We’re trading in our Manhattan apartment and stuffing two duffle bags with what we’ll need for 10 months of around-the-world-travel.
Before Sandeep and I met 9 years ago, we had collectively lived in 6 different countries and visited over 30. On our first date we talked about extended travel and places we have yet to see.
We both became increasingly wrapped up in fulfilling careers. Health became something to worry about when I found out I had MS five years ago. Ava was born 2 days after I graduated from business school in May 2008. Sandeep became committed to a start-up. Kayan entered the world before Ava turned two.
As we fell into a comfortable routine, we put aside plans of extended travel. Our apartment had a revolving door of friendly faces. It was filled with goofiness during the day, occasional tantrums in the evenings and the hum of a sleeping family at night. Yet with pre-school applications on the horizon and health generally on our side, we realized that now is as bad a time as any to execute our travel dream.
Sandeep likes to be prepared for every worst case scenario, while I believe things will work out just splendidly. He can’t finish a meal without meat, and I am (generally) vegetarian. Ava is a sweetheart most of the time and a strong-willed unreasonable three year old the rest. Kayan is a one-year old prankster who already thinks he can smile his way out of any situation. She has a terrible fear of bugs and most animals, he is repulsed by dirt. I am scared to find out how this will all play out once we leave the comfort of home.
My hope is that the next 10 months gives us the diversion we need to appreciate each other, our world, and ourselves. Welcome to our journey.
Our itinerary as of October 2011
Leave New York City – November 1st
Hong Kong – November
Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) – November
Malaysia (Penang and Kuala Lumpur) – December
India Part I (Goa, Kerala, Benares, Kodaikanal) – December and January
Myanmar – February
India Part II (Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Mumbai) – March
Turkey – April
Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan – May
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique – June, July and August
Love your writing. The Huff messed up the edit, but loved the phrase “sugared up kids” just what you need the night before a long trip….
The kids already started getting sugared up last night at our early Thanksgiving feast…
Just finished reading all of your posts and thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to following your blog and living vicariously through all your travels!
Geetha- you’re part of this with your Turkey tips. Thanks again!
BON VOYAGE!
MOST IMPRESSED BY HOW GOOD YOU WERE IN TAKING SO LITTLE BAGGAGE! I ALWAYS SAY YOU HAVE TO LOVE IT TO LUG IT! ONE DAY AT A TIME. PLENTY OF REST AND WHO CARES ABOUT THE REST! HAVING DONE A SIMILIAR TRIP BUT GOING AROUND THE OTHER WAY
NOW ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY. A GREAT EXPERIENCE; TRAVEL IS GREAT FOR NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU—AND WHO KNOW WHAt’s GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. THE FRENCH WORD ‘SOUVENIR’ MEANS MEMORY AND ONE MUST LIVE AND NEVER BUY A SOUVENIR–AND I WISH YOU MILLIONS–ALL THE VERY BEST—inshahal!!!!
Thanks Kelly. As you’ve noticed, we have so little luggage space, we can’t accumulate material souvenirs in any case!
Great to ‘meet’ you–looking forward to reading more as you travel! Should be interesting with a 1yr old :d
Thanks! Love your blog too, and like I said, you inspired us to do this with the ‘baby’.
Hey Diya and Sandeep…
I am happy to read about your journeys… good luck
Stan
Hi Diya
Nice meeting you at Sunny uncle’s place.
Thoroughly enjoyed all of your posts.
Check these sites if you like to visit Coorg. ( Don’t miss this place, you will like)
http://www.porcupinecastle.com/ in
http://www.orangecounty.in/coorg/bylekuppe-tibetan-settlement.php
God bless you all, in this wonderful journey.
regards
Celine
Welcome to out journey! Thanks for these recommendations, your trip sounded just like something we’d enjoy.
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How exciting.. You are quite far in now… Are you enjoying it? We have just started!
Welcome to our blog. Looks like you have a great journey coming up with two little kids just about the same age as ours when we started. We are enjoying every moment, even the ones where we have no idea what we are doing or are lost. Every day is a school day and we couldn’t have wished it any other way.
Love your blog and the way you capture the essence of humanity in the different cultures you visited.
Thank you so much. This is too big of a compliment, but I do appreciate you reading and I’m glad that you enjoy the blog.