Questions About Travel
Travelling the way we do, in regular lengthy stretches, is not something everyone is fortunate enough, well enough or even inclined to do. Whatever your chosen style of travel, there are some questions which all of us who do so are asked on a regular basis. Like…
What do you miss about home? Answer: very little. My stock answer is “proper English ale” which is true, I do find myself craving a good pint sometimes. Michaela meanwhile goes straight for the roast lamb and mint sauce. With both of our families being scattered around the country, we always make a round of visits on our return and probably don’t see them any less than we did when we were at home. Oh, and I always relish a Cornwall fix.
Do you get ill often? No. We are adventurous with what we eat on our travels, we always want to try the local cuisine. Of course there’s the occasional brief bout of “travel tummy” but in the main we are happily resilient and cope comfortably.
Do you ever tire of always moving on? Again it’s a no. We both love the feeling of heading on to the next place, even in those times where we love a place and feel that we may be leaving too soon, it’s always – always – overridden by the excitement of setting off to somewhere new. We even enjoy those one night stands before catching a ferry or similar.
Do you think you’ll reach the point where you don’t want to do it any more? Well at this point we can only say that we have no such feelings, there are too many places we haven’t seen yet. We feel like we’ll be doing this for as long as our health permits.
Have you ever been anywhere where you want to move permanently? Yes, actually – one in Mexico and one in Turkey, but we will never do it. Too many places to see.
How are the COVID protocols in other countries? Don’t know and don’t really care, for us it’s ancient history now and we hope it stays that way.
Have you ever felt in danger and/or scared? Hmm, not really in danger, but unnerved sometimes. Despite the independent nature of our travels, we aren’t in the habit of intentionally putting ourselves in a dangerous situation. And there’s far more good people than bad ones in the world.
What’s the best place you’ve been? Ah, the ultimate “can’t answer that” question. It’s hard enough to even name the best coastal resort, or the best city, or the best mountain location, etc, let alone anything as impossible as a best place. Of course we do have some places which we look back on with real affection, some which were endlessly exciting, some which provided incredible experiences. But a favourite? Not a chance.
Where are you going next? Well we’re shortly off to…..no, you’ll have to wait.
19 Comments
Gilda Baxter
Interesting to hear your thoughts on these question, which all sound very familiar to us also. Often people ask where is our favourite place, but just like you said it is hard to choose a favourite when every place offers something unique and beautiful.
From home we miss seeing the family, we do see them a lot when we return home to make up for the time away. But it is particularly hard when we miss special family occasions.
Can I ask where was your most expensive destination? Do you have a particular travel budget?
Phil & Michaela
Hello Gilda, hope you are all well. The “most expensive” destination is an easy one to answer – it was California, just now. Incredibly expensive, we never really thought we’d spend that much on a single trip! Budget wise, we’re fortunate enough to not be on a tight budget but we do carefully monitor costs so that we’re in control. We do have a self-imposed budget (based on making our travel money last as long as possible) but California blew that right out of the water!!
Annie Berger
Enjoyed reading your thoughtful answers all frequent travelers hear from family and friends. A chance to explore the world when you have the financial resources, good health, an enquiring mind, and the zest for what’s around the corner is not to be missed or taken for granted.
Phil & Michaela
Absolutely, couldn’t agree more! Where are you guys right now?
Annie Berger
In Flores. Guatemala just before heading to the Tikal ruins. Will be here in Guatemala for about ten days.
Phil & Michaela
Wow. Enjoy!
Annie Berger
Actually not do long after all, Phil, as I broke my femur yesterday hiking in Tikal and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital outside of Flores. Was operated on last night and hope to be discharged on Monday afternoon. Don’t know when it’ll be safe to fly home. Just another (mis)adventure!
Phil & Michaela
Oh noooo Annie. Our hearts come out to you…
grandmisadventures
Very good answers to these common questions. Can’t wait to see where your next adventure will take you!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
You guys certainly have an envious lifestyle and sense of adventure. Cheers (see how this Texan can talk British?) to you for taking the plunge and living your dream. We would love to do what you’re doing, and maybe we are, just on a smaller scale. We’re looking forward to your next destination(s).
Toonsarah
Haha yes, I recognise all those questions, even though our travel styles aren’t quite the same – we take shorter trips than you, interspersed with weekend breaks etc., and aren’t averse to paying tour companies to do some of the donkey work of pre-booking some accommodation and transfers 🙂 I’m completely with you on the thrill of moving on, however much you’ve loved where you currently are! As to what I miss from home, I can’t put my finger on one thing such as a drink or a meal, but when it’s time to return I find myself looking forward to the little things like our favourite local coffee shop or a walk through the park.
How long are you going to keep us wondering where you’re off to next?!
Phil & Michaela
Not long…
wetanddustyroads
Great answers to those questions! And the one thing we also learned on our travels (both abroad and local) … to quote you: “There’s far more good people than bad ones in the world”. Can’t wait for your next adventure …
Lookoom
Where are you from? and those other annoying questions. If answering them can be tiring, it is interesting to reflect on them, to better understand what pushes us to travel, to finally travel better, in agreement with ourselves. Keep it up!
leightontravels
Ah so many familiar questions, which I’ve been asked many times by curious acquaintances and baffled friends. A good read!
WanderingCanadians
There’s definitely too many places to see … but I’m sure you’ll certainly try to see them all!! Looking forward to hearing about where you’re off to next!
Alison
I was wondering where you had got to Phil! Not checking my emails regularly
Good questions and answers. I would love to travel more but hate putting out boys in kennels and we haven’t gone down the pet sitting route as our boys are a bit volatile. I would also miss my daughter and grandkids, so it’s just short breaks for us at the moment. Looking forward to reading about your next continent 🙂
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderers
Great information and we concur with your comments a lot.
What about international travel health care coverage?
We use Assist Card. It covers us anywhere and we have used it and the service has been first class.
Phil & Michaela
We use a UK based Company, Staysure. They seem very efficient and can always cover us – but we haven’t needed to test their claims service (luckily!)