Sometimes relaxing by the hotel poolside or on the beach doesn’t cut it, and people want more out of their holiday experience. Some people look for adventure and a way to meet new like minded people whilst exploring a new destination and learning a different culture. If you fit this description, you may wish to try hiking. Backpacking holidays are a great way to experience adventure whilst exploring and meeting interesting people.
Often backpackers learn much more when travelling alone. Although it might sound like a cliché, travellers often set out on a track of self discovery, and to properly discover oneself you have to experience something on your own. Though travelling alone may seem at times daunting, once you have taken the plunge into the deep end all that is left to do is sink or swim. Once you have jumped in and learned how to swim, like a kid at a swimming pool you will keep climbing out and jumping in again. Soon you will want to travel further afield and discover more places.
There are many destinations that offer backpackers different experiences. If you want to experience isolation and wildlife, the Australian and American outback offer a perfect opportunity to do so. If you want to experience foreign languages and diverse cultures then backpacking in South East Asia and South America is ideal for you (presuming you aren’t from these places). Either type of experience will give you time to reflect on yourself as well as well as learn about the destination you travel.
Won’t I get lonely backpacking?
Often people think travelling alone means you will get lonely. Though at times you might wish you had someone familiar with you to share your experiences, You will quickly make friends if you retain an open mind. Wherever you travel you will not be far from other backpackers, as it turns out many people pursue similar journeys and you will soon meet like minded travellers along the way. Don’t be surprised to find yourself forming friendships with people you wouldn’t usually expect to be friends with. But that is not a bad thing, meeting different people helps widen your social understanding and gives you a different way to look at the world.
For me, some of the bonds I made with people I now call my close friends are stronger than some of the bonds I had with previous friendships from my childhood. This is because I experienced some life changing moments with people facing the same situations as I.
There is so much to discuss about Backpacking but in a nutshell you will discover much more about yourself as well as the destination if you keep an open mind and give it a try!
