The benefit of experience...

After 26 years of  marriage and a successful  business partnership; aged 52  Tessa Mills felt sure there was another world waiting for her, and so left the comforts of a sensible life, for a journey that took her on the road less-travelled, and the life more lived.

"It’s a funny thing to wake up one morning having planned to make an offer on a new house, and by lunchtime have decided to travel around the world.  It all came about because someone asked me something rather innocuous.  “Do you like the house?”

“Errrm, well it’s sensible, and practical….” I stuttered, but even as I said the words  I realized it wasn’t REALLY what I wanted to do.  “Look, the moment is now. Live a little, throw caution to the wind, do something adventurous,” my family urged me. And so I did.

The big leap

Having recently waved off and subsequently welcomed back two of my children on gap years, my mind inevitably turned to that, almost hallowed of journeys. And why not? I was at a gap and a new juncture in life. This really did seem a much more exciting, life changing and inspiring option.  So many places to see, so many things I wanted to do.  But a thousand obstacles suddenly seemed to spring up.....rent, children, money, job, family, fear....almost immediately I could feel myself killing the idea as quickly as it had come to life.

Luckily, self-preservation kicked in, and from somewhere a voice urged me on and encouraged me to pursue this dream.

Excitedly I started to make plans; throw ideas around, however crazy and impossible they seemed initially. Where would I go? What would I do? Explore India. Do some conservation work in the rain forests of South America. Learn to surf in Australia. Eat street food in Asia. Fly first class. Trek the Inca trail. Cross the desert on a camel, climb a glacier and swim with dolphins.

Making it happen...

And so I began to plan, and, as with anything big, I ate the elephant one bite at a time. Trips to travel agents, voluntary projects to research, luggage to buy, travel books to read, lots of little things to keep me focused, actions which kept affirming to myself that I really was going.

Finally, the day of departure arrived, and on snowy November morning I was waved off by my three daughters. Tearful, and a little apprehensively I settled into my seat, feeling quite alone and a little bit scared. All I could think about was what I was leaving behind, what was coming seemed too far away to imagine. But then the plane started to move and I felt something change within me. There is something so thrilling about a plane as it hurtles down the runway, forcing you back in your seat. And as we pulled away from the concrete with the powerful force, I knew I truly was off and away. The experience had begun!

The world through new eyes...

It was an incredible experience, but at times so different from what I had expected to be doing. For instance, I had hoped to do some volunteering work - perhaps teaching, environmental projects or conservation.  In the event I didn't do any. During my nine months  away I came to feel that this journey was not about saving others, or even the planet, but about saving me. And in more ways than one this journey certainly did rescue me.

 
It  was a wonderful, inspiring, mesmerizing adventure. It’s not only the different and unique cultures that you become immersed in that are so rewarding, but the people and friends you meet along the way that are the memories you retain. And what's strange becomes familiar. Smells and sounds so different from those I knew, initially jarred the senses but then become like comfortable companions. The world I was exploring was new, and it made me feel like a new person.

I saw brown bears and Alaskan jade on remote islands off Vancouver where life is simple, real and peaceful - but where the grandchildren of early European settlers with whom I stayed still live and who now check their gold reserves on a computer whose batteries are charged by their own generators.

Making memories...

I unexpectedly loved my time in Waikiki  where I ‘hung loose’ and  exercised by joining a young Italian as he trained for the  Hawaiian half-marathon. Re-visiting Australia and New Zealand and catching up with old school friends was a time full of nostalgia and reminiscing. A New Year  celebration  with old school friends beside  the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a steak on the barbecue and a glass of champagne in your hand takes some beating.

I fell in love with SE Asia: the smiling faces of the Cambodians as I got lost amongst  the ruins of Angkor Wat, and I  loved the food of  Vietnam so much I took cookery  lessons.

The love affair continued  on into India,  despite the fascination  and  frustrations as I travelled throughout its length. My two months there gave me a great depth and dimension in understanding  this colourful and unique country.  The dark skinned  southern Indians with their highly colourful and decorated  temples. The buzzing night life in Mumbai where one evening’s entertainment was paid for by two admiring Indians who were impressed by our attempts  at karaoke - and I can't even sing!!

Ever onward...

Then I moved north to the infinitely colourful and bewitching Rajasthan, a sun rise over the sublimely beautiful Taj Mahal and even further north to the foothills of the snowy Himalayas and old hill stations with their own particular colonial magic.

Istanbul, at the crossroads with Europe and Asia,  seemed surprisingly un-European as I danced with the whirling dervishes and smoked intoxicating shishas. Then I headed west and  homeward to Austria and Holland, a return to the Western world, beautiful and tranquil. I finished my travels with an old friend in Provence. She was delighted by all my photos and I shared my incredible months with her over several weeks, sharing rose wine and splendid sunsets. A perfect way to end the trip of a lifetime.

Back Home

After such experiences, I knew life back in England would seem dull, and although inspired, invigorated and empowered by my travels, I feared  slipping back into the sensible, safe comfort zone of old. Fortunately a chance encounter with an inspirational business man changed everything and he reminded me to continue to do in life only what I felt passionate about, and to make a Life and not a Living.

My nine months of travelling  had given me a desire to keep pursuing my  dream and I was now  thirsty to live life to the full. I began to see for myself a career and a life I could be excited about. And so I started my new business in the travel industry offering  grown-ups a mentoring service to help them  keep their dream alive as they plan their own Grown Up Gap Year  and for me its  a chance to give back and share with others my knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the world  and all that it offers us.
                    

And I still haven’t bought a house – life is busy, inspiring and fulfilled."