Enchanted by Idrija and Tanzania

Tanja, if you asked your loved ones who you are, what would their answer be?

My friends and family answered me like this: friendly, sincere, communicative and loves to help. She is stubborn and persistent. Like that she achieves the things she really wants. She is not home a lot as she is hardworking but at the same time likes to take time off for friends and travel as she is a very adventurous person. She is rarely seen without a smile on her face.

Do you prefer to travel alone or in a group and how do you see their pros and cons?

Both have advantages and disadvantages; I personally think the group of max. four people is enough. I mostly travel in pairs, but I’ve also been on a solo trip across Europe before.

Pros of solo travel definitely:

• adjusting things on the trip as you go,
• easier to establish contacts with the locals,
• seeing things you otherwise wouldn’t as a group traveller,
• experiencing new cultures more authentically,
• the trip is perfectly tailored to your wishes.

Cons of solo travel:

• the organisation is entirely up to you,
• feeling less secure,
• investing a lot of time in organising the trip,
• sometimes it is difficult to get all the information.

Pros of group travel:

• the organisation can be taken over by someone else or it can be distributed among all members,
• a sense of greater security,
• group discounts on tickets, transport rental...

Cons of group travel:

• mandatory adaptation to the whole group,
• more difficult to establish contacts with the locals,
• usually visiting major tourist spots while hidden pearls get unseen.

Where have you had the best coffee and tea?

Hahahahaha, it will probably sound weird but I am one of the few people who don’t drink tea nor coffee. Out of curiosity, I took a sip of one of the most expensive coffees in the world, Kopi Luwak. This happened more than a decade ago on a trip to Indonesia. By chance we discovered a small organic farm where they were also engaged in the production of the aforementioned coffee. Honestly, the coffee itself was nothing special to me, I was more impressed by the little weasels that process coffee beans.

Where outside of Slovenia can you hardly wait to go after the end of the current situation?

I am one of those who, despite the Covid situation, will leave Slovenia, but won’t leave Europe. Although I also have the desire to go out of Europe but due to the limitations that the situation brought I am forced to stay here. At the moment, Romania, the Netherlands and the Baltic states are somewhere at the top of the list. After the situation calms down and we will travel normally again, I want to go on one of the most adventurous trips to another continent, wherever it may be.

What does your family think of your wanderlust?

From an early age, my parents and I visited various places across Europe with tourist agencies. However, the desire to visit distant lands grew bigger and bigger in me, in a more authentic way than just a tourist would. So 14 years ago, I went on my first backpack trip to Asia with two friends. I told my parents a month before leaving so I wouldn’t have to listen to them later. Luckily for me, they were so shocked that their only answer was: “Go, if you have the money.” As soon as I returned from the trip, my parents saw from my enthusiasm that this would not be my last trip. Today my family can hardly wait for new stories and adventures from my travels.

You have been a volunteer at Hostelling International Slovenia for some time. Why and what do you do as a volunteer there?

I have been a volunteer at Hostelling International Slovenia for over two years now. It started completely by accident when I was looking for a travel newspaper that would be willing to share my story. I wrote about how I started travelling with complete strangers and that it's nothing scary and it opens up completely new perspectives for you. My wish was for my voice to reach as many people as possible and to perhaps encourage some of them to travel, despite not having the company to do so. Since then, I have been writing travelogues, taking photos, sharing my travel experiences and helping promote the association.

How do you participate in sustainable tourism?

I could say by being a backpack traveller. I use local accommodation, including that of the locals, in hostels... I like to eat on the street and, in the case of trekking, I use local agencies. Seeing animals in their natural environment is the most beautiful experience you can have. The more something is natural, authentic and not touristy, the more I like it.

In your opinion, which spot in your homeland Slovenia is the most underrated one and is really worth visiting?

There are quite a few of them in Slovenia, one of them is the area that encompasses Idrija, the Franja Partisan Hospital, a wild lake, a mercury mine... I also think that there is not enough promotion of natural wonders, of which there are many in Slovenia, from various lakes and waterfalls to hills... There could be a little more emphasis on the history in Slovenia too.

One of your travels was also to Tanzania. What saddened you the most there and what made you happy?

Tanzania was definitely a more adventurous one, just perfect for me.

In the Usambara Mountains, my friend and I went trekking across the countryside. At the local agency we agreed on a route and a guide. Before the trek started, they explained to us that the money they get from organising trips is used to employ locals. They are engaged in the production of fruits and vegetables. This is very commendable.

Another thing that made me happy and sad at the same time are their national parks. I am very happy that they are preserving nature and the animals in their natural habitat. At the same time, expensive resorts are being built for rich people just so they can see the animals from their room. I do not approve of that. Since humans are entering their world, we need to adapt to animals, not vice versa.

The third thing is that the entrance fees to the parks are very high for foreigners and not for locals. I understand the fact that they want to make it accessible to locals too because they are poor. However, it would make sense then to use that money to maintain the parks, to pay the sherpas appropriately for leading expeditions to Kilimanjaro... Sad.

As much as I got sad and annoyed by their laziness and lack of interest in investing in development for an easier and better life, on the other hand, this gave me a greater insight into their way of life and thus a more authentic journey. That made me happy.

I believe you can get to the things you want much more easily with your positive attitude. Happiness accompanies the brave ones they say, so obviously you, too, on your paths. I hope that your words and actions will really encourage more people to explore this world, even if they go on a journey on their own, as we can see how a disease like coronavirus can prevent travelling, at least for a while. Time is one of the things which we never know how much of it we still have available, so let’s take advantage of it now! All the best on your next trips!