Some of the very best travel stories don’t begin in guidebooks or glossy brochures.
They begin in elevators.
That’s exactly where I met today’s podcast guest, Karen Rule — somewhere between floral displays in Melbourne, a group of strangers heading out to dinner, and one spontaneous invitation that turned into a friendship and, years later, a conversation about travel, kindness, courage, and the unexpected gifts that come from saying yes.
Karen loves travel — not the rushed, tick-the-box kind, but the kind that leaves room for conversations, laughter, misadventures, and those small human moments that linger long after the suitcase is unpacked.
It’s the Little Things
As Karen beautifully puts it, it’s not always the destinations we remember most — it’s the people we meet when we’re lost, the kindness of strangers, the laughs shared with someone we didn’t know five minutes earlier.
And sometimes, it’s something as simple (and as important) as learning how to ask:
“Where are the toilets?”
—in Japanese.
Travelling with autoimmune conditions means Karen plans a little differently, always keeping a Plan B in her pocket. Japan, she discovered, is a wonderfully accommodating place — with immaculate public amenities, thoughtful design… and yes, toilets so good she came home and bought herself a smart one from Bunnings.
Japan: Language, Culture & Surprise Envelopes
Karen’s recent trip to Japan — some of it solo, some with her daughter — was layered with intention and curiosity. She embraced Duolingo, learned cultural nuances, and found that even a few words opened doors to richer experiences.
From Disneyland with translation devices offering real-time subtitles, to Kyoto adventures where she didn’t even know where she was staying until she arrived, the journey unfolded like a series of beautifully wrapped surprises.
Even more serendipitous?
A $7,000 competition win — entered on a “why not?” day after her father passed — helped fund parts of the trip, leading to experiences she might never have chosen for herself… and loving every one of them.
Courage, Cocktails & Flying Dinosaurs
One standout moment involved Universal Studios Osaka, a stiff drink, and a Jurassic Park ride that involved being strapped face-down and flung through the air.
Karen’s daughter’s reaction?
Priceless.
Karen’s verdict?
She’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Sometimes travel gives us exactly the reminder we need — that feeling of being scared but okay, and trusting the engineering (especially Japanese engineering).
Thailand, Trains & Trusting Locals
Karen’s travels have also taken her to Thailand, where a local friend guided her far beyond the tourist trail — from bamboo rafts racing down rivers near Chiang Mai to roadside delicacies she’d never have tried alone (including crickets and cow intestine… surprisingly similar to pork crackling, apparently).
Like many seasoned travellers know:
If the locals are eating it, you probably should too.
Closer to home, a Trans-Alpine train journey in New Zealand with her daughters created memories she still treasures — and reminded us all that sometimes the best moments happen after the plan falls apart.
(Hitchhiking with a child included.)
Travel That Meets You Where You Are
Karen also speaks candidly about travelling as a parent, navigating neurodiversity, mental health, and the comfort that comes from returning to familiar places — like Cape Schanck — again and again.
Travel doesn’t always have to mean far away.
Sometimes it simply means having something to look forward to.
Final Thoughts
This conversation is a gentle reminder that:
- Travel doesn’t need to be perfect
- Planning is good — flexibility is better
- Saying yes can change everything
- And sometimes, the best journeys start with a cup of coffee… and an elevator ride
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Travel With Us A While on Spotify.
