When we decided to start exploring the world, I quickly realized that not everyone’s idea of a fun traveling experience was the same.  Who knew?  Seriously, I wanted to explore like Dora meeting lots of new people, seeing new places, and things.  Cue up the song “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”  That’s when I realized that everyone has their own Travel Adventure Scale.

The More Exploring the Better…Right?

Several years ago we decided that we wanted to travel to Thailand.  As I began my research, I found seven different areas that I thought we should visit.  Perhaps I should note it was seven areas in 18 days. Ha!  At this point, even I think that was a little crazy…you know what they say about hindsight. 

Planes, Trains, Ferries, Cars and Buses. It will be an Adventure!

Visiting all seven areas would require multiple planes, ferries, trains, car rides, or buses. Seeing many different areas was exciting and I wanted to pack in as much as I could in 18 days.

As I started describing to Eric all the places, we “needed to see,” I sensed some hesitancy on his part.  Eric’s ideal trip did not include seven different areas or traveling by numerous trains, planes, automobiles, and ferries.

As I explained why we should travel to all seven areas, Eric conceded and gave me the green light to plan away.  Yes! Actually, I wasn’t excited because I knew if our trip was only focused on what I wanted, Eric would end up stressed out and miserable.

Travel Adventure Scale

It was then that I realized that we all have a “Travel Adventure Scale.”

On a Travel Adventure Scale of 1-10…

A “1” could be lying by the pool at an all-inclusive resort or going on a cruise and staying on the ship.  You’re getting away and happily relaxing, yet not bothered with exploring or adventure.

A “5” could be going on a cruise and participating in their organized excursions.  It involves some exploring but in a relatively structured setting.

Then there are the “10”s!  These are the few, the proud who cannot get enough adventure.  A “10” falls in the range of running with the bulls, diving with great white sharks, or climbing Mt. Everest. 

On the Travel Adventure Scale, I’m a solid 8 or 9 and back then Eric was probably a 4.  As we’ve traveled more and have lived to tell the tales of several traveling mishaps, Eric has moved into the range of a 6 or 7.

I have learned that our most enjoyable trips fall into the 6 – 8 Travel Adventure Scale range spanning both of our travel adventure scales.  This means our itinerary is a combination of both of our desires and leaves neither of us feeling too stretched or bored.

Making Different Travel Adventure Scales Work

I love the water, snorkeling, and scuba diving.  On most of our trips, I’m looking for critters underwater that I haven’t seen before.  Eric on the other hand, enjoys the water but preferably looking at it from inside a boat with an adult beverage in hand. 

Over the years we have found a great compromise for our differing loves of water and Travel Adventure Scales.  I’m usually in the water looking for clownfish, turtles, seahorses, and other critters. Then I report back what I’ve found and Eric decides whether he wants to get in or not. Most the time he opts to hang out on the boat relaxing and talking to the crew. This plan works great for both of us because it combines both of our Travel Adventure Scales.

This is Where Critters Come in…

I also find that animals, wildlife, birds, insects, and reptiles can also play a role in the personal Travel Adventure Scale.  If you like critters they aren’t much of a factor, but if you don’t like them, then they definitely need to be considered.

And the story begins… so I really like animals.  To say that I coaxed home my share of dogs growing up is truly an understatement. 

The idea of seeing critters in the wild definitely excites me.  Eric also likes animals but when we first started traveling he did not have the same fondness for “wild”, undomesticated animals as I did.

This is where Thailand trip #1 comes in… so I found the Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas that was built next to a national park. And who comes down to visit from the national park each day but monkeys, lots of monkeys!  Insert a shriek of JOY! 

I knew this was the place for me.  And in fact, those monkeys did come and visit our balcony, the restaurant patio at breakfast, and the resort grounds. 

When the Monkeys Came for a Visit…

I have to admit when we were in our room with several monkeys hovering on our balcony, I felt an unexpected combination of joy and terror. We had been told to not show your teeth to the monkeys because they see it as a sign of aggression. Who knows is if that is true or not, but it made sense at the time. As my excitement bubbled, I was completely unsuccessful in not smiling or laughing. Instead of leaving to meet our boat, I was in our room, bent over nervously laughing with tears in my eyes, hoping that my tetanus shot was up to date.

Needless to say, I loved every minute of it and I ran out of the room very quickly! No tetanus shot needed, and yes it was up to date.

Not every traveler loved the monkeys as much as I did.  So, if you don’t like walking around a corner and seeing a bunch of monkeys or the largest iguana you’ve ever seen, then that’s important to consider when determining where you are on the Travel Adventure Scale. Oh and don’t book your room next to a monkey reserve.

Considering Everyone’s Travel Adventure Scale

Oh and Thailand trip #1, we ended up traveling to four areas providing us ample time to explore. We also had time to relax so we didn’t feel like we were on the go the whole time.  Although I had wanted to see everything, I realized that my desires were too lofty. We instead focused on the areas that were our “must sees.” We did end up traveling by plane, ferry, and car although the train and bus were excluded.

To this day, that trip is one of our top three favorite vacations because it was a combination of what we both wanted to do and our Travel Adventure Scales. This has become a key factor in our trip planning. I hope it helps you too!

Life is short, Book the Trip!