“How Did I Get Here” Moments

Pinch Me, I’m Dreaming

Mt. Bromo is one of the most iconic mountains in Indonesia. Located in East Java, the volcano has a caldera of 10km and is surrounded by a vast plain called Laut Pasir or “Sea of Sand.” It’s an incredible landscape of fine, black volcanic sand boarded by rugged barren volcanic peaks.

On the afternoon of March 19, 2019, a handful of expedition guides stood at the base of the volcano mesmerized by the massive plume of ash rising up out of the crater. While they helped guests with tours, several guides were asked to ride to the distant Hindu temple on horseback. Somehow, I was one of them.

The absolute absurdity of the situation overwhelmed me as I sat perched on the back of a horse, riding towards the 600-meter-high ash column. I remember laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. I said to my colleague, “Do you realize we are in INDONESIA, at the base of an ACTIVE, spewing VOLCANO riding HORSES right now?! This is UNREAL!”

Taking in the moment, I wondered aloud, “How in the world did I get here?”

The “How Did I Get Here” Moment:

If you’ve had a “How Did I Get Here” Moment, then you know that they’re the experiences that stick out most when you reflect on a trip you’ve taken. I believe that these moments stem from the very peak (or valley) of a travel experience.

These moments are rare because we can’t plan or pursue them. They’re moments that happen naturally, ones that we never see coming. The only way to encounter a “How Did I Get Here?” Moment is to venture out into the world and be open to the unexpected.

Travel-blogger, Ethan Maurice said it best: “We stumble into these moments mostly by falling through a rabbit hole of events and connections that lead to experiences that exist beyond our wildest imaginations.”

These moments are totally bizarre, yet absolutely epic.

I’ve jotted down a few more of these unbelievable moments:

Sitting by the fire doing “Night Watch” in Hlhuhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa and making sure no unwanted visitors (namely Leopards, Lions, Elephants, Rhinos or Buffalo) were going to stroll through camp
Spending a day doing drift-snorkeling in Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles (one of the most remote places in the entire world) and meeting Aldabra tortoises on their own turf
Driving in a full-fledged tropical storm in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh
Hiking around Komodo Island, Indonesia and getting very close to Komodo Dragons (FYI: the man carrying a giant stick in the picture below was our guide, and yes, the stick is for protecting us)
Finding myself in a nightclub, eating borscht and watching a series of traditional indigenous dances in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
Enjoying the warmth of a hot-spring, drinking champagne and watching icebergs float by in Arctic Greenland
Seeing 13 polar bears, a black bear and beluga whales while standing at the helm of a cruise ship in Torngat Mountains National Park, Canada
Doing multiple “Polar Plunges” in FREEZING COLD water in Arctic Greenland
Staying up late to enjoy the northern lights with friends

*Our Guide on Komodo Island (notice the long stick he is holding)*

*Making friends with Aldabra Tortoise in Aldabra, Seychelles*

*Getting pumped up for my first ‘Polar Plunge”*

*Absolutely stunning! (Thanks for the awesome photo, Denis Elterman*)

Although we cannot pursue a “How Did I Get Here?” Moment, we can definitely increase our chances by recognizing opportunities for adventure, connecting with others and saying yes to new experiences. I’ve found that my most profound “How Did I Get Here?” Moments have stemmed from times I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone and fully embraced whatever activity I was doing.

Say “yes” more often. Reach out and make connections. Approach all places with curiosity and zeal. Go get lost in the moment.

And when you have time, take in the craziness of the situation and ask yourself: