It all begins with a crazy idea
5 July 2024
Tired of playing the neurodiverse game in the UK school system, and after exploring every conceivable option (see next blog post for that story!), our family decided it was time to throw some glitter on the situation and set out down a different path.
Dan, always the braver (impulsive, stupid?) one, put forward the idea of backpacking, while I was already sweating buckets at the mere thought of stepping into the unknown. This family is no stranger to countless UK holidays and Eurocamps in France, but the idea of a long-haul journey? That's uncharted territory! The mix of excitement and nerves is palpable among the gang, with hearts racing and butterflies fluttering like there's no tomorrow!
So where do we even start? The trusty pad and pen comes out and everyone starts spilling out lists of countries and places they would love to visit. We're talking epic bucket lists here (apart from Floss, whose only request at this point was an all-inclusive in Turkey). By some stroke of luck, we have a family friend with years in the travel business who kindly became our personal travel guru, spending more time on the phone and in our inbox than we did with our own kids, just to figure out how to globe-trot with our little army of four - an enormous thank you to Charlie at Putney Travel is needed at this point. We got ourselves a map, a globe and we began jabbering away, bouncing ideas off each other until our grand masterplan was born!
The Plan
Just as the schools are starting back, it seems fitting to kick off our new ‘term’ on the 4th September. Our journey begins in Brazil, living it up for five nights in Rio de Janeiro. From here we go on a bit of a wild adventure involving flying, taxiing, and canoeing our way into the heart of the Amazon jungle, getting ready to rough it in a jungle lodge, swing in hammocks, and Fin can try his luck at piranha fishing.
Our next flight will whisk us away to Peru, where we'll be embarking on a quest to conquer Machu Picchu (opting for the shortest route of course, as these kids usually can’t even manage a 20 minute dog walk without breaking down). Bracing ourselves next for a delightful 10-hour train ride through the majestic Andes, all the way to Lake Titicaca, and the opportunity to stay on a floating village (also hoping for some panpipe souvenirs here).
Off we go next to Costa Rica! Time to hit pause and catch up with ourselves - fingers crossed we don't get lost in the rainforests or accidentally stumble into a volcano! We’ll be ready now for some serious beach-hopping between the Pacific and Caribbean, dipping in hot springs, chasing waterfalls, and trying not to embarrass ourselves while snorkeling!
Not quite the VW camper I’ve been dropping hints at for my 40th, we will be picking up an all-American RV for the ultimate Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip! We'll be hitting all the big shots - Hollywood, Las Vegas, the wild Nevada Desert, the majestic Yosemite National Park, the towering Sequoia National Park, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and even a spooky visit to Alcatraz.
After spending way too much time in each other's armpits for over a month, it's safe to say we’ll all need a breather (Phoebe's neurodiversities demand her own personal bubble for optimal regulation - learning opportunity incoming!). Where better to find our zen than in sunny Fiji?
Our next destination is the land of Oz. We're currently brainstorming which route to take and we're crossing our fingers for a campervan/ camping escapade somewhere along the trip. Bondi beach is a must and Poppy, the little mermaid, can’t wait to dive into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. To give an idea of timescale, Christmas here should be very different!
Now it would be a crime to not treat ourselves to a Bali getaway at this point, and maybe some diving in the Gili Islands. I've got my eye on a live-aboard experience around the Komodo Islands for a couple of days. A pirate dream come true!
We'll now hopefully be geared up and ready for Bangkok and a cacophony of chaos (noise-cancelling headphones at the ready!) We can’t wait to dive into the wonders of Thailand, lend a paw at a dog sanctuary, and mingle with the majestic creatures at Elephant Hills. Not forgetting to squeeze in some island-hopping adventures for good measure!
We're going from Thailand to Cambodia for a little temple-hopping at Angkor Wat and Siam Reap. Next stop: Vietnam! Get ready for some Hanoi adventures and maybe a little canoeing at Ha Long Bay.
Almost reaching the finish line of our adventure, we are jumping into the chaotic hustle and bustle of the streets of India. Our bucket list includes a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal, exploring the Golden Triangle, and tracking down those elusive tigers at Ranthambore National Park. Fingers crossed we wrap up our Indian journey soaking in some seriously chill Indian beach vibes in Goa - I think we're going to need it! For some reason, this feels the most daunting part of our journey.
Boundless beaches, ancient ruins, a ton of elephants, waves that just won't stop rolling and a trip on a safari - Sri Lanka is the ultimate grand finale on our global adventure. (Though Floss has now taken her ideals to the next level and wants the finale in the Maldives!)
If we’ve made it this far, it will now be time to head back home to the real world, assess the damage, see what awaits us and start strategising for the next chapter of chaos!