There are two kinds of people who journey abroad. First, the tourists: those who arrive with limited time and high expectations, rushing from one landmark to the next, snapping photos before moving on. For them, the trip is a checklist of highlights and comfort, a whirlwind of surface-level experiences.
Then there are the travelers. The ones who dive deeper into the culture, not just to enjoy but to explore. They take their time, curious to understand new worlds. Travelers don’t shy away from local customs, they embrace them. They blend in, even if only temporarily. Outsiders who adapt.

On this cruise, it was just one couple and me as fellow travelers, not just tourists. It felt liberating to embrace that role with intention. While most stuck to familiar habits – like sitting indoors with drinks – I chose differently. This wasn’t just any setting: it was a moving panorama of nature after all.

I wanted to take in the view so I simply got up and went to the rooftop, on my own terms. It reminded me how easy it is to break from convention. There’s no need to follow norms or do what’s expected just because others are. It’s all about how we choose to engage: with ourSELves and those around us.

Interestingly, a few others ended up doing the same after me. Kindred spirits, perhaps, more travelers than tourists. That moment reaffirmed my choice to walk my own path. Apparently, when you’re aligned with your true SELF, that quiet confidence resonates. It shines through. It seems I am a pioneer 🙂