Originally Posted by Cheetah_SA

just trying to explore what "life changing experience" means in the context of this thread. Maybe I'm wanting it to be more like Kage's "epiphanies". Some flash of light... a deep insight... an realisation or awakening of some sort.

Originally Posted by lb8001

amazingly cool Thai people I met...opportunity to interact every day with the elephants...week of smiling big all day every day was life-changing

Originally Posted by Pausanias

I've been looking at Bali recently. I first went there in the late 1980s and stayed at Amandari in the first six months of its operation. That was life-changing, as you can imagine.

Originally Posted by Pausanias

In 1990, when we first stayed at Amandari, Ubud was basically one little street, a few cafes, a handful of losmen, and a fancy art gallery selling paintings for about $100. Amandari was hosting a group of Canadian cyclists and a very well known rock star. And Mr and Mrs Pausanias.

It was sheer chance that we stayed there...I recalled an advertisement in Conde Nast Traveler for this new place, Aman something, so we called them from the airport, took a taxi and our world changed, hotel-wise.

Originally Posted by MikeLaw

I feel a sense of wonderment that I am far too jaded to experience in most of the rest of my life. The interactions with the elephants are entrancing and I'm trying to experience as many of them as I possibly can.

Originally Posted by Jeremy Irons

Travel is an adventure, trying to somehow get inside and imbibe a different way of life, a different cultural heritage. I think you do that by sitting and watching and listening and walking and just letting it work its magic on you.

Originally Posted by Pausanias

I think a lot of Cambodian villagers would be schocked [sic] to see how most of us live. Seeing things like this is a vital part of travel and it is a highly traditional way of life. And I guess many Cambodians feel how lucky they are to be alive considering what happened there in what is still recent history.

Originally Posted by bhrubin

Amanjiwo may be the most magical place we've ever been short of Singita Boulders Lodge. You will love it, especially if you have any appreciation of a spiritual feel. Neither of us are spiritual in the least, but Amanjiwo (and to a less extent, Amandari in Ubud) really struck us in the most spiritual way. It was pure magic and total escape for us. I also highly recommend the bicycle ride through the local countryside. While I normally despise riding a bike, my husband loves it--and it turned out to be quite a highlight of our visit (aside from the Temple and the resort, itself). Seeing the local villagers and the cleanliness of their living, despite the meager means, was spectacular, and everyone was so friendly and inviting. Local children were clearly interested in the strange pale people coming through and followed us at various times throughout much of our ride.

Originally Posted by Baghoarder

if I hadn't had the Aman guides in Bhutan, I probably would never have been able to watch the nuns making intricate altar decorations from dough in a convent outside Thimphu.

In my brash student days I used to think "independent travel" was per se a sign of sophistication. But now, within reason, I don't much mind either way. I still wouldn't get on a tour bus, but the reality is there's a limit to how authentic my experience can be, however I travel. If it makes me think, however it does that, then it has delivered on the promise, as far as I am concerned.

Originally Posted by uclabruin82

If I were looking for a life changing experience, I would think about where is the farthest place from my every day existence.