MY EXTENSIVE WORLD TRAVEL DESTINATIONS AND AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES SHARED
Dear Reader,
Thank you for viewing Just Me Travel, my travel blog, where I share my extensive world travel destinations and authentic experiences.
WELCOME
This page is where you can learn about me, my travel blog, and the connection between the two.
My name is Joanna Rath, and I am the owner, traveller, writer, and photographer of Just Me Travel. This website is where I share my travel journeys and experiences with you.
I aim to provide you with worldwide destinations, stories, tips, resources, and reviews to inspire your travels and feed your travel bug.
WHO IS JOANNA? The face behind Just Me Travel
I have been a traveller since 1974, and, in that time, I have explored six continents and visited 69 countries. This might sound like many countries, but it only makes up 25% of world countries and territories.
It all started with my parents’ encouragement to travel, to venture further than isolated Australia (my home country). So, at the age of 24, I did just that, leaving home on a 12-month open airline ticket, and I came home with a husband and toddler in tow six years later.
You can pack a lot into six years:
- I sold my blood in Greece;
- I said goodbye to a boyfriend in Amsterdam;
- I worked on a kibbutz in Israel;
- I worked as a nanny in Tel Aviv;
- I worked as a nurse in England;
- I got married in England;
- I worked as a receptionist in South Africa; and
- I had a baby in Namibia.
Overseas travel came to a grinding halt for the next five years except for a visit to England for my children to meet their fraternal grandparents. Further stagnation occurred due to life circumstances. But when my youngest turned 16, I was travelling again, and there was no stopping me.
So how do I travel? I am a solo traveller, but there are many viewpoints on what constitutes ‘solo travel’. Sometimes I travel alone without friends, family, or group tours to support me. I also consider myself a solo traveller when I travel by myself on an escorted small group tour or river cruise. However, I do not deem myself a solo traveller when travelling with family or friends.
I have fed my enthusiasm for travel photography as a guest on many specialist photography tours to different parts of the world. I am addicted to river cruises, having travelled along 18 rivers through 24 countries on 15 river cruises. I have a love affair with Africa. Having lived in Namibia for four years, I always feel like I am coming home whenever I travel to Africa. And I have fallen in love with Italy – a country I have visited four times and still can’t get enough.
After 3 days on the Niger River in a pinasse, I arrive in Timbuktu, Mali (2006)
Broadening horizons through international travel is all well and good, but I have often said how important it is to know your own country first. The Australian mainland comprises six states and three territories, and I have visited all six states and three territories. However, I still have so much to explore within my own country. And then there are Australia’s seven external territories!
Exploring our world and capturing the diverse destinations I have travelled to through writing and photography has become a passion. A passion that I love sharing with you.
Five facts about me
- I don’t cook.
- I spent years chemically straightening my hair.
- I am at peace with my own company.
- Elephants are my all-time favourite animal.
- I would love to retire to Italy.
Geared up to shuck oysters in Coffin Bay, South Australia (2022)
What does Just Me Travel include?
Just Me Travel came about as a plan for my retirement. I love to travel and have been travelling for over half my life. I love to write and have kept journals of all my trips. And I love to take photographs to document my journeys visually. How do I put all these together in my retirement? Just Me Travel germinated from an idea to a reality in time for my retirement through family encouragement and support.
Just Me Travel is a creation in progress as I work through many journals – past, present, and yet to come. As mentioned above, I have visited 69 countries across six continents. There is much to write about and share with you, especially as I continue to travel in my retirement.
been app: 69 countries visited (orange) out of 266 world countries and Territories (25%)
On Just Me Travel, you will find posts on destinations and experiences from around the world, including:
- Self-guided walking tours
- Itineraries and guides
- River cruises and road trips
- Reviews – accommodation, tours, festivals, events, sites
- Cultural travel and safety tips
- Photo stories and postcards to home
And there is even a post on what to do with your travel photos.
While I am primarily a solo traveller, hence the name of my travel blog, I expect all types of travellers and would-be travellers to find something of interest and helpful on Just Me Travel.
Follow my journeys, read my reviews and tips, and check out places to see on my travel blog, Just Me Travel.
Or you can start by reading some of my most popular blog posts:
Is there anything I can help you with? I’d love to hear from you. To get in touch with me, send me an email.
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