Can you believe it? We have now been travelling around the world for 8 months and thought it was time to share our second “thirdly” report on our experiences between Nov. 14-March 14th, 2015.
Here’s what the last 4 months look like on a map…
The Good
- We are still enjoying time together as a family – even though we are together almost 24/7! Thank goodness for Air BnB and 2 bedroom apartments!
- The people we have met throughout our travels have been the highlight. We cannot emphasize how Couchsurfing, friends and people we have met along the way have given us incredible insight into the local life which has made our trip even better than we could ever imagine!
- Cruising through the Mediterranean with a gym, choices for food and some great entertainment for all of us!
- Reconnecting with old friends, new friends and family!
- Using technology and literature to discover neat things about Italy: Huntzz, Mission Rome and Florence 2054
- Celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem and learning so much about the different faiths in Jerusalem
- Celebrating new traditions and holidays such as Shabbat, Hannukah, Republic Day and Holi
- Finally able to use RCI for a place to stay! (Cyprus and Goa, India)
- Enjoying and learning how to make new cuisines (Morocco and India)
- Learning how to negotiate for almost everything – like carpets or bedspreads!
- Riding camels through the Sahara desert
- Seeing the animals in their natural habitat in Tanzania
- Spending time with, and riding, rescue elephants in India
- Exploring villages and discovering different ways of life – making us appreciate what we have even more
- Being inspired by places like Barefoot College and the people who go there
- Seeing the wonders of the world in Rome, Jordan and Agra
- Crashing a wedding in India and then being invited!
- Star Alliance tickets and being able to adjust our flight dates and times to suit our needs without any extra charges!
The Bad
- Pickpocket in Rome took the keys to our apartment and the landlord made us pay 100 Euros to get the locks changed 🙁
- Our car window was smashed and Kat’s daypack stolen in Marseilles, France
- Kat and Mik stung by jellyfish in Tanzania
- Air sickness twice on Ethiopian Air
- Some Delhi Belly from the street food and car sickness from some crazy driving in India
- Mikhaila head butted by a cow in Rishigish, India
- Our website banner hacked by pharmaceutical spam!
The Funny
- All of our hair turned green from swimming in a pool at a resort in Goa, India
- Being like Bollywood stars in India…we were often stopped by locals to have our picture taken with them!
- After Holi, our bodies and hair were still multi coloured and people stared at us when we went through customs in Thailand
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
As part of our second “thirdly” report, we decided to answer questions from our followers, including some from students in Toronto – thanks for sending us messages – we love hearing from you!
How do you keep travelling non-stop…aren’t you tired? Aren’t you overwhelmed with so many new places and things?
Good question. Yes we get tired, so sometimes we build in down time and just take a break. We did this in Cyprus as well as Goa. We booked a resort and just hung out at the beach and/or the pool. Sometimes we just do nothing all day except watch movies or sleep.
Have you ever wanted to go home?
There have been times where all of us have wanted to be at home…but then we talk about it and try to help each other through the down day. Sometimes it takes a day or two…but then we do something really cool and we get excited planning out a new adventure. Also, when we think about going home to winter – we quickly change our minds:)
Did you visit all the countries you intended? Are you still following your same route?
We had to make some adjustments to our route because of the “world situation”. We bypassed Egypt (Canadian embassy closed down) and Kenya (Terrorism threat) and went to Tanzania instead. We also added Cyprus to our route because we needed a break for a week or so.
Our route for Nov.-March turned out to be:
- Nov. – Morocco, France, Italy
- Dec. – Cruise on the Mediterranean>Israel>Palestine>Cyprus
- Jan.– Cyprus>Tanzania>India
- Feb. – India
- March – India>Thailand
Coming up for the next few months:
- Viet Nam>Cambodia>Thailand>China>Australia!
Since you have been away from home for so long, do you miss your friends and school?
Mik: Well, I don’t miss school (since we’re being homeschooled), but I do miss my friends and teachers.
Zoe: I miss my friends, but we are keeping in touch with email and Skype. Also – this trip is school!
Do you get bored sitting for so long at airports and on planes?
Mik: I never get bored because we always have work to do: math, blog posts etc…
Zoe: We always have things to entertain ourselves – iPods, iPads, games etc…
There are so many different types of sports in the countries you visit. Do you ever get to watch or participate in sports in any of the places you visit?
In Ireland we learned about Hurling and had a chance to play it. Soccer/football is huge everywhere we’ve been – it’s way bigger than hockey! We have played it as we have travelled around. In India, they are cricket crazy and love to play and watch the game. We don’t know how to play it yet – but it seems like lots of fun!
What is it like going on a trip like this for so long with your parents?
M&Z: Fun! We get to spend lots of time with our parents and each other…we don’t when we’re back at home because we are so busy with our extra curricular activities and they are busy with work.
When you get older, will you do trips like this without your mom and dad or with your own families?
M&Z:We hope so! It would be great to do a trip like this when we are older with our friends or our own families.
Do you think that being away for so long will make going back to school in Canada harder?
M&Z: We don’t think so…we’ve been keeping up with the curriculum – especially in math! My mom makes us do it everyday! And as you can see from our blog posts – we’re writing all the time too. We just might be a bit tired as we have gotten used to sleeping in, so it will be hard to get up for early mornings!
What are the 3 most important things you have brought on your trip?
Mik: iPad, daypack & swimming goggles
Zoe: iPad, camera, & notebook
Oliver: BB with hotspot, camera, & swiss army knife
Kat: MacBook Pro, camera, & wireless headset
(Can you tell we are a techie family or what???)
If you had to choose one favourite site or event that you have seen or experienced so far, what would it be?
This is not a fair question – too many favourites to mention….but here are our some of our top picks:
Mik: Indian Wedding, Jerusalem, and Farming
Zoe: Venice gondola ride, Celebrations such as Holi and Hannukah, and game drives in Africa
Oliver: Flower Parade, Goa, Morocco
Kat: Couchsurfing with locals, meeting up with family and friends, and a tie between our experiences in Israel and India
So friends and family – that is the end of our second “Thirdly” report. We have had some incredible adventures and look forward to even more as we start our touring through SE Asia.
We are going to take a March Break from blog writing…as we all need a bit of a breather. So, you’ll hear from us again in a couple of weeks or so.
Stay tuned and keep well until then!
Warmly,
Kat, Oliver, Mikhaila and Zoe:)
Comments
20 responses to “Our Second “Thirdly” Report”
I’m so glad your trip is going well – the great things and funny things way out shadow the bad it seems. I’m still so impressed every time I read with your approach to your trip, meeting the locals, staying in unique places, and how you embrace the culture. Thanks for the answers to the questions…they’ve crossed my mind as well. All the best on the last third of your journey.
Harriet
Hi Harriet,
You are so right – the good and the funny totally outweigh any of the bad! We actually have to sit and think about if there were any negatives…they are usually just blips that pass us by and are soon forgotten.
We’re looking forward to the next third – except it time seems to be speeding up on us!!
Cheers,
Kat:)
Thank you, and enjoy your break. I feel as though I have been going along with you and the ride has been amazing! Look forward to the next quarter. Rest up!!
Hi Herta,
You have been along with us all the way – your commenting has has been amazing and we always look forward to your thoughts and reactions! We are going to take a rest and try and reflect and rejuvenate for our last few months.
Cheers!
Kat:)
Wow…..what a fabulous update. You are on such an inspirational adventure………taking risks, trying new stuff, meeting interesting people and experiencing new cultures, traditions and lifestyles. This is learning to the max! Thanks for the beautiful pictures…..makes us feel we are travelling right alongside you. Hugs to all. xoxo
HI Karen,
This trip has been an incredible experience for all of us. One of the reasons to do this adventure was so that the girls could learn about the world….not only have they learned a tonne – but both Oliver and myself have had major “aha” moments that have been life altering. We’re still somewhat overwhelmed!
Glad you’re able to join us virtually!
Cheers,
Kat:)
Great update!
Thanks Bev – glad you’re along for the ride!
K:)
Thanks for a fantastic update!
Sandra
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for hanging in with us!
K:)
Wow….an unforgettable adventure and still so much more to go. As much as we miss you, we feel like we are with you through the blogs! Keep enjoying the adventures!
love Scott and Amanda
HI There,
Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves and ask – “are we really doing this?” We are living our dream and are having a great time! We miss you back at home too -but we are not ready to come back yet…we still have some places to see!
Love,
Kat and the gang:)
SO GREAT!
Hi Amy,
We are looking forward to meeting you and your family in CHina – hope to see you soon!
Kat:)
Hi All,
Really loved this blog! Beautiful photos and wonderful update! Safe travels. Love, Mom
Hi Mom,
We are keeping safe – and we’re all healthy too!
Love,
Kat:)
Hi, Katina and all Globalfieldtrip travelers, what? . . . . No Blog? I already have withdrawal symptoms 🙂 Just kidding, what I really like to say is: Thank you so very much for this summary. You all opened a wonderful world to us, we have learned so much and it was great to read every posting and see the accompanying photos, they were funny, colourful, exciting, exotic, strange, thoughtful, in short, just AWSOME. What I liked most was that you met so many wonderful people, your respect towards their culture, customs and religions, and especially all the fun you had. We wish you a great “blog-free” week and are looking forward to more adventures. Love and gazillion hugs
HI Oma,
Sorry to take a few days off…Colleen suggested a March Break for the girls so I thought okay – let’s have a pause before we enter our last part of our adventure. We’ll be back to work shortly…stay tuned!
Love,
Kat and the gang:)
Have enjoyed travelling with you all!!! You all deserve a March break….look forward to your next adventures!
Love Doreen xoxo
Hi Doreen,
It’s been great to have you along….it makes us feel close to home when people leave their comments. We all love knowing that people are reading and learning with us!
Love,
Kat:)