We all have to start somewhere. Travel experiences don’t just occur without us experiencing them. - Expat Eann

Embrace the Unexpected

It seems like yesterday. I was working at a waterpark design firm, designing those colorful curving tunnel slides and wave pools, and just feeling generally unhappy. I knew I wanted something different as I was just so fed up with my day to day life, but I didn’t know what it was. Even designing the biggest tornado style water slide in the world gave me no satisfaction. This tornado water slide should have been my greatest accomplishment and brought me endless joy, but I felt nothing. Numb. Even when I used the slide myself, on a weekend getaway with friends, I still felt numb. Joyless.

But it was at that waterpark where my biggest slide was installed that I met solo female traveler and feminist revolutionary Cheryl Strayed. She was giving a seminar...

Journey to a Sacred Island

New Caledonia is an island in the pacific ocean that I had longed to visit for years. They say it’s a “Special Collectivity” of France, but I don’t agree with that colonial mindset, so let’s call it a country. Did France make their culture? No. The New Caledonians made the culture themselves with the aid of French technology, finance, labor, language, and religion. But let’s abandon politics for now. I want to talk about my incredible transformative experience on the island.

When my travel agent called me and informed me of a volunteer opportunity to help the indigenous people of New Caledonia, I nearly fainted with excitement. My vision blurred a bit, but I regained equilibrium and resounded a great “YES!” My travel agent paused for a second, and then said “ok”.

I flew first class out from the USA to Brisbane airport in Australia (Thanks to my partners...

As any reader of mine already knows, The Journey Without Borders is a platform to share all the transformative stories from my life as a cultural and experiential traveler. As an experiential traveler, I get asked the question all the time - what exactly is experiential travel? Well I thought I’d write a post to tell you exactly what it is. Experiential travel is travel behind-the-scenes. It’s not just going to Mykonos, it’s getting an authentic look at Mykonos. That rare white wine that only locals drink? You can have it too! It’s all about getting down and gritty when you travel experientially. If you follow my method, all the culture and experiences in the world will become available, and will transform you into a totally new and better person! You deserve it!
My private resort pool on Mykonos. I wouldn’t have gotten this had I not spoken with a local resident who knew this...