Why Travel?

Genn’s Perspective

“Why do you travel so much?”

It’s a question I’ve been asked many times. The simple answer is that everyone chooses to spend their time and money differently. We choose to travel.

But the real answer is perhaps deeper.

When we were younger, we travelled to see as much as possible. I planned every detail, filled every day, and worried about missing out. I still love planning, but I’ve learned that the best moments are often the ones not on the itinerary—slow mornings, unexpected detours, and letting my husband take the lead.

I travel because I want to see the world—not just the famous landmarks, but the small details that make each place unique. Perhaps, as Blake wrote, there is a world waiting to be discovered in even the smallest things, if we learn how to look. To experience different cultures, discover new perspectives, and be reminded of how vast and beautiful life can be. Most of all, travel gives us something precious: uninterrupted time together. Away from routines and responsibilities, we create new memories and simply enjoy being present.

I used to think I travelled to discover the world.

Now I think I travel to appreciate my own life a little more. Not to escape it, but to return home with clearer eyes and a fuller heart.

Wilson’s Perspective

I travel because life is too short to stay in one place, and because different destinations give me different reasons to smile. Japan is my happy place: castles, temples, the Shikoku pilgrimmage and onsen all make me feel like I am stepping into a world I truly enjoy. There is something special about being there–part history, part peace and part “I could stay here longer.”

Korea and Taipei are also meaningful because my wife goes there, so these trips are not just about the destination, but about sharing the journey together. Europe is for a bigger dream: my wife wants to see the other side of the world, and I am happy to be the travel companion on that adventure. As for the USA, that one is more serious–it is for work, so I go there with a different mindset.

In the end, I travel for a mix of love, curiosity and duty. Some trips are for the heart, some for famiy, and some for the job. And honestly, that makes life a lot more interesting.