Top 5 Things I Learned While Traveling Asia
I have spent the greater part of the last three years traveling around Asia and I freaking love it. But after all this time, there are several tips and observations that have struck me. When you travel Asia, you change as a traveler and even as a person. You become I guess, a bit more hardcore as a traveler. I’ve discovered quite a few things about traveling as well as about myself these last few years. It forces you into unfamiliar situations and because of that you learn so much about yourself along the way. I can probably write 200 + tips, but here are the top 5 things I learned while traveling Asia.
1. Traveling vs. Vacationing
The difference between these two often interchangeable terms wasn’t entirely clear before I did some trekking around Asia. We all talk about wanting to travel while on vacation, but in all honesty, you need to plan your trip carefully if you don’t want to come back to work feeling like you need a week of recovery! It honestly depends on where you go in Asia. Places like Singapore require little effort or stress on your part, but Vietnam or even Thailand can leave you feeling wiped. It’s best to know precisely what kind of trip you want before you plan it and to realize that although traveling is quite adventurous and will give you more stories to share, it will take considerably more effort to plan – especially on a budget.
2. Don’t Skip Vietnam
Vietnam was one of the first countries I’ve traveled to and it’s honestly one of my favorite places in the world. I’m biased of course. My husband is Vietnamese so I’m already familiar with its beautiful culture. But besides that, Vietnam has the best food. Ever. Seriously. And I’m not talking about just pho, which seems to be the only meal Westerners eat. Vietnamese food is so rich, natural and fragrant and the countyside is so lush. Talking to locals about the “American War” is something also worth becoming involved in. If you are at all a history buff, then you will find Vietnam fascinating. You learn so much by traveling into the countryside and you will see a lifestyle that hasn’t changed much over time. So don’t just spend your trip in the larger cities – you won’t regret it.
3. Visit Japan
Although I’ve lived in Japan for some time, I am continually impressed with this country. It’s unlike any place else in the world and it has taught me so much. The culture and tradition is so overt and preserved and the people are fascinating. Everyone is polite, (at least to your face), and society seems to possess a harmonious flow to it. It’s beautiful, the food is delicious, the fashion is incredible and it’s one of the safest and healthiest places in the world. Plus Tokyo is the coolest city in the world. You will be impressed.
4. Cab Drivers Will Get Lost in Most Countries
Cab drivers have NO idea where they are going and will likely always get lost – except for maybe in Singapore and in Japan. They are great at pretending to know where they are going, but unless you speak the local language, you won’t know for sure. They will turn you religious, at least for a few minutes. The drivers are often erratic, drive fast, and casually disobey traffic laws – though this is how it’s done in most of Asia. Be patient, always keep a business card of your hotel and never assume they will automatically know where to take you. GPS is a first world luxury.
5. Photographing Markets Can Become Cliché
As a photographer, street markets in Asia offer a rich source of inspiration. The colors, textures, unfamiliar objects – it’s a plethora of interesting content for a photograph. However, it’s easy to come back with an abundance of cliché photography of pretty fruits, etc. I’ll write a later post on how to get the most out of photographing markets, but generally, if you find yourself snapping away because the colors look pretty, stop and step back for a little bit before you end up with more photographs of fish than you know what to do with.
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