drwisetravel.com

There are many reasons why people travel - for business, for rest, for adventure, to visit the country where they were born, for religious reasons, and one growing category - to visit children who have moved away. Two years ago, I went back to Ghana to visit my son Benjamin, who was volunteering at the Horizon’s Childrens Centre in northern Ghana. While I was there, he introduced me to his next door neighbour, Ros, a volunteer from the UK with VSO. Well as you have guessed, Ros and Ben grew together, and now live together in Birmingham, England. But I see many other parents who travel out of their usual comfort zone - to Africa, to Asia … to see their kids in action.

England was a breeze - a cold breeze, and hypothermia, along with overeating were probably the greatest health risks. I tried taking some melatonin before my departure to ward off jet lag, but forgot to take it at my destination. I managed with a hot shower, a cappuccino and a good night’s sleep. We saw a fair bit, including Birmingham, Stratford, York, Windsor and over to Whitby on the coast, the home of the world’s best fish and chips. Having built in guides and chauffeurs like Ben and Ros was a great bonus. There is no better way to see  country than with people who live there. We managed to bypass London, and thankfully British Airways’ terminal 5 as well.

England is certainly not the cheapest country to visit, and perhaps that is one of the attractions of the tropical countries I am usually drawn to. But there’s nothing like god bacon and eggs and sausage and tomato and beans in the morning, followed by scones and clotted cream a few hours later!