by Kit Whelan, author of Seek New Travel
Follow Kit on Twitter at @kitwhelan
“We’re going north!”
I had just read The Golden Compass. Yes it’s technically a “kid’s book,” but what better way to explore the world than through the eyes of a child? The story takes place in a parallel world and involves an exploration to a vast northern land full of polar bears and dog-sledding. My partner & I were so hooked by the story that we planned our own adventure to the end of the world – the Norwegian Arctic. The archipelago of Svalbard, located at 79 degrees North, is well inside the Arctic circle. From our base in an old miner’s cabin we raced to the sea ice on snowmobiles, through alien landscapes, searching for polar bears with our well-armed guide. It was a true expedition. We could imagine ourselves standing with the explorers in the book, not to mention in the footsteps real-life Arctic explorers like Roald Amundsen.
That trip had me fearing for my life as I walked at night on the edge of a frozen lake past polar bear warning signs. And the next day I was laughing hysterically as husky puppies licked my face before their parents pulled us on a joy ride. It was so many extremes packed into a relatively short journey, and it was all inspired by a book.
I often pick destinations by throwing a dart at a map. Or by which country is cheapest or easiest to get to from my current location. And these are great trips. But the best trips start with inspiration.
A book, a movie, or a gripping story told by a fellow traveler over drinks at the beach bar can all inspire epic journeys. When you set off on a trip with an emotional connection it becomes a truly magical experience.
On a trip to Japan in 2007, I was overly excited wandering the Gion district of Kyoto because I’d watched Memoirs of a Geisha about 10 times before arriving. So when we happened to catch a rare geisha show, I literally squealed with delight. Of course it would have been fascinating even if I hadn’t watched the movie, but because I already had a window (however fictionalized) into their world I was was really able to understand the significance of what I was seeing.
And what couple wandering the streets of Paris on a summer’s eve hasn’t imagined themselves among the great romantics of the silver screen? From Bogart & Bergman in Casablanca to Delpy & Hawke in Before Sunset, there’s just something about knowing it’s supposed to be romantic that makes it even more enchanting.
Having a connection with a trip before your boots even touch the ground almost guarantees a fantastic experience. Certainly one that’s more immersive and emotional. And when I’ve stepped off the plane & thrown down my pack, that’s what really makes me declare “That was the Best. Trip. EVER!”
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