All these while when I go traveling, I used to stay in hotels and resorts. Yes they are comfortable and clean but somehow it does not feel like home. Some things which I could do at home, I cannot do it in resorts. I cannot walk bare foot around the resort, I have to dress in a proper manner especially if it is a 5 star hotel, I cannot lie around where ever I want. I could only do that in my room and thus feel trapped in my room.

One day I decided to try something different. I stayed in a malay village on Perhentian Island, Malaysia. This time I chose to stay in one of the houses in the village. There is this house called the Ecoteer House. It is owned by Ecoteer Responsible Travel. They provide basic accommodation, local food and the project leader, took me around the village.

It is a very different kind of holiday. There is no touring around the island, but it involves community work. They called it as voluntourism. While I was there I participated in the weekly cleaning up the village. Ecoteer also organizes English and Environmental clubs as well, volunteers are supposed to participate in those clubs, teaching the local kids about English and environmental awareness but I was present on the island on when the clubs were not conducted.

After school hours, kids come to the Ecoteer House to play games and mix around with us. Their presence made the house alive and fun. I also took part in building the herb garden. It took us about 3 hours to plant the herb seedlings. Completing the mini project feels like an accomplishment.

Besides community work, I also had the chance to go snorkelling, enjoy the sun set by the beach and went star gazing in the night. It is such a peaceful and relaxing village.

Staying in the Ecoteer House was a really different experience. Even though it was not a 5 star hotel and everything was basic, it made me feel at home. Participating in the community work made me feel that this trip was more meaningful than other trips I had went. If you are a person who is looking for a meaningful trip but does not mind simple and basic accommodation, consider to spend your
holidays in this community. You can read more about the project at ecoteerresponsibletravel.com