Being lucky enough to have this opportunity to travel to this remote part of the world made me realise two things. Travelling opens your eyes. Hearing all the news makes the world seem black and white. However, the truth is much more complicated than that and you gotta see it yourself.
My journey started on January 25. Landing in Bangkok in the middle of a day while jetlag was taking its toll wasn't the arrival I was looking for. The next day I felt significantly better so we set off to explore the local Chinatown. The cultural difference was enormous. Seeing so many people crowded and living in such horrible conditions really shocked me. Despite the conditions, all the temples I've been to were astonishing. The royal family takes pride in The Grand Palace, which has been their household for generations and is widely popular amongst tourists. Not forgetting to mention the greatest statue of Budha ever built known as Lying Budha.
Next stop on our schedule was Ko Lanta, a lovely island located in the south of Thailand. Unfortunately, tourism has driven off all the people from their initial lifestyle, and the island has been transformed into a tourist resort. However, many splendid sceneries were there to be seen. Beautiful beaches combined with breathtaking nature provided an experience like no other.
Continuing to our next destination, we found ourselves on the island known as Langkawi. Crossing the border we had to go through immigration checkpoint. Malaysia has been fairly similar. People spoke different language but they kept their kindness and enthusiasm towards tourists. Renting a motorbike is the best way how to move on these islands. Although it may not always be the safest (Yikes).
After spending all this time in rural areas the biggest surprise came with the capital of Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur. Forget everything you think you know about cities. This big boy would make all of them look like children toys. Countless skyscrapers, where having only one roof pool is considered a pity, have impressed me. As the surrounding was getting more modern so were rising the prices. Enough of buying full meal for 2 bucks. On the other hand those who are interested in fashion and clothing were not disappointed. Imagine a shopping mall with the population of Znojmo.
Last but not least: Singapore. This city is known for its cleanliness but let's be honest, people exaggerate. The sample of population has also changed markedly. With English being a national language the local culture is more comparable to ours. An overall life quality is understandably very high. Some of the buildings there are truly unique and the city has made a great impression.
I was speaking of two things that I have realised. The other one might be even more important and made me be grateful for the lovely country I live at: East, West, home's best
Silly Trip Across Three Countries on Motorcycle by Kája
Hello~ I think it’s a good time to tell you all about my motorcycle adventures! Firstly, I want to say, that I’m gonna talk about foreign countries, but also about some interesting stuff in the Czech Republic.
Our journey starts in a little peaceful village, Milíčovice, Czech Republic, with an ending point in Unzmarkt, Austria. To get to Unzmarkt you’ll need only 6 hours of the ride, including breaks, which is pretty good! During the ride, you can see the Alps, calm Danube, villages with funny names and much more!
We go to Unzmarkt every year and it’s lovely! A beautiful town in the mountains, but with unforgettable views. Every time we make a trip there, we stay in a local camp, which is cheap. You pay only for a night and not for water in showers! And for food. I bet you’ve never seen that big schnitzel. Believe me! It’s bigger than my dad’s hand! It covers the whole plate, which is reaaaaally big. After we spent a night in a tent, we usually return back to Czechia or we continue to Italy. But we decided that we’re gonna visit Slovenia! And if you like Slavic culture, that’s something for you. You will love it! Wooden houses, big fields… BEAUTIFUL! And how we got there? We went on south from Unzmarkt and arrived in Slovenia. We visited Jesenice, Slovenski Javornik etc. Until we made it out Italy. But we left Italy really quickly and returned back to Unzmarkt.
But the third day…third was Italy! After all these hours on a road, we arrived in Auronzo. And believe me! If you are a pizza lover, there is a small restaurant and believe me, you have never eaten something that yummy!
But we didn’t end up in Auronzo, we ended our trip by the shore of a Lake Garda. We arrived in one of many towns by the lake and spent a night in a tent. But before that, we needed to visit the town center and find something to eat. But when we got there, it was so crowded that we didn’t buy anything. But, again, we’ve been saved by a little restaurant by the shore. And that’s it! My adventures on a road!
Returning to the Czech Republic was funny, because we made it in just 2 days instead of 3.
My Traveling Experiences in School
By Vita
For our Czech education it's common to offer students a lot of possibilities to travel abroad. My school holds a lot of trips all across Europe. To be honest, I always thought I wasn't really into travel, because I don't like spending long hours in coaches, which is a common way of travel during school trips. However, when I heard about all these beautiful places, which I could see, I decided to give it a try and oh my gosh, what a good decision I have made.
Now allow me to show you how beautiful experience this was for me.
Switzerland
My first traveling experience starts in Switzerland, country of mountains, chocolate and money. This trip was mostly focused on the first thing, mountains, more specifically the Alps. To cut a long story short, we hiked, a lot! However, for these beautiful places, which we have seen, it was totally worth it. The peaks of the mountains provided us with breath-taking views all across the beauty of the Alps.
But to be amazed, I didn't have to stay up high in the mountains. Lovely green valleys and an appealing mysterious lake made sure for me to never forget this visit.
Italy
My second trip has a back story. Everything started with my penfriend Ferederico. A year before our trip to Italy, our English teacher offered us the opportunity to have a penfriend from a partner school in Italy. There was also a fact, that when we visit Italy, we will also meet our penfriends. I didn't hesitate a second and immediately went for this opportunity.
Our trip started with the visit of the partner school in Italy, where we met our penfriends for the first time. They showed us their school and we even participated in some of their favourite lessons. I remember I participated in PE lesson and it was so much fun, because Italian game rules can be very strange sometimes.
My penfriend even took me to meet his family and this was a very interesting experience. They prepared dinner for me and we had such a good time together. I was very surprised, when I found out that Federico's dad was an excellent English speaker. He told me all about life in Italy and about their culture. I learned a lot, this was such a rewarding experience
Moreover, I definitely have to mention my trip to the Italian city of Verona, the venue of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I definitely have to say, that Italian renaissance architecture is so gorgeous. I remember seeing Juliet's balcony, probably the most known symbol of love all across the world.
Germany
Probably the persons who inspired me to participate in school trip to Germany were my parents. Because we were actually visiting same places, where my parents were on their honeymoon and I was told these places are wonderful.
They were right, Germany definitely has a lot to offer. Historical sights, wonderful castles, unique culture, but there is one place, which I will never forget. This place is called isle Mainau, or rather as it is known, the flower paradise. For years this Isle was known for its enormous gardens full of bright flowers. The walk between all these magnificent flowerbeds was one of the most wonderful experiences I could ever feel.
And I definitely should mention the "Schmetterlinghaus" or rather the butterfly house. This is a big complex of greenhouses connected one to another, which can be find on the Mainau Isle. And you are allowed to walk through them a observe dozens of butterflies flying all around you. With one word, this was very magical.
Moreover I remember seeing an airship flying right above us, so there is also a possibility to see the whole Isle from the skies.
Britain
And finally, my long-time awaited trip to an English speaking country. Britain definitely has a lot to offer, but I think the mighty London is essential and this is exactly where my trip started.
London is simply amazing. Hearing about all these beautiful sights is one thing but to see them with your own eyes is a totally different feeling. London Eye, Big Ben, House of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and even more. I really enjoyed every step through London's wonderful streets.
Another very interesting place, which I have visited was Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace. It is a lovely small town with amazing history. I even did a tour through Shakespeare house and it was so interesting.
I couldn't miss the inspiring college city of Oxford. After the tour through the parts of the Oxford college I really have to say, that it must be so amazing to study somewhere alike.
But I definitely should not forget about our English lessons with native English speakers. These lessons were super rewarding because every possibility to speak with someone, who is from another country is amazing. Therefore we learnt a lot, not only about grammar and pronunciation, but also about stuff like politics and culture.
I also had a very interesting experience when staying with my host family. They were sweet and very friendly, but the British water system is strange. I remember that seeing a shower with five taps and three levers was quite unique and even more exciting to try to understand it.
And that's it, my traveling experiences, which brought me so much magical memories and such a good time abroad. All in all, every place, every moment, every rare experience in each different country was totally worth it. Looking back, I am so glad I really gave travelling a try and I will definitely remember all of my wonderful trips for a very long time.