- Less is more – having less of everything makes you wonder why you have accumulated so many material possessions back home.
- There is beauty everywhere – I never expected Australia to be such a scenic and beautiful country. It totally exceeded my expectations.
- To appreciate solitude and silence – you tend to spend a lot of time alone and you begin to enjoy the peace and serenity.
- A new appreciation for home, family and friends – because you miss them so much and don’t realise how much you take them for granted.
- You can survive without technology – there were many places that we had no mobile phone service, internet, TV reception or even electricity. You quickly learn to amuse yourself with other things like reading books, doing crosswords, writing, taking photographs and taking long walks.
- You learn to dress more casually – No-one dresses up or wears makeup while they are travelling in a caravan. It is ‘Frumpsville’. I found that I lowered my standards of dressing and grooming and didn’t wear a pair of high heels the entire trip. As for my hairdryer and straightener – they were seldom used.
- You become more outgoing and social – you tend to make more of an effort to meet new acquaintances. Believe me, being with your partner 24/7 can be very boring and you run out of things to talk about, so you need to get out of your caravan and socialise.
- I have been educated about my wonderful country – you learn so much more about your country. The history, folklore, pioneers, explorers, geography and its people.
- I have a whole new appreciation of my husband – he towed the caravan 25,000 Kms and barely complained about the driving, the hitching and unhitching of the caravan, the setting up and packing up or the daily chores. He is an amazingly strong and steadfast man.
- I have learned to cook simply – gourmet food is off the menu while travelling in the caravan. There is little room for a pantry and fridge full of ingredients and meal preparation space in the caravan is very limited. Hence you to learn to cook simple meals.