The Tourist has a dull, weary look in his eyes, sighing as he stops in front of a monument. Heavily dropping his backpack during what obviously has been a long day of sightseeing; he’s a picture of exhaustion.

But then a miracle happens: He pulls his camera out to snap a selfie – and his face lights up as if it is Christmas, New Year and his birthday all at once.

It’s a scene taking place at this very moment in countless tourism spots around the world.

If the 17th-century philosopher Rene Descartes were alive today, he might no longer posit “cogito ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”) as the argument to prove one’s very existence, but instead “selfio ergo sum.”

What does this abject need by people to take selfies say about our times? Here are three socio-pyschological viewpoints:

1) The cultural pessimist: Selfies are the decline and fall of travel.

Look at me! In a selfie, it is the traveller alone who is in focus. The background is fuzzy and could be anywhere. The cultural pessimist says it’s a sign that people are completely self-absorbed.

“We jump from one tourism attraction to the next. Everything is arbitrary,” says tourism researcher Ulrich Reinhard, a professor who heads the Institute of Future Research in Hamburg.

“Self presentation is pushed to the limit. People shoot 17 selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower just to get the perfect picture.” Time to actually admire and take in the tower itself becomes scant, because it’s off to the next attraction.

There are many cautionary tales about vacationers who see only themselves and nothing else.

In Argentina recently, a throng of people crowded around and photographed themselves in front of a baby dolphin stranded on the beach. Nobody thought to help it back into the water and so, exposed to the sun, the baby dolphin died of dehydration.

Hamburg researcher Reinhardt says selfie shooting means that “a lot gets lost.”

People lose sight of the oddity, the inconspicuous restaurant, the detour that provides a fun surprise, because they are so focussed completely on themselves. “We no longer have the gift of simply taking in the moment.”

2) The digital native: It’s technically possible, so we do it.

This view is somewhat different: The selfie is shot simply because it is so easy to do.

“The selfie is a symptom of a changed style of travelling,” says Andre Wendler, an Internet culture researcher at the University of Weimar. He says there is a reciprocal effect between technology and social behaviour.

“The postcard only existed because there was a postal system. This in turn was closely linked to the invention of the railroad,” Wendler says. Nowadays, you have smartphones and social media – and in turn, selfies that are distributed on a massive basis.

And, if nobody really takes notice of the Eiffel Tower, this is also due to the technology. “A simple view of some distant place is a trivial thing,” Wendler says, since there are untold thousands of pictures in the Internet.

“What is not trivial, however, is that one is personally there at some spot.” Then, one’s friends can be bombarded with selfies made on vacation – simply because it is technically possible.

3) A psychologist says this: We have always craved recognition.

Showing one’s friends that you’re having a great vacation and are completely happy is something people have always wanted to do.

“Psychologically speaking, we have not changed,” says Astrid Carolus, a media psychologist at Wuerzburg University. “In the past, after a holiday people sat down for an evening of viewing slides. Today, people can make a live presentation on the social media.”

So it’s only a matter of difference in the methods used then and now. But the motivation remains the same.

Carolus does concede that peoples’ perspectives about their vacation have changed under the aim of constantly trying to shoot fantastic selfies.

“But it is not absolutely true that people with smartphones take in less than those without. It is not necessarily a worse perspective, but rather a different one,” she says. “And the double value added of one’s experiences and documenting this for others is very important to many people.”

The selfie, in this view, adds value to a person’s holiday trip.

 

AirAsia and AirAsia X are offering 20% discount on all flights to over 120 destinations in 24 countries. This special promo will run from 11 to 17 July for immediate travel from 18 July to 24 November 2016.

This promo is applicable for all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights with flight codes AK (AirAsia Malaysia), D7 (Malaysia AirAsia X), FD (AirAsia Thailand), XJ (Thai AirAsia X), QZ (AirAsia Indonesia) international flights, Z2 (AirAsia Philippines) and I5 (AirAsia India).

Tassapon Bijleveld, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia said, “We are pleased to offer 20% discount on all seats across all our flights, including our newly launched routes such as directly flight to Shantou, and Vientiane, as well as for Thai AirAsia X, the direct flight to Muscat, the capital of Oman and Tehran, the capital of Iran”

“It is a very good time for our guests to plan their year-end holiday or go for a spontaneous getaway to many exciting destinations on our extensive flight network. The Fly-Thru option and Premium Flatbed are also included in this promo so our guests can fly further in style on our World’s Best Premium Cabin Seat!” added Tassapon.

During the promotion period, AirAsia BIG members can earn double BIG Points while booking their promo seats on airasia.com (excluding D7 flights) or redeem flights on airasiabig.com. Bargain hunters can also enjoy greater savings when they book the discounted flights with hotel accommodation on AirAsiaGo.com.

Guests can take advantage of the Fly-Thru service to seamlessly connect to any destination in AirAsia’s network within one stop via multiple transit hubs, without having to pass immigration and with their baggage checked through to the final destination.

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Keep updated with AirAsia’s latest promotions and activities via Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) andFacebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).

Hipster hangouts pop up in the most unexpected places, and it’s always a pleasure to find almost-secret cafes offering great homey food, coffee, drinks and more. These cool places are ideal for the “perfect chill” and, of course, Instagram-worthy.

True locals, including long-time expat residents of Hong Kong, like to keep their choice spots to themselves, but here’s a peek at the five top best-kept hipster secrets.

The Coffee Academics

Paradise for real coffee geeks, Academics is located in the heart of Causeway Bay. Ultra-chic with all the warmth of someone’s home, you can spend your days and nights talking with coffee experts about their favourite brews!

FIND IT: 38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, nearest station: Causeway Bay

(+852) 2156 0313

Facebook.com/TheCoffeeAcademics

Elephant Grounds @ WOAW

Don’t blink when you’re looking for this cafe, as it sits very discreetly within the WOAW Concept Store. You can choose to sit at the bar or unwind alfresco on the benches. Those with a sweet tooth will love the signature ice cream sandwiches which are only available Friday to Sunday in a limited quantity with a new flavour every weekend (Check out their #newflavoralert on their FB page.).

FIND IT: 11 Gough Street, nearest station: Sheung Wan

(+852) 2253 1313

Facebook.com/elephantgrounds

Teakha Tea Cafe

This unpretentious alley-cafe will blow your mind with its impressive range of teas and top-class little cakes. With only two tables inside and more seating outside, this cosy gem promotes a “simple, happy, sustainable lifestyle”. Try the signature Matcha cheesecake!

FIND IT: 18 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

(+852) 2858 9185

Facebook.com/teakhaHK

NOC Coffee & Roaster

You’ll often see people sipping their drinks and chilling outside this coffee spot on Graham Street near the Central offices. This quaint little spot, housed on a slope, offers “Not Only Coffee” but also serves up great salad, pastries and organic juice for non-coffee drinkers. Their speciality is the pour-over coffee paired with earl grey and fig cake!

FIND IT: 34 Graham Street, Central

(+852) 2606 6188

www.facebook.com/notonlycoffee

Artisan Room

A good cup of coffee doesn’t is not always easy to find and Artisan Room is the only cafe in Hong Kong to serve drinks brewed with centuries-old Costadoro coffee in a metre-high Gothicism Cold Brewer. Enjoy a cup of cultured coffee and pair it with their wide range of savoury and sweet elairs or cakes.

FIND IT: 8-12 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, nearest station: HKU

(+852) 2656-3198

Facebook.com/artisanroomhk

Taman Menteng

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHT5qLshMlI/

Taman Menteng (Menteng Park) is a strategic open space in Central Jakarta that has become a popular place for locals to exercise or have a small picnic in the afternoon. It is also home to three green houses, which are often used as exhibition venues and a children’s playground. It is free to explore.

Where: Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Menteng, Central Jakarta

Contact: +62 822 9384 1731

Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Mangrove Forest

https://www.instagram.com/p/20tFJ4nlOI/

 

Part of Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta, the forest is a great place to have a short adventure within the capital city’s hustle and bustle. You can explore the site using boats or simply stroll through the wooden pathways. Have your smartphone or camera ready as it has many Instagrammable spots such as the villas and house tents. The entrance fee for foreigners starts at Rp 200,000 (US$15). There will be additional charge for those bringing DSLR or professional-type of cameras. The price for chartering the boats starts from Rp 100,000.

Where: Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk, Kapuk Muara, Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta

Contact: +6221 2903 3077

Opening hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Pasar Baru

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Pasar Baru is a great place to have a culinary adventure. Said to be the oldest shopping center in Jakarta, it is home to a variety of restaurants that serve dishes from different cultures, including Indonesian, Indian and Chinese foods. Don’t miss out savoring one of the most legendary ice cream parlors in Jakarta, Tropik, while you are there, as well as visiting the famous Gang Kelinci located not too far from the main street. No entrance fee.

Where: Jl. Pasar Baru No. 69, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta

Contact: +6221 310 6675

Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

(Read also: Explore these 5 spots in Pasar Baru, Jakarta’s ‘Little India’)

Chinatown

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Glodok and its neighborhood are popularly known as Jakarta’s largest Chinatown. Park your car and walk to an area called Petak Sembilan, which is a haven for mouthwatering Chinese foods and snacks. Besides bakmie (noodles), one of the dishes that you should try in Glodok is the famous Gado-gado Direksi. Also, you can pay a visit to one of the temples there, the Toa Se Bio. Drop by Pasar Asemka to shop for secondhand books or comics.

Where: Glodok area, North Jakarta

Car Free Day

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHQljjQhfIg/

Every Sunday, Jakarta’s adjoining main thoroughfares of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin are closed to vehicles (except Transjakarta buses). Jakartans happily enjoy this car-free day zone by riding bikes or simply hanging out with friends and family. Many street food vendors are also around, so expect to grab delicious snacks while you are there. (kes)

Where: Jl. Sudirman – Jl. MH Thamrin

When: 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. (Sundays)

Loved by tourists for its old-world romance, Luang Prabang draws visitors for its gilded temples, saffron-clad monks and faded French colonial villas. But you don’t have to be an amateur archaeologist to enjoy Luang Prabang. On my third trip to the former royal capital of Laos, I follow my stomach as I set off on a gustatory adventure.

Tucked away in the mountainous valley of Northern Laos and sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, Luang Prabang’s kitchens are stocked with items you won’t find in fancy supermarkets. Food here comes from the river and the wild and its residents still rely as much as hunting as in gathering foodstuffs from the wild to put meals on the table. A trip to Luang Prabang’s fresh market speaks volumes about the local culinary scene.

Situated along a narrow lane that backs on to Wat Mai Monastery off Sisavangvong Road, the market is definitely worth a visit.

From 5 to 10am, local vendors offer a plethora of local delicacies. Humble in one way, yet startling in many others, the market is well stocked with fresh vegetables and meats. Piles of banana flowers, cowpeas, bamboo shoots, wild mushrooms, watercress and balls of river weed dominate the stalls. Among them are such local delicacies as sticks of buffalo skin, wild birds and hornet larvae squirming in hexagonal sockets. Squirrels are displayed with their bodies slit open to show the freshness of their entrails. And there’s plenty of fish from the Mekong River, some of them as big as a newborn child.

“How much?” asks an elderly Lao woman, as she checks bamboo rings of small green frogs.

“Ten thousand kip (Bt45), granny,” the vendor replies.

The frogs will undoubtedly end up in a pot of curry. Once home, the old lady will make a simple curry paste from lemongrass, green chilli, diced galangal, shrimp paste and shallot and when the green frog curry is cooked, she’ll add a spoonful of the fermented-fish concoction inherent to Lao cuisine before spicing up the sauce with a handful of aromatic dill.

From market to table, we follow our noses to the food stands on the river in search of green frog curry.

Sadly frogs are not on the menu so we order sai ua (Lao sausage) and minced pork. The sausage is leaner and darker than the version you get in Thailand’s north. My teeth quickly break through the crispy paper-thin tube and reach the juicy meat. The meat has a fermented nose and tastes wonderful with a glass of Beer Lao.

The vendor also serves us generous portions of deep-fried “krai paen”, the green balls of river weed we came across earlier at the fresh market. It’s a rock algae commonly found in the Mekong and Khan and is formed into a dried thin sheet then sprinkled with tamarind and ginger juices plus sesame and garlic before being deep-fried. Nutty and salty, it is served with chilli paste mixed with diced buffalo skin.

Luang Prabang is also beautiful without food.

In between the meals we walk around gilded temples from Wat Visoun to Wat Xieng Thong before crossing the Mekong and negotiating the hilly path to Wat Chomphet.

Built by the Siamese Army in the 1860s, the chapel hall is reminiscent of those in Ayutthaya province. The view of Mekong is magnificent against the backdrop of Luang Prabang valley.

Later and once again hungry, we find our way to “Nang Tim Somtam” – a food stand opposite Wat Nong.

Luang Prabang is famous among Thai visitors for its sensational somtam or papaya salad.

Unlike the Thai version, somtam here features flat sheets of papaya rather than shreds and shrimp paste instead of salty pickled crab. Fermented fish sauce is a must. When you take your first bite, the chilli, fermented sauce and tangy lime give a sensational kick. You cannot stop eating. This is the curse of spicy food. The chilli keeps you gorging. To break the curse, you need gulps of cold beer and balls of sticky rice.

For folks with less adventurous taste buds, Luang Prabang offers a wide range of French cuisine courtesy of its years as a French protectorate. Along with gunships and rifles, the French also brought the baguettes, pate, coffee and culinary savoir faire to the old capital.

The following morning we stop at the Pracha Niyom coffee stand on the corner of Khem Khong and Kisalat roads. The dark roasted beans spell Paris but the sharp sweet taste of condensed milk is undeniably Luang Prabang. Next to Pracha Niyom, a local woman offers huge chunks of pate-filled baguette.

Opposite Wat Nong, a short walk from Nang Tim Somtam shop, L’Elephant serves Gallic cuisine in a renovated French colonial building with wooden floors and a stencilled tree on the wall inspired by Wat Xieng Thong.

I order the watercress soup, which is delicious and refreshing, followed by pan-fried frog legs. Cooked in provencale style, the legs are brimming with garlicky and peppery olive oil – a happy marriage of Lao ingredients and French flair.

IF YOU GO

< Bangkok Airways and AirAsia operate direct flights between Bangkok and Luang Prabang. Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Luang Prabang via Chiang Mai.