Travelling are common to most people these days. For holiday, that is.
What is it with travelling which entices people to give up their hard earned savings? Especially if its a country which is a distance away and high exchange rate comparatively to the Malaysian currency.
There is an innate nature in all of us to be curious of the culture, sight, scenery, food and etc. of another human on the other side of the globe. The sense of adventure, maybe. The desire to see, smell, touch and taste. The curiosity which needs to be satisfied and then, to be happy knowing that we have "Been there, done that!"
I have done my fair share of travelling but honestly, to say that I know another country well after being there for 4 days 3 nights, 10 days 9 nights or even 3 weeks its probably hoodwinking myself. I probably would have seen 10-30% of what the country represents.
Maybe seeing 10-30% of a country is not that bad. At least I know for myself that....
..... the people in Australia are warm, helpful and they probably have as many Chinese and Indians as Malaysia
.... the people in the US actually have blond hair (some anyway)
.... the people in Europe... some don't speak English and insist on not speaking it
.... the people in Indonesia loves their car horn. They even harmonize between other drivers
.... the people in Hong Kong "laser stare" with their eyes when you don't buy their merchandises (after staring at it for more than 5 seconds. Wanna touch it? Don't even think about it!),
.... the men in the Middle East really do have very hairy chest (No, I did not peep!!! Really!!! *innocent face*)
.... and our Singaporean neighbours are really friendly and not arrogant .... when they have lived in overseas for a looooong time (and remain overseas). And the lecture I've got from the taxi driver about how great and safe his country is vs yours is a rare occurrence.
.... and the people in Thailand are one of the most amazing I have ever met. The country, the people and the food.... Since I lived there for 3 years - I would say that I have had the great privilege of seeing more than 70% of the physical country... This is my favorite country as a holiday destination.
How about you?
