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On making travel a part of our normal lives…

vegas lights at nightHow do you continue to make travel a part of your life after coming home from an extended trip?

I’ve been pondering this, since going from 24/7 travel back to a 9-5 with four weeks’ leave is a big change.


One way we won’t be doing it is by hosting Couchsurfers we might go by Croyde holiday cottages to rent. We just don’t have the space  anymore. We no longer have a spare room. Our lounge is tiny and our current furniture set consists of four separate pieces, not a standard couch (we do have them arranged together but they wouldn’t be any good to sleep on). Our floor is tiled not carpeted, so sleeping on the floor here is not an option.

I’ll be honest: I also feel like I might be done with Couchsurfing for awhile. It was fun hosting, it was intense, and I struggled to say no to people. We also had a few memorable experiences as surfers. But I feel like we’ve done our dash, got out what we put in (to be honest I feel we put in more than we got out, because there are way too many surfers and not enough hosts, and it’s worsening every day). Maybe I’ll revisit this later on but for now we’re enjoying our privacy. And of course, we’d happily find a way to accommodate anyone who’s hosted us.

I will keep reading travel blogs to get my fix, however, and am thinking about starting an occasional Q&A series in which I interview other RTW bloggers. And of course, I’ll be keeping an eye out for good travel deals.

We’re thinking Australia should be our next destination (I’ve only been to Sydney, while T has only really passed through Sydney enroute to areas like Bundaberg to visit family). The Great Barrier Reef isn’t getting any younger, you know. And a good friend of mine has just decamped to Sydney – the first of us to marry a foreigner and move overseas permanently.

I’ve also always wanted to go to Niue, another reasonably close to home destination. And while it’s unlikely, should any deals to Spain, Japan or Hong Kong crop up that we could make work with our budget and schedules, I’ll be all over those.

We’ve both seen most of New Zealand, and I feel about travel much as I do about restaurants – for most places, once is enough. There are just too many other / new options to bother going back to the same place twice. That said, I really love the areas just north of Auckland, and am happy to revisit them often as they are close by. 

It going to be hard for us to get away at all, though, since we we’re back to working almost opposing schedules. I’m Monday-Friday, he usually has mid-week days off. I’m sure we can wrangle the occasional weekend off – it’ll just mean less income because those are prime sales days for him. One thing I wouldn’t mind doing this year is the Tongariro Crossing – eight hours seems a bloody long time to walk but I bet we can do it faster, and the scenery needs no further description.

 

25 thoughts on “On making travel a part of our normal lives…

  • Reply Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life February 7, 2014 at 08:20

    I spend a lot of weekends making day or weekend trips, particularly in the warmer months. Events within driving distance are a great excuse to continue traveling without blowing the budget.

  • Reply Lunaguava February 7, 2014 at 10:18

    Keep checking those Japan/Hong Kong deals. We managed to get our asses to Japan way before we ever thought we would just because I spotted a fantastic deal while listlessly browsing the interwebs. Hong Kong is a great spot for a long(ish) weekend – and can be inexpensive, if you play your cards right. Good luck!

  • Reply Rebekah February 7, 2014 at 10:56

    Hong Kong is freaking cool, and for the last couple of years I’ve seen grabaseat deals pop up for it in June/July. (August is the hottest month, which is like 30 degrees.) Go for a week/10 days and you’ll have a good grasp on the city, plus you can go to places like Macau from there!

  • Reply Sue February 7, 2014 at 11:38

    I hear you on all of this. I got home to Melbourne last June after 5 years away (mostly living, but there was a 7 month trip on the way home).

    Compared to being on the road, or just living in Europe, everything seems expensive here in Australia. We’ve been able to fit some fun weekends in around Victoria and we’ve got a few interstate ones coming up (thanks largely to FF points) and even just some day hikes to get out of the city and enjoy a feeling of space and freedom.

    I, like you, get my fill from other travel blogs. And the Tongariro crossing? I’ve only heard good things about that.

  • Reply Jon @ Our Fine Adventure February 7, 2014 at 12:33

    We love to take weekend trips, and it’s easy to find fun and new places to go for us (we live in Colorado in the US, where there are tons of weekend spots in the mountains), but obviously that’s a bit harder with your opposite work schedules. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing looks amazing… you should definitely do it and take lots of photos!!

  • Reply Michelle @fitisthenewpoor February 7, 2014 at 16:26

    We would love to do a house sitting experience or swap, but since we rent, it’s not really that possible. We are also considering putting our apartment on airbnb or other rental sites too.

    We wish we could travel more! We have a long list of places to go- especially in South America.

    • Reply eemusings February 8, 2014 at 10:51

      I would love to try a house swap too but as renters we are in the same position as you.

  • Reply Mackenzie February 7, 2014 at 16:40

    I would love to visit Spain! I have heard it is a beautiful country. I hope you get to go!

  • Reply Dear Debt February 7, 2014 at 17:14

    You should totally go to Spain. It’s beautiful and amazing. I also struggle with this. I’ve always had a 9-5, and I usually only go on 1-2 week trips per year (yay for American vacation schedules). I always dream of going for longer, but debt, budget and “real life pull me back. I feel like I have a serial case of wanderlust!

  • Reply La Tejana @ Debt Free Tejana February 7, 2014 at 17:38

    Oh Spain is just wonderful! I spent a semester there in college and another 6 weeks in 2011, so if you ever need any tips for traveling there, please let me know.

    And daytrips are always fun. But you might try using credit card rewards to get deals on flights (just make sure you pay the card off with your checking immediately after each purchase).

  • Reply Lucinda February 7, 2014 at 17:43

    I like the 12 short tips philosophy – I think it’s a great way to try and keep travel a part of your life.

    http://www.needanotherholiday.com/celebrating-12-months-blogging-challenge-take12trips/

  • Reply Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) February 8, 2014 at 00:18

    I used to have a similar approach to travel as you do—I assumed on this trip that we’d visit places and cross them off our list but predominantly jump from one new place to the next. But I’ve found that if with the few places I’ve REALLY loved, one visit is nowhere near enough. There is always more to explore and discover, and I think there can be a lot of pleasure in returning to loved places (or books, or movies, or restaurants!) and just reveling in all that is good. I’m still up for an adventure but I definitely plan to return to places as well.

    • Reply eemusings February 8, 2014 at 11:01

      I was referring specifically to NZ and having seen most of it (since unless you are outdoorsy there literally isn’t a whole lot to explore in most areas after a visit or two, and perhaps I am showing my touristy streak by always wanting novelty – have never really understood the kiwi desire to have a bach/holiday house in NZ). But internationally speaking I suppose practicality also dictates similar. There are a couple places I would love to return to (nyc being top of the list and a must) but overall as residents of a stupidly distant and isolated country who aren’t rich, work normal jobs and don’t wish to be nomads or self employed, who do want most of the trappings of normal life, most destinations are realistically a once off for us. Such are the choices we make, it’s impossible to have it all ways.

      I love returning to fave books and think you’re spot on with your analogy there. Other cities I would revisit were time/money no object would be Rome and Paris (such great cities and with so much to explore) and though Santorini is tiny I would also go back in a heartbeat. Yet overall, if you were to present me with the choice of an all expenses paid trip to a new destination or to an equally awesome destination that I’ve been to and loved, I’d go with the new one. I guess the lure of the new and unknown is too great.

      Your comments are always so thought provoking – thanks!

  • Reply J Rodrriguez February 8, 2014 at 12:01

    I hear you on the couch surfers. I’ve “helped” a lot of friends by giving them somewhere to sleep, but it always drains on the finances!

  • Reply Link love (Powered by crutches and Mexican blankets) | NZ Muse February 8, 2014 at 14:57

    […] other a lot more than usual this week, we were basically holed up at home rather than being able to get out and about. Ah well, the weather has been temperamental this week […]

  • Reply Cashville Skyline February 9, 2014 at 12:42

    I love traveling and I don’t think I’ll ever want to cut back. My job is unique because I get to travel a lot in the United States and Canada, but I haven’t done a ton of travel outside of North America. I’ve reached the highest status on Southwest Airlines, but that doesn’t really help outside of the U.S. I picked up the Barclay Arrival card this year to help pay for a big trip this year (hopefully Iceland). My vacation time is limited, so there never feels like enough time to go to other parts of the world. More international travel is one of my goals once I reach a higher level of financial stability.

  • Reply Michele {Malaysian Meanders} February 10, 2014 at 19:02

    We’ve done an incredible about of travel over the last few years while based in Malaysia, but I know that we’ll be cutting back when we move back home to Texas in July. I’m trying to figure out how I can still get the thrill of travel and exploration even though we’ll be living in the same place where I’ve lived for most of my life. In other words, I totally get what you’re saying. Have you considered a trip to Indonesia or Malaysia from where you are? It’s closer than Japan and Hong Kong and rather cheap once you get on the ground.

    • Reply eemusings February 10, 2014 at 19:05

      Been to Malaysia multiple times (born there, even went back on our RTW trip last year) and Indonesia holds no draw for me.

  • Reply Daisy February 11, 2014 at 07:13

    Australia is on my list of must see places. I haven’t travelled much outside of North America, but it’s starting with our honeymoon in September. We’ll in in Asia for 3-4 weeks, and I hope to do Europe in 2015. I only have a 4-5 weeks of vacation/year, but I want to use it travelling.

  • Reply Deia @ Nomad Wallet February 11, 2014 at 10:31

    When you’re planning your Australian trip, you really have to work the Whitsunday Islands into your schedule. It’s as pretty as the pictures!

  • Reply Mrs. Chasing the Donkey February 12, 2014 at 01:57

    Thanks so much for linking up to the #SundayTraveler this week. I use Kayak and set up email alerts for the places I wanna visit, that way it saves time.

  • Reply Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy February 12, 2014 at 06:46

    I imagine this feeling being similar to knowing you get to quit your job to travel long term but knowing you have to keep going to work everyday for the next 9 months… Good luck incorporating travel into your “new” life! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler 🙂

  • Reply Jess February 12, 2014 at 12:16

    I just looked up the Tongariro Crossing – it looks awesome! Working travel into a ‘normal’ life can take planning, but it sounds like you’re on top of it.

  • Reply frankaboutcroatia February 13, 2014 at 01:37

    Seems like we share the same dream of visiting Spain this year. Since we are based in Europe, we’ve got a good chance for it to really happen. Our plan is to visit Basque country and Galicia. Both for the scenery and the food. Hope some great deal will come your way. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler.

  • Reply CarmensTravelTips February 16, 2014 at 12:39

    Traveling to me is like an addiction, the more I travel the more I want to see the world. I’m looking forward to when my kids are off to college and we have more free time at hand to travel. Take the time and go to Spain. It’s a wonderful county, I know, my family is from Tenerife, Canary Islands. Good luck with your travels!

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