Meet the Guides: TCS & Starquest Expeditions

Lynn Garrison has circled the globe countless times and loves highlighting new discoveries for our guests at every stop. With more than 20 years of experience, she’s learned a thing or two about life on the road and kindly shares her travel advice with us.

I never leave home without my toothbrush and my pillows. It makes all the difference with the different hotel rooms we are in and ensures I get a good night’s rest.

On my first TCS expedition, I rode with the luggage in a truck covered with a tarp through the desert in Jordan. We left the Aqaba airport as the sun was setting and arrived in Wadi Musa four hours later. My driver, Muhammad, did not speak English, and I did not speak Arabic. It was an amazing adventure, and it made me fall in love with Arabic music and the Middle East.

A place I thought I’d dislike, but I fell in love with was China. [It] wasn’t my favorite country, but it is growing on me. And I know there are many treasures there I have yet to experience.

My absolute favorite place in the world is impossible to name. I think Africa is my favorite continent. India is probably the most interesting country—so full of color and contrasts. Bali is gorgeous, and I love how art plays such a big role in its culture.

One place I haven’t seen yet, which I’m dying to visit is the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert in Africa.

The one moment from my travels that I will never, ever forget was this one time in Bariloche, Argentina, when we went to an island in the lake and helped the children plant trees. These kids were unbelievable in who they already were and who they were becoming. It was so gratifying and humbling at the same time.

If I hadn’t been an expedition leader, I would have been miserable. Actually, I would have continued doing my on-site logistic work for corporate meetings, incentives and sporting events, which I very much enjoy. But these trips have allowed me to see the world, open my mind further, meet great folks, and be in a leadership and team position that I love.

I got my love of travel from my grandmother and mother. Grandmom had a coin collection from various countries around the world, and I would get out the globe and match the coins to the countries. My mom bought the Time/Life series books and National Geographic travel books—and I always gravitated toward them. I also have to say that Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom had me wanting to go to Africa as long as I can remember.

My best piece of travel advice is be flexible and be open to receive. Always treat others with kindness and courtesy.

Lynn Garrison is the expedition leader on TCS & Starquest’s Oceania trip, which travels to Hawaii, Moorea, New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, Borneo and Pentecost Island and departs March 2014.