Today it is exactly seven months ago that my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. These subjects ruled my thoughts about traveling in the past month:

Safety issues

During my trip I always get information about potential risks, especially for female solo travelers, as well as travel warnings of natural disasters and terroristic attacks. This is limiting my travels at all and made me feel nervous as I arrived at the Philippines. Of course I won’t travel to no-go areas, but what about the regions with a potential risk? I had long discussions with locals and people involved in the safety problem, always with no result. Filipino people chat me up so often; always I was in doubt if I should tell everything about me as I could exposure information which makes it possible to get kidnapped. But at any point I just stopped making myself confused. I can be at the wrong time at the wrong place, that’s true. This place could be the Visayas, a remote area in India or the heart of Germany. I guess it’s more likely being seriously injured by a fallen coconut (this nearly happened to me twice).

Hospitality

I’ve met lots of hospitable people in Asia, but my latest experiences at the Philippines and Palau are just unbelievable. People who don’t know me before offer everything I could need, even before I knew that I could need it now. Whether it’s food, transfers, accommodation in various places in the world or travel tips. Without expecting any return. They only want to listen to my story. That’s a new level of hospitality I never experienced before.

Expectations

Expectations seem to be unnecessary at all. Of course I have a certain expectation when I travel to a desired place. Someone tells me amazing stories about that, my travel book shows breathtaking pictures, a travel blog describes it as paradise, my fantasy does the rest. A place is being glorified before I arrive. This has to result in disappointment. Even if a spot is heaven on earth actually, it’s not surprising anymore. So how can I keep my expectations as low as possible? I guess the only way out is not to inform about the destination at all, just pick a point at the world map and go there with a few necessary details in your mind. That sounds strange for a moment, but when I remember my trip to Nepal for example, I did the same. And it was one of the best choices I ever made. Otherwise the expectations could destroy the joy to discover a unknown place, which is certainly a wonderful piece of this earth.

Today it is exactly six months ago that my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. These subjects ruled my thoughts about traveling in the past month:

Enjoy the little things

During my travels across New Zealand and Australia, the little things became so much more important: a hot shower after a freezing night. Even the possibility to wash my hair completely as the shower doesn’t stop after 4 minutes automatically. A hot coffee in the morning, even an instant one. A cold water in the heat of the Australian desert. Some food left in the fridge of the campground when I came back from an adventurous day and all shops are closed. And every evening the view up to the sky, where I can see the milky way brimming. All these little things made me incredibly happy now.

Always on the run

All the time in New Zealand and Australia, I was in a hurry as I didn’t want to stay too long because of the high price level. Nevertheless I wanted to see as much as possible and I think it’s outstanding what I’ve seen during the seven weeks I’ve spent in Oceania. Because of all the hussle I had not enough time to enjoy every place I saw. I think you can see that in my pictures of New Zealand and Australia too – they became monotonous. Well, it’s an effective way of traveling and I’m happy for the experience, but I won’t do this again. The better way to discover an unknown country seems to choose just a few places and stay there for a while. Or, simply travel to affordable countries and take your time.

It’s all about the money?

The latest experiences made me thinking about the modern “western” societies at all. At the beginning I thought it’s because of my backpacker style, so the locals in New Zealand and Australia are reserved and a bit ill disposed towards me. But here in Bali I can dress neatly, I can afford luxury accommodations and dine in fancy restaurants – but the tourists from Australia? I don’t get a smile or at least any attention. Don’t get me wrong, its not completely everybody. But the very big majority. They seem to be arrogant, less helpful, selfish.
There are lots of beggars in Asia, but they are really poor people. In Oceania are the worst tramps I’ve ever seen. And they are totally wrecked, isolated in their rich environment.
A child smiling and waving to me when I’m cycling around? In Australia unthinkable. In Asia? I’m always annoyed with myself as I didn’t provide any fruits or candies.
Anybody asking how I feel? In Australia a phrase nobody expects an answer. In Asia people asking me and I can feel how they care about me.
Is this really the result of the material wealth? I don’t want to believe that. There must be another reason…

Today it is exactly five months ago that my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. I can’t believe it!! Already half of my trip is over! When I scroll through justhalfaworldaway.com and remember all my experiences, I know there is definitely no better way to spent five unforgettable months.

Since I arrived New Zealand I was badly confronted with my comfort zone. I’ve slept in the car, in dorms or creepy lodges. I changed the accommodations every night and the opportunities to clear my backpack had been extremely rare. Sometimes I froze at night, even if I slept in a down jacket, with two pairs of pants and a warm hat (I’ve learnt that protecting your nose under the hood if this should still covering your head is definitely impossible). I thought I would find the limit where my comfort is too low and traveling is not fun anymore, but I get used to the lower standard better and better. It was all worth it and I still don’t know where my limit is. And after a while I never remember the hassle, my mind only wants to keep the amazing memories. Nevertheless I admire travelers who have almost no luggage and feel comfortable everywhere with everybody. This is the best way of traveling.

Last month the days I travelled solo became more less. I still love it to be focused on myself and the new things around me. But traveling in company makes it often easier and it’s a pleasure not to think about and plan the next steps permanently. Maybe I will make a vacation from traveling soon and just relax at a beautiful place for a while.

Today it is exactly four months ago that my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. Last month I was exceedingly lucky to spent a couple of days with my friends from Munich. It’s a completely different way of traveling. Special moments and experiences become even more special when they are shared with people you love. You go to more parties and dance the night away. You are more focused on your friends as on the life outside your group. Now I’m traveling by myself again, make my own decisions and meet lots of new people. But I still can share my experiences here at justhalfaworldaway.com. Here are a few thoughts about the 4th month of my journey.

Finally I’m able to just live in the moment and completely think about nothing, my mind became calm and quiet. In the past it had ever been in motion and I thought nonstop about important and less important things.

Since I left Germany I’m living much closer to nature than ever before. Sometimes I had to climb because there had been no stairs. Sometimes I had to swim because there had been no bridges. Sometimes I had to be back home before sunset because the only light had been the daylight. Sometimes there had been no electricity, sometimes just cold or even no water. And sometimes I had to take care of free wild animals. I’ve learned to communicate with hands, feet and facial looks (a sheet of paper and a pen are very useful!). I never got nervous when I had no wifi for a couple of days. And – the most important item for me – I’ve improved the perception of my intuition and I act according to it.

And the recent challenges? I was still a little child when I made my latest ride on a big wheel. Because of my height phobia. Now I made it again. 165 metres high. The worlds second highest Ferris wheel. Alone. And I’m still alive 🙂 And I tried a durian chocolate – please don’t do the same 😝

Today it is exactly three months and four days ago that my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. Last month traveling became normal life finally. Everything works like I have never done anything else before. I have to pause to realize that I’m right in the middle of the greatest journey of my life. In these moments I can’t keep back the tears of happiness.

“Open your hearts and find your wild.”

To avoid living in routine I keep the adventures ongoing. I’m still seeking for new challenges continually. The last big one was the diving trip at Similan Islands. The hardest issue was to control all fears and panic from one exhale to the next. Now diving is my great new hobby. But it still takes me an effort to leave my personal comfort zone and to tread on unknown territory. Tough every time I made it, I was incredibly happy.

“Everything happens for a reason.”

That became my motto for relaxed traveling. It took me this world trip to internalize this sentence. I use it when I had to change my plans compulsory or I unhappily didn’t get the option I considered it’s the best. And the end I was always delighted.

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.”

Now traveling is less about the places you see, it’s about your experience and the people you meet on the road. I became well aware of negative people who waste my energy and create a bad atmosphere. That’s only a short introduction and I focus on myself again. So it feels like my heart is fill up with more love and peace continually. Everything happens to us is just made by our innermost thoughts.

Today it is exactly two months ago that my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. Meanwhile traveling became much slower, more relaxed and intense. Instead of making plans, I listen to my inner voice and stay where it is bringing me to. And getting lost sometimes. Actually I haven’t thought about making a trek before, now I just came back from a unforgettable journey through the Himalayas. I never felt at the wrong place, missed or regretted anything. I only have to pay attention of the visa, that’s it. I don’t feel like a tourist anymore, more like a traveller.

Today exactly one month ago my dream became true and this “just half a world away” trip began. It seems to me like ages ago. I had days filled with new experiences, amazing and gripping moments, ongoing challenges and groundless fears at the beginning. It’s the first extended trip while I am traveling by myself. I had my doubts as I could manage the whole thing, although I was well prepared. Now taking complicated routes, bridging language barriers and dealing difficulties provides so much satisfaction and fun, that I lookout for new challenges continually. I can’t remember how often I thought by myself “What the f*** are you doing here?!”, but I was happy at the end of every single day. Independence is necessary when you want to follow your inner voice and going your way. Independence makes you free. That doesn’t mean you have to be alone. I’ve met outstanding friendly and helpful people – no matter who I am or what I can give, they just want to see me happy. I never had only one second when I felt lonely or bored. And I never slipped off my shoes so often, whether I am at the beach, in a temple or I just want to relax for a while. Well, life is better in flip flops indeed, but life is the best when you are barefoot.