“We’ve only just Bagan.”, Ron of Flip’n Travels playfully coined, referring to our whirlwind Myanmar jaunt. For me and my two-year-old daughter Luna, it was indeed a beginning — it was also our longest journey together without the hubby. Myanmar commenced another family backpacking trip with unknown destinations and an unplanned schedule.
Here We Go Again
Our round-the-world trip back in 2011-2012 garnered a bunch of raised eyebrows, mostly from our respective families and random conventional parents. Who in their right minds would travel around the world with a toddler? Well, first and foremost, we’re a married couple who are not known for acting with our “right minds”. Second, because the countdown to domesticity was pounding in our ears. Time is of the essence, and if we didn’t chase our dream then, when will we?
So we followed our gut. And for 280 days, we saw the world from our chosen perspective.
Day by day we unveiled snapshots that depict our experiences, and this made non-believers somehow understand this once-in-a-lifetime journey. But now that we’re doing it all over again, skeptics assume that our immature selves are simply running away.
But we’re not running away. We’re running towards adventure!
Towards spontaneity. Towards more learning. Towards freedom.
Plan B
We actually attempted to design our lives in a more ordinary fashion right after our round-the-world trip concluded. Yah know, I want to have a food processor. I want to tend my own herb garden. And I also want to build a cubby house for Luna. I looked forward to achieving these wants this 2013, the year we thought we’re finally settling down.
When 2012 was about to end, however, I found myself restless. And compiling Pinay Travel Junkie’s Year-Ender last December aggravated the situation. I knew I was not ready to be chained in one place. I confessed this to the hubby.
He confessed the same. And right then and there, we agreed to hit the road again.
Newborn Challenges
This trip, as mentioned earlier, started in Myanmar where Luna and I joined fellow Filipino travel bloggers. After six exhausting, action/dust-packed days (slash sleepless nights), we reunited with the hubby in Singapore where we visited my sister. Stayed there for two-and-a-half days, long enough to catch up on sleep and gorge on char siew and kaya toast.
Currently, I’m swearing in our dingy Vientiane hostel room because of its patchy in-room WiFi access. I already feel beaten up and a little uninspired, and this work obstacle is certainly driving me nuts. I also lack sleep yet again. Last night, for the first time, we didn’t give Luna bottled milk. She’s now two years and six months old, and we’re making her slowly wean off the bottle. This shall prepare her for potty training. How the heck do we do that while constantly moving around? I don’t know yet, but we’ll eventually work that out.
Then there’s this other uhm, issue, that surely requires a bit of planning. The hubby and I think it’s time for a second bub. Luna seems to suggest it every time she steals a toddler from unknowing parents. I am terrified of being pregnant again, but if that’s what it takes to have another adorable backpacking buddy, then I’ll get my act together.
You Can Run But You Can’t Hide
You see, like “normal” folks, we’re caught up in the same predicaments. We know there’s no escaping them, so instead we deal with things differently. And during such process, we choose to have world heritage sites and national landmarks as our backdrop. That’s where our adventure lies. And we’re running towards that.
If there’s one thing we’d like to run away from, that would be a closed mind. But even that follows as around.
How would you define travels? Were/are you running away or running towards something?
I admire the way you write and the courage you have in not settling down even with a toddler (and a baby soon in the works?) 🙂 Looking forward to reading about your family adventures. Cheers!
This post makes me contemplate upon the reality of life– of chasing our dreams and running towards adventure. Wonderful post! 🙂
Currently battling with my fear of being pregnant, hihi.
I am sure you are running towards adventure yourself 🙂
Makes me ponder. I and the hubby have been married for more than 2 years, people ask when I plan to get pregnant…i always say maybe next year when im done travelling…now it has changed to next year when we have a car.. realized that travelling may not get really done. i ask myself sometimes too and i really dont know. Maybe im not prepared yet, maybe we dont have funds yet…maybe we still want to continue running to adventures too. Tough.
LOL on Luna stealing random toddlers.
The openness and shared passions that you and your husband have are amazing and enviable. You have a truly unique, wonderful and inspiring family, and should you do decide to welcome another tot, I’m sure you guys would be able to handle life as insanely and coolly as you always have 🙂
You’ll know when it just “feels right” 🙂
I’m glad Luna handles the toddlers with care. Haha! Having two tots is definitely a colossal challenge, but yeah, we’re almost ready for that.
All the best to you and your family, Gaye. You are such an inspiration. A lot of sacrifices, work-arounds and doing things differently when you want to achieve your travel dreams, I realized. I will continue to read about the adventures of you and your family!
Thank you, Paul. I know you are chasing your dream too, and I simply love reading about your off-the-beaten path adventures because I cannot dive into that kind of exploration right now. Hihi.
napakatalented mo talaga gay. Having a family hit the road tapos toddler palang si luna is definitely a talent… yung iba na mom nga nasa house lang pero di magkanda ugaga sa mga kids pero ikaw supercool lang… hehe… good luck to another adventurous trip cheers!
I became Luna’s #1 fan after I came across your site early this year. Since then I have been visiting your blog to see new pics of the famous globe-trotting toddler. Luna… you are such an inspiration kiddo!
Before I was really scared to move around, visit countries and be out of my comfort zone. Reading your blog inspired me to be more adventurous and the impact you have towards other’s so heart warming. You and your family are together chasing a dream, a life conquest. Nothing, not a child, stopped you and your husband walk around the world. Very brave I have to say! I hope to one day figure out myself if I want the same road. You are so awe inspiring!
http://www.evankristine.com
Siguro kasi wala akong bahay na nililinis at hindi ako lagi nagluluto? Haha! Darating din ako dyan. Yikes!
Luna will be thrilled to read this when she’s older 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. You too shall find your path when the right time comes 🙂
Thank you. Surely hoping for the same course!
I miss you both! I still have a pending blog post regarding my experience on travelling with you and Luna. Lalo akong bumilib sayo, girl! 😀
Sometimes, it is ok to take it slow para rin for the family (which i believe ginawa niyo naman hehe). I can say that you and hubby are good parents to Luna even if you keep on moving from one place to another. Ok din yun para hindi siya maging batang tamad tulad ko haha 😀
About the new baby, hmmm… saan you balak i-manufacture? joke :)) hope to see the family again soon. <3
Best of luck to your new adventures on the road and in life, Gay! Very nice post this is. Same as you, I’ve had thoughts on whether I must accept that I have to continue working for the practical wants or should I just seize the day, leave everything behind and see the world. I guess, in your case, being married to a travel junkie like you makes it a lot easier to make that decision. And I find it funny that I was just in the cinema this afternoon watching a movie whose story line touches on this thought of yours. Go watch it if you have a chance. It’s called “Admission” starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd.
God bless on your trips Gay. Bilis lumaki n Luna.excited na ako sa next baby.
I still haven’t written about Dasol! Haha! Haven’t really thought about where to “manufacture” the bub, I guess it just happens. But it’s definitely not China again :p
Thanks, Andrew! Yes, it is heaps easier when you’re married to someone who understands your addiction. Haha. Best of luck to you also and will look for a copy of Admission.
“If there’s one thing we’d like to run away from, that would be a closed mind” –>I totally agree on this one! Excited for you, Gay, and the adventures and life ahead of you! =)
Round-the-world trip! Love that!
Go for the new travel buddy! Im sure luna will be the happiest sister! 🙂
Thanks! Haha, I’m excited too… Pero parang mas-afraid ako. LOL.
ow! baby number 2 🙂 people tend to dictate what’s normal or not eh? when i talk about you and your cute family they wouldn’t believe up until they read your posts. haha.
Haha! I can’t believe it myself.
i like char siew & kaya toast, i can eat them everyday! 🙂
but seriously, i enjoyed reading this post. the last paragraphs struck me the most!
luna, as far as i know is the youngest, most adorable backpacker around, hands down or hands up, whatever! hehehe!
I’d like to see how you can do travel and baby number 2, but it will be very difficult I suppose. However, I’d love to see Luna with a travel buddy, a sister or a brother will do! And yes, just like what you said, we always want to run away from people with closed minds, and yet they still follow us around. good luck then!
The hubby lives off kaya toast whenever we’re in SG! Haha!
That would be a herculean task fo sho! That’s why we prefer a few years gap between two children so as the older one can be independent in some ways. Then we can focus our time and energy with the younger one. Good luck to us!
We say bring on the 2nd baby! That’ll be 4 future air tickets to adventure.
You’re such an inspiration Gay! Must be so hard parenting on the road but you made this possible with such gentle breeze. I salute you idol for this achievement. Luna is the luckiest backpacker kid i’ve known. Im sure when she grow up, she’ll be proud of her mom for letting her see the world. Perhaps having a 2nd baby will not be easy but whatever maybe.. Good luck Gay! 🙂
Thanks Riz I need lotsa luck. Haha.