The DoorDash Disconnect
Fancy something particular for dinner tonight?
These days, we barely have to give it a second thought. We can order the ingredients online and have them delivered to our door. Or skip the cooking altogether and have a complete meal arrive instead.
A few taps on the phone and DoorDash comes to the rescue!
But what happens when that convenience simply doesn't exist?
Welcome to Norfolk Island.
I've recently returned from hosting a small group tour to this beautiful little island in the South Pacific. Eight days of spectacular scenery, wonderful food, fascinating history, delightful locals and plenty of laughs.
But one of the things that really got me thinking was the way the islanders approach everyday life.
On Norfolk Island, where supplies arrive by sea and air, you can't always expect to find everything you want on a supermarket shelf.
And that's where their resourcefulness comes in.
In our life, we decide what we'd like to cook and go looking for the ingredients.
They look at what ingredients they have and decide what to cook.
The islanders have a saying for this.
“Make Do.”
Two little words that sum up so much about life on Norfolk Island.
Rather than focusing on what they don't have, they work with what they do have. They adapt, improvise and get on with it.
And I love that. I almost find it enviable.
It's a simple difference in thinking, but one that says quite a lot about our expectations of modern life.
We've become so accustomed to having almost everything available whenever we want it that the idea of making do can seem rather old fashioned.
Yet on Norfolk Island, it's simply a way of life.
And perhaps there's something we could learn from that.
But it wasn't just the islanders' resourcefulness that stayed with me.
It was something else that seems to be disappearing in our hurry-up, instant-everything world.
The simple pleasure of a conversation that doesn't need to have an outcome.
Whatever happened to just having a conversation?
We live in a world where everything seems to move at breakneck speed.
Social media has trained us to get to the point quickly. Grab someone's attention in the first few seconds or they've already moved on to the next thing.
We scroll, skim, react and keep moving.
Even our conversations can become rather transactional. We contact someone because we need information, want to arrange something or have a particular outcome in mind.
But what about the simple pleasure of talking to someone for no other reason than enjoying their company?
On Norfolk Island, I was reminded just how valuable that can be.
Conversations with locals who were happy to share stories about their island, their families and their way of life. No rush, no agenda, just a genuine exchange between people.
Nobody seemed particularly concerned about getting to the point.
And within our own group, something equally lovely was happening.
Strangers became friends
One of the great pleasures of hosting a small group tour is watching the dynamics develop.
A couple of our travellers knew one another before we left. Others arrived knowing nobody at all.
But it didn't take long for the barriers to disappear.
Over breakfasts, dinners, excursions and the occasional glass of wine, stories were shared, laughter became infectious and friendships began to form.
By the end of our eight days together, there was a real sense of camaraderie.
We'd explored Norfolk's fascinating history, admired its spectacular coastline, enjoyed wonderful meals and discovered a way of life quite different from our own.
But it wasn't necessarily the organised activities that created the most memorable moments.
It was often what happened in between.
The unexpected conversations. The funny little incidents that became running jokes. The stories told around the dinner table. The genuine interest people took in one another.
And the laughter! There was certainly no shortage of that.
As tour hosts, we can spend months organising an itinerary, arranging accommodation, transport, activities and all the little details that make a holiday run smoothly.
But there's one thing we can't organise.
Friendship.
That happens naturally. And when it does, it's rather special.
One of my travellers summed it up beautifully in her feedback after returning home. Along with the stunning scenery, what she loved most was making new friends. She appreciated that everyone mixed and mingled and nobody felt alone.
She also spoke about the ease of travelling with a small group, knowing that all the arrangements had been taken care of.
For me, that's one of the most rewarding things about hosting these tours. Watching people relax, enjoy themselves and connect with others.
Perhaps there's something to be said for slowing down
I'm certainly not suggesting we abandon modern conveniences or stop using our phones. And I'm as guilty as anyone of wanting things done yesterday!
But Norfolk Island reminded me that not everything needs to be instant.
Not every moment needs to be filled. Not every conversation needs a purpose. And not every experience needs to be captured, posted or shared immediately.
Sometimes it's enough to sit around a table, listen to someone's story and enjoy being in their company.
Sometimes we can simply appreciate what's in front of us, rather than thinking about what's next.
And sometimes the most valuable thing we bring home from a holiday isn't something we've bought or photographed.
It's a new friendship, a shared memory or a slightly different perspective on life.
Fresh Air, Fresh Flavours, Fresh Perspective
When Vanessa and I first put together our Norfolk Island tour, I called it Fresh Air, Fresh Flavours, Fresh Perspective.
We wanted the guests to experience more than just the sights of this beautiful island. We wanted them to enjoy its food, meet its people, discover its stories and return home with wonderful memories.
And I hoped that bringing a small group of people together would create something special along the way.
Well, Norfolk Island certainly delivered.
In spades!
I've returned home with some lovely new friendships of my own, and a renewed appreciation for the simple things.
And perhaps a reminder that the next time something isn't immediately available, the world won't come to an end.
We might just have to “Make Do.”
Until next time,
Marie
Hosted Travel with Marie
In partnership with Hastwell Travel & Cruise
