Has Travelling Changed Me?

It is often preconceived that once you go travelling, it changes who you are.

This is true to a certain extent but some people think this change is a bad thing. This is not necessarily true. Without a doubt, travelling to completely new place, meeting the local people and trying new things will change you. However, since returning home from 4 months in South East Asia, I don't believe I have changed, rather my perspective has.

Naturally, seeing poverty for yourself and not just on some daytime TV ad is a real learning experience. Trying to understand the history of the countries I have visited is fascinating. 

Sometimes, learning about a countries past can affect you. Whilst I was in Cambodia, I was reading a book called 'Cambodia's Curse' by Joel Brinkley, and I was shocked about how little I knew surrounding the tragic history of this country. For those who don't know, Cambodia experienced it's own genocide not too long ago. The Khmer Rouge killed up to 2 million Cambodians through labour camps and mass executions. Learning about the dark history was horrifying, and after that day I realised how incredibly lucky I am to be living in a society where my human rights are not taken away from me. Now, I try and look at life in a different way, and appreciate how lucky I am to live in a country with so many opportunities.

Even looking at the local workers in countries such as Indonesia makes me realise how thankful I am to have access to a world-renowned education system, where my level of education doesn't depend on the amount of money my family has, and my career choices are numerous.

So of course, experiences like that can change your perspective. 

In fact I am grateful to have had the opportunity to realise that I was taking life for granted.

I think travelling also prevents me from becoming narrow-minded. It is so easy to become so comfortable living in your small town, with your small group friends and the same routine. Travelling makes me realise that there is a big wide world out there, which is so different from the life I live and has so many opportunities.

Have you ever considered doing a working visa in Australia or New Zealand? Or how about looking for a job in Ho Chi Minh? There is no written rule saying you have to live your entire life in the country you were born. There is so much more to life than finding a partner, getting married and having a baby, something I often feel pressured to do at home.

I am more open-minded after travelling. I realise how nice it is to have a clean, western toilet or my own bed. How comforting a decent cup of tea can be. How there's more to life than going on holiday to get drunk when you can talk to the locals, find out about their religion and their traditions.

As for family and friends, I don't think I have changed around them. I have met so many people whilst in Asia, but I can still go back to my hometown friends and be exactly the same as I was before. Travelling doesn't change your personality. It just means I have more stories to tell over a bottle of wine.

On a final note, I do think I have become much more of an interesting person. I now have friends based all around the world (thank you facebook), and I also have so many stories to tell which is definitely a positive thing. If I met someone who had travelled the world, that's automatically something different about them that I would love to know more about.

The next time you meet someone who has travelled, listen to their stories. You might just be inspired to travel yourself. That's all for now.

The Best Hostels in South East Asia

I stayed in many hostels during my time in Asia, some good, some bad. There were a few that really stood out for me, so much so that I'd recommend them to anyone. Here is a summary of my favourite hostels!

Suneta Hostel KhaoSan, Bangkok

Our first few nights in Bangkok were pre-booked before we left, which is always a good idea when you are travelling to a completely foreign country for the first time. This hostel was situated just a five-minute walk from Khao San road, which was perfect and right in the heart of the backpacker district. Word of advice, do not stay actually on Khao San road. It's loud, sleazy and not very pleasant.

This hostel was cheap but still really nice. The rooms were spacious even though there were a large number of beds, and they each had a curtain for extra privacy. The toilets are really well maintained, with shampoo and shower gel provided. Even though there were only two showers, there was never a queue. A hairdryer is also provided, which is a luxury whilst travelling!

Breakfast was included which was nice, and was served till 11am giving us the opportunity to lay in to try and combat the jet lag. Free tea and coffee can be made throughout the day. There is also a small social area, but was a little unsocial.

Thai Thai Hostel, Chiang Mai

I have so much love for this little hostel. The staff were incredibly friendly and happy to help you with any query you may have. Breakfast was included which was simple but is a nice added touch. I actually had one of the best sleep at this hostel. The beds aren't anything special, but it was super clean and had such a tranquil atmosphere. The bathrooms were spotless, and there's also a rooftop terrace which was great for catching the sunset. Also on the second floor is a little sofa with a TV that you can use to watch Netflix.

The hostel isn't centrally located, but it is still near the center and taxi's are so cheap that it was never an issue. In the foyer they have loads of leaflets for all the activities that you can do in Chiang Mai (such as the elephant camp and cooking classes), and most of these will offer to pick you up from the hostel.

Slumber Party Hostel, Krabi

Warning, this is a party hostel! Do not go here if you are not that type of person. When we first arrived, the bar crawl was scheduled for that night. A (small) plate of food was also provided which is great for backpackers on a budget! For the bar crawl, you simply buy a t-shirt (for 600 baht when we were there) and join everyone downstairs at the bar for buckets and drinking games! It is so much fun and a great way to meet people. They will even offer a free taxi ride to the first bar. The rooms are clean and the beds are like the capsule form, which offers complete privacy. You will even get shots poured down your throat whilst you're getting ready! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Freedom Hostel, Hue

This hostel offered a family dinner, which is another great way to meet fellow travelers, and really learn about the Vietnamese culture and food. It cost cheaper than eating out would (which is still really cheap) and gave me a chance to try new food. Breakfast is included and the toilets/rooms are also to a high standard. A curtain can be pulled across on all beds, and the location is within walking distance of the bridge.

Family Dinner

One Stop Hostel, Siem Reap

Ah... One Stop! Having ended up with 6 nights to spend in Siem Reap, we booked the first two here. This place ended up being one of my favourites out of the entire trip! It had such a calm, relaxing atmosphere and was in the perfect location. It is situated literally across the road from Pub Street, and at only £5 a night, is so worth it! The staff are so friendly (as are all Cambodians) and the place is perfect to get a good nights sleep before a 4am wake-up call to explore Angkor Wat. Breakfast can be purchased here for so cheap and they do the most amazing pancakes! There is also a TV to watch a film from their huge selection. They have another chill-out area on the second floor, and then a rooftop garden at the top. The toilets are big and include shampoo, shower gel and hairdryers, and there was always one available.

Fave Hotel, Bali

I stayed here for my birthday as we wanted something a little nicer than a hostel. For only £6 a night, we had a basic hotel room which was far from basic! The bathroom was incredible! It is so nice to have a hot shower for once.
They also threw in free bottled water, toothbrushes and slippers. There is a buffet breakfast with an egg station, so you can order your eggs how you like it, as well as unlimited choice of traditional Indonesian food. There is also a swimming pool, although it's sort of inside so there is no sunbathing area. The staff were so sweet to me and would not stop wishing me a happy birthday. They also brought out surprise birthday pancakes (with cheese on the top?) which was amazing. Location-wise, it is very close to Seminyak but you would need a taxi to get to Kuta.

Swimming Pool

Rumah Roso Homestay, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a place that not many travelers go to (post about why that shouldn't be the case coming soon) so there aren't many hostels, but there are loads of guesthouses. This one is situated within walking distance of the Sultan's palace, and also close to the road where you can find the backpacker bars. On our first night here, we got talking to the owner who was so helpful and offered to take us to the nearby temple called Borobudur. Us being the careful travelers that we are immediately thought this would come at a hefty price, but it worked out way cheaper for us and gave us the opportunity to see the countryside surrounding Yogyakarta. The city is one of the cheapest places I've ever visited, probably because there aren't many tourists around, so sleeping and eating within budget is easy here. Every single member of staff here are incredibly helpful and friendly, whether you want to ask for directions of get them to call you a Go-Jek (Indonesian Uber). Laundry is super cheap here and the rooms were perfect. A traditional Javanese breakfast is included to!

Mai Chau Hostel Lounge, Vietnam

If you go a little off the beaten track, make sure you visit Mai Chau. This place is the Vietnamese countryside. Think rice fields, mountains and very little tourism. For these reasons, this is the perfect escape. Most tourists stay in the lac villages in homestays, where you stay with a local family who will cook for you and give you a true Vietnam experience. We stayed at the Mai Chau hostel, although it isn't really a hostel. The beds consist of a mattress on the floor with a mosquito net, but that is all you need. The dorms are very open, so be prepared to be awoken at 5am to the sound of cockerels. Nevertheless, this place is clean and extremely friendly. The food cooked by the family is absolutely delicious, I recommend trying the pork fried rice and the wood fired pizza. Breakfast is also included. Bikes can be rented here which is the best way to get around Mai Chau. If you're looking for an escape from the big cities and tourist destination, you will most definitely find it here.