James AquinoWe now live in an era where travelling blooms like cherry blossoms and spreads like wildfire. Travel has become a lot more accessible than the previous years, and we thus gain the autonomy to visit places that we only used to know through postcards and encyclopedias.
As we open our diaries to another year filled with endless possibilities for adventures, allow me to share my recommended list of New Year’s (Travel) Resolutions. These do not necessarily refer to mistakes that you’ve made in the past, but rather opportunities that you have missed. And this is your new chance to make them happen.
Also read: 7 Different New Year Celebrations Around the World
1. Eat something new
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This is quite easy for starters. Most of us have our very own comfort zones, and that includes a particular set of dishes and cuisines. My take on this is to eat something new. This does not require something extreme, as some might say, but you only have to taste something new without making your stomach go crazy. This is not just about the taste, but also the story and the new experience that you will gain.
2. Try something new
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Go spelunking or cliff diving. Learn to surf or snorkel. Ride a hot air balloon or do a reverse bungee. How about learning a local dialect? The long list goes on. I strongly encourage you to try something new next year that can enrich your overall experience. This broadens your horizons to more possibilities and actually improves your self-confidence.
Also read: The Twenties Bucket List: 10 Trips to Take Before You Hit 30
3. Start a collection
This is somewhat common, but you can add a twist to it. I have a friend who is fond of collecting sand from all the beaches that she’s been to. Another one has an extensive refrigerator magnet and keychain collection. The choice is yours, as long as you follow a particular thing that you can sustain for the rest of your travels.
4. Visit a new local destination
Image credit: Denise Sebastian
I would have to admit that I am more acquainted with other countries than with some local provinces. As part of this resolution, why not visit a new province? This is preferably something you’ve been hearing about often (or you’re not completely familiar with), and have an overnight stay or two.
5. Visit a new country
Image credit: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo
If you’ve been travelling for quite sometime now, I’m sure there is a particular country that you always return to as it is what you consider as your favourite international destination. We are all familiar with the adjacent countries, but wouldn’t it be great if we will leave our comfort zones for a minute and take a step further? Who knows, you might find a new favourite after doing this.
6. Conquer a fear
When we say ‘fear’, we mean something that you are not comfortable doing at all – something that gives you the chills just by thinking about it. The most common fears are heights, or certain insects, or even the lesser ones like speaking a different language or eating extreme food. When you can conquer a fear, you regain a lost part of yourself because it gives you a level of control.
7. Take less pictures
This is still my strongest advice to all aspiring travellers out there. We are now equipped with the most portable gadgets and instruments to take the most vivid of pictures. Unfortunately, due to this convenience, we miss the biggest part of our memories. You might say that you are actually recording a memory of your travels through photography, but it is highly likely that you overdo it. I’m not saying that you should put the camera down; rather, what I’m saying is that you should use your camera as a visual diary and not something that will distract you from the actual experience.
8. Grow and learn from the experience
If 2016 will be your declared year to start travelling as a passion that you want to pursue, always remember to grow and learn from each experience. Even if you will be visiting the most popular city or destination, there is always something that you can learn from depending on how you look at things. Travelling will always offer lessons that schools could never teach you and experiences that no documentary or book can narrate as perfectly as when you are experiencing it yourself.
Cheers to a year filled with new adventures, plans, and boxes to tick!
