Interesting facts I have noticed while travelling
I see myself as a good observer, details, things that maybe go unnoticed for a lot of people I can pick those things and later on I like reminisce over those things when I’m back to my regular settings. I’ll list some of the things that really caught my eyes when I saw them for the first time in other countries.
South East Asia
I think this may be a South East Asia thing since I’ve seen in every single country I’ve been to there. When I travelled to South East Asia I kicked off my trip in Bali, Indonesia staying at a simple nice hotel and when I was about to have my first shower I noticed there were no shower glass nor curtains, I was thinking it could be a thing from that hotel since it was cheap yet good, but then again it is SE Asia and everything is relatively cheap here so I just took in and headed to my next destination, Singapore. This had been my second time in Singapore and like the first time the bathroom did have shower curtains.
But from Singapore onwards no curtains or glass for the showers, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam I would always have a shower and unintentionally I had also basically showered/cleaned the entire bathroom. I never really got to the bottom of that and never did ask a local why but from my point of view it has to do with the heat, SE Asia is hot around the clock and although it is that humid kind of heat I remember the bathroom would be dry in a matter of minutes after someone had just showered. Please correct me if I’m wrong but if the whole point of not having shower curtains in the bathroom is because of the heat just simply dries it out pretty quickly I find that genius!
How most of the bathrooms in SE Asia look like
(image source)
Eating fried insects in South East Asia is also a thing. I came across a lot of them when checking out the night market in Siem Reap, Cambodia
They have made traveling in SE Asia quite unique too and cheap. Buses are equipped with these kind of beds.
I was confused if this was a party bus or what in Vietnam
Most buses have these kind of beds where you can almost fully lean back your seat while your legs are wedged under the person’s ahead of you seat. I’m about 5’8″ (1,77) and although it was not extremely uncomfortable sleeping under this arrangement I would say anyone 5’6″ and under would benefit better from these kind of beds, flying in SE Asia is fairly cheap too but I wanted to really have the full experience while there not to mention save as much as possible.
North America
This one might come as no surprise to some people and it is true. I’ve always seen on movies and tv shows characters having a meal while chugging a glass of cold milk, that never really rang true to me first of all is tv and why should you buy everything that is on the big screen? Also, the thought of having a well seasoned juicy stake while enjoying a glass of milk never really appealed to me but guess what, that cold glass of milk during a meal grew on me. It started when I moved to Canada and decided I had to try it all, even that glass of milk during a meal so I did start and it was not that hard getting used to it. That doesn’t mean i have a glass of milk with every single meal I have (not sure how one’s body could hand that much dairy) but I do have a glass every now and then, so yes it is doable.
(image source)
Canada
Not sure this is exclusive to the buses in Vancouver, Canada but the first time I saw it I was fascinated, not that I’m the guy who rides a bike often but Vancouver buses have racks in front of them where you can easily and for free put your bikes on. I never had to personally use it but I did once help a friend hooking her bike on the bus rack and that was so well designed it takes only a matter of like 10 seconds for you to have your bike up there and the bus ready to hit the road. The rack can have two bikes at a time on it but foldable bikes are allowed inside the bus so chances are there will always be a spot for your bike up on that rack.
New Zealand
New Zealanders must be the most relaxed people on this planet. They are super friendly, helpful and you will hardly hear any complaining coming from a kiwi (another kind way of calling a New Zealander). What I liked a lot about New Zealand is how people are really simple, material things are very unimportant and people couldn’t care less about how you dress, being from Brazil I’ve grown to hate those frivolous things that most Brazilians love, branded clothes, the ‘brazilian way’ (aka jeitinho brasileiro) of handling things and all in all wanting the latest of everything even if that means having to go on debt for a few months. Kiwis were so open minded and really didn’t care about those things so that’s why I felt right at home when I was there, they were so carefree a few of them walked like this.
There’s nothing better than doing your groceries barefoot
Yep, barefoot. And the best part was people didn’t even stare or frown upon that. Being in New Zealand just gives you a good sense of what really matters and how you can simplify your lifestyle in so many ways. Anyhow, people walking barefoot around in New Zealand is one the things that come to my mind when I think of New Zealand. Does that have anything to do with the hobbits and Lord of the Ring saga? I guess we’re never going to find that out.
South Korea
This country is one of the most exciting countries I have ever been for many reasons, what I really appreciated the most (being the night owl that I am) was having so many establishments and entertainment working around the clock, from restaurants, convenience stores, hair saloons to 24×7 fried chicken. WHAT? Yes, you can have chicken delivered to you in Seoul (and I’m certain in some other cities in South Korea too) anytime of the day, it can be during lunchtime or at 3 in the morning, there’s no way one could ever dislike South Korea.
Also, South Korea has one the best things I’ve ever had in my life, Cream Cheese Churros.
Cream Cheese Churro ❤️
On that note I’ll wrap this post up wishing I was still in South Korea.
I didn’t use to travel much but once I started, I just can’t stop travelling. On Can I Pack? I try to share how I make my travels work out because travelling shouldn’t be hard.
