4. The laid-back vibe in Sabah

Contrary to its counterparts in mainland Malaysia, the state of Sabah is generally laid-back, less populated and less stressful. It’s exactly the kind of place I often long for on weekends, but personally not ideal for an extended stay. In my case, I travelled throughout its capital city of Kota Kinabalu and nearby towns for a total of two weeks.

After a few days of exploring the places and doing the activities I wanted, I was left lying in my hostel bed or sitting in front of my laptop in the common area for the remainder of my vacation. It was fun as I managed to spend more time with other travellers indoors. But when I was alone, it did feel really lonely. And the generally quiet vibe of the city made it much worse.

5. The intense traffic in Vietnam

In the Philippines, motorbike riders have a reputation for being reckless everywhere. But even that didn’t prepare me for the hundreds and thousands of these vehicles dominating the Vietnamese roads.

Motorbikes, along with buses and taxis, are the main modes of transportation in the country. Many times during my five-month stay in the country, playing extreme patintero on the road had become incredibly tiresome.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved my experiences in these countries. If anything, I’m thankful for them for making me appreciate the food, weather and even the everyday noise in my city. Things I often hated and complained about. Things I never thought of missing. These experiences opened my eyes as to how different each country can be — for better or for worse.

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