HANOI, VIETNAM – June 15th marks one year since leaving the farm property we called home for 26 years and setting out to travel the world with all our worldly possessions packed into four suitcases.
Where have we been and what have we done over the last 12 months?
In our first full year on the road we’ve stepped foot in 10 countries on three continents, slept in 36 different beds in almost as many cities and covered more than 27,000 miles on land, sea and air.
We’ve visited islands and harbors, forests and farmlands, cities, villages and towns.
We’ve traveled by train and airplane, sailed on oceangoing and smaller channel ferries, cruised on a yacht, navigated waterways by motorboat and a human-powered bamboo boat, toured in private and public buses, got around in taxis and GRAB ride-sharing cars, and we also walked – A LOT!
Our journey so far has covered enough miles to circumnavigate the Earth with a couple thousand miles to spare, or enough to cross the U.S. from coast to coast NINE times.
Over the last 52 weeks we’ve seen a lot… Ancient archaeological sites, towering cathedrals, museums and historic relics. We’ve taken some truly great semi-private tours of royal castles, manor houses, ancient villages and a unique bird sanctuary.
We accompanied a Vietnamese NGO on a charity trip to a remote mountain region where we distributed school goods and food to impoverished ethnic children.
We enjoyed front row seats at a lively Irish music and dance dinner show on our wedding anniversary, watched a performance by a marching pipe and drum band just an arm’s length away in the village street, and joined a Vietnamese ethnic dance troupe on stage for a few awkward steps.
We’ve tried many new and unfamiliar foods, sampled the wares at historic breweries and distilleries; shopped for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and more in local markets and street stalls; and watched indigenous craftsmen at work.
And John took many, many photos of it all.
The best thing about our slow travel has been the people we have met and the kindness and generosity they have shown. We’ve shared many lunches and dinners with local acquaintances, been invited to spend time in their homes and made many new friends.
While our adventure has been taxing at times, this has been a truly interesting and wondrous year of learning, and neither of us has regretted for one second leaving our home behind to explore the world.
Happy anniversary to us!
Wonderful to hear about your adventures. You are truly travelers and definitely not tourists. Would love to hear about your favorite food experiences.
Food? We have written a few posts already. Vietnamese food is delicious, fresh and filling. Here in Hanoi, we go from Vietnamese to Indian, to a pretty authentic taco place (believe it or not), Korean, Italian/pizza, draft beer joint and munchies, and street food. It is a pretty tough decision every day. Did I mention the french bakery croissants for breakfast with our eggs? Glad you follow our adventures, sorry we can’t send you a taste.
Wholly Amazing Odyssey, Batpersons! I wonder if you have glimpsed the next possible residence yet, or if the next year’s travels might take you to that special Shangri La?
Not that you would want to settle down yet … So I’ll just say Bon Voyage, and keep on reporting. xoxo
Next stop will be Danang, where we’ll set up housekeeping for a while so we can explore central Vietnam. After that… who knows? We have a long wish list, and we keep hearing about other “must-see” places from fellow travelers we meet On The Road.
You two are truly experiencing a good life. May you have more years of happiness!
Thanks Janie. Yes, our life on the road is good. We’re so grateful we’re still “young” enough to enjoy it.
What a wonderful adventure you guys are having! Happy expat anniversary! 💗
Thanks Deb. It’s been quite a year. We’re looking forward to what the next 12 months hold.