Balance

Day 44:  Bang Saphon Noi Beach to Chumphon, Southern Thailand

“You have to balance your health, time and money,” says our Canadian couple who both retired at 55 and now have been travelling for the past 12 years.  “Many of our friends retired with money, but don’t have as good of health to do as much as they first thought.”  They continue, “It took us a while to change our mindset from saving to spending and really making sure that we are doing the things we want to do.” They talk about being purposeful when they are at home and while they travel. They have been on numerous active vacations around the world, and are good planners.  They were the first ones in our group to book this trip more than ten months ago.  I think we finally committed in October.

We are still learning.  Like how to pack. We thought we had learned from the Camino, but this couple put us all to shame with their well-honed minimalist packing skills – and about 20 pounds total of carry-on only.  We claim most of the weight are the presents we have purchased (no, they aren’t all for you, Samara and Josiah).  We try to convince ourselves that it can’t be the puffy jacket and raincoat, among a few too many other items which have never been used.

We claim we will be better – next time.

Today is billed as the “long day,” so we start at 7:30 to try and beat the heat.  We aren’t successful.  It reaches about 85 degrees by 9 am and stays there. 

It feels like we have gotten into a nice rhythm – heading out on well maintained back roads (most are much better than back home), past the rubber/palm oil/coconut plantation, the occasional cow, turn a corner and then bike through the quaint fishing village and the beautiful sandy beaches and limestone cliffs.  We tend to stop every hour to find some shade, replenish our water, and eat a few treats.  We are getting used to the rhythm – and knowing there is a shower and a pool at the end of the ride.

We are now past the halfway point of this, our final adventure in Thailand – only two biking days left.  And then we head back to the states.   I joke with Siri that it is now just a long weekend vacation.  Just with a 24 hour plane flight.  We are starting the real winding down phase of our trip.

We are glad to hear about Christmas plans back home, that Samara and Josiah already started baking cookies and are looking for the remaining ornaments. We are excited to catch back up with friends and family in-person soon. We are planning what to bring to the family gift exchange….

And we are also trying to make sure we keep the special memories from this trip.  The elephants, the unique Thai culture and food, the temples, the Buddhist philosophy, the interesting people we have met, the slower pace, the resolutions to be remembered and acted upon, the time to just be, to let things go, and much more. 

We aim to find that balance in our own lives – enjoying the adventure you are in, while also remembering what you have already done, continuing to plan for the next one – and being present during it all.

That is a good resolution to work on as the new year approaches.