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To Be Continued....

5/29/2015

11 Comments

 

Somewhere between Loas and Cambodia the realization that this epic trip, which began as a vague idea and evolved in my mind over a decade, had an actual end, that was ever approaching, crept into my mind.  With each passing day and week, which seem to be flying by at this point, we grow closer to The End.

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The End of a beautiful day on Siquijor Is, Philippines

Don’t get me wrong, I am not dreading returning to our home on Kauai, full of friends, natural beauty, and a lovely laid back lifestyle; who could?  It is the ceasing of this current lifestyle that is causing me to be uneasy. 

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I have become accustomed to being surrounded by the exotic and it is intoxicating and keeps me motivated.  This journey is full of the unexpected.   Adventure surrounds us.  Even on the most mundane of days there is always something new, literally surprising us, opening our eyes, and causing figurative lightbulbs in our brains to ignite.

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New people, foods, and scenery, are the norm and that which is completely unheard of or even unacceptable at home are common occurrences.

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Dock at Lazy Beach, Cambodia
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Getting a "fish massage"
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It feels wild.  Free. 

Topping it all off is the fact that the journey in itself is a natural school for all of us. Watching the kids learn is amazing and invigorating to realize that we too, as adults, have so much still to learn.   

Zuki at Cambodian Cooking School
Rubber being collected in Indonesia
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Zuki snorkeling in a the seagrass, full of unique creatures.

But the true treasure of this trip, although quite uncomfortable at times, is the learning about each other on an intense level.  It is not always pretty as our individual weaknesses and strengths are completely unmasked but even this process has become a way of life for us. 

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So it is with these thoughts swirling in mind that I first unconsciously, then with intent, have not updated this blog. 

Although I am sure many people are able to pump out a great blog post in a short time, find good WiFi, type, insert photos, push “publish”; that doesn't work for me.  

I think, write, think, think some more, reread, think, write, edit photos, .think...edit..hours pass, days... and it is something that takes me out of the present moment for far too long. 

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Since I realize that writing blog posts is a vital way for me to process what is going on around me I have choosen not to abandon this blog entirely but simply postpone it until I am home.  Not only does this allow me to appreciate these last weeks more fully but there is always the off chance that reliving the stories and memorable moments at home may help with the inevitable reverse culture shock, which I am known to experience when returning home after lengthy travels.  

So please stay tuned for our stories from our last four months, when we lived amongst  Asian elephants and their mahouts in Laos,  

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Elephant coming over to find out more about Yoda

 slowed down in rural Cambodian village, 

battled the heat while exploring ancient Angkor Wat

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enjoyed the modern city amusements of Singapore, 

slept under the stars, and passing showers, on remote islands in Indonesia with close friends,

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A beautiful island, Indonesia, where were we camped

travelled with like minded nomadic families

and discovered underwater paradise in the Philippines.

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And I will be sure to update all the actual budgets, which will hopefully be a guide to help families currently planning for their world adventure.   For once the financials are set it is an open road;  And what a trip it can be...  

11 Comments
Gina
5/19/2015 06:35:52 am

I was looking forward to this and can't for you to "unpack" your thoughts and put them down on paper for all of us to enjoy. What an epic adventure!!

Reply
Erin
5/19/2015 02:20:37 pm

thank you for sharing your families adventures!! I've been following since the beginning and don't think I've commented on here. I found your lovely blog and Instagram feed through Kasey Buick. I've been reading her blog for years. I know I've commented on your Instagram pics.

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Maureen link
5/20/2015 07:50:27 am

Thanks so much Kelly for letting us read along with you this year. For me personally your blog and IG helped me big time for our pre trip planning - and upcoming move - and to visualize it more for my husband and kids. Will keep you posted.
Have a safe journey back home!
Maureen x

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Boyink link
5/24/2015 12:36:56 am

Hey - we just came across your site. We are a fulltime RVing family in the states. We run http://topfamilytravelblogs.com which aggregates all of the great family travel blogs we can find - we added you to that. The process of ending a long period of travel is intriguing to us as well. It's one of the factors that got us starting writing our DitchingSuburbia book. We mentioned this post on our <a href="http://ditchingsuburbia.com/blog/dangerous-questions-a-manifesto-hook-and-frugaling">weekly blog roundup</a>.

Cheers!

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Katrina H
5/26/2015 04:25:04 pm

Has it really been a year already? I have really enjoyed following and reading your blog, and I look forward to hearing the rest whenever you write about it.

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Kelly Perozo
6/19/2015 04:25:01 pm

Thanks for keeping up with us. The last two weeks home have been a time to adjust, and see the old things in a new way. I look forward to finishing our stories here, might just wait till kids are in school.
All the best, kelly

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Kelly Perozo
6/19/2015 04:30:58 pm

Boyink.
Thanks for including us in your family travel site. I love how many families are traveling and the connections made amongst those families can be quite strong, with so many commonalities.
Yes, still processing everything as we adjust to living at home in Hawaii. I am enjoying seeing the different ways the children adjust back as well.
Will be posting more here as summer ends and kids head to school. For now loving the continued open schedule; helps so much with the adjustment from our nomadic life.
Aloha.
Kelly

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Kelly Perozo
6/19/2015 04:34:15 pm

Maurine. Looks like your travels are underway soon. Let the adventure begin. Looking forward to watching from Hawaii.

Aloha
Kelly

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Kelly Perozo
6/19/2015 04:35:55 pm

Erin,
Thank you for following. Yes, kasey is awesome. Lucky to have her here on KAUAI.

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Kelly Perozo
6/19/2015 04:42:24 pm

Gina,
Still unpacking literally, a bit, and figuratively. But actually looking forward to when kids go back to school and I can tell more travel stories here.
Thanks for following our crazy journey.
Aloha
Kelly

Reply
Ansley
7/11/2015 08:52:05 pm

Kelly! I have been meaning to post a comment for some time. I have been thinking of you and your return to Hawaii and am eager to read more about the process as it unfolds naturally when it needs to and can unfold. I feel blessed we were able to share a part of your journey when you were in Spain. Enjoy summer on your beautiful island. Once all of the summer dust settles we can get to thinking more about Mission 45!
Much love, Ans

Reply



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    Kelly Perozo, Mom of this traveling tribe, telling our story of  a 12 month, around-the-world journey; the good, the bad, and the crazy.  


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