The Inception of Our Travel
Story
We were born and raised
in a communist country that didn’t allow us to travel anywhere outside the
borders. Therefore, after getting immigrated to California in 1988, we began
traveling around the world, trying to make up for all those lost years.
Traveling As A Couple And Activities
We Enjoy
We have been married for
almost 45 years, so traveling together came naturally. Besides, we enjoy each
other’s company and have the same travel style. We share many passions and
interests, among which exploring the world, music, and photography.
As a couple, we like to
travel independently rather than in organized groups, except perhaps when we go
on press. On average, we take about two-three big trips a year (3 to 4 weeks
each) and many short, weekend getaways.
Laszlo loves to drive, so
except for the big cities where we prefer to be carefree, we like renting a
car and driving around.
We
like exploring exotic, far-away places, just as much as we like discovering
close-to-home places. We love nature, so there is always hiking, scuba diving,
or horseback riding included in our trips. We also love exploring big cities
around the world and immersing ourselves in the local food and culture.
As a
result, our trips are quite varied. From the wild mountain tops of Patagonia to
the sunny beaches of Hawaii or the busy cities in Europe, our trips are weaved
with a twist of adventure.
The Packing Manual That We
Follow
Most of the time we
travel with two carry-ons. But depending on the nature of the trip, we sometimes
have to check in a bag in addition to our two carry-ons. Like for instance when
we go on press trips and have to carry heavy photo equipment, or if we have to
pack hiking boots and poles, or thick winter clothes. But no matter where we
go, or whether it’s for two days or for a month, we always carry our laptops
and at least one camera/person.
The Story Of Carpathian
Mountains
I remember quite vividly a trip that we took
many years ago in the Carpathian Mountains, in Romania. We decided to hike the Iezer
Papusa (2,470 m), one of the highest peaks in the Carpathians.
There were about eight of us in the group and we
were supposed to reach the summit by sunset. Our plan was to spend the night at
the top of the mountain, in the little cabin that served as a refuge for
shepherds and travelers, then start back the next day.
We didn’t expect much comfort or luxury, but a
hard bed and a roof above our heads would have been enough. Unfortunately, when
we arrived at the top of the mountain, we found the cabin totally burned down.
Just a couple of walls remained standing, but nothing else: no roof, no beds,
no stoves, no doors, nothing!
And to make things worse, we discovered that we
were not the only ones in this predicament. Another group of backpackers who
had arrived there before us was to compete with us for the shelter of those two
standing walls.
Summer nights are nice and warm in Romania, but
not up in the mountains, where the temperature may easily drop below 50ºF. And
then there was the issue of wild animals, like bears, wolves, wild boars, or
even lynxes.
All these may sound like a recipe for disaster,
but what started as a nightmare for all of us, turned up to be one of the most
fun adventures we ever had. So, what is a big group of young people going to do on
a cold night atop the mountain? Make fun of the situation. We had to stay warm
somehow, so we set up a fire and made a feast with all the leftovers we had.
It was laughter, jokes, and games till dawn. An unforgettable night!
Top Destinations We Visited And
How We Selected Them
We don’t have a ‘checklist’, so it didn’t occur to me to
count the number of countries we visited so far, as we are not on a quest to cover
the entire world. We select our destinations based on our interests but also based
on the level of safety they offer. We are willing to take a calculated risk but don’t like leaving things to chance.
Our favorite continent so far is South America, but we also
have strong ties to Europe, so we travel there every year. Our bucket list was
quite long, but this past year taught us to make it shorter and enjoy
closer-to-home destinations, hahaha!
How We Prepare Our Budget
For A Trip
Although
we don’t like to splurge, we like to travel at a certain level. Our days of
staying in tents, refugios, and budget hotels are over.
The older we grow, the less we can put up with the lack of comfort. But that’s
not to say that we can’t be happy in a log cabin at the top of the
mountain if we can’t find anything better.
We are fairly happy with the amount of travel we do right
now. Well, sometimes I would like to stay longer a month in some places, but
Laszlo still has to work if we want to be able to travel!
But even if we had the time and money, I don’t think I would
enjoy being on the road all the time. I like my house in California and our
friends here. Besides, we lived in such a blessed climate that I feel I’m
always on vacation!
Advice For The Fellow
Travelers
In our family, I am the trip planner and organizer, so if I
were to give any advice to people who want to start traveling it would be:
research your destinations. It’s important to know where you are going and what
to expect when you get there.
Read as much as you can about the places you want to visit
and make a schedule. Time flies when you travel and unless you are on a
schedule, you won’t be able to cover much territory. Most of the time, you
won’t be able to stick to that schedule, but it’s better to have one than to
leave things to chance.
And remember, it’s never too late or too early to start
traveling!
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