Hello Blog,
I am call to write about "Traveling is not necessarily expensive" due to one of my friend remark on my recent 27 days solo budget trip to Europe. I was having a dinner gathering with few friends and they're excited to know the highlights of my Europe trip until one of them ask me " How much did you spent for this 27 days Europe trip" which I replied truthfully the approximate cost that involved.
Few of them were amazed by my answers but one of them said " I guess if you are traveling with her, you won't be enjoying the journey so much with that amount of costing". I was set aback for a second which i replied " Well, traveling is not necessarily expensive."
Quick fact, i am one of the lower income earner within the group of friends and i travel within my budget and my capability are fully depend on whatever resources that i have at hands. But of course i respect others views on their travel style and preferences as well because each individual are different. Capacity of income - budget vs luxury? Travel interest - City Vs nature? Beach Vs Forest? Tourist vs traveler? There is not right or wrong way of traveling and exploring one places, everything depends on individual preferences and capability. Travel style means how and what i enjoy spending money on vacation / when traveling?
Here's a quick fact about my travel style:
1. Luxury Vs Budget
When come to these choices, i always travel within my budget. However, to travel in a luxury way or not also depends on places i visited. Some other time those two style can be combine together say i can travel budget in a very expensive country and enjoy luxury trip to a cheaper cost of living country. Both style doesn't matter will do for me depending on my location. As for me, 90% of the time i travel budget.
2. Solo Vs Group
I usually prefer myself to travel with company of friends or family but when my timing and theirs doesn't come to an agreement, that's when i do my solo traveling. Solo Trip means i don't have to commit my schedule and time with others. Of course i can also travel in a group eg. tour but only to countries that doesn't understand English or where it is not safe for women to visit at their own. Either to travel solo or in group, i can do both.
3. Adventure Vs Escape
I am less adventurous type when travel. I am open to any activities but with some measurement of risk. I do paragliding, hiking, hop on the helicopter for a better ground views and also open for "not too risky" activities. At times i also prefer to just chill and relax over the day, go on the cruise, enjoying the breezes on the sea side but i think for sure I love doing things that are different from my home country.
4. City Vs Nature
Who doesn't love nature? I travel for the nature too. I drawn to places with beautiful pine tree, with gorgeous wildflowers and places with scenic mountains views. Doing a lot of monologue and self reflection over nature are something soothing and healing for me. Exploring City might be one of the activities in my itinerary but those building and architecture does not excite me as nature does.
5. Transportation?
God created human with perfect legs to walk not to just sit. When on traveling i prefer to walk and fully experiences the public transportation in one places. But of course again its all depends on places and location. I can't denied the fact that not all country provide excellent public transportation system. My home country for instant, its easier to rent a car or using Grab car application than to depends on the public transportation to commute from one location to another.
6. Length of time
Traveling means exploring and venturing into something new. So, i prefer to travel for weeks just to explore one area. the minimum days of traveling for me is 14 days at least. My recent solo trip, i made it 27 days traveling around France, Switzerland and UK.
Conclusion
As an individual person, we have to know, understand and acknowledge our own travel style. We can't complaint when others being different from us. When we understand that each individuals are different, then we learn how to respect others preferences.
Also one of my hiking buddy utter a statement which i totally disagreed :- "she is rich, that's why she afford to travel". Seriously, I can't make other people understand my struggled in doing a proper planning six months prior to the travel date. Those sleepless night of readings and researching worth a great return when come to budget travel. For me personally, traveling is not necessarily expensive and you need to have a proper saving plan to fulfill the dream to travel around. How i manage to travel in budget? Hopefully i can share it in another entry in another post.
Love,
~m3@~
