From the moment I started writing my blog, I’ve repeatedly emphasized that we are not on a trip or a vacation, we’re on a journey.
And why does that matter? Because there are fundamental differences between the two, and the way we go about things is completely different.
Our Trips
Until now, we had always gone on trips or vacations that were defined in advance as short-term, from just a few days to two weeks.
Since I’m a kindergarten teacher, our travel dates were limited to school holidays. Our travel destinations were restricted, of course, and flights were during peak season, so prices matched.
Before every such trip, we prepared a detailed itinerary and knew where we would be (almost) every moment.
Time was short and limited, and we carried a list of recommended sites, attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Our days would start early in the morning when we left the hotel, and end late at night when we returned.
Each day, we walked or drove for hours, and made sure to check off ✔️ every item planned for that day.
Each trip felt a bit like a mini-marathon: trying to see as many sites as possible, take part in as many attractions as we could, taste exotic foods, and find gifts for family and friends back home.
The Journey Is Very Different
Our Journey
The time allotted for this journey is significantly longer. We defined the duration of our stay in each location based on the visa we could obtain. In Thailand, we get a 60s day visa, in Laos, one month and in Vietnam, up to three months.
We’re on a long journey, and part of the experience is staying in one place for an extended period.
We only stay in hotels for a few days at a time, while looking for an apartment or house to settle in afterward.
It’s important for us to feel “at home”, to live as much as possible like locals, and less like tourists who are just passing through.
The longer timeframe of the journey allows us to choose distant destinations and to reach each one during its ideal season in terms of weather and flight prices.
Many of the constraints that come with short vacations simply don’t exist on a journey like this.
We’re able to do this because we’re traveling and working at the same time.
Our daily routine is different from a typical vacation, it includes time for work and time for leisure.
The journey moves at a different pace, allowing us to fully experience each place we stay.
We’re not in a “mini-marathon”; we have time to explore our surroundings and discover hidden gems on our own, not just check off ✔️ recommended tourist spots.
One day, we set out to explore the nearby area, something we love doing, to see what hidden gems we might find.
At this point in our journey, we’re living in Koh Lanta. We rented a small ground-level house surrounded by trees and lush greenery.
The house is located near a side road, and most of our neighbors are Thai.
We walked along the road, saw the neighbors’ homes, some cute monkeys (from a distance 😀), flowers and butterflies, and a rubber tree forest.
As we strolled slowly, we heard the gentle sound of water. A glance to the side revealed a small stream flowing between the trees.
A perfect opportunity for a short rest and to dip our feet in the cool, refreshing water.
We came back home from our little walk with big smiles and a new collection of photos.
A walk we probably wouldn’t have taken during a short, time-limited vacation packed with “must-see” attractions.
