Sometimes you go on a trip and it really gives you a lot to mentally digest. A new perspective, and an appreciation for what we have and what we have been given by simply being Canadian. I just got back from an epic trip spanning almost a month in South East Asia. Every few years my husband and I forego the all inclusive/resort vacation for an adventure type trip (or at least our version of adventure) this trip was 100% amazing.
We took 14 flights, visited 6 countries and really made the most of our time over there. Highlights included 5 nights on Kandolhu Island in The Maldives. This place is heaven on earth, it took me an entire day to come to grips with actually being in such a luxurious and beautiful place. We were able to stay in one of their over water villas with floor to ceiling windows, our own private infinity pool and sundeck with stairs down to the ocean & house reef. Private dinners on the beach, cocktails with the head chef and managers, yacht excursions, and stocked coolers with champagne on deserted islands. I feel humbled and so completely thankful to have been able to experience this with my husband and longtime friends Marc & Laura. It will be one for the books for sure, and not soon forgotten.
Now on to Vietnam! We met up with a larger group and visited many places in the northern part of this beautiful country. I was not exactly sure what I was in for when we booked this part of the trip, I had prepared myself for emotional and thoughtful moments aplenty. Having just come from one of the most expensive places I have been, surrounded by affluence and opulence, Vietnam was becomingly grounding without being too jarring in terms of poverty and basic human needs. The people of Vietnam are amazing! They are friendly and warm and extremely welcoming. We were always very comfortable being in the large cities or in the small rural communities. Personally I enjoyed the country settings a bit more, but I am a 'country mouse' and enjoy my space and nature more than bright lights and the hustle & bustle.
Other stops along the way included Hong Kong - a lovely city of many millions that was clean and friendly with lots to see and do.
Sri Lanka - a newly discovered tourist area, I feel like we got there just in time to experience the place and people before it becomes more commercialized.
Bangkok - we only had a few hours layover here so we took in the insane craziness of Khao San road, it was pretty unbelievable. I may be too old for places like this now.
Kuala Lumpur - the capital city of Malaysia, another layover so we took in the highlights of the downtown and treated ourselves to a massive suite at a lovely hotel after being in the tiniest hotel room I have ever seen in Hong Kong.
Vietnam - included Hanoi, An Bang Beach, Hoi An, Danang, and a private boat charter of Ha Long Bay. Google this place, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site and breathtaking.
Seoul - a quick stop here on our way home, I had no idea that South Korea could get so cold. We got to see a televised version of the opening ceremonies of the Olympic in nearby Peyongchang, a very different experience to see Canada march into the Olympic stadium from another countries perspective.
I certainly want to point out that leaving North America for several weeks and traveling to the opposite of the earth would not be possible with most other jobs. I am very fortunate to be able to make my own schedule and to have a team of people here that can look after my business while I am away. For the most part I am my own boss, but at Exit, we have a great brokerage model and exceptional administrators that make my job much easier.
The biggest thing I took away from this trip is how much we can take for granted as Canadians. It's so damn easy to get wrapped up in our own world here and not see the bigger picture of what's happening in the rest of the world. We have been given a life of choice and ability, of opportunity and freedom of thought, of clean air and water... It's one of those things that you can't truly appreciate until you leave it behind and see that what you take for granted, others could only dream of. There is beauty in every corner of this earth, and I have come to appreciate this corner that much more now.
