Two weeks in – five things we’ve learned so far

This is how we roll now…two lives, one backpack

We’re now two weeks into our trip…a teeny tiny slice of our now 18 month trip through Asia. It was going so well up until my perforated eardrum and that meant getting medical help, bunkering down at the family-run guest house we were at and changing our travel plans as I cant go near water for six weeks…more to come on that later! Oh and school, we haven’t done enough school but we’re getting used to it slowly. It’s so hard when it’s so easy to snorkel, swim and play on the beach, and while I’ve been sick I haven’t been able to get lessons sorted…but we’re on the up!

Here’s five things we’ve learned so far:

 1. It’s totally possible to travel with kids for a year.
The hard work of packing, cancelling accounts, renting the house, changing insurance and stuffing our backpack is all done now, we are free and easy and Emmie is so happy and so am I!

2. The worries are gone.
I swear to God I’ve lost 10 years off my face. Im not frowning, I’m not worrying. I’m just hanging and loving life and loving the lifestyle of exploring new places, swimming, playing and just living life as it should be. I’ve learned that we should be chasing the happy, and that doesn’t neccessarily mean fancy homes and cars, and working all the time to buy new things. It can actually mean a simpler life on the road.

3. Book your first few weeks of accommodation before you go. 
Thats what we did (apart from a few places that we quickly booked once we got here) and it’s made life so much easier. After the stress of packing and leaving it’s nice to cruise through for a few weeks. Plus I booked and paid for a couple of nice resorts – the Shangri-La Mactan and Coco Grove Resort Siquijor- while I was still working and had an income so it hasn’t impacted my travel budget. I’m glad we didn’t book too far ahead though, now that we have to change our plans.

4. Pack antibiotics and seek help if they don’t kick in.
Emmie has had a pretty big face fester and I’ve had a nasty ear infection at the moment. I didn’t think we’d have to dip into our medical supplies so soon and I’m so glad I brought them. I’m not 100% sure Em’s has cleared up yet, and my ear needed further treatment – but we got sick so quickly I’d recommend taking antibiotics on any trip over a week – just in case.

5. If you’re thinking about it, do it. 
It’s incredible. Amazing. I cant remember when I have been so carefree and happy. Em and I are still getting our groove together and there are daily battles of wills and reminders of manners and it’s not all constant wonderful but it’s nothing compared to being at home and working working working and hardly seeing my girl. Even with being sick and changing plans we have the luxury of time and Emmie is enjoying being here at the guesthouse and just hanging with the kids.

Yipppeeeee loving this life xo