COVID-19 Released in Asia, Backpacker Departs for Second Journey to Unknown
The first time Dorothy Falzon went backpacking was back in January 2020, when COVID-19 was just beginning to become a global issue – leaving her stranded abroad in Asia, making it really difficult to get back on track. -but.
However, the determined traveler and host of Lovin Malta’s Perfect Food Mixing foodie show is not letting it stop her as she is about to embark on her next journey in unknown parts.
In an interview with Lovin Malta, Dorothy revealed her new travel plans, starting in Dubai.
“It’s the perfect hub for connecting Europe with the Far East, and spending New Year’s Eve in hot weather is a big plus,” she smiled.
From Dubai, she will then be traveling to Thailand – and intends to continue traveling until the funds run out. She intends to hit Bali, especially after postponing her visit back to 2020.
“Other places on the list include Vietnam, Malaysia (I fell in love with food there the first time I visited), Cambodia, Laos, but nothing is set in stone, and we will go only with the flow “.
Since COVID-19 could throw a spanner in its plans at any moment, it did not devise its exact route, leaving it to fate to decide its exact travel plans.
“As Maltese citizens, our visa can only be extended for a maximum of 90 days, so I am still not sure when I will leave. Travel restrictions in Southeast Asia are rapidly improving at the moment and this means that we hope to explore more of the surrounding countries, ”explained Dorothy.
The Perfect Blend star went on to explain how one must always be ready to improvise and keep up with the flow when backpacking.
She also expressed the beauty of traveling by suggesting: “You never know who you will meet along the way; some friendships are only made for a day trip somewhere and you never hear from them again, while others last a lifetime ”.
“I firmly believe that life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
“Travel is the perfect place to put yourself to the test and push yourself to your limits. I believe I never learned about myself as much as I was traveling. Find out how many resources you have when you are exposed to new places, people and experiences. ”
Dorothy talked about the importance of travel and how it “also teaches you to be patient, especially when things don’t go as planned. You’re out of control when you travel! ”
Curiosity is what prompted her to pack her bags and start backpacking. Explaining how she was 17 when she first boarded a plane, traveling was not always an “affordable luxury” for her growth.
Hearing other people’s travel stories, she began to think about going on her own adventure.
“It simply came to our notice then. It made me realize how few problems I had, in what small country I grew up in, and broadened my perspective. Since then, I have been traveling alone in Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. This time I will travel with my boyfriend, who is as eager as I am for this adventure ”.
“I believe that as human beings we are all looking for one thing in life, happiness. It’s so simple for me. We can look for it in different places and by different means, but we are all looking for happiness. And well, travel fills me with incredible joy, ”she said.
Dorothy is preparing for the second season of Perfect Mix, which will remain in its traditional form, focusing on “eating food from around the world again at the table with migrants in their own homes eating food home cooked from home ”.
However, she gave details on how the next season will include a new twist where you will be eating dishes that are made and celebrated in different cultures during different traditional festivals.
“Food is one of the best things about travel! I will never forget the butter crab from a street vendor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Or the incredible Pad Thai on a beach overlooking the sunset in Koh Samui, Thailand. Or the delicious batchoy, when I wasn’t feeling too well in the Philippines! Food is one of the things I’m super excited about. “
Dorothy concluded by explaining how “committing to the dream of leaving everything I know behind and traveling to the unknown is not as easy as it sounds. It is incomprehensible to some people around. I also had to change some simple things around me to allow myself to achieve this dream, such as changing my spending habits and choosing to stay away from some very important people in my life. However, everything has come down to priorities, for this period of my life I am choosing to travel. ”
“Traveling is just a learning experience. And I never let myself stop learning. Smells, sounds, languages, food are all new things you come across while traveling. ”
Share this story if you’re all about that backpacking life and can’t wait to see the next season of Perfect Blend!