Im currently on my second ever volunteering vacation. The first was a WOOFing experience in the southern part of Western Australia on an Organic Vineyard. While I was there, myself and the other volunteer, a great girl from Germany got the use of the farm’s truck and so we drove ourselves around the surrounding areas experiencing jaw droppingly gorgeous beaches and scenery. Our hosts gave us a wealth of tips and local information that helped us to get to the best parts of where we were.
Right now, Im in Phuket, Thailand, a country Ive never been to and I am so grateful for the chance to have my first taste of it through a volunteering project. My hosts have taught me the REAL local customs (not the ones in the guide books) as well as how to properly pronounce their language, where to get the best and cheapest food and shopping and how to get around. We have visited an awesome reggae bar on the beach in Kata, drinking Thai whiskey under the stars while watching young boys fire dance on the sand as well as hiked the surrounding rainforest and visited a deserted tourist beach nearby – our own sunlounger chairs and beach all afternoon!
So if youre worried about acclimatizing to a new country and it’s culture, my best travel tip is to volunteer somewhere for a couple weeks, you will be sure to discover the real life of the country youre in, meet other volunteers you can go on to travel with if you like and most important, get the inside scoop on experiencing the best of what the country has to offer!
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I love how your blog has such a positive message and focuses on volunteering. A former Peace Corps myself, I totally agree that it’s a great way to see a country. Best of it, it gives you a local connection you don’t feel as a regular tourist. Looking forward to reading more!
Hi Mary, thank you for your comment, Im glad youre enjoying my blog! Where did you go with the Peace Corps?