My kids and I live a full life with various adventures and a lot of travel, more than any of their friends.
Whenever we catch up with friends or family, they ask where we’ve been, what adventures we’ve had and what’s next.
For years we were unable to travel due to a lengthy and expensive custody battle and the father of my older two having them put on the watchlist.
I finally got custody, we started travelling full time then the world shutdown and I got pregnant.
Yet we still managed to travel a little and have various adventures.
Making travel, cultural experiences and adventures a priority has kept us close as a family and enabled my kids to develop a wider view of the world.
They have more compassion, emotional intelligence and understanding of different cultures than most teens and it is commented on often by other adults.
Here are the ways we incorporate adventure and travel into our lives.
1. Visit a New Place Every Year
The new place you visit doesn’t need to be far away or even a long holiday.
It could be as simple as a day trip somewhere.
Explore your local area as if you are a tourist if you can’t afford to go elsewhere.
If you can afford a full holiday, I highly recommend immersing yourself in other cultures.
Truly experience them as a local instead of a tourist, it’s a completely different experience.
We do a lot in Vanuatu because their family is there and my son will one day be chief.
When we go, we are staying with family, I am the only Caucasian in the area and often get asked by bus drivers if I am sure this is my stop.
I love to book homestay style experiences or check with friends if they have recommendations.
2. Say Yes to Spontaneous Experiences
One of the best decisions I ever made was saying yes to a last minute trip to the Solomon Islands.
When I agreed, I had no idea how I was going to make it happen as my kids couldn’t come with me, we were in the middle of custody court etc.
Then amazingly, our babysitter from the state we lived in before moved down, had some issues with where she was living and came to live with me.
Both her and her boyfriend commented that my kids are the easiest kids ever (this was when I only had 2) and they barely had to do anything as they could do everything themselves.
I knew that was how it would be and really only needed adults present in case of emergencies.
How did that trip change my life?
I had the opportunity to explore the Solomon Islands, switch off for a week as there was no reception.
We did a try scuba session and later I was invited to come back to Munda to get my diving certification.
On that trip I met someone, we stayed in contact, my work took me back multiple times and we now have 2 kids together.
That trip provided more once in a life time travel opportunities and income, connections with some amazing people and a whole new family.
Plus, it is because of that trip I am now part of the Yatibu tribe in Vanuatu and my son is the future chief.
All from saying yes to a spontaneous trip!
3. Try a New Activity
Adventures don’t need to be as big as an overseas trip, it can be as simple as trying a new activity.
Numerous activities offer the first lesson or even first week for free such as dance, sports etc.
As gifts, my kids have given me different experiences such as a perfume making class in Sydney.
We’ve tried different themed restaurants, explored waterfalls, done the “touristy” things in areas we’ve lived etc.
Look up what there is to do in your area, classes you might like to try, events that are on and start working them into you life.
Instead of thinking I’ll do it one day, set a day and make it happen.
4. Immerse Yourself in Different Cultures
Being in a mixed race family makes immersion in different cultures easier but I was doing it well before I blended my family.
Indonesia for the total solar eclipse in South Sulawesi, Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, New Zealand, Austria, hiking The Crow’s Flight through Slovenia, multiple trips to the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu.
International trips aren’t the only way to immerse yourself in different cultures.
Seek out those cultures in your area, attend festivals related to any culture you are interested in or the multicultural festivals.
Try different restaurants or recipes from other cultures and be open-minded about it.
Learning about different cultures is such an incredible experience.
5. Plan at Least One Trip Focused on Relaxation
This article is mainly about adventure and that is what my trips tend to focus on but it can be worth it to learn to relax too.
Or try relaxation techniques from different cultures such as Thai massage, Tai Chi etc.
I am not one to sit on the beach and drink for a week, trying a massage or day spa treatment or other relaxation technique I am interested in though.
Going away to do something you enjoy as a hobby can make for a relaxing trip too such as a surf trip, meditation retreat, hiking adventure or a holiday with friends.
Sometimes simply getting out in nature, fishing, providing for yourself for a few days can be a great way to relax.
What works for you and the type of trip you’d find appealing is completely up to you.
6. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone While Travelling
We’ve done this a lot because we’ve travelled to places we didn’t expect and dealt with a few disasters such as cyclones, bushfires, lock down etc.
Rather than dealing with those sort of things, look for other ways to get outside your comfort zone.
Try an adventure sport, go on a hike, swim in the ocean (we do all these regularly but I am amazed how many people have never done them).
Go to a restaurant you wouldn’t normally try.
Stay in a different type of accommodation such as a homestay instead of a resort.
Look up unique experiences for the areas you are going and the area you currently live in to see what appeals to you and try something new.
7. Document Experiences Through Journalling or Photography
You don’t need to start a full blog or social channel all about your adventures.
Documenting them for yourself can be a great way to learn more about your likes, dislikes, record special memories and have something to reflect on later.
One of the things my kids and I love is that we all have phones so are constantly recording different things and have different angles/perspectives about whatever we do.
My younger kids love going through our photos and videos, it’s amazing what they remember too and what they think of some of the things we’ve done, even at 3 and 4 years old.
Keeping a journal, taking photos and video and sharing them are also great ways to increase your child’s self esteem.
8. Travel Solo at Least Once
Doing a trip on your own can be life-changing. Instead of doing everything someone else suggests or hiding behind other people, you have to face yourself.
You have to decide what to do, where to go and discover what you enjoy.
The people you meet along the way can provide an incredible experience too.
When travelling solo, be sure to take precautions regarding your safety.
I’ve done a few solo trips and still have friends from them.
It was hard at first but I am grateful for the experiences, the lessons and how much I grew because of it all.
9. Learn Basic Phrases in Different Languages
Before you go anywhere that speaks a different language, it is a good idea to learn a few basic phrases.
It’s polite and helps get you in the frame of mind for your trip.
If there is a destination you’ve always wanted to go but can’t afford to yet, start learning some of the language.
You’ll feel more connected to the culture and it helps expand you mind in general.
10. Find Adventure in Your Daily Life, Not Just Trips
Look at your life and brainstorm ways you can add some adventure to it.
My kids often comment that I was the mum who would pick them up from school and we’d go to a waterfall.
Or I’d set up a picnic in the park across from the school that any of the kids could join.
Festivals and special events were another thing they loved I often surprised them with.
Trying different cuisines either through restaurants in our area or cooking a recipe together.
How can you shake up your weekends to do something new?
Some of the things we’ve done include a hot air balloon ride, swimming with dolphins, helicopter ride, learning to dive, stand-up paddleboarding, learning to surf, snorkelling, exploring waterfalls and bushwalks in our area etc.
When we move to Perth we will do more diving but also want to try things such as a pottery class and other art forms, some dance, martial arts and anything else we find.
Try something new!