Experiencing the world, one trip at a time
‘Kaka the Travel Hunter’ has tailored her life so she can spend as much time as possible globe trotting.
THE saying is “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”. But Erica Lim says, “When I travel, everything is beautiful in my eyes”.
“Kaka The Travel Hunter”, as Lim styles herself online, began her working life in the creative arts, doing everything from illustration and animation to graphic design and even mural painting.
But desk-bound jobs, no matter how creative, threatened to curb her wanderlust, so she turned to project work and became an insurance agent, which accords her the freedom to take longer trips so that she can “explore and experience the world” to her heart’s content.
“I love my job. It is the best job in the world. In between helping my friends to get a good protection plan, I can also do more travelling and continue to do all the things that I like,” says Lim, 38, who hails from Sandakan, Sabah.
Currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Lim has a stylish pad in the heart of the city, where she displays all manner of assorted trinkets and colourful curios she has collected from her various travels.
“When I first started travelling, I did not even have a camera or a phone. But now with social media and a smartphone, I can easily document my experiences.”
Lots of people think that travelling requires spending a lot of money on accommodation, but the denim-and-boots-wearing lass begs to differ. Calling herself a budgetconscious backpacker, Lim shares how she saves money on her travels, beginning with choosing not to stay in hotels.
“I like to completely immerse myself in new cultures, so I choose to stay in the homes of locals,” she says, adding that she has no problems making herself comfortable on couches in the living rooms of strangers she has just met online.
Lim also says she does not feel the need for company when she travels so she often goes backpacking alone or arranges to meet a friend or two along the way. But when she decides to go hiking or trekking, then she usually travels in a group.
“When I went Nepal, it was with four friends. And my largest group expedition was to Egypt, which was with 12 friends.”
Most of her trips last a month or so, as she prefers to explore at a leisurely pace to take in all the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. Hiking expeditions take more planning so she spends only about two weeks on those each time.
Some of the countries she has explored include Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam.
Like other budget travellers, Lim enjoys couch-surfing which she says gives a more meaningful experience compared to staying in backpacker lodges.
“Apart from not having to spend any money on accommodation, what I like most about staying in other people’s homes is the cultural exchange. We learn about others as they go about their daily activities,” shares Lim, who reminisced about her varied couch-surfing experiences in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Vietnam.
“I’ve been to Hong Kong many times. During my first trip there in 2011, I stayed on top of a factory in Tsuen Wan. I slept on a sofa there for one whole month. I did not have a camera or a phone then, and there was only one other person there in that warehouse.
“Sure, backpacking can sometimes be a scary experience, but it saves a lot of money and I even got to visit Macau that time,” says Lim, whose own couch at home is a cosy sofa covered with soft blankets as well as small cushions and plushies.
“In Australia, my hosts were a warm and welcoming Caucasian couple who also wanted to get to know other cultures. We even shared recipes. They liked to use the oven a lot, whether to bake their chicken or steaks. I showed them how to make simple homey dishes like ABC soup (clear boiled soup made with chunks of carrot, tomato, potato and onions),” says Lim, who even helped to cut the grass and walk their dog.
“In Vietnam, I was lucky to get to stay in a room; while in New Zealand, I stayed in the outskirts where I discovered it was true that there are more sheep than people!”
Her next stop is Lombok, an Indonesian island that lies east of Bali and west of Sumbawa. She is planning to trek up Mount Rinjani, which at 3,726m is the second highest volcano in Indonesia.
“I will be going hiking with a group of friends. There are six of us and we plan to go for a week-long excursion around mid-September.”
As for future plans, Lim is now eyeing the beautiful cities of Europe.
“I want to live a fruitful life. And life experience is a treasure that money can’t buy.” The Paper’s People is a weekly column which introduces Malaysia-based everyday folk, doing what they love. If you have any person to recommend, e-mail us at star2@thestar.com.my.