You know what they say… “It’s not the destination — it’s the journey.” In my adventure travel experiences, I’ve often set out for one place and ended up somewhere completely different. Sometimes it was due to a “perceived problem” — like a visa that wouldn’t come through or political demonstrations that changed my plans. Other times, it was something more dramatic, like an earthquake or a volcano erupting. But more often, it was simply because I met someone who said: "Oh, you haven’t been to Colombia? You have to go!" And so I did. Travel blogging has shown me that this journey unfolds in unexpected ways. Plans change, paths shift, and sometimes the most memorable places are the ones you never intended to visit at all.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter where your adventure travel takes you. What matters is what you learn, the people you meet, and the adventures you experience along the way.
Travel isn’t about how quickly you get somewhere, how many countries you can tick off a bucket list, or even whether every day goes perfectly. It’s about the sum of the experience.
Did you grow?
Did you step outside your comfort zone?
Did you learn something new?
And most importantly — did you connect with someone?
For me, that is the real purpose of travel: stepping beyond the familiar and discovering both the world around us and something new within ourselves.
Pam’s Endless Journey reflects that idea. Each trip may have a beginning and an end, but together they form one continuous journey of learning, connection, and discovery, which I hope to share here.
There are countless ways to explore the world — from adventure travel experiences like budget backpacking trips to luxury cruises, safaris, and organized tours. Over the years, I’ve tried a little bit of everything, and each style of travel has its own advantages.
In this section, I share the lessons I’ve learned along the way through my travel blogging — the pros and cons of different travel styles, practical tips, and ideas that may help you decide what works best for you.
No matter your comfort level, the most important thing is simply to take that first step and begin.
I never REALLY know what is next on my adventure travel list. Every time I travel, I meet people who have been somewhere interesting, and I instantly want to go there, so it goes on my new list. This year, it included Mexico, Vienna, Budapest and Prague. As I continue my travel blogging journey, next year might bring me to India and Sri Lanka, but that could change. I'll keep you posted!
When I was growing up in the 1960s, my favorite day of the month was when the newest National Geographic magazine arrived in the mailbox. I would pore over the pages, fascinated by dramatic landscapes, vibrant cultures, and the incredible diversity of people around the world. I dreamed of visiting those places someday, eager for adventure travel experiences.
At nineteen, I took my first solo backpacking trip — nine weeks traveling through the UK and Europe. I loved every minute of it and decided that someday I would become a travel writer and photographer, sharing my adventures through travel blogging.
But life has its own timeline. By my mid-twenties I was married, had a child, and was back in school.
It wasn’t until my late thirties that I finally returned to that dream. While working in the Yukon, I found myself with several months free during the winter and decided it was time to travel again. I strapped on a backpack and headed south, spending six months exploring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize.
I was hooked.
Since then I’ve spent many winters traveling — usually two to six months at a time — mostly throughout Latin America, with occasional trips to Europe. I even lived in Jamaica for two winters (a story I share in my book The Sandpig and the Slippery-Headed Fish).
In 2023 I finally fulfilled another long-held dream: traveling through Africa. Over four months, a friend and I visited nine countries before continuing on to Southeast Asia for another 4 months.
And the more I travel, the more places I want to see. The world is endlessly fascinating — filled with remarkable landscapes, cultures, and people.
So join me on the journey.
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." – Helen Keller