Nancy OHare - Dust in My Pack

by Nancy OHare

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Published by Nancy OHare

First published: 2017

bynancyohare.com

Editor: Susan Fitzgerald

Proofreader: Stacey Atkinson

Cover & interior design: Bright Wing Books

Ebook design development: Bright Wing Books

Photography: Chad OHare

2017 by Nancy OHare

Published by Nancy OHare on Smashwords

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of the authors knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author. The author disclaims any liability in connection to the use of this information. None of the establishments or services mentioned or reviewed in this book have provided compensation to the author.

I could not have written this book without my partners equal love of travel, which has enabled our adventures together. Chads sense of intrigue for remote destinations and his personal philosophy to challenge ourselves have truly elevated our exploits together. This book would not have been possible without his unwavering support through it all. Chads brilliant eye also captured all the photos presented throughout Dust in MyPack. If you want to see more of his photography, visit his Instagram account @flatearthnomad.

As a first-time author, I relied heavily on my editors literary acumen. I would like to thank Susan Fitzgerald for taking the time, not only to correct and edit my writing, but also to offer much-appreciated rationale and guidance.

A few people close to my heart have endured hours of reviewing sections from my earlier drafts. Nancy McNair, a good friend who also shares a love of foreign culture, provided poignant analytical tips on contextual considerations and messaging, which I have carried throughout my writing.

My parents, Brian and Millie Veale, took time out of their overseas vacation to read numerous sections. They provided helpful pointers to maintain the flow and readability while offering endless positive encouragement and feedback.

Thank you all for your unending support; I will always be grateful.

Travelling feels like part of my DNA. My father describes this call as our gypsy gene. For me, it was first ignited at the age of twelve, when I was fortunate enough to take part in a two-week field trip to Europe. Upon my return, I promptly forewarned my parents that, at some point, I would move overseas. Years later, my choice to become a chartered accountant was partially influenced by the knowledge that all companies, in all countries, need accountants. My plan slowly took shape. Since 1998, when I nabbed a transfer to Australia, my path has led me to some remarkable destinations, even though its course has not always seemed clear.

This book is a compilation of enduring memories from living on five continents and travelling across sixty-three countries. Tales range from adrenalin-inducing exploits to awe-inspiring sites. These favourite adventures are broadly grouped into chapters by type of travel experience. I have not ranked them, as to do so would diminish the very diversity and unique qualities that each imparted.

Throughout my travels, one consistent message has shone clearly. People across the globe are connected by a common quality, no matter their country of origin, economic status or religious leaning. Folks everywhere seem to have an instinct to help their families and those near to them. Compassion unites us.

This compelling pattern became visible to me as I travelled for work and on the occasional five- to twelve-month sabbatical, when I ventured through remote regions of the world. My husband and I came across so many helpful and welcoming individuals, often when least expected. For instance, a staff member at a family guesthouse in an isolated Malaysian village balanced my husband and me on the back of his motorbike for an hour-long ride to the nearest hospital to take a malaria test. Thankfully, the test came back negative. The same theme was reflected by my Omani colleagues, a mix of Sunni and Shiite Muslims, as we developed a camaraderie like that of a second family. Perhaps the clincher was in 2014, at the height of the Ebola outbreak, when our Nigerian steward used his vacation to educate every family in his home village. He walked door to door to advise people on how to protect themselves against the virus.

I have witnessed countless comparable situations. If there is one takeaway from this book, it is a call to respect people of all cultures and races. Differences are not something to be afraid of. Embrace them.

Is your travel bug feeling dejected and faded? Have you chosen a holiday destination, but fear you might be missing out on something special? Well, in either case, this book is intended for you. I have distilled years of travelling across our globe into these accounts of my most memorable encounters. This is not a traditional travel guidebook; instead, these tales aim to relay a sense of the experience. After all, it is the memories of the people we met and our unexpected insights that stay with us long after a journey ends.

These exploits are grouped into chapters according to broad travel categories, such as boat rides or multi-day treks, and then by country. You might choose to reinspire your lust to explore by reading the book cover to cover, or you might prefer to focus on those topics or locations that appeal to your current travel quest. I have included practical guidance about each destination in every section.

I hope that this book inspires the traveller inside you.

Travelling across water brings a certain mystique to a journey. Although people have used watercraft for thousands of years, boat rides still evoke an emotional tug of war inside me. The dread of what the murky depths conceal conflicts with the peaceful bliss of floating past rough overland routes. In my mind, the ambiguity of the unforgiving waters below, which could twist my fate in an instant, is paired with the appearance of calm control when gliding along the waters surface. Boat trips seem to ground the soul in their simple purity. Board, relax and observe the world.

It all sounds so lovely, but in reality the tales in this chapter were not so straightforward. Yet they left a discernible impression on me. Images of these trips easily come to the surface, all bundled with my original sentiments and rounded out with a reminiscent smile. Each of these boat rides is a unique example of a traditional mode of transport still relevant in todays fast-paced world. Entrepreneurial locals have shared their culture by offering their crafts to intrepid foreigners in search of authentic encounters.

Synopsis: Enjoy an opportunity to discover one of the least-visited continents on our planet, and catch a glimpse of what a place looks like with virtually no human interference.