Working for Ticket to Ride means I am a complete travel junkie and I love it all; the build up researching the waves, checking skyscanner to lock in the best flight prices, waiting around at the airport all excited about the adventures ahead and then there’s the actual being away. I somehow manage to feel at home away from home, even in the most far-flung places, but it does always lead me to think what can we give in return?
As surfers, we are drawn to the countries with environmental, social and political problems and as surfing becomes more popular and flights become more accessible we are inadvertently having an increasingly destructive impact on the places we love to visit.
I personally try to be as less destructive as possible and leave a positive impact. I always try to learn about the local culture (although I probably should have learnt a bit more about offerings to Buddha when I picked up an orange thinking it was a complimentary appetizer) and dress accordingly. That doesn’t mean full robes but just maybe not strutting through Taghazout, Morocco topless in short shorts. It also always pays to learn a few words of the local language, even if it is just “Uno mas por favour” and you should always try to support the local economy, using the services that are on offer by the locals and steering well clear of chain food outlets.
Stuff like this really does make a difference, but one of the main things you need to take into consideration, is to not travel with rose tinted glasses and open your eyes.
Sri Lanka for example, is an incredibly beautiful place, home to great waves and it is so cheap it can be exploited very easily. But if you are traveling here be mindful about the fact that the country has literally just pulled through one of the bloodiest civil wars in history that has directly affected every single Sri Lankan. On top of this there is the destruction left by the Tsunami back in 2004. So be kind and respect local cultures. There may be a few feral dogs kicking around and the locals do eat with their hands, but it’s all part of the experience. Show the dogs some love, they’ve been through a lot too and ask the locals how to eat local style, they will be honoured to show you. And please don’t barter for pennies.
Or maybe you’re on a once in a lifetime Maldives Surf Boat Adventure supping a cold one after 9 hours of surf time. This will seem like actual paradise but just remember that the country has been repeatedly called out by Amnesty International for extreme human rights violations.
And I’m not even going to start on the execution of the alleged drug traffickers in Bali, or the “war on drugs” in the Philippines…
With open eyes, we can see that paradise isn’t always perfect. We can see how to make a difference and how to spend our money effectively, helping to improve the lives of those we may never meet, but will thank us eternally.