Travel for memories, not selfies

Getaway magazine managing editor, Emma Odendaal, reckons it’s time to put the cellphone away and relish the moment.

I recently printed photos of our family holiday in Zanzibar. It took me a year to get it done, but finally I have them in a fogeyish album rather than in an anonymous blue folder on my desktop.

For some, photos are brag books. But for others, holiday snaps are simple reminders of soft-serve, salty sea air or sweet coconut milk – well, that’s what they are to my daughter and I. There’s something nostalgic about flipping through faded photographs in a well-worn album, torn plastic sleeves and yellowing pages.

Enter social media and the travel brag book has escalated to a new level. It’s been a fascinating evolution to watch. And unless you’ve been camping under a quiver tree in the Richtersveld for the past two years, you’ll have picked up on the bordering-onridiculous selfie phenomenon. According to a major smartphone manufacturer, selfies make up at least 30 percent of photos taken – me at the Colosseum, me at the Eiffel Tower, me, me, me….

Then, in May this year, along came adventurer Alex Chacon and his epic three-minute selfie video, the culmination of a three-year, around-the-world voyage (watch it here). It’s the brag book to put all others to shame. Alex will be in Southern African in 2015 to add to his selfie collection. His itinerary isn’t known, but we have some advice for him in this issue, starting with our carefully culled list of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including a Kalahari night drive and tracking turtles on Mabibi Beach.

Since hearing about Alex’s journey, I’ve discovered that topless travel photos are the new social media craze. Yes, you read that right. Topless travel pics. According to the Topless Tour project’s Facebook page (www.facebook. com/thettour) it’s about encouraging travellers to feel free and share their beauty with the world. Heaven forbid it really catches on. You see, it’s not the bare-chested bit that bothers me. (Tastefully, the women’s backs are to the camera.) It’s that exploration and discovery, and memories of tastes, sounds and sensations, should drive your travel, not boastful selfies.

So whether this issue inspires you to explore Malawi beyond its iconic lake, pedal through the Mashatu wilderness or visit Malaga, put down your smartphone before you take another selfie.

PS Our ed, Cameron, has gone on a journey to quell his wanderlust. Look out for more on our new editor in the August issue of Getaway.

Make some memories with the July issue of Getaway magazine (on shelves now). Click on the magazine cover below to see more, subscribe or buy digital issues.