Every five years, my (main) employer gives us the gift of time—a paid sabbatical to recharge, reflect, and reconnect. For my husband and me, there was never a doubt what we’d do with it: travel. And not just a quick trip—we dreamed of a month-long adventure with our kids, exploring cultures, cuisines, and countries we’d only ever seen in books or on screens.
So we made it happen. ✈️🌏
After months of meticulous planning (no surprise there—planning travel is kind of my thing), we set off for Southeast and East Asia, with stops in 13 cities across 6 countries. No tour groups. No cookie-cutter itineraries. Just a handcrafted journey tailored to our family’s pace, interests, and bucket list dreams.
It’s the most challenging trip I’ve ever planned—and my favorite so far.
Here’s a look at Week One of our journey. If you’d like the full story (trust me, the details are juicy), click the link under each section to read the daily recaps on Facebook—complete with stories, pictures, funny mishaps, and probably a snack recommendation or two.
Day 1 – Singapore: Jet Lag and Jungle Domes
We landed in Singapore after a 16+ hour flight and hit the ground groggy—but determined. From misty Cloud Forests to hawker center feasts, monitor lizards, and Marina Bay skylines, we squeezed a full day out of our travel-fatigued selves.
👉 Read the full Day 1 recap here.
Day 2 – Phuket, Thailand: Water Slides and Body Origami
Thanks to a spontaneous flight change, we arrived in Phuket early and dove straight into resort life—literally. While the kids went wild on the water slides, I tried my first traditional Thai massage. Spoiler alert: it was more Olympic wrestling than lavender-scented spa day.
👉 Read the full Day 2 recap here.
Day 3 – Elephants, Ethics, and the Heat of Old Town
We visited the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary—one of the most meaningful parts of our trip—then made a misstep at a tiger facility that sparked real reflection. The rest of the day involved extreme heat, adventurous street food, and a peaceful solo beach walk at sunset.
👉 Read the full Day 3 recap here.
Day 4 – Reef Diving and Shark Spotting at Phi Phi
While the kids snorkeled with blacktip reef sharks (no big deal), Brett and I dove into some of the clearest, most vibrant waters we’ve ever seen. Reef fish, anemones, coral gardens… it felt like swimming through a screensaver.
👉 Read the full Day 4 recap here.
Day 5 – Island Hopping and Floating Villages
We explored Phang Nga Bay by boat, visited the famous James Bond Island, kayaked through limestone caves, and wandered through a Muslim floating village. There was durian. There were questionable popsicles. And there was pineapple fried rice served in a pineapple.
👉 Read the full Day 5 recap here.
Day 6 – Bangkok by Tuk Tuk
We flew to Bangkok and took a night tuk tuk tour through vibrant neighborhoods, flower markets, sacred temples, and street food havens. It rained, we laughed, and we ended the night full of fish cakes, fried chicken skins, and sugar.
👉 Read the full Day 6 recap here.
Day 7 – Railway Markets and Floating Feasts
Our last full day in Bangkok took us outside the city for a packed day of “only in Thailand” moments: a train cutting through a seafood market, canal-side communities, and the magical banyan-wrapped Wat Bang Kung. Bonus: coconut sticky rice and Taco Bell (don’t ask, just read).
👉 Read the full Day 7 recap here.
💬 Coming Up Next…
We’re just getting started! Week two takes us to Cambodia and Vietnam, where temples, history, and a river cruise await. Subscribe or follow along so you don’t miss the next leg of this unforgettable journey.
Have questions about any of the places we visited or want help planning your own Asia adventure? I’d love to chat. Let’s plan something amazing.
