Retro: Why does one travels?

 “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”

― Lao Tzu

The backpackers of the sixties and seventies—those I had the opportunity to meet and befriend—were mostly from Europe, with fewer coming from the United States. More Americans started showing up in Penang as the Vietnam War escalated, with the island becoming a hub for soldiers on R&R. Most of the early backpackers were genuine in their interest to understand local culture. They were polite, tolerant, and respectful of the lifestyle and expectations they encountered, even when living standards were below what they were used to at home.

There was a beautiful, mutual respect between these travelers and the locals. There was sharing—of food, stories, and even lodging. The hospitality extended by Malaysians to travelers during those years created lasting impressions and heartfelt memories. Many left the country with a deep sense of appreciation and a story worth telling.

“To travel is to live.”
– Hans Christian Andersen
“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”
― G.K. Chesterton

Today's travelers, or "backpackers," are often younger—college students or recent graduates. Their interests and expectations differ greatly from those who came before them. More pampered and digitally dependent, many are simply tourists looking for as much action as possible for the lowest price. They tend to skim the surface, hopping from one destination to another without staying long enough to absorb the essence of a place.

To truly experience a culture, one must live it—even if only for a while. There's more value in spending time in a few places and going deep than in collecting passport stamps. I’ve often heard fleeting tourist remarks like: “Switzerland is beautiful with its snow-capped mountains,” or “China is cheaper but hectic,” or “Nepal’s narrow streets are chaotic but full of spiritual energy.” Dubai? “A sandcastle.” These are impressions—not understandings.

“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.”
– Anaïs Nin

The truly daring, the seekers, the global nomads—these are becoming rare. These are the long-term travelers who grow old on the road, some even passing on mid-journey. I’ve met many of these beautiful souls while living in Terengganu, especially during my stays at Awi’s Yellow House on Pulau Duyong (Google it—you’ll see what I mean).

The Yellow House is a kind of legend among seasoned backpackers. Many return year after year, finding solace in simple huts built on the river, where the toilet is just a hole in the floor. And yet, it is here that great minds gather. Artists, writers, sailors, wanderers—they all converge, each bringing stories of their journeys. The place honors privacy and offers deep conversations, should one choose to engage. Sailboats anchor by the chalets. Stories flow as easily as the tides.

There may be no five-star amenities at Awi’s, but what it offers money cannot buy: simplicity, peace, and authenticity. For those willing to rough it out like the locals, places like this are sanctuaries.

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
– Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

(Quotes courtesy of HostelfyMe.com)