Chasing Wanderlust

How a 24-year-old Singaporean backpacker challenges local norms and unveils the world in bittersweet ways.

Story by Namirah Kamsir

Photos courtesy of Arjun Vijay

““You never know where you end up if you say yes to new adventures.””

Meet Arjun Vijay, a 24-year-old adventurer who has an insatiable wanderlust. Balancing the thrill of exploring distant lands with the pursuit of an aeronautical science degree at Embry-Riddle University in Florida, USA, Arjun has embarked on various journeys. With just a backpack slung over one shoulder, he has travelled through Asia and even the land down under, including the cities of Saigon, Hong Kong, and Melbourne, to name a few.

From a young age, Arjun’s father has always exposed him to the aviation industry, taking him to airports and inviting him to plane-spottings.

“I’ve been meddling with planes my whole life,” he said.

The intrepid backpacker has a constant yearn of flying the skies, and even taking it into his own hands by obtaining a flying license in Australia in 2019. Since his teenage years, he has also thrived in the embrace of nature, eagerly venturing into the untamed wilderness and hiking rugged trails all around Singapore. While others sought solace in the comforts of indoors, he finds solace in adventure.

Arjun and his fellow friends from Learn to Fly, an aviation school in Melbourne.

Arjun shared about his first time as a backpacker. After attaining his diploma in Aerospace Electronics at 20, Arjun had four more months until National Service and did not want to put it to waste. He had only $20 in his bank account. But, it was not stopping him. He started working part-time to save money. Once he had enough, planned his first stop as a backpacker to Bali.

“Why are you going? What’s the point? Don’t you have better things to do with your time?” These were the questions Arjun’s parents asked the first time he brought up his backpacking plans. Armed with relentless determination, he engaged his parents in open dialogue and patiently addressed any fears and misconceptions. Soon enough, his parents saw the value in it, including lessons of communication and resilience that could only be gleaned from the road less travelled.

“Seize your flight tickets first and sort it out later,” revealed Arjun. “If I like something, nobody can stop me.” In a society where stability and conformity often reign supreme, the fearless backpacker stands as a resolute rebel against the mundane. Arjun wanted to defy the well-trodden path of a typical nine-to-five existence and embrace a life less ordinary.

Throughout his first journey in Bali, he had already begun to enrich his understanding of different cultures. In particular, an encounter that has etched itself into his memory was when he crossed paths with a young woman from the Netherlands. Who knew that a day of invigorating surfing on the beach could lead to a discovery of summer love?

For Arjun, it is not a complete beach day without surfing.

Through the experience, he discovered that her parents fostered a spirit of independence within her, encouraging her to explore the world at such a youthful stage, at just 19 years old. This was foreign to him, and she helped highlight the stark contrast in Western cultures and his own Singaporean upbringing. It just confirmed that his parents are solely devoted to his well-being.

With a tight budget, there were days in Bali where Arjun found himself with no proper place to sleep. Unafraid of roughing it, Arjun treated a group of Balinese surf boys to dinner and drinks in exchange for a night in a cockroach-infested surf house at Kuta Beach. The discomfort of his surroundings was eclipsed by the warmth and authenticity of the locals.

Needless to say, Arjun doesn’t always spend his nights in surf houses. As a backpacker, it is crucial for him to get accustomed to the hostel lifestyle. Hostels are the cheapest forms of accommodation and provide the basic necessities to keep his travels going, including a shower, a nice bed and internet connectivity. He would meet like-minded people from all over the world, sharing stories and laughter under the same roof.

A simple “Mind if I join you?” could lead to a whole new world of experiences. They would bring him to undiscovered surf spots away from the tourists, outlandish Muay Thai classes in Bangkok and the best parties in town.

Arjun with one of his friends he met at a hostel.

Once, while travelling in Ho Chi Minh City, Arjun and his hostel friends heard Manyao (Mandopop dance remixes) music playing while exploring the back alleys. They were expecting a rave, only to find that the music came from a funeral. At times, he’d end up partying too hard, waking up on a beach and completely missing his flight.

However, those with whom he shared cherished memories, like hostel roommates whom he bravely cliff-jumped, water-rafted, or caught waves with, are often temporary.

As a people-person, he finds it tough to find consistent people to stick by his side in a world full of the vast unknown, alone. “You’d be making the fondest memories with people only for them to be nothing but an Instagram follower the next day,” he shared openly.

As a young man with no stable financial income, there is often the question as to how Arjun manages his finances. “I don’t. I just figure it out from the get go,” said Arjun.

Despite all that, backpacking has its advantages. It has taught Arjun to be resilient and street-smart. Beyond the pretty film pictures and breath-taking landscapes, there exists a shadowy side where Arjun navigates the necessity of odd jobs to sustain his nomadic lifestyle, such as scrubbing dishes and helping out as a surf instructor. In the underbelly of his journeys, he’s truly learnt the value of financial management.

““Not every encounter paints a picture-perfect experience.””

Arjun plans to merge his love for travel and aviation in the long run. He admits that working nine hours in an office cubicle might be inevitable. He has to support his family after all. However, he yearns for a job that would give him location independence.

“I want to do whatever I’m doing as backpacker but in a professional sense,” said Arjun.

Once he completes his degree, other than working in the aviation industry, Arjun wishes to delve into regional sales in the Asia-Pacific region, the digital nomad lifestyle or become an English teacher in countries like South Korea where they are in high demand. These jobs would allow him to travel while earning money.

Until he gets to that stage, there is so much to see in this world. Arjun wants to spend his prime years seizing the thrills and chasing highs. Throughout his years of backpacking, he has not met a backpacker from Singapore, which shows how much it is not the norm here.

A shot of Arjun in the streets of Philippines taken from his film camera. He brings it all over the world to capture and hold on to special moments.

Arjun encourages people his age to embark on the same journey. There may be downsides and obstacles to overcome alone.

“As a human, there are countless experiences to have, places to see and people to meet. You shouldn’t limit yourself. If you think you have it, give it a shot,” said Arjun.