Travel Theme : Simplify

To travel is to simplify your life. Depending on how you travel, the necessities of life have to be carried in a case or backpack so it is essential to think carefully about each item that is chosen to be carried. Is it really necessary, can you survive without a hairdryer or a bag full of cosmetics. You can only wear one set of clothes at a time. So how many changes do you need?

Travelling in a small Toyota Hi-ace camper van, our beloved Matilda, for a year made me realize how little is needed, and still be comfortable and happy.

Matilda with the christmas cards up and flowers from Marion

Matilda set up for camping

Matilda and me

Matilda in the mist

Yesterday we visited the  National Museum of Australia. A large imposing building. I learnt another architectural term this building is a style called “Deconstructivism”

“Deconstructivism in architecture was born in the late 80s of the twentieth century.

Its characteristic feature is the idea of fragmentation. It also manipulates the surface and the cover of the construction. It is dominated by curvilinear shapes, which are supposed to disturb and dislocate the skeleton of the object. The structure of the building has a feeling of controlled chaos and stimulating unpredictability.”

National Museum of Australia

The form of the windows is a work of art

The foyer dwarfs the people.

But this post is not about the Museum but what I found inside.

We have been twice to the Museum so far and I’m sure we will be visiting it again. There is so much to see and absorb that a quick visit cannot do it justice.

This is what really fascinated me.

Beautifully restored Citroen

Now it wasn’t just that this is a beautifully restored old vehicle but it was the history and story that came with it. The ultimate in simplified travel. This vehicle was the first to travel right round Australia in 1925. Can you even start to imagine that journey. No roads, no regular petrol stations. Not many towns and not to mention the Australian climate. And look how small that car is, certainly not much room for more than the bare essentials. I am in awe of  Nevill Westwood and his achievement

This is the map of his journey

 

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This Museum is all about stories, it is a fascinating place to visit. Here is another adventure travel story.

Historical Malvern Star.

What really amazed me was Ernie’s age when he did the epic journeys. After walking, travelling on a bike is the simplest form of travel.

Ernie Old

What an achievement at any age. Now there are sealed roads to bike on, back in 1947 many of the roads would be dirt tracks.

I salute these two intrepid pioneers of travel.

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Ailsa of “Where’s my backpack” tells us that “The first week of August is Simplify Your Life week, and it’s always good to be reminded that life doesn’t have to be so complicated.”

I love this idea and Jack and I have simplified our life style over the past few years. Take a look at how other bloggers have interpreted this week’s theme.