The problem: How can I make the most of my travels? Books? Web sites? Word of mouth? These sources offer a wide range of options to keep you busy, but some things are missing. Have you ever read a guide book about the place you live? Chances are your favorite hole-in-the-wall pub or place to see the sunset has been left out.
The answer: It is truly a great thing to get to know the local people wherever your travels take you! Weather you go to visit family, friends of friends, or total strangers, there is no better alternative to learning about an area than from the people who live there. There are even online communities designed to facilitate this, i.e. HelpX.net, WOOF, and CouchSurfing.
We had an awesome start visiting family in California. We spent several days in Lodi with Aunt Kay... saw the delta, took a day trip to Napa, made lemonade out of lemons from Kay's backyard citrus trees. Ate at a local brewery, had our first taste of Carl's Jr., and found a persimmon tree during a walk in the nature reserve at Lodi Park. Kent and I then made our way down to Los Angeles with Brian and Tara. We ate at a wonderful Korean BBQ restaurant, took a stroll down City Walk, and saw an indie movie being filmed. Chances are we would have had a different experience if we were visiting these places on our own.
Now in Christchurch, NZ, we are staying with a wonderful couple we met through HelpX.net. Coincidentally, they own the best burger joint in town (Burgers and Beers), and we have already tried several of their gourmet burgers with a side of chips (fries) and local beer! Delicious! We had our first adventure when they took us abseiling (rappelling), and we have already met several of their amazing friends who all have travel tips and stories to share with us. Through these friendly people, we are putting together, piece by piece, our travel itinerary. It is constantly being remodeled, but we are taking in all of the advice given to us by people who have been there before. The information in priceless and the company is irreplaceable!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Alison.. you have discovered the critical link in the art of travel planning...experiences that are only totally unplanned. Connecting with those you meet along the way make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteRiverJoe
Kay loved your visit! Great HelpX experience in NZ!
ReplyDelete