As an upcoming travel blogger, I get these questions a lot — “What do you love the most about exploring”, “Are you not scared of going to places you don’t know”, “Is it safe”, to be honest, most times I know people are just trying to look out for me, but I just trust that God will keep me safe anywhere.

Travelling for me is more than just a break from routine; it’s a journey that enlightens me so much; exploring different cultures, meeting new people, learning languages and even admiring the beauty of God’s green earth. Whether it’s a two-week trip or a weekend getaway, every trip brings me a unique experience that keeps me excited. Here’s a reflection on five things I love about travelling:

Adventure and Exploration: There’s something incredibly exciting about venturing into the unknown, whether it’s hiking, skydiving(not accomplished this yet) or diving into a body of water. I have so much energy in me, so people have said. I will take every opportunity to do something that makes me scared, because if it doesn’t scare me enough, where’s the fun in that? The first canopy walk I did in Ghana terrified me, I screamed when I saw the height from the ground, but that didn’t stop me, instead, it was motivation to even complete it. Every time I’m about to explore somewhere new, I remind myself that one day I will look back and thank myself for going through with it and I have never regretted doing any activity. Hopefully, my next adventure will include a hot air balloon or paragliding.

Meeting New People: Coming into contact with people who love the same thing you do has to be one of the top feelings ever. Within the past year of travelling, I can say it has brought me face-to-face with people I would never have met otherwise. Hearing stories and traditions from the locals and even fellow travellers who have become friends, the connections I have made so far have been so impactful. On every trip I have been outside Nigeria, I’ve gotten new names and it has stuck with me, the last one was in Rwanda — Muthoni(because I behave like a lastborn). Making friends also makes it easier to learn the languages and navigate the city. Within the next few years, I want to be able to say — I have a friend in the Czech Republic, I’m going to my friend’s wedding in Japan, I’m going to a graduation in Amsterdam, and so on. Even the thought of saying this makes me so excited already.

Experiencing New Cultures: One of the most thrilling aspects of travel is the opportunity to learn about different cultures. It is exciting knowing that every place you visit has a distinct tradition and a different way of life. On my trip to Delta, in the South-South part of Nigeria, I observed that women are the breadwinners and their men just marry them and enjoy all their hard work. In Rwanda, they don’t do overnight clubs, by 11/12 the DJ stops the music and everybody goes home. Where I’m based, these two don’t happen, so I was so intrigued to see people live like this.

Even with dressing, as someone who likes a lot of shorts, dresses, and crop tops, I stood out very well in Rwanda because they dress modestly. Different experiences like these enrich my understanding of the world and broaden it. I definitely can’t speak of cultures outside of Africa yet, but soon, by God’s grace, I will come back to talk about that.

Personal Growth: As they say, experience is the best teacher. Travelling has challenged me in ways that everyday life doesn’t. Planning a trip to a new place, knowing that nobody is responsible for me, leaves me to navigate through a new environment independently. While there have been times that I’ve almost gotten lost, I’ve become good at making decisions I would normally ask my mother or sister for help. It pushes me out of my comfort zone, as I don’t particularly appreciate sitting in one place for too long. It has also broadened my knowledge, there were places I could not identify before, but now it’s easier. Whether it’s trying to communicate in a new language or simply adapting to a different pace of life, these challenges have made me more responsible, patient, and confident in handling the unexpected.

Creating Lasting Memories: Every trip is a collection of unforgettable moments, no matter how little it may seem. Taking a girls’ trip, going solo or group trips, is something I will always look back on and reminisce on the experiences, how someone was shouting before doing an activity, or reactions to eating local food, even trying to speak a new language, I remember learning Kinyarwanda, it was a struggle until I started using it to converse with people there. In summary, these experiences are cherished and revisited time and again.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to step out of your comfort zone and take a trip, this is it!

Travelling enriches your life with new experiences, and connections, and helps you become more adaptable, patient, and globally-minded. The joys of travel, like cultural immersion, adventure, personal growth, and the creation of lasting memories, are accompanied by valuable life lessons. So, pack your bags and set out to explore the world!

If you are a frequent traveller, what do you love the most?