“I Travel Lightly Now”: A Conversation With Kai
“It was worth it.”
That’s what Kai, one of Pilgrimage Asia’s most enthusiastic travellers said, standing at a Himalayan viewpoint in Bhutan, after a cloudy first pass and a second chance that finally cleared. It’s a small moment, but it says a lot about why Kai keeps returning to Pilgrimage Asia, trip after trip.
We sat down with Kai to talk about how she found us, what’s changed in the way she travels, and what she’d tell a friend who’s on the fence about joining one of our journeys.
Pilgrimage Asia: How did you first connect with Pilgrimage Asia?
I met Topsi at an event, and I started learning more about Pilgrimage Asia from her. Communication is a bit of a barrier for me – some places I travel, people can’t understand my English, and I can’t fully understand theirs either. But with Topsi, it’s easy, like talking with a friend. That’s really one of the main reasons I joined.
What made you say yes to your first trip?
I really enjoyed how Topsi takes care of guests. She is careful, but not too careful. Some tour guides take care of you so much it becomes uncomfortable. We’re not children, we can look after ourselves. Topsi gives you space, but she’s there when you actually need her. That’s why I joined, and why I kept joining.
Take us back to that special moment in Bhutan.
Bhutan was on my bucket list for a long time. Topsi couldn’t make it on that particular trip, so a close friend joined me instead, and I was nervous because I didn’t know the place or the people. But Topsi did an excellent job of arranging the whole journey so my mind was put at ease.
When we first arrived we went to see a Himalayan viewpoint but it was too cloudy to see anything. We passed the same spot again later in the trip, and the second time — the view was incredible. That view alone was a magical experience, it was worth it.
We also did a small trek through the forest. It was quiet, mostly flat, very peaceful. I really enjoyed that.
Has anything shifted in the way you travel, or see yourself, because of these trips?
Yes! I travel much lighter now. I used to bring so much. Now I carry my own bag, I don’t over-pack and I eat local food instead of cooking for myself. Simple, and closer to how people actually live in the places I’ve visited. That’s the biggest change.
If a friend was on the fence about joining a trip, what would you tell them?
Honestly, a lot of my friends want to travel with me, but they hesitate for two reasons. First, some are used to more comfort — being taken care of, having someone carry their things — and I’m the opposite, I want to be independent. Second, language: many of my friends are more comfortable speaking their mother tongue than English all the time, so a full week in English feels like a lot for them.
I know that Pilgrimage Asia is in the process of bringing on more guides fluent in Myanmar languages and creating options for guests who’d prefer a bit more support carrying their things, so I think more of my friends will finally say yes soon!
Pilgrimage Asia thanks Kai for her time and honesty — and for the reminder that the best trips make space for new perspectives to transform our relationships with the world.
