Different people have different opinions about what an adventure is, but most will agree that it's usually an exciting, risky experience with an uncertain outcome. But still, it's all relative, anyway.
Adventure involves stretching your body or mind, or both. I prefer the latter and traveling does this. Sure, skiing on extreme terrain at a local ski resort, climbing the highest mountain, or rafting down the river sounds exciting. But even more so if you do it thousands of miles away from home.
Although you don't have to try out all the extreme sports to feel adventurous. Simply being in another country on your own is adventurous enough for most. Hitchhiking, getting off the beaten track, avoiding organized tours is my way of feeling adventurous.
Adventure involves stretching your body or mind, or both. I prefer the latter and traveling does this. Sure, skiing on extreme terrain at a local ski resort, climbing the highest mountain, or rafting down the river sounds exciting. But even more so if you do it thousands of miles away from home.
Although you don't have to try out all the extreme sports to feel adventurous. Simply being in another country on your own is adventurous enough for most. Hitchhiking, getting off the beaten track, avoiding organized tours is my way of feeling adventurous.
I recently backpacked through SE Asia and on several occasions I ended up walking or hitchhiking my way to next destination. I tried to avoid transports arranged through guesthouses and other organized tours as much as possible. When I was at Si Phan Don (Laos), I crossed the Mekong river on a wooden raft and then walked to the main route that leads to Cambodian border (~30km to the south). I had only been waving (thumbing isn't recognized there) for 5 minutes when a bus stopped right behind me. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I was in a hurry so I got on and went all the way to Siem Reap (Cambodia) for a relatively cheap price, if I don't count the border visa scam which is impossible to avoid.
I ran into some folks in Siem Reap that thought hitchhiking there was insane. But they flew into Siem Reap direct and had everything organized. I didn't think what I was doing was that big of a deal, but they did. I do think what I did was adventurous, but not as much as they thought. It's all relative.
I ran into some folks in Siem Reap that thought hitchhiking there was insane. But they flew into Siem Reap direct and had everything organized. I didn't think what I was doing was that big of a deal, but they did. I do think what I did was adventurous, but not as much as they thought. It's all relative.
I came to a point with my traveling when I just decided that there wasn't really any redeeming value in being scared. What fun is it if you're scared? I suppose you can call that adventure but it's not really fun. It's just a matter of what you are comfortable with, and you should stretch your comfort zone, but how much is always the question.
What is adventure for you? What type of adventures appeal to you?
What is adventure for you? What type of adventures appeal to you?
46 insights:
Wow that sounds amazing. I hope I can get out of the country soon. I really look forward to reading these everyday.
I need my comfort zone when I travel, I don't need adventures.
i was in the same area :) i ran out of money before crossing the border so someone gave me a ride on a motorcycle to the nearest western union which was pretty far away. the guy was slaloming through the potholes and driving so fast that i almost pissed my pants.
thta sounds great!
I love that area. I agree though. Throw the maps and the Lonely Planet away and get lost, one of the best experiences is finding your way out of it again.
Looks Amazing!!!
recently, getting up early has been my adventure, exams were taxing and now im recovering from that, but i always feel like a waste when i sleep in, then do anyway
When it comes to adventuring for me, I have to have some sort of safety net. Otherwise, it is way too risky. I don't want to end up in a Chinese prison with no money or proof who I am.
My last adventure was a road trip in my uncle's 66 GTO from WA to AZ to go freeclimbing. It was awesome!
Looks really nice.
adventure to me is dont know what will happen
y that's a reason, love your posts
Very very nice in deed!
depends on a mood i am in..
That sounds amazing, I would love to go backpacking. just to be able to go somewhere... anywhere, I want to go travelling after university... which I havent even started yet! thinking too far ahead here haha!
@Intraman: yeah, it's not a pleasant place to run out of money. I managed to get to the border with 40,000kip (~US$5-6).
@JamieGraham09: My first backpacking trip was a month after I finished high school (when I was 18). Then I went to uni studied one year, then took a year off to travel around Asia. :P
I don't regret a thing.
Every time I read your posts, it makes me want to pick up actually traveling. As it stands I don't go very many places...but your blog gives me wanderlust. :P
I like adventuring alone, places I've never been before.
makes me want to go travel again
I'm planning a trip out west as I'm writing this!
Your blog makes me want to adventure :)
My mother was born in cambodia, such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
Great post. I really want to go on an adventure.
Wish I could get my fat ass from this table and go traveling abroad! Keep posting.
adventures are so cool i love them sooo much thank you man
Awesome writeup once again.
All I need is the uncertain outcome... ;)
Nice perception of what adventure is. I definitely want to go for an adventure now.
I am going to Serra da Mesa later, and I am sure it's going to be an adventrue like yours!
In our society? Watching an exciting movie.
An adventure is where you experience something that you never have done before, something new, something to discover.
to answer your question, the korean grammar is very different from chinese. i'm not an expert on chinese but chinese poetry is pretty different from actual spoken chinese, so the meaning is always more "ambiguous" in literary chinese.
Awesome story. Though even after years of living in Thailand I am rarely apt to hitch a ride anywhere. I've seen some crazy stuff go down. But I am glad you had the experience!
Love your posts! For me, adventure is enjoying life and everything that comes with it...
You can also make imaginary adventurous trips and gain a lifetime experience...
Greetings from Greece!
Eva
sometimes I look for adventures, but others I want a confort zone.
For me, adventure is not knowing where you'll be 3 days from now.
What a pity that I have never gone on a long trip before :(
Border Visa scam? How bad is that?
When I travel, I love to simply take on the moment and opportunities when it's possible.
Visa On Arrival for Cambodia costs US$20. But at land borders overcharging is rampant and border officials + touts who work with them won't budge for less than US$28-29...
It's like that all over Scambodia.
Sounds like it must have been awesome just wandering through that part of the world
Very nice, sounds great!
There is definitely something about being far away from where you live and, not knowing where you're going or the landscape you're going to encounter. :P
I suppose for me it depends on the situation
Sounds like a nice adventure in SE Asia. You sound like Indiana Jones or something lol. For me, that would be wayyyy out of my comfort zone but it does sound like fun. Thanks for sharing.
Dude, wow.. I want to live your life. I'm planning a cross-country motorcycle trip from South Carolina to California, and I'll be bringing video equipment and filming the whole thing into a documentary. Should be great, but damn have you got me beat. I'm impressed.
My life isn't just traveling. :) I'm still a student and i spend most of my time at home.. Hopefully in 2-3months I'll be heading back to SEA.
Cross-country motorcycle trip sounds very tempting. I envy you. :P I hope in a couple of years I'll be able to pull off something similar. I'd really like to buy a motorcycle but I'm afraid that owning one might force me to spend more time at home.. So I'm trying to stay away from expensive materialistic stuff.. :P
For now, I prefer to travel light. With 6-7kilos on my back. :)
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