Hi, I'm Laurie,
MY STORY behind travel entrepreneurship:
Late August 1986. I still clearly remember that day in Denali National Park, Alaska.
We were near the turnaround area for our park wilderness bus tour. The driver allowed a couple of us to get off the bus about a half mile from the last stop. Once the bus was out of hearing range, it was silent. So silent it was almost deafening.
A grizzly bear was foraging for berries maybe a hundred yards or so in one direction. A caribou minding its own business about a hundred yards in the other direction. To make sure I knew she was there, the top of Mt. McKinley decided to peek through a shroud of clouds.
A truly magical moment in time, broken only by a lonely screech of an eagle somewhere above us. I left part of my soul there that day, it had such an effect and impact on me.
But it didn't stop there. Later that afternoon, as the bus got closer to the park lodge, my Granny (80 years young), Mom and I decided we'd walk the rest of way. It wasn't far - less than a mile. Having been on the bus all day we needed some exercise and this would be a nice and easy hike.
We were enjoying ourselves so much we failed to pay attention where we going and promptly got lost. So much so the park rangers were sent out to find us! Thankfully. A little stressful but the three of us had a good amount laughter that day - together, three generations., and a whole lot of memories.
Two extraordinary life changing moments. Little did I know that they would one day be one of the primary reasons I became a travel entrepreneur.
I've been very fortunate to have traveled as much as I have. I attribute my adventurous spirit to my parents, who loved to explore new places. Having lived in Germany, Switzerland and Hong Kong for 12 years as a child, I had many opportunities to experience new cultures, sites and foods. These adventures have never stopped. Travel is just a natural part of my being.
Not every memory has resulted in a part of my soul being left behind like Alaska, but I sure do have a lot of great stories to tell. Climbing the Sydney Bridge - in the rain. The best fish sandwich ever in Waihi, New Zealand (that halibut sandwich in Juneau though was a very close second!). Jumping off the sailboat in the middle of the Bora Bora Lagoon - I've never seen clearer or bluer water in my life. Celebrating my parent's 50th wedding anniversary on the Paul Gauguin was beyond Wow. Walking on Ephesus' marble roads that were built in the 11 century B.C. with my Mom. A delayed flight to Torres del Paine Park from our cruise due to a mechanical issue had me meeting some German guests who lived quite close to where I grew up. A small world indeed. Dad's first cruise - to Alaska in 2000. Took some convincing but after that he was hooked! I have so many more stories I want to tell, so my own adventures continue.
What stories do you want to tell?
My mission? To spark your inner explorer, help you see the world and bring home great stories.
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