Adventure means going out of your  comfort zone. That’s what my son would say anyway.

For me, that means experiencing a new culture, a new language, a new place.

So my first adventure was going to Noumea for six weeks to work in a snack bar when I was 19.

My next adventure was leaving Australia behind me forever when I was 22. I cleared my room of all my belongings, packed my trunk and left with not a glance behind me. No internet and mobile phones in those days.

I landed in the south of France with not an English speaker in sight. It was exhilarating! I woke up every day to a new adventure. I bought a moped and learnt to ski.

I hitchhiked all over France, then took off to Morocco, Greece, Spain and Italy. I trekked in the mountains and was saved by helicopter.

Then I went to live in the centre of Paris in an historical building just near the Louvre with a view to die for. What’s that if it’s not an adventure ?

Travelling the world has always been an adventure but it took on a new dimension last summer when we cycled 1100 kilometers along the Danube, through Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary – a totally new experience that I’m eager to repeat.

Now we’re about to retire and are embarking on perhaps the greatest adventure of all. Living in a 400-year old house amongst the famous châteaux of the Loire Valley. Wish us luck!

This post is my entry in an adventure photo competition being run by Southern Cross Travel Insurance. I was invited to participate by Carolyn from Holidays to Europe.  I’d love to hear what adventure means to Phoebe from Lou Messugo and Susan from Days on the Claise as well.