Each
of us has our own idea about travelling, and how to enjoy our travel. The most
common concept of travel is a vacation where we go to a place to visit
attractions, enjoy good food overseas and of course indulge in shopping spree.
It’s a vacation that is supposed to reward oneself and to relax the body and
mind after months of hard work. But each time we travelled, we are bound
to make new discoveries and maybe learnt something different. When we return
home it gives us an opportunity to share our experiences. Of course it also gives
us a chance to brag about our exploits and shopping.
To
me, travel takes a wider and different perspective. Beyond the beautiful places
and the wonderful food, travel gives me the intellectual stimulation to think
deeply about civilization and nature. Each time after viewing a historical
monument or spectacular sight or an unforgettable experience or event, it gives
me the stimuli to dwell in-depth into past civilization and appreciate how
nature and environment shaped the way we live.
Yes,
this is the reason why I am so hook on travel. And travel with no bound, be it
third world or first world. Be it physically tough to climb or to walk for
hours in freezing cold or scorching heat. To sleep in bamboo mat in
village or no frills hotels. So long as the sights and experiences helped me
appreciate civilization, the time spent is worthwhile. This will give me
the stimuli to ask “why” and spur me to speculate on “what if history was
otherwise”, where and who will I be today.
What
we see and experience broaden our outlook and even make us wiser. When we
see how others live and work, it makes us feel more fortunate and
blessed. Seeing history on travel make us appreciate the present. The
beauty of nature allows us to enjoy and we are educated and reminded
that some of this beautiful places take millions of years to form. The
onus is on us to help preserved fragility of our earth.
The
temple, mosques and churches are very powerful symbol of life. The power of
empire is clearly depicted in the grandeur of the monument built. The ruins
also pointed to weakness and dynastic decline. The strength of religion is
invariably tied to the fortune of a rising or falling empire. An example,
Borobudur and the temples in Bali now sit in a Muslim country. Angkor was in
ruined follows the fall of Khmers empire and abandoned for hundreds of years
before its re-discovery. There is so much to take away from history.
This
trip from Kota Bahru through Southern Thailand cities of Pattani, Songkhla, and
Chumphon towards Kanchanuri re-affirmed my understanding of the Chinese Diasporas...
Many Chinese migrated from Southern China southward toward the coastal cities
of Vietnam, Thailand and north eastern Malaya long before Malaya was colonized
by the British. These tours enable me to see the strong Chinese
legacy and its influence it left in these Thailand cities.
This
trip has set me thinking about what my life would be today if my
forefather had gone somewhere else instead of Singapore. Despite the hardship
my parents endured in trying to make a decent living, they were able to
give us good education. My parents had rightly chosen this place where
the opportunities to succeed and prosper is tremendous. In this respect I
am forever thankful and grateful to my father decision to migrate and
stay put in Singapore.
To be continued.
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