It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I believe travel is a valuable way to build character, explore new cultures, grow as a person, understand that universally we are more alike than different. I think time spent travelling is possibly even more valuable than a couple of university degrees and I am pretty fanatical about education.
So it is with a mixture of pride and excitement and trepidation that I am helping my son to plan some overseas wanderings. He has not travelled overseas alone before. And I am nervous for him. Thrilled, but nervous. He is about to turn 19 and, to my mind, that is still pretty young!
He is still deciding where to start. As a novice traveller, I have suggested he steer clear of Asia initially. Yes, it is on our doorstep and cheap. But it can also be very confronting for a young traveller. I want him to build his confidence before he takes on the challenges of backpacking around Asia. He went to Vietnam and Cambodia with me a few years ago and struggled with the poverty. The smell and pollution and noise and different cultures were a shock to a 15-year-old.
So his attention has been drawn to both Africa and Europe. I have some contacts I can offer in Europe – and contacts who can offer contacts. He is fast learning that as a backpacker, lobbing on people and asking to sleep on their couch is going to happen a lot. And it will either pay off or it will not. But it is cheap and safe and may even include the benefit of a home-cooked meal and a chance to do some laundry. As long as he does not overstay. I suspect he may learn that lesson the hard way.
But more and more, he is talking about Africa. At a party this weekend he was told by some experienced backpackers to trust his gut and he tells me his gut is saying Africa. Our close family friends are South African. He has the benefit of at least having a starting point there and a couple of contacts. Our friends are happy to make the introductions.
However, my heart is a little torn. South Africa is dangerous. And he is young and inexperienced. And I want to go with him and explore the “cradle of creation” too.
I am so excited my son is about to embark on a journey which will change him in incredible ways. Which will broaden his already very broad way of thinking.
I would love any advice I can pass on to him. Any websites he absolutely must check out before he goes. Information I would not have thought to pass on or flat out just don’t know. Tips any of you who have embarked on a similar journey can offer.
I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say. Thank you in advance.
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Angie Kay's travels 
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Ang, I must admit, I have avoided Africa, so I can advise on that part of the journey. My first travels(at 24)- solo, were through Europe, and mainly Scandinavia. Yes, Europe is expensive, but it also taught me the basics of being a traveller. I agree with Itsanika about SE Asia, and suggest the Thorn Tree forum on the Lonely Planet website to be an absolute must to get a feel for places he wishes to explore, and develop conversations with other travellers that are there right now. If he goes down the SE Asia track. I’d certainly encourage him to start somewhere easy, like Hanoi. there is a good backpackers’ run by some Aussie expats. Cambodia might be a bit difficult for him, and Bangkok a bit confronting, but as Itsanika said most of SE Asia is well setup for travelling now.
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If you are worried about him experiencing poverty then Africa is about the worst thing you could suggest. I am also going disagree with your steering him away from Asia, I think that it is the BEST place for a young person to begin their travel experience (I personally have traveled, Asia, Africa, Central America, the USA, Europe and other bits and pieces of the world). In my experience Asia, especially Thailand, parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines and Lao, is the easiest area for travel, its basically set up for easy travel. There are literally hundreds of young people in this area and so meeting and making friends with other travelers in no challenge whatsoever. Also English is predominantly spoken, at least in some capacity, in regularly visited areas. The area is safe, transport is easy and affordable, hotel rooms are clean and decent, food is cheap and delicious, medical care is affordable and readily available, ATMs are all over, 7-11 can save you if your desperate and its got lots to see, do and experience. If you were in SE Asia 10-15 years ago, keep in mind that the place has changed A LOT, modernized and become much more smooth for tourism. In my experience a great deal of Africa is much much more difficult, isolating, at times heartbreaking and frustrating. Europe is another easy place to begin your travel experiences, but it is much much more expensive and offers less in the way of adventurous activities like diving! That all said, the best advice that I can give is that you let him decide on his own, that you not try to sway him, he will ultimately enjoy the experience that he chooses himself, the most. And don’t try to get too involved in the process, part of growing and traveling alone is to do it all by oneself, allow the growing experience to take place and try to step back as a parent while still offering support. It is difficult but necessary and will end up gaining you a lot of respect in his eyes. I started a life of solo travel at the age of 17, it was difficult for my mother especially, but one of the things that I can now appreciate most about her is that while she offered moral support at all times, she remained firm that if I wanted to be out there on my own then I had to learn to research, plan, pay for and partake in my own experiences. I had moments of utter frustration, desolate depression and slight panic, but I came out of my first year of travel a much stronger and more capable person. I now travel the world for work on a regular basis, that first trip and make or break your travel bug enthusiasm…. hope this helps!
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Thank you Itsanika. I appreciate your honesty and advice. I will ask him to consider your comments. But I agree, I need to guide but also step back! Again, thank you
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