Sometimes, the refreshment we feel after a vacation or a short getaway seems to be so short-lived. As soon as we are back to our daily routines, we quickly switch back to a hectic mind without feeling much of a difference. We have put in a lot of money, effort and time in order to escape from our normal life, hoping that we will return as a new person with a more serene and purposeful state of mind.
Maybe it’s not the destination that is at fault for not giving the impression you expected. Instead, you may want to look at your approach to the itinerary. Do you base your travel schedules on the so-called beautiful sites? The most delicious foods to indulge your adventurous tongue? Souvenir shops, to top it off?
Then it’s time to realign your approach to traveling. Once you choose your destination, don’t start from historical ruins or old buildings. You’ll only get brief historical view and some sightseeing from these places. What you should do is to research your destination’s society and culture, both the traditional or historical records and the current setting. Then try to find places or areas where you can not only see, but get to know the whole society, environment, traditions, culture and current affairs. This way, you will gain more understanding of a world outside of your home and, who knows, maybe you’ll discover something about yourself that you may never even thought of!
Southeast Asia could be an option, for it has a richly diverse culture and dynamic affairs in many aspects; social, political, economical. Even if you have lived in a Southeast Asian country your whole life, you’ll never finish exploring Southeast Asia because this ever growing region will surely open your eyes to new discoveries: melting pot society, rainforests, endless beaches, volcanoes, ruins, colonial mansions, scrumptious culinary.
Here are some Southeast Asian destinations where you can get local experiences, but still tourist friendly (especially if you’re a solo traveler).
- Toraja, Southwest Sulawesi, Indonesia
For most of us, death should be mourned and closed with modest rituals. But for the Torajans, death rituals require a hearty feast which could last for days and even weeks. This includes slaughtering at least eight buffalos and fifty pigs as offerings. They believe death should be celebrated as a soul is lifted to Puya or the afterlife. Bodies of the deceased are taken to a towering cave tombs to later be bathed and groomed once a year by the family. However, if the family could not meet the required livestock and feast, they could not send the deceased body for proper burial. So, they would have to keep the body at home until they can gather enough fortune to perform the complete funeral.
The land of Toraja itself is a traditional living village for Bugis people or Southwest Sulawesi natives. They are known for their Animism (a belief that objects, places and creatures possess spiritual essence) which still extends to this day.
2. Batad, Philippines
Batad is a small village of less than 1,500 population with vast Ifugao rice terraces. The journey to Batad is quite an experience itself for it is accessible by jeepney and is devoid of internet connection. You can enjoy other natural scenery such as Tappiyah Waterfalls and visit a smaller sub-village of Patpat Sitio. The villagers also welcome visitors to learn of their traditions such as homemade Ifugao weaving and knives, wood carving, coffee and rice wine making.
3. Borneo, Malaysia
Exotic creatures and jungle adventure are what Borneo is famous for. Unlike the typical urban zoo and aquarium where animals are situated in civilized habitat, visitors are taken into the animals’ natural habitat. On the north of Borneo, the forest rises up to Mount Kinabalu, the highest Mountain in Southeast Asia towering at 4,095 meters from ground. Mountain climbing could be a life-changing experience for some (maybe most) people as you are challenged for survival and definite goal. Borneo would be the perfect place for those who wish to escape “civilization” and connect with greater nature.
4. Hoi An, Vietnam
Tired of daily traffic jams and polluted city air? In Hoi An, there won’t be cars or even motorbikes in sight because the city bans such vehicles in the town centre. Locals and visitors usually ride rented bicycles which allows them to enjoy the beautiful lantern-lit streets and mysterious alleyways. The ancient city is located on the central coast of Vietnam. The buildings are a mix of eras and styles; Chinese shops and temples, French colonial buildings, Vietnamese tube houses and Japanese bridge and pagoda.
As Southeast Asian history is closely bound to colonialism, Hoi An is a richly preserved heritage. Unlike big cities such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, Hoi An is a much more Zen cultural melting pot.
5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
This city is a common tourist destination, yet it’s less crowded than Bangkok. Aside from that, Chiang Mai is decorated with many beautiful well-preserved Thai temples. The local experience could be a bit tricky, though. Instead of choosing a well-known tour and travel agent or getting lost and wasting time being a backpacker, local community guide is more recommended. There are lots of choice for this type of guidance as Thailand tourism is aiming to provide more local experiences to visitors and partners with local communities.
If you don't know where or how you can arrange a cultural trip, you might want to head to Actxplorer and join their programs. Actxplorer aims for travellers to experience a joyful and purposeful trip.