“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown”, said Anthony Bourdain. Whenever we step into an unfamiliar territory and decide to travel, explore and enjoy what a place has to offer, we have already opened our minds to see wider and walk further. No matter a domestic or international trip, travelling makes us wiser as we add hundreds or thousands of miles in our shoes and step forward to a new experience.
As with every trip, there will be some lessons learned so that we can enhance our next journey to be smoother. Some of MyRehat’s team members share their memorable travel lessons below:
Julian
- There are differences and diversity that can be found even in familiar surroundings.
- Allow yourself to find and explore new interests.
“I learned one crucial lesson while travelling – nothing is quite like home. On a family trip to Krabi, I found myself in a surprising situation at a restaurant. Initially, I assumed our waiter, wearing a tudung, was a Malay or Muslim. However, as I began speaking to her in Malay, she didn’t comprehend a single word and awkwardly responded with, ‘I don’t understand’. This experience highlights the diversity you can encounter even in familiar settings.
No matter domestic or international, travelling has opened my mind in various ways. It fills me with excitement and a strong desire to explore more. A great example is my visit to Legoland where I discovered a newfound passion for Lego. If I hadn’t travelled there, I might have never become a Lego fan, showcasing how travel can introduce us to new interests.
My most unforgettable trip was all about Lego building. I was amazed by the tiny, intricate details and how perfectly they recreated things on a small scale. This trip stuck with me as I stumbled upon surprising and fascinating things. It’s proof that adventure and discovery can be found in unexpected places”.
Hani
- Pay attention to trip details for better preparation in case of any unexpected circumstances.
- Be respectful of other cultures and traditions wherever you go.
“Before travelling, always check your flight ticket (confirmation email, date, departure time, boarding gate etc) because all of these can have last-minute changes that you may not expect. It helps to read a lot of articles and updates regarding the places you wish to visit so that you are aware of any events that can take place on a particular date which may hinder your itinerary. Your research can help you avoid scams from other people or vendors too.
I am constantly reminding myself to be respectful of others wherever I am, especially when it comes to different cultures and traditions.
While I may not have the most memorable trip, I fondly remember travelling to Bangkok in 2018 with my mom and her colleagues. We went to visit a sunflower farm at Lopburi, bought tickets at Hua Lamphong Train Station and took a third-class train that had no air-conditioning!
It took more than 3 hours to arrive at Lopburi as the train stopped at a few stations such as River Kwai Bridge (not gonna lie, the view from the train was mesmerizing!). When we arrived at Lopburi, a guy offered us a ride on his 4×4 truck under the scorching sun. It was hard to forget the heat but one hell of an experience!”
Maziah
- Be more prepared for your travel and research the transport system for a smoother journey.
“For me, it is crucial to do research about the transportation system at the place you want to visit especially if you are using public transport outside of Malaysia. Proper and detailed planning before going on a trip can make you feel more prepared and confident while travelling.
My most memorable journey was a vacation to Langkawi. I’ve been there twice and still love to go on island hopping there. While aboard the boat, you can get a taste of the sea and appreciate the beautiful surroundings under the big blue skies. When you arrive at a specific island, the weather and water alter according to the location, which is fascinating to me. The nature is so breathtaking and always left me speechless”.
Sheera
- Travel worry-free when you have your financial needs prepared.
- Be willing to explore and enjoy the changes that come up during your trip.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself when negative things happen!
“While travelling is one of the most looked forward activities by everyone no matter short or long distance, it is important to keep your finances in check before and after the trip. In the planning stage, it is best to come up with a detailed itinerary and estimate the appropriate budget for each activity, place or restaurant you wish to go to. Of course, budgeting does not have to be too precise, just remember to allocate it based on your spending habits. Remember to also put aside some money for miscellaneous shopping and unforeseen circumstances so that you are always financially prepared to face any challenge throughout your trip.
During your trip, you should enjoy every bit of it and try to loosen up, unwind and follow the flow. While an itinerary helps to align yourself with a reasonable plan, don’t be too rigid if you feel like exploring other things while you are on the go.
In my most recent trip to Seoul, which was also the most memorable holiday I’ve had so far since I was travelling with my toddler for the first time, I learned to be extremely calm during an unfortunate event – my child needed to visit the emergency room at 4.00 am due to excessive phlegm. We were just focusing on the matter at hand and tried to not let this hiccup affect our trip too much. The most important thing was everyone was all right and we went home happy having enjoyed every moment during the trip!”
All in all, travelling is like going into a new chapter full of unknowns and you are creating a journey that you want to enjoy and remember. Every trip requires different preparations and there is no one-size-fits-all method that can complete your travel arrangement. What’s important is to take the initiative to make your journey as comfortable as possible so that you will be able to savour it wholeheartedly.
For your next trip, plan for a comfortable and convenient stay at MyRehat accommodations and you can even choose an outdoor activity to add to your itinerary. Simply make your booking at www.myrehat.com today!