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Three weeks today Darren and I are leaving on a jet plane and just like the song, we don't know when we'll be back again. Isn't that just ridiculous?
Ever since Darren and I met we knew we wanted to travel. We've spoken about it for years but the time never felt right. We have always had other ambitions that eventually became priorities and therefore travel always took a back seat…but it was never forgotten.
So now all those 'priorities' have been fulfilled. We bought our house, we got hitched (in Vegas…hell yeah), we have had awesome all inclusive holidays in the sun; Christmases in the mountains (twice!) and we have both progressed in our careers (I say both…I pretty much mean kick-ass Darren). And now here we are a married couple with a mortgage. We're bored of our jobs, tired of the same routine day in day out, that same drive to and from work every day, sick of the same food, the same pubs (and I REALLY love pubs). Something has to change, and the only people that can make that change is us.
So we have saved, begged and borrowed and finally we have the money to fund our travels. We have rented out our house, started bagging up our belongings and wait for it…WE'VE QUIT OUR JOBS!!!! People constantly ask me how the planning is going…'planning?' I say. I'm really not one for having the whole trip planned out, what if we hate somewhere and we've planned to stay there for two weeks? What if we love somewhere but we are due to fly out the next morning? Planning seems a nonsensical and pretty dam stressful thing to do to me. We have a route; we have destinations that we must explore and a couple of dates that we should adhere to, The Full Moon PARTY on November 17th being one! But other than that, we are going with the nomadic flow, following the traveller's path wherever it may lead. That is what is so enchanting!
And so it was done…We have booked a one way flight to Bangkok for Thursday 26th September and three nights in a hostel, £5.93 p.p.p.n. GET IN!!! Oh and that includes breakfast!!! We have our almighty backpacks, our VISA's for Vietnam (heart in mouth moment when you actually have to post your beloved British passport made of gold dust to The Vietnamese Embassy) and we have guaranteed our Working Holiday VISA for Australia. We have had more vaccinations than a rabid dog and have created a medical kit so vast that I feel I could possibly perform an emergency tracheotomy on the road side should this situation arise! I'm pretty sure that's prepared enough.
Since we booked this trip, people have told us how 'brave' we are. In return I always answer 'Is it brave to live?' We are unhappy here, why would we stay? There are things about this trip that we know are not going to be easy. We are not going to have home comforts; we will be in basic hostels throughout. They might be dirty, they may be noisy and our beds may even have creatures living in them. We are going to encounter hardship, poverty and spiders the size of my head and yes it is all a little daunting but we are not afraid, these are the stories we look forward to sharing with you all when we return.
The next three weeks will no doubt involve lots of 'goodbyes', celebrations and I'm sure the occasional tear when the overwhelming reality of all this sets in. There are people close to our hearts that we shall miss dearly and people we wish we could super shrink, place in our backpacks and take with us. These people know who they are and they must remember that this isn't 'Goodbye' this is simply 'Bon Voyage'. xxxxxxxxx
- comments
aunt b very well done, i would like to b in your case, so when you are afraid,i cane comfort you,when you cry i can wipe your tear, and when you c the amazing sites i can whatch your face, a pice of my hart goes with you my love, i hope you rainbow holds a pot of gold so big it can fill a space that no one ells can, you and the love of your life,:), look arfter each other,have lots n lots of fun, make unforgetable memorys as thay are your treshurs, all my love allways, will follow you on heare, and hope to c you soon. xxxx
Eileen & John Smith Hi Sam & Darren we are so excited for you both we know how scary it can be 1st hand and we had 3 small children but the world gives back to you what you present so just remember to be true to yourself and your values and have a wonderful adventure! We will follow your trip with great interest your loving Aunt & Uncle from the USA.
Saffron Garner All the best Sam and Hubby. I will follow with interest and cannot wait to hear your stories from afar and hopefully, having travelled a little, can appreciate your experiences. Enjoy. Congratulations on living your life to the max xx
Vera and Richad Jolley Hi Darren and Sam Hope all your dreams come true , and it lives up to your expectations. We will miss you very much not knowing you are just down the road but have loads of fun and take good care of each other .We will do our best to follow your adventure love always nanna and grandad
David Smith If you find yourself in the USA and want to see the motor city I’ve got a spare room and bed. Enjoy your adventure and never ask what you are being served for dinner. I’d say god bless but he obviously already has!!!!
Kate And today the adventure begins! Have a great time, can't wait to keep up with your adventures! Enjoy each day! Kate xx