For the previous twenty years, we’ve journeyed throughout the globe, embracing the assumption that “journey is deadly to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” as Mark Twain so eloquently said. We’ve shared our adventures, our photographs, and our experiences in numerous cultures, believing that by showcasing the fantastic thing about the world, we may assist individuals see past borders and variations.
However instances have modified. The world we’re touring in now’s now not nearly sharing stunning photos—it’s extra complicated, extra divided, and extra fragile than ever earlier than.
Journey Used to Unite Us. Now, It Feels Totally different.
Once we first began touring, all the things was new. Social media was in its infancy, and other people have been being launched to locations that they had by no means seen earlier than. Journey felt like a software for connection—a option to expertise totally different cultures, break down obstacles, and open minds to new prospects.
However now, we see a world that’s not solely extra divided but in addition extra cynical. Journey has been commodified, lowered to an Instagram backdrop somewhat than a chance for studying. As a substitute of sparking curiosity and empathy, it typically fuels comparability, competitors, and apathy. As a substitute of uniting us, journey content material typically reinforces the divide between those that can discover freely and those that are struggling simply to outlive.
And whereas the world scrolls previous one other excellent sundown, too many individuals are combating simply to dwell.
The Actuality We Can No Longer Ignore
Conflicts are raging throughout locations we’ve visited.
Sudan is within the grip of a devastating civil struggle, displacing tens of millions.
Ukraine continues to be below assault, with civilians struggling day by day.
Myanmar’s individuals stay below the management of a brutal navy junta.
In Gaza, whole households have been worn out, and harmless lives proceed to be misplaced
In Yemen, Haiti, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and so many others stay in turmoil.
And these are simply the conflicts that make headlines.
The World Is Burning—Actually
We can also’t ignore one other disaster unfolding in entrance of our eyes: Local weather Change.
The locations we now have visited—the glaciers of Patagonia, the seashores of the Maldives, the rainforests of the Amazon—are altering, and never for the higher.
Wildfires have ravaged Greece, Canada, Australia, and California, displacing individuals and devastating landscapes.
Floods have swallowed whole villages in Pakistan, Libya, and Germany, leaving destruction of their wake.
Coral reefs that we as soon as marveled at whereas diving are bleaching and dying at an alarming charge.
The Arctic ice we as soon as stood on is disappearing, and island nations like Tuvalu and the Maldives are actually sinking.
We’ve witnessed these modifications firsthand. We’ve spoken to locals who’ve misplaced their houses. We’ve walked by way of landscapes that now not exist. And we’ve realized—we are able to’t simply maintain sharing fairly photos whereas pretending all the things is okay.
We Can’t Keep Silent Anymore
We will’t proceed to walk round considering all the things is a dream anymore. We will’t sit in a spa, pretending all is effectively, ready for another person to say one thing or climb mountains for our personal private achieve.
We have now to talk up.
We have to speak about politics, poverty, and human rights abuses within the locations we go to. We have to speak about how tourism impacts native communities and whether or not it helps or harms them. We have to speak about local weather change, in regards to the industries destroying our planet, and about what we, as vacationers, can do to make an actual distinction.
We need to rise up towards fascism, authoritarianism, and oppression—and assist others rise up as effectively.
We Don’t Blame Anybody for Staying Silent—However We Can’t Anymore
We don’t blame anybody who chooses to not converse out. That is our selection alone.
For individuals with jobs, households, and even our fellow journey bloggers and vloggers who’ve partnerships, talking out may imply shedding all the things—contracts, alternatives, and even their whole livelihoods. We perceive why many keep quiet.
However we’re ready the place we are able to take that threat. And when the chance is talking out towards cruelty, corruption, and fascism—we expect it’s price it.
For almost 20 years, The Planet D has stood for discovery—the journey of exploring the world. However transferring ahead, we would like it to face for one thing higher:
1. Decency – As a result of human rights ought to by no means be up for debate.2. Democracy – As a result of freedom is just not assured; it should be defended.3. Willpower – As a result of change doesn’t occur with out motion.
What’s Subsequent for The Planet D
We’re not saying goodbye to journey. We’re nonetheless going to discover, nonetheless going to share guides and itineraries, and nonetheless going that can assist you uncover the world. However we’re additionally going to inform the entire story.
We’ll nonetheless showcase unimaginable locations, however we’ll additionally expose what’s occurring behind the beautiful photos. We’ll discuss in regards to the individuals combating for justice, the communities on the entrance strains of local weather change, and the vacationers and locals making an actual distinction.
As a result of, identical to that hammam therapeutic massage expertise we as soon as informed you about—there’s at all times extra to the story. And it’s time we begin telling it.
A New Journey, Collectively
We all know this shift would possibly really feel surprising, nevertheless it’s the appropriate one. Journey has at all times been about discovery—and typically, which means dealing with uncomfortable truths.
Thanks for being a part of this journey with us. It gained’t at all times be straightforward, however it will likely be price it.
Dave & Deb