An avid traveler, author, and surfing enthusiast, Allenie Caccam shares bits of her journey—from overcoming heartbreaks to writing poetry
Currently taking her Masters in Business Administration at Asia School of Business, in partnership with MIT Malaysia, Allenie Caccam is no stranger to being overseas.
As AirAsia’s Marketing Manager for International Markets, she also travels for a living.
“This has been my focus for the last seven months after releasing my book Travel Anyway,” says Caccam. “In between classes, I still find time to travel and write poems and essays for my second book.”
It was her first trip to Singapore in 2010 that made her realize how much “traveling can change the way you think about people, places, and yourself.” Since then, she hasn’t stopped discovering new places and meeting new people that have served as inspirations for her book of poems.
“The realization that I live in just a tiny part of a big world is overwhelming and exciting at the same time,” says Caccam. “Traveling alone is a decision you make yourself and there’s no other way to do it, but to just do it.”
I always tell myself to see the good in people that I meet and the beauty in the places I visit—that calms me down
What do you like about traveling?
The stories of the people I meet in airplanes, airports, hotels and inns, and even those waiting in line to grab a bite from some famous food stall, inspire me to travel and to visit the places they’ve been to.
What was your most memorable trip?
I have two memorable trips. My trips to Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria were memorable because it was my first time to travel alone in the other part of the world. I usually travel by myself around Asia, but since Europe was far from home, I was anxious to do it. It was memorable as I had so much fun creating my own itinerary, getting lost, and meeting new people. The other one is my trip to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia just this year for scuba diving and Komodo Dragon sight-seeing. It was my first time to travel with someone special. It’s true what they say, your travels are different depending on who you are with. I enjoy traveling alone so to be able to find someone who complements my traveling style means a lot to me.
What was your worst travel experience?
My worst fear when traveling is getting food poisoning or getting sick while traveling alone. It happened to me last 2016 in Palawan. I had to rush myself to the local clinic in the middle of the night and miss a few days of exploring because of it.
Which surfing and diving spots would you recommend?
The best surfing spot for me is in Zambales not just because of the waves, but also because of the locals and the friends I’ve made. Surfing for me is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle, a culture where you meet people who love the ocean, music, and the positive vibe. It’s also an excuse to paddle out into the ocean and have a good quiet time.
Another favorite spot is Daku Island in Siargao because you’re surfing right in the middle of the ocean.
I got my scuba diving license and am currently getting my freediving training in Camiguin and while doing this, I got to work with Sangkalikasan and the local government. I’ve seen how both the government and the locals take care of the marine protected areas. They have a coral reef restoration program led by Sangkalikasan to rehabilitate the destroyed coral reefs from past typhoons.
Siargao has also started different environmental programs led by locals, which I think is good as there’s community support and empowerment.
And in any travel, the saddest part is not when it’s time to go
It is the few days or hours before you do.
Traveling teaches us to live in moments,
to appreciate what is.
It reminds us that there’s always a time for everything,
including letting go. – Travel Anyway
What got you into poetry?
I was traveling in Europe last 2016 and during my travels I started reading Lang Leav, Janne Robinson, Rupi Kaur, and Tyler Knott Gregson. They are some of my influences. I didn’t have any background in poetry, but I knew I had a story. I was healing a broken heart (yes, it almost always starts with a heartbreak) and my dad had cancer. It was a tough time and I needed to express what I was feeling in order to digest them, to make sense of them. Poetry gives me that.
Which of your poems is dear to you?
The title is Travel. No matter how many times I have traveled, I still feel this when it’s time to go. It’s a constant reminder for me to enjoy the experience instead of being anxious of the ending.
“And in any travel, the saddest part is not when it’s time to go.
It is the few days or hours before you do.
Traveling teaches us to live in moments,
to appreciate what is.
It reminds us that there’s always a time for everything,
including letting go.”
What are your top three favorite destinations?
This is a hard question. Each place has its unique characteristics and I’m pretty sure I still have a lot of places to explore. If I need to choose, it would be France because of its diverse and open culture, its food, and the uniquely beautiful architectures of each town. I admire how they promote freedom of expression through their arts and how this is deeply integrated in their culture and society. They also have the best white wine I’ve tasted so far.
Second would be Japan. I can definitely live in Japan. Japanese food is one of my favorite cuisines. I first fell in love with this country when I was in Tokyo in 2012 and was learning how to take the subway. I saw locals lining up for the escalator and crossing the pedestrian lane in what seemed like a straight line—you can feel order and efficiency wherever you are. At the same time, you’re surrounded by so much creativity in places like the Shinjuku District.
My third would be the Philippines. Living abroad for the past seven months made me realize how rich in resources and how beautiful our country is. Our islands and the marine diversity are amazing, and our food will always be my comfort food.
It also shows you how comfortable you are in your own company
What would you tell those who want to travel alone but haven’t dared to?
It is a decision you make yourself and there’s no other way to do it, but to just do it. Book that ticket. I still feel anxious and scared when I travel, so when I do I always tell myself to see the good in people that I meet and the beauty in the places I visit—that calms me down.
What’s the best thing about traveling by yourself?
You don’t have to adjust to anyone. You can be late, do nothing, or do everything in the itinerary. You don’t have to answer to anyone. Most of all, traveling by yourself teaches you a lot about yourself – what you fear, what you like, and what you don’t like. It also shows you how comfortable you are in your own company.
What’s next on your travel wish list?
I will be in the United States this May for a short MIT program as part of our MBA, so I’m planning to go around New York, Boston, and nearby areas and maybe Texas and New Orleans if I still have time. I’m still debating if I should do a trip to Africa after my MBA or the United Kingdom!
To purchase “Travel Anyway” and see more of Allenie’s travels, visit www.travel-anyway.com
