Immersive travel – who, what, when, where, why?

June 2013:

Having just landed in Denpasar, Bali some hours earlier, here I was travelling within Indonesia via a much smaller aircraft, about to land in Yogyakarta, Java, an island next door.

I was extremely blessed to have just returned from Prague in the Czech Republic only 5 months prior to this trip. 

The combination of countries, as well as the contrast in my purpose for being there, the actual destinations, the culture and people, was unbeknownst to me, indeed my initiation into becoming a global citizen.

I had travelled around Europe in my 20’s, but as a tourist, on a 48 day Contiki tour in fact, not to research human trafficking of women, as was the case second time around. 

The difference in how we travel is relative to the variance in what we learn from each experience, and in fact, to what degree we are personally impacted thereafter.

The purpose of this trip to Yogyakarta was for inter-cultural communication, an opportunity provided by the University of South Australia, as at that time I was a (mature aged) student - proudly I am now an alumna.

I was undertaking undergraduate studies in both journalism and international relations and this was a unique offering, a cultural study tour, aimed at enhancing our global experience in a much deeper way – indeed by immersion.

The war in Syria had begun in 2011, in fact the same year that I commenced my university journey.  The western media had done a fine job of creating fear, particularly towards people of the Islamic faith. 

So here I was in Java, about to study at the University of Islam (UII) for two weeks, and I have to be truthful and say that even though I had begun my higher educational studies and was definitely thinking critically about most topics, I did have some (unrealistic) concerns around this.

Thankfully however, the reality was that my time with the Muslim students and staff at UII was one of the most memorable times in my life (for all of the right reasons).

I have never felt so welcomed and looked after in any other country, before or since.  The Javanese people that I met, many of which I am still friends with to this day, were beyond accommodating, kind, respectful, humbling in fact – especially as we were there during Ramadan, one of their most sacred times of the year. 

Over Ramadan, Islamic people fast from sunrise to sunset and break their fast together in the evening, usually communally. 

Whilst fasting they not only hosted us, but escorted us on excursions, not even partaking in sips of water, whist we were guzzling many bottles just to stay hydrated in the extremely hot and humid weather.  We were climbing the historic temple of Borobudur, exploring Yogya, riding jeeps up Mt Merapi – their famous volcano, and yet no one complained.  Not only were there no complaints at the strenuous exercise required or lack of sustenance, but they – as hosts – graciously provided us lunch each day, as well as a remarkable evening banquet one evening.

If anything I felt guilt that they were hosting us over this period and I recall voicing this opinion to our trip coordinator at the time.

I will be forever grateful for this immersive experience with the people of UII Yogyakarta as it shaped my reality on Islam, Muslims and indeed the opposite, fanatical extremists that shame the name of Islam.

We were able to wander the streets in the evenings, but had to be wary of dodgy people flying past on motorbikes – because that is a reality there as in many other countries, thieves on bikes exist, ready to grab your bag as they pass. 

We also got to experience the delights of traditional food stalls and learnt to go where there was a line-up of locals or where our friends had recommended, in order to not get sick.  Another reality of international travel, not all street vendors’ hygiene standards are equal. This does not mean avoid them at all costs, universally, because some of the most amazing food in the world is found at such make-shift or hidden away points of sale. It simply means be wary, ask for advice from locals and apply logic.  If you see something that indicates the food may have a higher risk of contamination, go elsewhere.

All of your senses are alive when travelling immersively, as you are not isolated in a western hotel or simply trying to locate the next tourist hotspot on your list, but you are embracing customary accommodation and differences, the scents of the local flowers, the smell of moisture in the air, indeed the spices - the aromas enticing your tastebuds as they waft past your nose. 

You see all of the incredible colours surrounding you, the dusty streets butting up against against bright shopfronts, but you also notice the detail of that woven rug on the wall.  You are then curious about how it is made, the process, who made it, what materials were used and maybe were they ethically or sustainably sourced locally? How did the artist learn such a craft, could you too learn?

Your awareness of the who, what, when, where and why – much like journalism – is activated.

Whilst in Java, we were fortunate enough to engage with many elements that make up a society: food, environment, culture, faith, language and societal issues - via various means.

We visited a local environmental sustainability focused NGO, which actively worked on plant regeneration. Hearing from staff there provided us with a much deeper insight into local environmental issues. We heard about the impact they were having in their local community and then all got hands on and planted some seedling for the nursery to take out to their plantation sites.

We were exposed to a conversation with the Head of Police who explained to us how unfortunately, corruption is an issue from the top to the bottom of the Indonesian police force, and how they are trying various ways to combat this - with little success.

Our group of students had a fabulous afternoon learning Indonesian dance incorporating beautiful elegant hand movements, as well as another afternoon creating our own Batik patterns (Indonesian dot and line painting) on fabric using a Tjanting, with hot wax and coloured dye.

We had an afternoon where we attempted to learn the main local language, Bahsa Indonesian – which incorporated some hilarious role playing.  Along with some common phrases, we learnt cultural faux pas, such as not to ever point our feet at another in Indonesia as it is the height of rudeness.

We also spent a lot of time in conversation with the Indonesian students, exchanging knowledge and our limited understanding of each country. There was a definite element of surprise, on both sides, at some of the cultural and social norms!

This level of immersion into a country and its culture, its history, food and language, its citizens’ levels of personal agency, allow one to communicate inter-culturally in a far richer way.  When we understand more about another human being, we can connect much more deeply and authentically. 

This is the essence of becoming a global citizen.

My personal story is an insight into what immersive travel is, what it involves and how you can go about achieving that, but as I have learnt, you can read copiously about a country and its people, but until you are physically there, all senses stimulated, learning from real life experiences, you will never have that deep, connected to country experience. 

Real connection and indeed transformation occurs.  It happens within you – your change of opinions - or sometimes confirmation of fact, but you have seen it for yourself.  Your access to differing points of view or realities that rock stereotypes make you think more critically.  You get a feel for a country by viewing it with a reality lens, as opposed to one you may have created due to others opinions, views, or experiences that are not your own.

Immersive travel will leave you spellbound and my offering to you, immersive travel for women on The Ethical Road, can lead you to some of these life-changing experiences ... only if you are prepared for a new way to travel and are ready to truly understand your seemingly insignificant, yet magnificently vital, place in this world.

Namaste, Donna

Village in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia