Gar Hatton’s wife Barb was the impetus behind the couple’s decision to book Renedian’s Victoria Falls to Cape Town safari. A trip to Africa was at the top of her bucket list but he hesitated because of his inexperience on gravel and dirt roads, especially with her as a passenger.
Barb and Gar Hatton on their Adventures as Couple: Valuing Travel
His years of riding and touring two-up helped. “When the bike fishtailed, you just have to pick up speed and then it stabilizes,” says Gar. Their trip went without a hitch.
After many holidays on a bicycle, Gar and Barb booked a moto-vacation in Europe. Not only did they love the experience, it accentuated how much more countryside they could cover on a moto.
Since that first foray, they’ve been to exotic destinations in South America and Morocco, always on a group tour. With busy work and life schedules, it fit their lifestyle while allowing them to get away on an adventure. Each trip has had its own intrinsic elements of difficulty, joy, and memories. All of them have been absolutely amazing.
Their circular excursion through northern Thailand, originating in Chiang Mai, was like stepping back in time. Being the only clients on that trip offered interesting opportunities inaccessible to a crowd. Like visiting out-of-the-way places inhabited by people who’d had little exposure to other cultures.
The Wonders They Met in Africa
Africa was the remotest trip they’ve had and the trip reaffirmed how big the continent is. “The deserts are big, the sand dunes are big, and the sky is big. And we only saw a tiny part of the continent. South Africa in general was a lot greener than Namibia and Namibia was dryer than I imagine it would be,” says Gar.
Like Barb, Gar found the skyline, the vastness, the desert lands, the animals beyond his imagination. “Coming down the west coast out of the desert of Namibia, all of a sudden we were in orchards. You could smell the orange blossoms and other fruit. It was so lush and beautiful after being in the desert. it was awesome because we live in the Okanagan Valley and it felt like home.
Cherishing Home
“What we always find when we come home is that we’re sure lucky to live here. We’ve travelled to remote corners of the earth and lived in Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and up in the interior of British Columbia. It’s nicer here than anywhere we’ve been.”
Gar participated in Dentists Without Borders in Costa Rica four years ago. Now that he’s retired from dentistry, he has to rethink how he can contribute but hasn’t ruled out another similar mission.
With another grandchild on the way and helping one of their children build a house, his priories are with family. Travel will wait.
Photo credits: Barb and Gar Hatton
