WE’RE ALWAYS SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE.
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the concept of slow travel is as unfamiliar to me as it is wistfully desired.
and yet, i recognize it as the only logical antidote to my frenetic methods to travelling.
WHEN
i started this space back when i was still caught up in the ‘fast and furious’ of travelling, constantly fluttering around with lists packed cheek to jowl with places to go and things to see, but rarely ever giving any of them the full attention it deserved. my time on the road was always a glorious jumble of museums and temples and buildings and bits; and yet, at the end of each day, it frequently felt like i hadn’t quite seen anything at all.
HOW
after one too many whirlwind odysseys, it became clear that i had to reimagine this space and move away from creating lists & itineraries; as it was a self-imposed obligation that did nothing but keep me etched on the beaten path. i knew that if i wanted to write in a way that would leave fingerprints on your soul, first, i had to make sure that my journeys were leaving fingerprints on mine.
WHAT
i want purposeful experiences, and formative moments; and i want a conscious reminder to move a little slower and linger a little longer. after each travel, i hope to come back here and let my words blossom into an assembly of slow stories spun on a whim; relate tales of adventures from improbable places; provide a reading experience for the drifters amongst us who love to lift the lid on things where we’re not supposed to.
WHY
this is not your average dog-eared digital guide – but also, this is more than just aesthetic escapism for your soul. this is an unembellished edit of travel stories made from real moments, nestled in just as much as chaos as they are in slow. ♡
i have crafted this space to bring forth spaces and moments i believe to be enriching, thoughtful, and enjoyable for wandering minds; and while it is not intended to be comprehensive in its experiences nor exhaustive in its lists, my tightly edited collection befits readers and travellers looking for more than just of-the-moment itineraries and tips – perhaps, a little something, to bring some magic to the fore.
WHO
but lists or stories (or anything else in between) i hope you’ll approach my thoughts as clues pointing you towards your own next adventure – one that will inspire you to relish your mishaps as much as you do your moments. declutter your days, blend your boundaries, and nudge yourself off beaten paths; and enjoy the change of pace as both you and i make the switch from checking boxes and ticking lists, to creating moments and valuable memories.
if you’re not sure where to begin exploring with me, dip your toes with my collection of Travel Stories penned from the heart… or alternatively, dive right in to my Travel Ideas. i won’t be the most standard guide around town, but i promise you only the most delicious stories about my favourite nooks and crannies around our world.
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HELLO, YOU. MY NAME IS SHAFINAH,
AND I HOPE YOU’LL JOIN ME IN MY SLOW JOURNEY SOMEWHERE.