What an unattractive tussle or brawl for an End of Year Prize; craved yet not deserved Prize for Peace. Individuals eligible for prestigious awards are generally nominated by an esteemed committee, and genuine efforts must be exhibited to win. 

My recent arduous ship Journey in Papua New Guinea, introduced me to a woman who should receive the Prize for Travel Stamina and Fitness. I am not a cruise person, however, one of the best methods of seeing the intriguing Tribes of New Guinea is by ship.

My first afternoon aboard the Ponant, le Jacques Cartier, all passengers participated in the Muster Drill… a mandatory emergency safety exercise. I spotted an exuberant fast-moving cane toting petite woman, lining up in her assigned group. Pert and at attention, in her bulky bright orange life jacket.

PNG is tropical, below the equator, translating to consistent hot and humid weather with sporadic downpours, many utterly drenching. This area is no walk in the park! Plus, the transport to little islands or atolls requires getting in and out of small Zodiacs to a wet landing on a beach or a dry landing onto a pier. Using a sailor’s grip, keep your weight low in a rocking boat, and move deliberately, critical for stability in a calm sea. Even more so when boarding after an expedition, bouncy waves cause the Zodiac to smash the pier, precise timing and balance are essential to step aboard the ship. Not for the timid or frail!

On our daily expeditions, I continued to spot this tiny force of nature scurry across a wide expanse of uneven ground, camera out, cane dangling from her wrist, backpack slung over her shoulder. Barely 5 feet tall, I was intrigued and enthralled by this adorable whippersnapper traveling alone exploring the atolls and their native tribes. End of day, we gathered for a summary and a presentation of tomorrow’s tribes and villages. There she was, notebook in hand, phone ready. Finally, I approached, marveled at her tenaciousness and enthusiasm, with I must know you! My inspiration! 

Lorelle Pacello, the diminutive traveler, is Australian and has traveled alone for years. In her professional life, she was a Chemistry teacher, her comprehensive knowledge of music, birds, cultures is extraordinarily impressive. Lorelle, in her 83rd year loves traveling by herself, following her passions. Her grown kids struggle to keep track of her Journeys! Her iPhone calendar was bursting with activities and trips for next year. Cruises, city visits, lectures.

A little interview: What words of advice would you give to a senior traveler? I try to research the places I intend to visit on a tour so know what to look for and be prepared.

Think back to when you were younger, is there one piece of advice or word of wisdom you would give your younger self?  I travelled a little when I was younger. Perhaps it would have been nice to have been able to do more then.

Do you travel with friends your age? No. I have my interests and am quite happy to travel by myself.

You shared that you learned how to download your phone photos to your laptop. In regard to technology, how has travel changed over your lifetime? Enormously. It is easy to obtain information via the internet, and now my photographs are taken on my phone rather than carrying a camera with interchange lens.

From an 83-year-old! I have friends who didn’t know Siri talks and takes instructions! Lorelle, of course, taught herself to download her photos to her tablet.

Do you have a favorite gadget or essential item you always pack for a trip?  No. I try to pack lightly so I carry essentials.  I have a general packing list on my computer which I print and then use this and tick off as I pack.

This is a lesson to me, who always overpacks – for ‘just in case’ or I want options!

Never a complaint from her; many times, I heard her exclaim:  Why, wasn’t that interesting?

We had hours of swimming and snorkeling, which she declined saying she wasn’t as strong a swimmer as she once was. Know your strengths, is a good life lesson!

The first few days, I was stealthily taking snapshots of her and texting to friends: look at this amazing woman, we need to hold her as our example for aging well and enjoying life to the ultimate! I often felt like I was stalking her just to ask more questions or hear her observations. I was never disappointed when we bumped into each other after an outing or enjoyed lunch together. She, of course attended the stretching classes, lectures and napped every afternoon; she avoided evening karaoke!

My Prize for Travel Resilience and Unmatched Exuberance for Life is presented to Mrs. Lorelle Pacello!

My Papua New Guinea Journey was greatly enhanced by meeting Lorelle.

Remain Curious!

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
―― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad / Roughing I