peter.

      Delete
  5. If you like hiking, you have to visit Norway. Was with the Forces and experienced other country's. As you say; so much to discover and try.
    Enjoy

    Ron

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is another country that has been on our list for a while. We would love to visit Norway. And, yes I believe the hiking there must be amazing. There is so much out there to see and hopefully we will get the chance to experience as much of it as we can.

      Delete
  6. When I was married at 18 I borrowed my father's tent trailer and camped a bit. Then at 20 he sold it to me and I used it for the next 30 years camping with my children from the east coast to the west coast to Florida. Always love checking out different places and moving around, could not stay in one place. Before going fulltime 9 years ago, I had moved 21 times and owned 11 houses. Now we get to move all the time and really love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, it certainly sounds like you don't stay long enough for the grass to grow under your feet. I don't think we could have moved that often. We hate moving, I think we moved a total of 5 times since meeting each other and that was enough. Now moving in the motorhome is a totally different story! We love this mode of travel, just like you.

      Thanks for sharing George.

      Delete
  7. Love following your blog because of all the travels you share. My travels began early going on day trips with my grandparents. I love seeing new places especially the small towns and byways. My husband and I recently retired and purchased a 5th wheel. We will travel closer to home this year but hope to do some longer trips next year just taking our time and experiencing the wonders of the areas we pass through. I enjoy looking up information on each of the towns we will pass through for interesting sites. Some of the smallest places can be the most interesting. We have two non rv trips planned this year with some of our kids and their families. Mexico in a few weeks and Williamsburg VA later this year. Never tie of traveling. I am really enjoying the pictures you have been posting of your travels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you got the travel bug at an early age too, even if it wasn't too far from home. We agree that some of the smaller towns have some very interesting things to see or do. That's why we love staying off the Interstate and just taking our time. We have come across a number of little gems this way.

      Enjoy your trips to Mexico and Williamsburg later this year. What part of Mexico will you be heading to?

      Delete
  8. Your blog is a real inspiration for fellow travellers. When our kid's were young , we tent camped a lot of western Canada. When they left the nest we spent 5 weeks tent camping around Europe, then another 6 weeks camping along the Med. then 3weeks later in England, Scotland and Wales, then back to Portugal to run the Lisbon Marathon with our son. Then retirement; Yukon/Alaska; Maritimes; and our favourite, Mexico for 2 months in our class B. Can't imagine not travelling, and when we can't, we will continue travelling through others like your wonderful blog. Hope to meet you in later August on our way west.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep we were the same because it was one of the cheapest ways to travel as a family, we also had lots of fun doing it. Today, camping fees are so expensive for families who are tight on money though.

      Sounds like you got to see lots of Europe this way and the fact that you had lots of time to do it in was a bonus. You travel like we do!

      Looking forward to meeting you both later on in August and then we can have lots of talk about travel. Thanks for taking the time to comment and letting us know what travels you have done.

      Delete
  9. My earliest recollection is of camping in a tent that took most of the day to set up and was extremely heavy. Times have changed and I love how you have changed your travel style to fit your lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think when I was growing up we also had one of those tents! Luckily the tents have improved greatly over the years.

      It was interesting to look back and see that there were changes in the way that we traveled and the reasons that we traveled. We hadn't really thought about it much until we started looking at some of the old pictures.

      Delete
  10. I love taking photos of the beauty I see when I travel. It's obvious to me that you do as well. Your pictures are amazing. I also love to see different cultures and seasons since I live in Florida :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Michelle, and yes we love to look at the scenery and the architecture around us when we travel.

      Thank you for letting us know your reasons to travel.

      Delete
  11. Nice post.
    I love the excitement of finding the unexpected~

    ReplyDelete
  12. Our ideas about travel have also changed and evolved over the years from backpacking through the mountains of Montana and car camping with our son to family resort vacations and now we travel full-time as a lifestyle. We prefer slow-travel, taking our time in places that interest us, perhaps renting an apartment for a month or even longer until we feel like it's time for a new adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like your travel over the years has changed much like ours. We also like to take our time when traveling so that we can explore the area rather than just rushing through and missing some of the hidden gems. We are thinking that staying in one spot for a few weeks to a month is a great idea.

      Delete

There are more comments on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TravelwithKevinAndRuth

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.