Travelling before Covid-19 had been easy. Granted, there are flight arrangements, hotel bookings and other reservations to make. You might also constantly feel the need to double- or triple-check that your passport and other important documents are packed before heading for the airport.
But all these worries pale in comparison to the restrictions that travellers have to face in a post-pandemic world.
The challenge of travelling amid the virus is something that is bound to plague those with wanderlust in the foreseeable future, especially with the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Countries have been tightening their border measures again to prevent imported cases amid concern over the new variant. Chances are visitors will need to brave several rounds of Covid-19 testing before they are even allowed to set foot in their favourite destinations.
For frequent travellers such as Joan Goh, the ease of travel before Covid-19 is now a distant memory.
“Travelling before Covid-19 was so convenient. I had no worry about any test results, or the possibility of either being infected or unable to travel, or having to postpone everything.
“ I don’t need to pre-plan for the isolation period and apply for time off (from work), which cost more money, time and energy,” says the content creator from Selangor.
Goh, who details her adventures on her travel blog Luvfeelin, recalls breathing in fresh air and taking nice photos without having to wear a mask.
“I can go to a crowded place to feel the lively atmosphere without concern. I miss it all,” she says. Goh managed to visit Japan just before borders were closed last year to curb the spread of the coronavirus.Account manager Mohamad Hakimi and lawyer Nur Farhana also miss the simplicity of travel before Covid-19. The married couple from Kedah, better known as Kimi and Hana, detail their holiday pursuits in the travel blog Chasing The Sun.
“We don’t mind the mask and the temperature scanning and all of the SOP (standard operating procedures), but we just really do miss spontaneously and randomly making last-minute plans, packing our bags and travelling.
“Also, we really miss the busy airport! Other than that, I think we have adapted pretty well with all the new norms,” said Kimi and Hana in a statement.
The last overseas holiday they took together was to Hat Yai, Thailand for a quick foodie trip.
While the global travel outlook remains grim, Goh and Kimi and Hana are upbeat about the brand new year. We check in with them to find out their travel wish list for 2022.
What are some travel experiences you enjoyed this year when travel restrictions started to relax? What was it like travelling during this time?
Although travel restrictions have been relaxed, I still have a wait-and-see attitude towards travelling abroad. In 2021, I went on a “cuti-cuti Malaysia” and visited a few tourist attractions such as Tanjung Sepat (Selangor) where I enjoyed some local seafood, and visited a cocoa farm.
There is a historical place called Empangan Cherandong in Kuala Kubu Baru (Selangor), which is an old dam from the British era. I also joined a rafflesia tour and saw the Rafflesia Kerrii, the world’s largest flower.
I spent some days in Cameron Highlands, too, and did a few outdoor activities like jungle trekking, and immersed myself in the beautiful Mossy Forest. The cool weather made me feel like I was travelling overseas!
However, the mood of travelling is not as relaxed as before, as we need to observe the SOP at all times.
Local tourism has gradually opened up and is operating under strict SOP guidelines. Malaysians are now allowed to travel abroad but different countries have different restrictions. Most of the countries require tourists to do a swab test before departure.
Upon returning, they have to do another swab test, and isolate too. I hope all of this can be relaxed or even lifted, and restore the freedom of overseas travel.
What are some destinations or experiences that you personally wish to see and do in 2022?
I wish to visit Semporna in Sabah, (which has) some of the most beautiful diving sites in the world. Although I can’t dive, I can still explore the sea by snorkelling, or seeing the unique living style of the Bajau Laut folk there. In fact, I wish to get a diving license too!
The Mount Everest Base Camp is also on my list of destinations. I like to travel with a combination of adventure activities.
I have never seen snow even though I have been to some countries which have winter seasons. I can see many beautiful snow fall sceneries on the Internet, but I wish to experience it myself one day. I am looking forward to experiencing snow fall in perhaps Japan, China or any European country.
What would motivate you to go out and travel more in a post-coronavirus world?
I hope the vaccine, with the booster, is truly effective. (This would allow us to) perhaps skip the PCR tests, isolation period and some other complicated rules.
What would be your main consideration when booking a holiday in a post-Covid-19 world?
My budget and schedule. I will also choose places which are less crowded, especially avoiding public holidays. I wish to be able to truly enjoy the place I’m visiting, and not worry so much about the possibility of getting infected.
What advice do you have for other travellers who may still be scared to go out and travel?
I would say life is short and the world is big. It is important to take care of yourself, but the world is still worth exploring. Keep travelling while you are still able to, with your friends and family, as you never know what’s going to happen next.
What are some travel experiences you enjoyed this year when travel restrictions started to relax? What was it like travelling during this time?
When Malaysians were allowed to travel within the country again, we used that opportunity wisely. We did a road trip to Gambang, Pahang. Along the way we stopped at Teluk Intan to visit The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan and of course we also stopped at the famous Gobang Maju Restaurant for their ikan patin masak tempoyak in Temerloh.
We experienced the most beautiful sunset at The Habitat Penang Hill!
We also did a trip to Kuala Krai, Kelantan where we stayed at the riverfront Istana Sangkut Chalet. The misty midnight trip there was worth it when we woke up to the sound of the river flowing right next to our room.
Travelling during this time can be challenging because we need to make sure that we follow all the rules and SOP so that everyone is safe. It’s good that we travel as a couple because we keep on reminding each other about the rules.
It was good to see that hotels are taking the SOP seriously and the public also play their role and are responsible, while also having fun.
We hope the tourism and travel sector locally and internationally will bloom again, and that hotels and tourism operators are not just surviving but thriving. We hope to see places, shops and restaurants that were closed due to Covid-19 be reopened again. We hope to see more campaigns to promote our local tourism spots, be it on social media or mainstream media.
Basically, we just want to see people going places as much (as they did during) pre-Covid times again.
What are some destinations or experiences that you personally wish to see and do in 2022?
We want to finally go on our trip to Mount Bromo, Indonesia which we had to cancel because of Covid-19. We had made all the preparations but three weeks before our flight, the first lockdown was announced last year.
We also would really love to experience winter in Seoul, South Korea. Nami Island must be looking fantastic during that time of the year.
We would love to go to Perhentian Island, Terengganu, too, to enjoy the beaches and just relax.
What would motivate you to go out and travel more in a post-coronavirus world?
We believe that in a post-Covid-19 world, travel is going to continue growing and it might also grow faster. So rules, regulations, systems and technology should be built around simplifying the process to detect and deter Covid-19 from spreading across borders. It’s an industry that contributes to many countries’ income, so we really can’t hold it back for too long.
With better and more affordable ways to control Covid-19, we think a lot more people would be motivated to travel again.
What would be your main consideration when booking a holiday in a post-Covid-19 world?
Covid-19 hasn’t really impacted the way we decide on where to go or where to stay. Even before Covid-19, we always try to find a secluded place to stay. We often avoid places that are too crowded. So we are adapting well in that aspect.
Maybe we are more likely to find hotel rooms with a private pool nowadays compared to before the pandemic. But usually these kinds of rooms would sell out really fast!
What advice do you have for other travellers who may still be scared to go out and travel?
We think Covid-19 is here to stay. All SOP and precautionary steps have been laid out for us to travel safely, so we just have to be responsible, which is to abide and obey all the rules.
We can still see beautiful sunsets by the beach or watch amazing sunrises on mountain peaks. The only difference now is we have to wear masks and stay a little further away from the next person.
So, go out, travel and have fun! But be sure to stay safe.
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