See the world - Explore it

Where, when and how? Making the decision to go is the first step but then comes the where, when and how? We brainstormed ideas, places, events and festivals and came up with a "wish list". We purchased a huge map of the world and fixed it to our dining room wall, which became the focus of all our mealtimes together from hereon in. We highlighted all the countries that were on our wish list and when we would like to arrive. Easy! Hmmm no ..... It looked like we were going to be travelling for half the year in the cold or rainy seasons, a definite deal breaker for Mum, so back to the drawing board!!   Compromise was going to be needed. Was attending a rock festival in Europe worth paddling through Asia in the wet season?  Happy wife, happy life!  We decided to navigate around the world based on 'seasons' first and then determine where and what to do on route. Travelling with a child also determined many of our destinations. War torn countries, those with...

Letting go of stuff For those following my procrastinating on Facebook, you’ll know it is not as easy as it sounds. With our departure date looming, I have been forced into revaluating again and again what I had planned to cram into the backpacks for our adventure. The weight finally forcing me into letting go of the non-essentials such as jewellery, extra shoes and at least 2kgs of toiletries! A year’s travel could be a great opportunity to see if not using shampoo does do your hair good. If it’s not light or necessary, then it’s not going.   Packing up my home has been a far less traumatic experience. I have realised I have placed too much emphasis on the stuff in my life. Emotional connections to items that I don’t even like, just because they were gifted to me or reminded me of someone. I pulled out valuable items, bubbled wrapped and stored safely under the bed, not even displayed for fear of earthquakes or boys boisterous play. After inspecting my bathroom cupb...