{"id":18145,"date":"2023-10-02T08:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T06:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/?p=18145"},"modified":"2023-09-29T11:53:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T09:53:42","slug":"off-the-beaten-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/blog\/2023\/10\/02\/off-the-beaten-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the beaten path"},"content":{"rendered":"

She\u2019s trekked nearly 300km in the Sahara Desert. Climbed mountains to reach the holy rock-hewn churches of Gheralta in Ethiopia. Swam in India\u2019s sacred Mother Ganga. Traveller Linda Ricketts is living the life most can only dream of.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When Linda Ricketts got a taste of travelling to foreign countries years ago, the die was cast and she never looked back. But, instead of turning to a guidebook that suggests a certain route with stops at all the usual touristic hotspots, this bona fide explorer prefers travelling off the beaten path.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to travel to experience, not to see nice things. I don\u2019t want to lie on a deck chair sipping a cocktail next to a swimming pool. I want to sit on a stool in a shack next to a road, talking to the locals and learning about their culture and traditions while trying their food.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than a decade ago, she was involved in a life-altering collision.\u00a0 \u201cI smashed both my knees in a car accident and I was absolutely devastated. Especially since I\u2019ve always loved running. After a couple of operations, it took me eight months to walk again and I had no choice but to accept the fact that I\u2019ll never run again. In the same breath, I refused to use it as an excuse.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I started walking and worked my way up to the point where I am now a long-distance walker. I did belly dance classes and yoga for some years which kept my knees flexible. From there I\u2019ve built up the strength and completed a couple of long-distance Caminos, here and abroad. Which is more than enough to ensure I can still have my adrenaline rush, and fulfil my purpose in life, which is to move. I can explore the world on my feet, I can walk this earth!\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before she came to enjoy journeying on roads that circle outside the normative values of society. Leading not only to some of the most thrilling rural destinations but also to her own, true self. Apart from giving her a plethora of stories, her experiences have also shown her the value of sustainable travel.<\/p>\n

For Linda, life goals are created during her travels \u2013 under a canopy of stars in the Moroccan desert, on a hike to the majestic sulphur pools of Dallol, next to the active Erta Ale volcano in Afar, or in the war-torn region of Tigray. Because there\u2019s just something about discovering a place very few have seen or been to!<\/p>\n

Although she\u2019s explored more than 45 countries around the world \u2013 from the Far East to the Middle East to Europe \u2013 she will always enjoy travelling Africa the most … Morocco in particular.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always felt the pull of exotic Morocco, just because it\u2019s so different from any other country on earth. Ever since I visited the country for the first time, I just knew it\u2019s where I truly belonged. I never go to the same country twice, but I\u2019ve criss-crossed the entire Morocco and I\u2019m always surprised by something. It\u2019s such a wonderful and stunningly beautiful place. I\u2019ll just never get enough of it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI even spent three months volunteering in a tiny village, teaching English to the mountain girls and living with them in their hostel. I initiated a private fundraiser for girl\u2019s education in Morocco by trekking nearly 300 km through the Sahara Desert for two weeks as a solo woman, with my small nomad trekking team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a solo traveller I have a purpose \u2013 to come to terms with something, to find answers, to be spiritual. I don\u2019t get lonely; loneliness is just a mind concept. I am at peace with myself and this gives me the opportunity to really in-depthly explore my own inner thoughts and experiences to find the answers I came to seek. Yes, it\u2019s invigorating, powerful and liberating to know I am capable of looking after myself in even the deepest and most isolated places on earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy travels to India changed and shaped my life completely and forever. It humbled me and triggered my slumbering inner spirituality to come to the fore. Yes, India inspired me and taught me to share what I have, a concept I proudly practise. India shares the African concept of Ubuntu which is also a principle that I greatly belief in as together, we can achieve so much more.<\/p>\n

Linda dedicates her greatest African travels inspiration to her long-time friend Youssef SahSah, a Moroccan who has cycled Africa for the past five and a half years, on his Africa Dream journey.<\/p>\n

When not travelling herself, Linda makes other traveller\u2019s African dreams come true.\u00a0 \u201cI started a tour agency \u2013 Morocco Bucketlist Tours \u2013 with my Moroccan business partner about six years ago. We have standard packaged tours, and unique signature tours, including an extreme Sahara Desert trek, which I am hosting as an experienced desert trekker. But I mainly design bespoke tours for private clients.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also host my own female tour groups to Morocco, where we can thoroughly enjoy the experience to the fullest. It\u2019s hard work, but so worth it in the end to know that my clients can leave Morocco with fond and life-long friends and memories!\u201d<\/p>\n

Details: Follow @Linda Ricketts and @Morocco Bucketlist Tours on Facebook<\/em><\/p>\n

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10 Must-know tips for new travellers<\/strong><\/p>\n