Writing a Travel Journal

When traveling the world there is so much that you see, do, and experience that remembering it all will prove to be very difficult. One of the ways that you can capture all that you go through on your travel journey is by starting and keeping a travel journal. It's a great keepsake for all your experiences and all the knowledge you acquire too.

Before you go on your trip buy yourself a journal. It doesn't necessarily have to be designed specifically for documenting your travels. Any journal will do. But if you happen to find a travel journal that would be fantastic.

When you keep a travel journal be sure to date every entry. Note the places that you visited, along with their locations. Describe what you saw there and how you felt. Mention anything new that you discovered that you didn't know before. Also, mention anything that you feel is worth mentioning...as it will all come in handy at some point in the future, whether it is to reminisce, to share with others, or to use as inspiration for your next story whether it will be for a blog or a book..

When you are writing an entry for your travel journal keep some of these questions in mind as they will help you when it comes time to sharing your experiences with others:

• Did the place meet your expectations?
• Were you left disappointed?
• Is there anything that you would change about the trip or place you visited?
• How was the weather during your excursion?

Whether you write at the end of the day, at certain times during the day, or the next morning, be sure to try to write on a daily basis. This will ensure that you will have every bit of your experience down on paper. If you wait days to write in your travel journal there are bound to be useful or even critical things and facts or information that you forget about or miss.

Now, if you are a tech person, you may prefer to keep a journal on a computer instead. That is a great option as well but you may not always have access to a computer or to a power source if you have your own laptop on hand.

If you prefer writing on the computer, you can keep the journal in a word processing software. Better yet you can start your very own travel blog. There you will not only be able to write about your trip but you will be able to post and share relevant photos as well and get reader feedback while you are at it.

A picture is worth a thousand words. We have heard this phrase used endlessly and it is true. A picture says so much. It is a snapshot of a moment in time and it serves as a memory or reminder of where you went, what you did there, and how you felt... So, while you are traveling the world, be sure to take lots of pictures.

Don't just take pictures for the sake of taking pictures. Take pictures that mean something to you. You don't necessarily have to be in every photo but it is good to have some photos of yourself at the places you visit. And you don't even have to be a great photographer. If something strikes your fancy, if it speaks to you, go ahead and take a picture. It will be worth more than you know and I am not talking about monetary value. I am referring to the sentimental value of each photograph that you take.

All the photographs that you take can actually serve as a photo journal or diary. It is certainly a creative and interesting way to document your travel journey. It will complement your travel journal as well, especially if it's an online journal like a blog.

When you get back home from your trip you usually share your experiences with friends and family. You show pictures and talk of places you visited, what you saw, and what your experience was like. A travel journal (or travel blog) can come in handy at this time, especially when there are things you forgot about, or when you are asked a question you are not sure how to answer. It, along with the photos, can help jog your memory, and bring back all you've experienced while on the trip.

Besides, sharing your travel experiences with your friends and family you can also share them with the rest of the world. One way would be to start an online blog (if you have not done so already). Joining a writing site is another way to share your travel experiences with the world. What's even better is using what you have in your travel journal (or travel blog) to write a book. This will be an interesting project to embark on and will potentially earn you some money.

So, the next time you are traveling the world, consider keeping a travel journal. It will be worth it in many ways.