Since I have no plan to travel this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I have decided to motivate myself by creating my solo virtual vacation. This year, people have opted for virtual vacation this summer; the mental breakdown, stress level, and behavior contribute to more mental health problems that they should cope with, overcome, and get help if needed. That is okay, and you are not alone. Everyone wants to travel too. But, instead of stuck staying in one place, why don’t you dare to try your own virtual vacation? Not only does it stay at home or the government orders, but what about your current stress level? By taking a virtual vacation (step out of your comfort zone), like me, your stress level is optimal.
Wait a second, what is Virtual Vacation?
According to I-Powers Travel definition, a virtual vacation is;
- An online simulation of a vacation place through these 5 senses, and
- Set up a vacation sense or an itinerary.
What are 5 senses (from virtual vacation)
- Vacation Vision
- Holiday Hearing
- Tropical Taste
- Synapse Smell
- Travel (Experiential) Touch
Example from my Taipei virtual vacation:
| Senses | Question | Example |
| Vacation Vision | What I see? | Taipei 101 |
| Holiday Hearing | What I hear? | Raohe Market |
| Tropical Taste | What I taste? | Boba (Bubble tea) and Soup |
| Synapse Smell | What I smell? | Different street food (fried squid) |
| Travel (Experiential) Touch | What I touch/experience? | Vigor Kobo Pineapple Cake Tour |
Put it all together!
| 5 Senses | Question | What I respond? |
| Vacation Vision | What I see? | I see the tallest building – Taipei 101. |
| Holiday Hearing | What I hear? | I hear the live music and the conversation from the locals at Raohe Market. |
| Tropical Taste | What I taste? | I taste the original bubble tea and different tastes of soups. |
| Synapse Smell | What I smell? | I smell different kinds of street food such as roasted squid in skewer. |
| Travel (Experiential) Touch | What I touch/experience? | I experience a fun tour at Vigor Kobo Pineapple Cake and learn how Taiwanese Pineapple cake is made. |
How Virtual Vacation benefit travelers during the pandemic?
There are benefits for travelers, even when at home. First, virtual vacations enable travelers to safely experience with locals online without leaving home. Second, virtual vacation helps travelers stay safe during the pandemic amid a desire to travel. Third, virtual vacation for everyone saves money if traveling abroad is expensive and/or has limited time to travel. Lastly, virtual vacation actually learns the same connotation when people travel from one place to another.
What is your conclusion?
Since I will travel abroad annually, I felt confident without worrying about my old memories from her bad experiences. I moved forward to my prospective future with my goal, ambition, and divine. I will also do the virtual vacation for next year since I predict that my upcoming solo Singaporean trip will come up in 2022 (the Covid-19 vaccine will be available in the fall of 2021). Finally, I can’t travel abroad without my COVID-19 vaccine.
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