a new series in which i interview bloggers about their travel and their aspirations. i hope you enjoy reading what my fellow nomads are up to!
today’s featured blogger is gabby, from she packs light.
tell us about yourself! how did you get started traveling?
I have been traveling all of my life! My mother has been a travel agent for over 20 years, and my father was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for just as long. When I was born they were stationed in Camp Pendleton, California, and ever since them we’ve been on the move! As a child I really resented travel because I didn’t have life long friends and I was constantly leaving the friends I did make. But as I grew older I began to be able to appreciate travel and the diverse people I met along the way. And now at 20 I’m able to travel on my own and I can’t stop!
what is your favourite destination, and why?
So far my favorite travel destination has been Australia! It’s hard to compare the countries I’ve been to like Japan, Iceland, Kenya, and Australia, but if I had to choose one it would be Australia simply because 1.) Everyone is very nice 2.) It’s very clean and safe 3.) The boys (drool) 4.) The heat! I went to Australia when it was December and I couldn’t have asked for better weather. Basically, Australia is super carefree and fun!
what is your ultimate travel destination? have you been there, or do you have plans to go there anytime soon?
In my dream of dreams, my ultimate travel destination would be the Maldives! The Maldives definitely aren’t conducive to a college students lifestyle (read: I’m wayyy too broke), but I’m hoping in the next 10 years I’ll be able to go! I don’t mind waiting though; its best to save the best for last right?
what is the craziest travel-related thing you have ever done?
When I went to Australia on a whim with my friend when I was 18, we drove cross country from Sydney, through Brisbane, up to Cairns where the Great Barrier Reef is. And then we decided let’s do something to remember… And we went skydiving over the Great Barrier Reef at 14,000 feet! It was probably around 12,000 ft plummeting around 90mph that I began to second guess my decision… But it was a once in a lifetime experience! But it was awesome to have my first skydiving experience be over one of the seven wonders of the world!
do you prefer to travel solo, or with someone? why?
I’ve never traveled completely solo but I imagine that there are pros and cons to each. On the one hand I love alone time, independence, and doing what I want when I want. And I often feel left out of big groups and end up going off somewhere alone anyway. On the other hand, travel is the best bonding tool and traveling with a friend can make the trip ten times more amazing than it would’ve been without them, and you never have to be lonely. I can’t decide!
if you travel with friends, do you think your friendship is stronger for that reason?
I think traveling together brings people to their highest highs and lowest lows. Travel shows you what’s important to you. And if you can travel well with someone I think it means you have similar priorities, and that you both are prone to compromising and being understanding. So yes, I think travelling with someone can make a friendship stronger than it could’ve ever been otherwise!
what’s on your travel agenda for this year?
Oh gosh… So many plans. We know how well those work out! I’m waiting to hear back from a travel T.V. show which is super exciting. And I have tentative plans for Columbia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Thailand, and Dubai! I’m 100% sure other things will fall through and pop up so I’m not one for promises. But I am excited!
you can follow gabby on facebook, twitter, and instagram. thanks for sharing, gabby!
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