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Traveling is like opening a treasure chest of experiences. We set sail with maps, itineraries, and dreams, but sometimes the universe has other plans. These are the moments when our well-laid paths veer into uncharted territory—the “delightful” detours that make our travel tales richer, funnier, and more memorable. Buckle up, fellow wanderers, as we dive into the world of unexpected adventures!

These are my top five suggestions on how to navigate a situation where your plans took a major detour.

1. Embrace Spontaneity

There’s a certain thrill in throwing caution to the wind and embracing the spontaneity of travel. Perhaps your flight gets canceled, or you miss a train connection. Instead of letting frustration take over, consider it an opportunity for adventure. Who knows what hidden gems you might stumble upon while waiting for the next available option? From impromptu street performances to striking up conversations with locals, spontaneity often leads to unexpected delights.

2. Navigating the Unknown

One of the most valuable lessons travel teaches us is adaptability. When faced with unforeseen challenges, it’s essential to remain calm and open-minded. Take a wrong turn and find yourself in an unfamiliar neighborhood? Instead of panicking, use it as a chance to explore a side of the destination you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Navigating the unknown often unveils the true essence of a place, allowing for authentic experiences and meaningful connections.

3. Finding Silver Linings

In the midst of chaos, there are always silver linings waiting to be discovered. A missed flight might lead to an impromptu road trip through a picturesque countryside. A language barrier could result in hilarious miscommunications and newfound friendships. By shifting your perspective and embracing the unexpected, even the most challenging situations can become cherished memories.

4. Creating Lasting Memories

Some of the most memorable travel experiences stem from moments of spontaneity and unpredictability. Whether it’s getting lost in a maze-like bazaar, stumbling upon a hidden waterfall, or sharing a meal with strangers-turned-friends, these are the stories that linger long after the journey ends. Embrace the detours,
relish the unexpected, and let every twist and turn become a part of your
travel narrative.

5. Just Breath

Take a deep breath and remain calm. It is understandable that you may be disappointed but avoid being hard on yourself or others. Acknowledge your emotions, process them and avoid suppressing them. Understand why you feel disappointed. Put the situation in perspective. Sometimes setbacks are opportunities for growth. As they teach in mindfulness meditation and to quote Buddha:

If you can change the situation, then why worry about it?

If you can’t change the situation, then why worry about it?

There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever!

I have had my fair share of misadventures, all of which have resulted in heartwarming and funny memories that we love to tell and remember time and time again. Here are some of my “Oops” moments.

The Missed Connection

On our very first international trip with my now husband, we went to South America. We adventured from Lima to Machu Picchu, had a wonderful time at the ancient site. For more about visiting Machu Picchu read my blog The Road to the Lost City of the Incas. On our way back, we had to go back to Cusco to catch a flight to Santiago, Chile (our next destination on that trip). We woke up early in the morning in Ollantaytambo, Peru, had coffee and breakfast and were ready to go. We opted to hire a taxi to drive us back to Cusco. The approximately 37-mile (60 km) journey was supposed to take two hours, so we had plenty of time to make our flight. About halfway through our drive, I had to use the restroom (sorry, I am only human)! Our driver assured us we had plenty of time to stop, in fact he suggested a wonderful place where we could also go lama petting.

Well, fast forward just a little bit, we made it to the airport about 15 minutes prior to departure and even though we didn’t have checked luggage (since we travel light with carry-on only), we were not allowed to board the plane. The next plane we were told was the following day and we had to buy a ticket for it. The worst part however was, that not only did we lose our plane ticked to Lima, Peru we also lost our plane tickets to Santiago, Chile to Mendoza, Argentina and also our plane ticket back to Los Angeles, USA. So, we basically had no ticket to even go home. Let’s just say we were less than thrilled, highly annoyed, majorly frustrated, a tad bit worried and sweating in all the wrong places. Not a good look for a new couple travelling internationally together for the first time!

It was, however, a wonderful teaching moment for both of us. We learned to never book one ticket for the entire journey, because when you miss one flight, you lose all remaining tickets as well. Now I prefer to book separate one-way tickets, so if needed, I only have to re-purchase one ticket. At the end of the day, we booked a hotel in Cusco, went out to have a wonderful dinner (with wine of course) and eventually made it to Santiago, Chile one day late. We had to re-purchase all of our remaining plane tickets (5 total) for the low price of approximately $4000, but we had a wonderful trip and I ended up marrying the guy 4 years later. This particular trip is now officially known as “The $4000 Lama Petting Experience” trip. Phew!

The Lost-In-A-Maze Saga

Maps are overrated. In Marrakesh, we followed a tour guide down a labyrinth of narrow alleys that is the Medina. Suddenly, our tour guide was due to pray at his mosque, so he wished us a wonderful day and told us to go (and I quote) “Go Right, Left, Right, Left and you will end up at your hotel.” Those directions? Not exactly correct, but we somehow found our way through the maze of narrow alley ways. With the help of our phone’s GPS, we managed to get to a place that we knew. It became my favorite memory of Marrakesh.

The Mysterious Train Delay

Trains are like time machines—they whisk you away to distant lands. But one misty morning in Zurich, Switzerland, my train destined to take me to the airport, left the train station, but in the wrong direction. Suddenly, we arrived at what looked like a “train parking lot”, the train parked, all the lights went out and about 50 of us on the train just sat there in dismay. Fortunately, there was a phone on the train, so we were able to call for assistance. Eventually, someone came to open the train and let us out. We did make it to the airport, having missed our planes of course, but with an excellent story to tell. In Switzerland of all places, known for its world-famous watches and “timely” train schedules we managed to get stuck on a train to nowhere!

The Lost Wedding Ring Saga

After our destination wedding In Bora Bora, French Polynesia followed by a family celebration in Plovdiv, Bulgaria it was finally time for us newlyweds to rest. We decided to spend a few days is Istanbul, Turkey before heading back home to Los Angeles, USA. We had a wonderful time until we got on the plane to go home, and my husband realized he was missing his wedding ring. That was fast! Fortunately, the hotel we stayed at contacted us that they found the ring. We gave them our home address and they sent it to the US. We are very grateful to the Sirkeci Mansion for being so thoughtful. My husband wasn’t going to get out of this marriage that easily!

A few years later, he “forgot” his wedding ring again while we were vacationing in Bali, but we got it back that day. I see a pattern there! Well, we are still married so all is well 🙂

Conclusion

Dear fellow adventurers, embrace the detours. Travel is a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. While meticulously planned itineraries have their place, there’s something magical about embracing the spontaneity of the unknown. Cherish the unplanned moments—the wrong turns, the missed buses, the unexpected friendships. They’re the stitches that weave our travel tapestry. So, when plans go awry, raise your glass (or coconut) and toast to the delightful chaos and remember to keep an open mind, navigate with curiosity, and savor every unexpected adventure that comes your way. After all, life’s greatest adventures happen when we let go of the map and follow the whispers of serendipity.

Please take a moment to share some of your favorite detours and misadventures. I would love to hear some stories of how you handled the unexpected!

Bon voyage, my fellow wanderers!