From routine to adventure

Words & photography by Pete Rudd
Updated August 2026

How travelling changed my life is something I’ve reflected on countless times over the last 15 years. What began as a month-long backpacking trip through India eventually became a career, a passion and the reason I’ve photographed everything from remote villages in Indonesia to luxury hotels across the world.

Standing among the enormous astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar reminded me how travel isn’t just about beautiful places—it’s about understanding the history and ingenuity behind them. It’s no surprise the site is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

My first real adventure

Turning up in India with almost no planning or itinerary was probably one of our first of many mistakes.

Looking back, though, I’m incredibly glad we did it that way.

It shaped the way I still travel today.

I’ve learnt that if you don’t plan every minute of a trip, you leave room for the unexpected. You can change direction, follow a recommendation from someone you meet, stay somewhere an extra night or simply see where the road takes you.

And for me, that’s a huge part of the fun.

Travel has a way of pulling you out of your routine and comfort zone and giving you the freedom to see where the adventure takes you.

If you’re planning your own journey, the Lonely Planet India travel guide is an excellent place to start for practical advice and destination inspiration.

Travel didn’t just change where I went—it completely changed how I see people, places and my own life.

What Travel Has Taught Me

Over the years, travelling has taught me far more than I ever expected.

It’s good to step outside your comfort zone

Some of the best experiences I’ve had have started with doing something that initially made me uncomfortable.

It made me fall in love with photography

This is probably the biggest one.

Travel opened my eyes to photography. I became fascinated by the people, landscapes, light and little moments happening around me.

What started as a way of documenting my travels eventually became my career. The cameras have changed over the years, but my approach hasn’t. I share everything I currently carry in My Travel Photography Kit 2026

Try things you never thought you could

Travel has a funny way of making you realise you’re capable of much more than you thought.

Whether it’s hiking somewhere you’ve never been, riding a motorbike through unfamiliar roads or simply saying yes to something completely unexpected.

Sometimes you just have to give it a go.

Learn to rely on yourself

Travelling, particularly when you’re somewhere completely unfamiliar, teaches you to figure things out.

You become more comfortable making decisions, solving problems and trusting yourself.

Appreciate the small things

Travel has made me appreciate the things that are easily overlooked.

A good coffee. A conversation with a stranger. Watching the sunrise. Finding a quiet road with nobody else around.

You don’t always need something spectacular to make a memory.

Be open to meeting people

Some of the best memories I’ve made have involved people I had never met before—and probably wouldn’t have met if I’d stayed at home.

You never know who you’ll meet when you leave yourself open to it.

Become more aware of the beauty around you

Travel completely changed the way I look at the world.

It made me notice light, architecture, landscapes, people and those tiny moments that might otherwise pass by unnoticed.

And perhaps that’s another reason I fell in love with photography.

You really don’t need that much

Packing for a two-month adventure taught me something surprisingly simple:

You don’t need a lot of stuff.

When everything you own has to fit into a backpack, you quickly realise how little you actually need to be happy.

You Are Not a Tree

You are not a tree. You are not bound
to the ground you walk on.
You have wings and dreams and a heart full of wonder.
So pick up your feet and go.
Spread kindness like a wildflower wherever you go.
Fall in love with the life you live, and always leave people better than you found them.

— Drewniverses

Travel, Photography & Everything In Between

I think that’s ultimately what travel has given me.

It hasn’t just given me photographs or passport stamps. It’s changed the way I see things.

It taught me to slow down, look around and appreciate where I am rather than constantly thinking about where I’m going next.

And somewhere along the way, that way of looking at the world became the foundation of my photography.

If you’d like to see where some of those adventures have taken me, you can read my Mae Hong Son Loop – 5 Day Motorbike Adventure.

A few final thoughts

Looking back, I don’t think travel changed my life because of the countries I’ve visited. It changed my life because it taught me to stay curious, embrace discomfort and find stories in the people I meet. Every photograph I create today begins with that same mindset.

If you’re thinking about taking your first big trip, my advice is simple:

Go.

You don’t need the perfect itinerary, the latest camera or everything figured out before you leave. The moments you’ll remember most are rarely the ones you planned, they’re the conversations with strangers, the wrong turns, the unexpected kindness and the days that unfold in ways you never imagined.

Sometimes the best stories begin when the plan goes completely wrong.

Pete

Documentary storytelling for travel & hospitality brands

If you’re a hotel, tourism board or outdoor brand looking for authentic photography and short-form video, I’d love to hear about your next project.