Why are we doing this?
Why not?
Life is short and you get but one chance at walking on this earth. I cannot imagine going through life not seeing, hearing or experiencing for myself the wonders of different countries, cultures and vistas. As astounding as modern technology is these days with google earth, youtube and the like nothing can compare with physically standing in the place yourself and being immersed in the smells, sounds and vibe of a place.
In 2011 David was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma. Two operations followed and over the last 18months has made 6 monthly flights to Brisbane to undergo PET (Positron Emission Tomography) body scans. We could have been facing quite a different journey so we thank heaven that it is one in which we have control over and not the other way around.
The children are a great age – still young enough that they still want to hang out with mum and dad but old enough to be developing their own ideas and views about the world, where they question and form opinions. They can also read (a pre-requisite) and keep themselves amused for longer periods of time. I want to have some undivided family time, where David gets to join in daily not just at weekends and before bed time.
Lastly, we love travelling – this will be my (Sally) fourth rtw trip. The first two when I was single, the third with David and now with children. Since having children we have taken them to New Zealand, China, Vietnam and Borneo for the regular 3-4 week holiday and it just does not cut it anymore – I want a trip where we can stop and really experience life elsewhere rather than just wizzing through.
Why are we keeping a ‘blog’ – I have always kept diaries from my travels and look back on them fondly and thank goodness I wrote them – how quickly you forget details and how it brings the memories back when you do read them. So this is really an experiment in bringing the diary into the 21st century, as well as keeping those at home informed of our movements. I hope Phoebe and Immi (as well as keeping their own written diaries) look back on this and remember well the experiences and it envokes the smells, sights and memories too
What have you done with your house and all your stuff?
We have rented out our house (unfurnished) as being in a mining area rental vacancy rates are low pushing rents up which is fortunately in our favour. We purchased a 20 foot shipping container and parked it out on my best friend’s block of land. It now holds most of the contents of our house, with other miscellaneous item being billeted out amongst friends and family.
We also held our first ever garage sale and either sold or gave away items like our corner sofa, furniture, children’s toys, books, magazines, and even linen. Thanks also to those who answered the plea for help to store or use some of our stuff. There was not a spare spot in that container and had you not taken what you did we would have had a lot more to get rid of at the garage sale!
How do you afford a trip like this?
No we didn’t win the lotto, not even close. It is all about priorities. We live very simple lives at home. We don’t eat out a lot, I am the only one who even pays for a haircut as I cut the girls and David’s hair, we don’t buy the latest gadgets and I detest shopping so buying clothes is not even on my radar. I am not ashamed to admit it but would be more likely to be found picking something up from a second hand store than shopping in a shopping centre. It is a conscious recycling choice! We are fortunate to own our home so therefore have no mortgage and although since having the girls I have worked part-time from home my earnings have been enough really to pay for each year’s overseas trip. Therefore we have lived on one wage now for more than eight years – and we don’t live beyond our means. David is a great believer in DIY and can turn his hand to pretty much anything. I still had savings I had put away from when I was working so we have cashed in a couple of investment accounts, sold David’s car, and will have the rent from our house coming in to all help cover the costs. We also have a redraw facility on our home loan if we need it!
Before we came away we met with a financial planner. Part of that was to detail every expense we have during the course of everyday life. Medical insurance, kid’s ballet lessons, electricity, rates, groceries and the annual amount was astounding. Australia is so expensive to live, eat, and holiday in. After doing that exercise there was even more reason to say …..
“How can we not afford to do this?!”
What about schooling?
Travel is “a multi-sensory learning experience that is much richer than textbooks, videos or classrooms…”(Arnell, 2011)
I completed an “Exemption for state school students for up to one school year – approved by Principal” from the Education Queensland website, which I approached much like a uni assignment with details about how we would satisfy each KLA (key learning area). The girls had both received excellent report cards mid-year so although I feel the pressure to ensure that their grades don’t slip I also know that doing such a trip is a much more powerful learning experience than sitting in a classroom. I believe the aim of education is for growth, development and fulfilment of personal potential and by sharing the wonder of our world with our children will open their eyes about their choices and potential.
I love the philosophy of worldschooling and will be adopting it often. But I will be coupling this with their curriculum in numeracy and literacy. The girls teachers were so positive and amazingly helpful when it came to assisting me with content and curriculum and I have a usb stick full of so much material I probably won’t do it justice! The girls have one English and one Maths book each plus some loose paper workbooks that were still uncompleted from school. They have one exercise book and their journal that they will update nightly. We hope to keep in touch with Phoebe’s class when they make comments to our blog during their ‘technology subject’ on Thursdays! If they come back to school poorer for the experience then shame on us!
Why are you keeping a blog?
Experimenting actually – I have always keep diaries on my past travels and want the girls to do the same, although in this age of technology I also want to try my hand at putting my diary to photos to keep family and friends updated and also have them along for the ride so to speak. I can’t promise writing expertise or even an exciting read but it is a way to save it for prosperity and in a way that will bring back memories of the way we spent the year…
I know when I see and experience things I notice I am constantly thinking how I would verbally describe the situation, view or feeling so I just wanted an avenue to pursue this further. I hope you enjoy reading some of our exploits and hopefully don’t see too much of the ‘got up, had breakfast’ posts.
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