I love to travel and I love to write.
Like a lot of Aussie kids, I grew up camping, sailing and holidaying in nature or at caravan parks with my mum and stepdad. These early travels gave me a yearning for adventure and led me to book my first independent overseas holiday with to Bali when I was just 17.
Since that very first Garuda flight, the travel bug bit me hard and I have visited more than 30 countries.
For me a journey begins for me with the idea. It then grows and I spend hours reading and researching on the Internet and in guide books about my destination.
I read books about the places I want to go, watch movies and scan magazines to ensure I can seek out the best possible experience.
This blog started as way to help friends and family traverse the globe.
I kept getting asked to write down places to visit and itineraries for where people were going. This blog is a simple way to share my experience and help others find the same joy in their travels.
It is also a little bit of therapy. I am now raising a young family so the three month backpacking trips are (for now) happy memories.
Writing about trips helps me revisit the journeys I have taken.
Gate 77 is definitely not about the latest hipster hangouts or hard core action adventure. If you are after that, you’ll need to read another blog. I am not “fire” (whatever that means) and while I like to hike, kayak and board ride, hardcore adventure is not what I do.
I am just an average traveller. I like to rough it sometimes, I like to wing it on certain trips. I’ve travelled independently but sometimes I like the comfort of hotels, tours and the path most travelled.
Package tours, jump on jump off buses, independent train trips are what I enjoy. Each adventure, experience and location is a wonder, it is like opening a present on Christmas morning, full of excitement and joy. I find the world a truly beautiful and inspiring place.
I hope this blog helps you take the plunge, explore and engage this amazing world we live in. I hope it encourages you to get to know the people around you wherever you are, embrace the differences of this world and absorb the beauty of our very fragile planet.
Mostly I hope it lets you escape from your work routine, and perhaps even helps you decide on your next adventure.
The focus of the blog will no doubt shift to more family friendly experiences base in Australia while this pandemic rages.
Fortune however being favourable, I still hope to do many trips with my little family in the future and cannot wait to share these with you.
Until then, enjoy the memories, tips and experiences.
I wish you happy travels and I hope to see you on the road or boarding at Gate 77 soon.
Trudi
PS – Please indulge my random musings on life and parenting at The Ancient Mumma
Gate 77 