***A PRICELESS LEARNING EXPERIENCE and it's beyond MALU's travel challenge... (Why (not) travel?)

Member Name: curious_tan

Product:	Why (not) travel?
Date:	19/11/06 (483 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Learn others' culture, lifestyle, beliefs, and do new things

Disadvantages: Visa application and other travel requirements

GOING PLACES LOCALLY AND ABROAD is always my cup of tea. Having a Sagittarius zodiac sign, I am really destined to explore, conquer the globe and take pleasure (and learn) from it!

Why (not) travel? If you have the necessary resources (time and money), you are physically and mentally fit, and you have proper supporting documents (i.e. passport, insurance, visa, etc.), what is the reason why you can not pack your bag and go?

In my own personal experience during the past 15 years, I have been to several places, not only in my home beautiful country, but also to other fascinating destinations around the world. My travelling escapade is always driven by work and studying. Having involved in various development projects that provide solution to environmental problems, it does requires touring around the country or overseas. Also, my desire to further enhance my expertise in the field of my specialisation through postgraduate studies/trainings elsewhere serve as a stepping stone to visit different places. Thus, my numerous travels are the outcomes of the kind of jobs that I am involved with, as well as the rare opportunity to secure financial grants to study abroad.

Being in that particular situation on the right time and location, I will do my best to tour around the place and the neighbouring towns/cities. Honestly, being single and healthy, it is easy to do this, but if I have my own family and getting older, then travelling (abroad in particular) will not be in my top ‘must do’ list. Maybe some people will argue that anyone could still have a wonderful vacation even you have the family (and children), or during your retirement period. Well yes, however, the frequency and the duration will dramatically decrease. And there will be other issues relating to health condition that somewhat crucial in finalising travel plans which also affects the kind of activities you want to do during the travel.

Moreover, most importantly it will also depend on where you are permanently residing or where your travel (point of origin) begins. For example, if I will live permanently in the Philippines, my travel to UK, Europe and the US will substantially diminish, but much more on local travels instead. Why, because my travel will be dependent on the affordability (i.e. mode of transport) and convenience (visa processing) to visit the place. Finally, however security or safety (because of political instability of the destination) is not a big issue to hinder my travel plan, unless there is a government restriction on that particular destination. I am not generalising it, but for British, American or Australian nationals are fortunate to travel without any stress of not having a visa elsewhere. Unlike us coming from developing countries, it is a must to undergo such strict issuances of a visa. Sometimes, I feel it is unfair for people who have the genuine intention of travelling overseas but denied for a visa for the reason of coming from countries that threaten their security/safety.

So, the kind of travelling that I am looking forward to is absolutely different from where MALU wants to got or what she wants to do during her travel.

WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO TRAVEL? How about my choices where to go? What factors to be considered in those choices? What activities that I normally do during my escapades or things that fascinates me? And lastly, what souvenirs that I bring after my visits which will always remind me of my wonderful journey and the learning experience? Please bear with me while I am trying to quickly answer these queries; consequently do MALU’s travel challenge.

**Motivation to travel
Watching films, reading travel magazines, and my hobby in photography motivate me to visit other places. Being a regular moviegoer, I am fascinated with the cinematography of the film which leads me to wonder where this location where been shoot. I will make sure that I stay in my seat while waiting for the full credits of the film which provide me the information of the location. Travel magazines are also influential to pack my bag and explore the featured scenic attractions in the publication. And most importantly, because of my interest in photography, I always go out and have my vacation just to improve my photography skills by visiting these places featured in the magazines or in the films. To some extent, I am also motivated by the interesting stories from my close friends who were able to visit these places. Overall, I believe that through my travelling, I could experience and learn other cultures, languages, beliefs, history and to meet interesting people which I could not find in textbooks or not being taught inside the classroom.

**Choices where to go
The main factor that influences where to visit or spend my holiday is ‘relatives and friends’. It is because having them on these places, it will be easier for me to explore and enjoy my short stay – hassle-free and save money. In most cases, my accommodation is ‘free’ and I could do more things considering that my friends are hospitable enough to tour me around at their convenience. Aside from that, if they are not available, they will provide me the best itinerary - where to visit and what to expect from these attractions. Moreover, my choice is also affected by the affordability, accessibility, the mode of transport, and the convenience to get the visa. For example, if I will have to choice between Spain and Italy, I would probably choice Italy. Well both countries offer fascinating attractions, but I would rather choice Italy since it will be easier for me to secure the visa than Spain. Securing a Spanish visa requires a two-stage application: sending a request letter and the personal interview in Manchester. While the Italian visa application is done by posting the required travel documents, including the processing fee which takes 2-3 weeks.

**Activities to explore the place
As I said earlier, I want to learn and enjoy from my travel and I can only do this by visiting places that will probably satisfy this desire. Generally, I am interested to visit libraries, museums, castles, shopping malls, churches, historical structures, and of course watch live shows, festivals and musical productions; and visit resorts, casinos and beaches. I do research by visiting universities and check the possibilities of having future research with these institutions. Visiting theme parks that offer adventurous and thrilling rides is also in my list during my travel.

**Souvenirs
Aside from shopping for clothes and personal accessories, I make sure that I have extra copies of postcards for each location/attractions that I have visited, which some of them will be sent to my family and friends. Also, I am interested to collect pins, key chains, posters and beer mats. Unfortunately, I don’t bring home some antiques and jewelleries which are subject to airport tax and duties. For some people, antiques and art crafts are their interests, but at the moment I don’t have the obsession to have them. This is because I don’t have a permanent place to store or display these pieces of art. The photographs taken during my trips will ultimately serve as mementos and a truly evidence of my escapades. I forgot to mention, I also buy 1-2 books during my travel.


AND FINALLY, I will now take MALU’s challenge that some of the members have already done three years ago (back in 2003). Taking the challenge is not promoting MALU’s account, but it is ultimately introducing to the dooyoo community my passion to go places around the world, and in some way I could be able to impart my experience to the rest of the members as a frequent flyer/traveller!

Now, bear with me again while I am answering MALU’s travel challenge’s questions:

Q: How many times a year do you travel?
I do it at least twice a year for overseas between 1-4 weeks holiday depending on the locations; and unlimited for local destinations which normally take a day or just a weekend trip.

Q: Do you stay in your home country or do you go abroad?
Both, as I mentioned in the first question. For example, living in my home country with 7,107 islands to explore, the drive to visit places is high. I have already visited most of the major tourist destinations in the country located in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Further, the opportunities derived from my professional work and further studies are the main reasons why I have to explore other places overseas. For instance, when I was in Australia for my research program from 2002 to 2004, I was fortunate to travel around the country – Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. From Australia, I was able to travel to New Zealand, London, Sweden and Finland. Hopefully for next year, I am planning to visit South Africa and some part of EU members’ countries like Spain, Germany and Italy.

Q: Do you organise your holidays yourself or do you go to a travel agency?
Combination, but mostly I do my itinerary both locally and abroad. I only use the travel agent for ticket bookings for major point of destinations and to maximise the flight package (in terms of the number of stop over).

Q: Do you prepare your holidays in advance by reading guide books and studying maps?
Absolutely yes to ensure that my itinerary will be hassle-free and I will really enjoy my trip especially for major destinations. As soon I reach my destination, and then I do the necessary adjustments in terms of what places to visit. For local trips especially over week ends, I do not practice advance planning; it is always a quick decision as long as my resources allow it.

Q: Do you travel alone/with family or friends/with an organised group?
For international trips, I always travel alone and with friends for local short tours. Mainly because I will be visiting relatives and friends living on that particular destinations; and will be accommodated by them during the entire duration of my holiday.

Q: Do you prefer the sea/mountains/plains/cities as destinations?
No preference depending on the destinations’ attractions – what these places can offer. But mostly, I prefer to visit the city centres (like in the UK, US, and Europe) to see the urban form/settlement; coastlines/beaches in Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, and Australia; and mountains of Scotland, New Zealand, Nepal, Japan and of course the Philippines.

Q: Do you mainly relax or are you an active holidayer?
I can do both: relaxation and being on the go to explore the place. But mostly, I always look forward to do things that I have not done before which I can freely accomplish during my holiday. Going to a beach for a swim and sun bath is a way of my relaxation. Having good times with relatives and friends that I have not seen them for so many years is also a worthwhile thing to do.

Q: If you go abroad do you learn at least some words of the foreign language?
Yes. Not only learning their language/dialects/slang but also the ‘accents’ as well. Maybe I can learn few words during my stay, but eventually I will forget later. But luckily, I still do speak basic Thai words after spending almost 3 years in the country. I also remember some slang words that are commonly used in Australia and Northern Ireland. For my home country travels, having 38 dialects within the 7,107 islands, it also tempting to learn some of them especially for places that their dialects are quite similar to my mother tongue. Not only the language, but I will always find ways to understand and experience every culture that the host destination can offer.

Q: Are you interested in the cuisine of a foreign country?
Definitely, being a guest/tourist, I think my travel will not complete if I have not tasted any menu from the host country. So far, I love Thai food and to some extent the Japanese food. I also love to eat Vietnamese food, even though I haven’t visited the country, but of course it can be found elsewhere.

Q: Which means of transportation do you prefer?
I always take the air transport for long distance travel. But local travels, either bus or ferry. Since I am temporarily residing in Northern Ireland, I prefer to travel by train and ferry. Again, it depends on the availability of the transport system in the country destination.

Q: What kind of luggage do you take with you? Have you got problems packing? Do you tend to take too many/too few things with you?
I regularly use an ordinary wheeler bag with a pad-lock for travelling overseas. I don’t have any difficulty for what things to bring during my trip. Being restricted with 20-25 kg by airplanes, it is logical enough to pack the basic personal things for the entire journey, which means for one day, I need 3 shirts (one for sleeping), 2 underwear, 1 pair or pants/jeans for two days, and 2 short pants (including for sleeping) for two days. Aside from this, I need to include 3 pairs of shoes/slippers with socks, handkerchiefs, laptop, camera, 2 mobile phones, toothpaste/brush, scissor, condoms, shaves, perfumes, and of course my passport with the valid visa, insurance policy and tickets.

Q: Do you send picture postcards to your family and friends?
100% yes! Not only sending them to close relatives and friends but also collecting them as souvenirs to remind me of my holidays. Honestly, the first thing that I buy either in the airport or malls are postcards and look for the nearest post office to have them delivered quickly.


WELL, TO WRAP UP THIS WRITE-UP, I can now finally say that travelling is something that I will always gain invaluable benefits from it not only being a traveller but also a learner. Spending for travels is a personal choice to make, but definitely the opportunity to go places is a ‘priceless’ learning experience that money can’t buy! Enjoy living and have a simple travel plan in life!

Summary: Enjoy living and have a simple travel in life...