Code to Compass: How Travel Can Help Techies Unwind

Imagine yourself surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of a completely new country. You don't speak the language, you don't know the customs, and you're just a little bit terrified. But at the same time, you're thrilled to be on an adventure, to experience something new and exciting.

Traveling is not only about visiting new places but also about releasing stress and discovering yourself. Techies, who are often burdened with work pressure, can find solace in traveling.

As a big Otaku (Japanese Anime and Manga fan), I had always dreamed of experiencing the vibrant culture of Japan. But it wasn't until I had a five-hour layover in Tokyo while travelling to the USA for a conference that I got my first glimpse of the Land of the Rising Sun.

And let me tell you, I was hooked.

From that moment on, I knew that I had to go back to Japan, no matter what. I spent the next 1.5 years planning, saving up, and mustering up the courage to embark on my next big adventure. I approached a few friends and co-workers to join me on this adventure. And eventually, I convinced a few to join me.

But as it turned out, convincing my friends to come along was the easy part. The hard part was dealing with all the naysayers who didn't understand why we wanted to visit Japan.

"Why Japan?" they asked. "What's so special about it? Why not Thailand, Vietnam, Dubai, or Europe?"

I didn't want to provide an explanation. I just knew that Japan was where I wanted to be.

Suddenly we had a group of five people who were ready to embark on a journey to Japan, within a budget of 85,000 rupees (INR), or roughly around $1300 per person back in 2019. (including flights and personal expenses)

We carefully planned and booked our flights within this modest budget, got our visas, booked our stays and packed our bags for a typical backpacker trip. We had a JR Pass, which allowed us to travel around Japan on the cheap.

During our eight-day trip, we visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, and back to Tokyo. We had our struggles coping up with food and language, but we had a memorable trip that we organized ourselves without any problems. The people of Japan were great, and the hosts of our stays were helpful. We covered almost everything we could, like Fushima Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park, Kinkaku Ji in Kyoto, Dotonbori, Osaka Castle in Osaka, Ikebukuro and Akihabara in Tokyo, and of course, the famous streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya.

To be honest, the trip wasn't without its challenges. For one, we had two vegans in the group who didn't eat meat or even eggs. Let me tell you, finding vegan food in Japan was a real struggle. But we soldiered on, determined to make the most of our trip. It was a struggle, but it was worth it. We scoured the city for vegetarian restaurants, and let me tell you, they were few and far between. But we were determined to make the most of our trip, so we improvised and found vegetarian options in the local convenience stores like Lawson and 7-Eleven. It wasn't the most ideal situation, but it definitely made for some hilarious memories and inside jokes.

Read more: The Vegetarian Traveller - Tripixo

This trip was the start of something great. We ended up being some of the key core members for Club Tripixo and started hosting trips with colleagues, friends, and their friends too. Since then, members of Tripixo have hosted multiple trips to different parts of the world with a diverse group of travelers, starting from a group of 5 to now doing it with a group of 18-20 adventurous souls. Tripixo, being a travel club, has been encouraging people to travel, learn, and explore.

It's amazing how travel can open up new avenues and friendships. We started with a group of five, and now we are a community of travel enthusiasts who embark on adventures to explore new cultures, cuisines, and experiences. There's more to life than just the daily grind of work, and we believe that travel is the perfect remedy to release stress and rejuvenate the mind and soul.

Since our Japan trip, Tripixo has hosted budget-friendly trips to Bali, Dubai, Singapore, Vietnam, Meghalaya, Assam, and so much more. We make sure that every trip is carefully planned to ensure maximum fun, comfort, and adventure without breaking the bank.

Our trips have become a way for us to release stress, connect with new people, and learn about different cultures. So if you're feeling stuck in your daily routine, I encourage you to take a page out of our book and plan a trip. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant or expensive. Just gather some friends, make a budget, and hit the road. Who knows? It might just be the start of something great.

And if you're looking for some inspiration or want to join us on one of our adventures, be sure to check out the Club Tripixo for travel tips, stories, and more. Happy travels!