Times have changed. When we look at a society’s profile 20 years ago, their hobbies might span around reading, playing music or sports, or occasionally baking or horseback riding for the lucky ones. As a consequence of hi-tech life and stronger and extreme middle class, now everyone’s hobby would include one or the following: Online gaming, IT, clubbing or travelling. Shameless to admit, I belong to this mainstream of middle-class traveller. But then of course, generalizing that those who love travelling belong to the same genre of people may be as ignorant as considering that every music lover listens to Noah (not Noah and the Whale).
As everything in life, it’s actually not only the whats that counts, but as well as the whys. Travellers, a term blatantly used for all of those who travel to places, have each their own reasons as to why they decide to leave their home to some foreign place. Some like the thought of escaping their daily hectic city life and take sanctuary in some peaceful haven, Maldives, or Tanjung Putting National Reserve, maybe. Others escape by actually going to a crazier action, getting a shot of the adrenaline rush, perhaps to Ibiza or Tokyo. Both are travellers, but they can’t be any more different.
The third Sua Pelancong was held recently on Thursday, March 14th 2013. Similar to the first and second this reunion is organized by me (fake traveller) along with a few friends who actually take it seriously in the travelling business, Vira and Mumun, owner of the indohoy website, and also Vindhya, co-founder of Ibu Penyu trip organizer. We each invite 1-2 downlines to come and share their experience of traveling to the rest of the forum around our cups of coffee and jugs of beer at Coffeebeerian. Although we can always take a look at other people’s experiences through blogs, pictures, articles and videos, but it lacks human interaction. Small. Intimate. Warm. That’s what we’re looking for. Oh, and one more reason, I somehow lack the passion to write about my travelling experiences as well as reading about others, but I still feel the need to share and hear so that’s how the idea of Sua Pelancong came to mind. (Of course it started from a selfish act, what did you think?)
This time we had 5 people sharing, a lot less than the previous ones, because experience proved that the 8 minutes and 45 seconds we gave to the invitee only permits the introduction to the real story that actually takes 30-45 minutes in average to share. I guess people still prefer talking because they realize that tweeting and blogging doesn’t take everything out.
(Sawahlunto, pic from Dinoy)
There’s also one thing that Sua Pelancong proved. That we search for different emotions when we travel. Take Dinoy, for example. She brought us her story on Sawahlunto and their humble historical museums depicting their coal-mining glorious days. Her satisfaction was granted through small expressions, such as the organized local homestay and the dedicated and spiritual mine museum guide. This was completely different compared to Dara’s trip to New Zealand. Where everything was grandiose, majestic and extreme. The snow was thick, the road was long, and although people was almost non-existant, the sheeps were 9 million.
(New Zealand, pic from Dara)
Beautiful mountains stretched behind a green pasture in the foreground. Which made Anto Motulz another pelancong, jealous because it was his dream trip. A trip where he could see what he only saw on his childhood wallpaper. Although, he had absolutely no right to be jealous, not when he showed us his “business trips” while working for Sesame Street Indonesia. Taj Mahal and Cordoba was his chouchou.
(Cordoba, pic from Motulz)
Historical values in details attracted him, from centuries-old door handles to intricately-carved marble partitioning from which you could peek to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, may she rest her weary soul.
Speaking of jealousy, I was particularly envious of Karin, activist of #SaveSharks. Through her passion, she got to travel to RajaAmpat, for free! Crap! Even more, she got to snorkel with a bunch of Manta Rays coming to the surface to feed. Now, she’s happy because the Papua Government will be launching a regional regulation declaring Manta Rays and Sharks as protected animals.
(Papua, pic from Karin)
Yes, everyone loves travelling, which is why working in that business can be a definite opportunity. Vindhya and her IbuPenyu trip organizer showed us that you can make a living out of these curious capital citizens. Destinations included in her menu are coastal ones, from Weh Islands, Derawan, Komodo, Karimun Jawa and Belitung. 
(Derawan, pic from Vindhya)
Of course, it has its ups and downs. Taking a group of strangers on an exotic trip will definitely consist of missed-out flights, bad weather and impatient tourists, but the perks definitely outweighs the cons.
In the end, no general rule apply on what people look for when they travel. One thing in common, though, experience along the road is full of lessons. How Dinoy showed us that local governments are the key to local tourism, and bungee-jumping should be at least 190 meters and not less (preferably with a New-Zealandesque backdrop). Karin showed us that pertinence in defending the environment does pay off, and that paying attention to details like Motulz allows you to see another side of the story and that patience should not lack, especially when you choose to organize trips as your profession.
Until the next Sua Pelancong!
(Sua Pelancong 3, pic from Karin)
IQRA 