Hello Asia!
It’s been a while since our last blog post! Finding the time to write about the different destinations has already been a challenge, so the blog has been quiet for a while. Time to change that!
We have now spent a total of 6 weeks exploring various parts of Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and currently, Vietnam have all served as our temporary homes during this incredible journey. I find it difficult to pick a favourite destination so far, probably because each country is so unique and distinct that it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Indonesia was a fantastic first stop, especially since we stayed at a laid-back hotel by Lake Toba which gave us the chance to acclimatize to the environment at our own relaxed pace. Having three full weeks to explore Samosir Island meant we never felt rushed and could truly take it easy, soaking in the calm atmosphere around us. Riding our scooters through the lush, green rainforests was such a dramatic and refreshing shift from our previous travel experiences, instantly signaling the start of a new and exciting chapter in our adventure. Despite the significant change from what we had seen before, the kids really embraced this new environment wholeheartedly: The heat, the humidity, the unfamiliar food, and the rich culture all fascinated them. Naturally, they quickly noticed that Indonesia is a fairly poor country, but this observation came not from a place of judgement or negativity, rather from genuine curiosity and openness. They wondered why this country with so many people could still be considered poor. They saw the abundant rice fields and palm trees and asked why these resources weren’t being sold or utilized differently. These kinds of questions sparked many discussions and reflections within them, and it became clear that their minds were actively working to understand the world around them. This engagement and learning experience is precisely one of the main reasons why we decided to travel with our kids in the first place.
Now, the weeks after Indonesia, leading up to the point where we currently find ourselves, were somewhat stressful, and honestly, we should have known better! Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City packed into just three and a half weeks was simply too much. In hindsight, it was poor planning, and what makes it a little frustrating is the fact that we should have known better from the start. We had already come to the realization that slow travel is key, yet we ignored it. There were reasons for this, mainly because it fit into a neat “geographical plan”, but it definitely didn’t align with our mental health and wellbeing plan, which should always hold the highest priority.
Just yesterday, I spoke with a fellow traveler who has been on the road with his wife and two kids for over two years. He shared that eventually, the realization comes that “getting the maximum” out of traveling is not about cramming in as many places as possible, but rather about spending meaningful time in places that truly make you happy. That insight resonated deeply with me, and it’s something we will make sure to remember and follow for the remainder of our journey. This time for real!
Kuala Lumpur was fantastic, and so were Melaka and Singapore, each unique and enjoyable in their own way. But lining them up back-to-back like that was simply too much. While we thoroughly enjoyed Kuala Lumpur, the skyscraper apartment, the food tour, the afternoon spent with the German family that had kindly invited us, and all the other sights, we already felt the need for downtime when we arrived in Melaka. By the time we reached Singapore, our energy was completely drained. The hostel room felt claustrophobic, almost like a prison cell, and the constant pressure of the city eating into our budget was overwhelming. The week in Singapore ended up costing us as much as the previous three weeks combined. Even though it felt wonderful to be in a place I had once considered home for the better part of a year, we had to actively convince ourselves to enjoy the experience. We managed to do so temporarily, but the effort to stay positive was draining, and it became clear we had little energy left.
Leaving Singapore felt like a genuine relief, and despite the stomach bug that Sarah unfortunately caught in Ho Chi Minh City, it still felt like we were finally back on a positive track again. We decided to take things slowly and enjoy a much-needed break. We had cozy movie nights in our apartment, enjoyed relaxing baths in the bathtub on the balcony, and only did activities that genuinely felt right for us at the moment. We already knew that two weeks were planned ahead for us on Phu Quoc, where we would stay with other traveling families in a "worldschoolers hub." This meant the kids would finally have the chance to play and interact with other children, while the parents might also get some much-needed time to themselves, something equally important after spending so much time together. And now here we are, on Phu Quoc, feeling confident that the plan is falling back into place. I will write a separate update soon about our experience at the "Better Together Hub" (https://www.bettertogetherhubs.com/) where we are currently staying and participating. Be well!
