#jauntingborderswithmiranda

[jauntlife]

Jaunting Borders with Miranda: Takeaways

This is Part 7 and the final installment of our blog series, Jaunting Borders with Miranda. After spending 3 years working to make sure high school students have the opportunity to travel the world, Miranda decided to take an epic trip of her own. Her 7 week trip took her across Australia and New Zealand.

Last week, I completed my 7 week journey. After such an incredible trip -- one which included jumping out of a place (twice), living on a boat for a week, swinging from a canyon, and chilling with many new friends -- I think it is important to take some time to reflect on some key takeaways. Here are my top 7:

1) Sometimes you have to put the camera down and just be where you are. Don't let a lens separate you from what's happening.

2) When people tell you the sun in Australia is super strong because of the ozone layer thinning... believe them.

3) Travel isn't a break in real life -- it is real life. Make time to really experience it as a part of your overall life journey, not as a pause in it.

4) Kangaroos in Australia are like deer in the USA- free roaming pests. Deer in New Zealand are like cows in the USA- raised on farms. Bats in Australia are huge. Really, really huge. Baby seals bite. Pretty hard. So do kookaburras. Koalas are kind of boring.

5) Aussies eat beets on everything, including on hamburgers. When in Rome...

6) Everyone has something to teach you. Be a respectful traveler who listens with an open heart and mind, and the people you meet will astonish you.

7) Be someone who says "yes." When you have the opportunity to try one more trail, stay out late with new friends, or try a new activity, say yes. These moments, the ones you almost missed, often turn out to be your most treasured memories.

Walk Slow,

- Miranda

[jauntlife]

Jaunting Borders with Miranda: Part 6

This is Part 6 of our blog series, Jaunting Borders with Miranda. After spending 3 years working to make sure high school students have the opportunity to travel the world, Miranda decided to take an epic trip of her own. Her 7 week trip will take her across Australia and into New Zealand.

Part 6: A Day in Queenstown, New Zealand

A 15,000 ft jump out of a plane over Queenstown does not suck.

Helicopter ride over Milford Sound. We stopped for a few minutes on the glacier peak of Mount Tutoko, which is by far one of the most awe inspiring places I've ever seen.

A 60m (195ft) free fall before swinging out over the canyon. 

The view from an evening stroll along the water in the botanical gardens of Queenstown. A perfect way to end this day. 

- Miranda

[jauntlife]

Jaunting Borders with Miranda: Part 5

This is Part 5 of our blog series, Jaunting Borders with Miranda. After spending 3 years working to make sure high school students have the opportunity to travel the world, Miranda decided to take an epic trip of her own. Her 7 week trip began in Melbourne, Australia.

Part 5: The Australian Shark Cull

I spent most of last week under water, scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. As divers, we talked a lot about Western Australia recently beginning a controversial shark cull (The government passed the new policy in an effort to prevent shark attacks on surfers and swimmers).

Several countries allow shark culls of some kind. One popular method is the drum line- essentially a baited hook anchored offshore near a popular beach which is designed to trap nearby sharks. The new policy in Western Australia then states that all trapped sharks over 3 meters (about 10 feet) will be killed, while smaller sharks will be freed. But unfortunately, these drum lines capture many smaller sharks and non-dangerous creatures like dolphins and manatees.

For me, the bottom line is that sharks, like all other sea creatures, have a right to live in their homes in the ocean. Humans can choose to stay on land, or take the risks associated with swimming in the water. And instead of spending money on killing animals which very, very occasionally take human lives, I believe we should be focusing on researching shark habits so we can coexist underwater. I've had the fortune to watch many beautiful, graceful sharks on my dives this week, and hope that there will still be sharks to watch for years to come.

- Miranda

[jauntlife]

Jaunting Borders with Miranda: Part 3

This is Part 3 of our blog series, Jaunting Borders with Miranda. After spending 3 years working to make sure high school students have the opportunity to travel the world, Miranda decided to take an epic trip of her own. Her 7 week trip began in Melbourne, Australia.

Part 3: What's Down That Road?

After a few days in Melbourne, I convinced an Aussie friend to drive the Great Ocean Road with me. This beautiful road trip follows the southern coastline of Australia and features some incredible views.

We visited the Twelve Apostles, one of the most popular sites, and we're inspired by the beauty of these rock formations despite being literally shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other tourists at sunset.

On our way to the hostel we decided to visit another spot on a whim (you know, a "what's down that road?" moment) and found it totally deserted. We stood on the sand in this cove in the dark as the last glows of the sun sunk in the gorge, and I was reminded of how important solitude and peace can be.

The famous sites can be beautiful even amidst the crowds, but the moments and views that most capture my memory tend to be the quiet wonders that I've found by accident.

- Miranda