My Backyard

Guest Blogger returns. It has been a while since I have written, and to be honest, I am not even sure where this blog will take me…and you.

It is hard to believe that we have been in Oz for nearly 3 weeks, which means we only have another 3 before we return to New Zealand. However, that being said, we have already been graced with so much of Australia’s brilliance. We have been fortunate to have been able to re-connect with local Aussie’s who have been kind enough to share their time and their knowledge with us as we make our way up the East coast. However, it is amazing how much one takes their own country for granted.

I think this blog now has a focus.

I can remember a few years ago, when we were both still at Queen’s, having this conversion with myself and then Chlo and probably other close friends. “I don’t want to be one of those people who just jumps ship on Canada and heads off to see other countries…I want to see MY own country first.” Why is there a need to out-source ones travelling when there is so much to do in our backyard? Over the last two weeks it has donned on me that this is an international phenomenon. We have come across numerous Aussie’s who have travelled around the world, but have not seen much, or any, of their own country. Why does this happen? Why don’t we see the uniqueness and travel opportunities in our own Countries?

Now that I have started to travel internationally, I want to see even more of Canada. Chlo and I stuck to our goal of exploring Canada (or large portions of Canada) before we flew off to see the world. However, hearing a few Aussie’s talk about their lack of domestic travel makes me want to get to Newfoundland, Nunavut and the Yukon before I go on another international adventure. I want to accurately answer a travelling foreigner’s query “what is Canada like?

Well…do I have an answer for you!
What part of Canada do you want to see? Do you want to go in the summer? Or Winter? Do you want to go to cities? Or remote wilderness? Do you like the hustle bustle of a city like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver or do you want a laid back experience in Yellowknife or Halifax? Do you want to visit rural Alberta? Hike in the Rocky Mountains? Paddle in Alqonquin Park? Or Surf in British Columbia?

I don’t want to sound like a bragging blogger who has been everywhere, but for whatever reason I have placed domestic travel high on my priority list…because after all, Canada is a beautiful place with endless travel/adventure opportunities.

I guess what I am trying to say is that next time you think of flying to Mexico or Cuba…stop for a minute and think about your own country. If it’s Canada…go to Vancouver Island and check out the forests, go to Quebec City and learn about the history or get really crazy and head up to Yellowknife for an amazing outdoor experience (that is still in Canada you know). If you are a Kiwi go to a nearby vineyard, go the West Coast and learn about the history of jade or head up to Mount Cook and learn about local mountaineering and mountaineers or find a gem of a beach like Waikuku and go for a surf. If you are an Aussie...go to the Great Ocean Road and check out the amazing cliffs and rock formations, hike in Grampians National Park on the ancient rocks, or dive at the Great Barrier Reef!

Go see your own country, smell the fresh air, go barefoot to get a true feel of your local surroundings and don’t be afraid to travel locally, because too often we pass up local gems merely because they are so close and they will ‘always’ be there.