In 1984 when Barbara Flowers received a brochure from the Philadelphia Zoo advertising a trip to Africa, she didn’t know she would discover a passion that would take her around the world. Now in her mid-70s, the Morgantown local is planning her seventh solo adventure across the globe.
When did you first discover your love for travel? One day after my husband and I had visited the Philadelphia Zoo, we got this beautiful brochure in the mail advertising a 10-day trip to Kenya. I remember thinking it would be fabulous, but we were newly married and trying to get started, so I threw it away. The next day, John showed me the brochure; he had taken it out of the trash. We could barely buy food, so I threw it away again, but by that time I was in my 40s and realized if I didn’t do it then, I never would. So we went to Africa. Then two years later, we went again.
Have all of your trips together been so exotic? We’ve been to Africa together fairly often since then, but meanwhile traveled to other places too. We like to cruise, so we’ve been all over the Caribbean, to Hawaii and Switzerland, and for our 25th wedding anniversary, we went to Alaska. We’ve also done a lot of trips to Disney.
When did you start traveling solo? In 2011, we were touring in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and John said he thought he might be done with traveling. He had been diagnosed with diabetes, and the big trips were getting a bit tough for him. But I certainly wasn’t done with it, so in 2013, I took my first trip by myself to Yellowstone, and I loved it. I really travel well by myself.
And you’ve traveled quite extensively alone? Oh, yes. By this time, I was in my 70s, and I took myself to Borneo to see the orangutans and went from there to Thailand to see the Asian elephants. I’m really passionate about wildlife. The next year, I took myself back to Botswana for the last time. They’ve opened up to trophy hunting, which I abhor so I’ll never go back. The next year, I went to Tanzania and Uganda to see the gorillas. Then I did Sri Lanka, and last year I went back to Kenya.
What would you tell others thinking about adventuring alone? If you have your health and your wherewithal, I don’t think age should define what you do. I hate it when I hear people say, “I’m too old.” Maybe you’re not, but you’ve already created a barrier between yourself and what you want to do. This isn’t a dress rehearsal; we only get one life!
Where to next? Australia is my next major destination. I’ve started doing a little research and I’d like to see New Zealand while I’m there as well. And I’ll always go back to Africa; Kenya is my love. I’ve been there more than 14 times now, and to Africa nearly 20, so I feel at home there. That’s where I’ve been the happiest.
Know Before You Go. Many tourist attractions abroad feature tortured and abused animals, so do your research when booking wildlife experiences. Learn about the threats facing wildlife and how you can help through Barbara’s charity of choice at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org.
Traveling with Purpose. On each trip to Africa, Barbara not only camps at wildlife sanctuaries to lend a hand, she also packs suitcases of school supplies and clothing for local students and teachers.
