{"id":1238,"date":"2019-10-12T10:09:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-12T10:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viralvacationideas.com\/?p=1238"},"modified":"2023-09-20T07:24:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T07:24:26","slug":"the-things-that-traveling-south-east-asia-taught-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/viralvacationideas.com\/the-things-that-traveling-south-east-asia-taught-me\/","title":{"rendered":"The Things That Traveling South East Asia Taught Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

South-East Asia is, for many backpackers, their first experience of traveling solo for an extended amount of time. It\u2019s a popular destination for so many reasons \u2013 for the famous, hedonistic parties that attracts young people and have put Asia on the map, for the indescribable beauty, for the cheap price of food, booze and accommodation. For many, it\u2019s a place that acts as a magnet for travelers<\/a>, bringing them back time and time again. And I can understand why. Not only is SE Asia beautiful AND cheap, but it is laid-back, filled with a backpacker lifestyle and like minded people, and there is always so much to see and do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ratchanatdaram
Wat Ratchanatdaram Temple in Bangkok, Thailand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South East Asia<\/a> is where I started my traveler journey. Before I boarded the plane to Bangkok, I had been abroad many times, but never alone, and never for longer than 2 weeks. I was about to embark on an adventure of which there was, and still is, no end date. I don\u2019t know when I\u2019ll return to the UK. It\u2019s an adventure that now sees me at the beginning of a working holiday<\/a> in Australia. However, flying to Australia felt like a totally new adventure \u2013 something separate from my adventures in Asia. I spent four months all in all, traipsing around Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia<\/a>, and Indonesia. I fell in love with Asia way more than I ever thought I would. I\u2019ve been intrigued about this beautiful beast of a continent for many years, and it blew me over. It was so different from home, yet I experienced more culture shock coming back to western society in Australia than I did landing in Bangkok. I feel like I have barely even seen this area of the world, there is still so much to explore and revisit and I know one day I will. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wat
Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok, Thailand at dusk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The truth is, as cliche as it might sound, traveling through South<\/a> East Asia wasn\u2019t just an experience of boozing and night-buses. It taught me many lessons which i will carry with me for the rest of my life. Some of these lessons were specific to the area of the world I was traveling in<\/a>, others were lessons I gained simply from the act of travel which I have decided to reflect on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Take life slowly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman
Woman relaxing on inflatable mattress at the beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back at home, people are always rushing around \u2013 me included. We rush for transport, to complete deadlines, to get to work \/ school. We even rush in our times of leisure \u2013 when we cook and even when we eat, when we go shopping, when we workout. Life feels like a race and it\u2019s no wonder we get ill, we\u2019re constantly stressing ourselves and pushing ourselves. Every time in Asia I got a little bit stressed and felt pushed for time, it didn\u2019t feel suitable. I felt silly. Locals would tell me to take it slow. And I realised they were right. Life moves at a slower pace in a lot of Asian countries. I started to stop stressing out and rushing myself, I started taking it easy and living life at a slower pace. I wasn\u2019t being lazy. I was combining managing my time better when I needed to and not worrying if things weren\u2019t on time. The result is I now feel way more relaxed, accepting, and stress free. I appreciate the little things in life because I take the time to. Life is a lot more beautiful when you put things on a slow burner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Everything will work out<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"woman
Woman doing yoga – meditate and relax in Padmasana Lotus asana pose with chin mudra outdoors at tropical beach on sunset with dramatic sun<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is very much linked to my point above. Through learning to take life at a slower pace, I learnt that things have a wonderful way of working out. There is no point pushing life, it will only push back. Instead it is much more pleasurable to take things as they come. With this comes a greater appreciation of life, and an attitude of surrendering to the universe, instead of trying to control everything. At home, people care about control. They care about power-play. Of course, you need to take control of your life to some extent, but travel taught<\/a> me to stop trying to control the things that are out of your power. There is no point worrying if the ferry\/bus\/train isn\u2019t on time. There is no point worrying if the girl in the restaurant or at the food stall got your order wrong. It\u2019s not about accepting everything at face value, it\u2019s simply about not sweating the small stuff and accepting it\u2019s not all bad. You will get your order, or at least some food, tonight. You will get to your destination at some point. You will get where you need to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

3. Don\u2019t Judge<\/strong><\/p>

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