Friday, April 06, 2007

Why I like backpacking? Part 2 (from Enn+ Chiang Blog)


Photo: Rochelle, Mag and Me! Taken in Crete island, Greece
Min Wen asked why do I love backpacking? I think the very important reason: it is cheap! And this is extremely important for a student who has no regular income. I started backpacking around the age of 19, 1st year in Uni. In order to pay for the trip to visit Rochelle in Melbourne, I took up tuition as part time. Of course the money earned only sufficed the amount for me to stay in motels/hostels, take public transport and eat cheap food! This is how exactly Rochelle and I started the interest in backpacking. Two of us, the 2 young girls took up the journey from Melbourne to Syney, then to Goldcoast. To save money, we took bus throughout the whole journey. And we really pitied our butts by sitting on it for more than 10 to 15 hours in the ride.
However if you ask me the question now as a working adult, I would still prefer backpacking. It gives you the freedom to do the things you like, especially for someone like me who like to wander off and take great pictures. Also you would only have the chance of immersing in the local culture and lifestyle through backpacking, by staying with the local motels and hostels, and eating the local food. This unique genuine experience is something you would not get from the packaged tours.

No comments: