4 weeks in
We have hit the anniversary of one month since we left.
I bet there are a mountain of questions and you are wondering if we have any niggling issues or questions as to the sanity of our decision to attempt this trip and whether or not at any point we have wanted to just pack up and head home.
The answer is no! We are loving the freedom. We are loving the flexibility travel affords you. We are loving the entire experience.
But it would only be fair to not paint it all as roses. We won’t lie and pretend that it has all been smooth sailing as there have been times when we have questioned why we thought such confined spaces would be such a good idea, or questioned the thought that it was a good idea to pull the girls out of kindy and preschool but overall it has been the best thing we have ever done and it has been an added bonus that we have been able to share the experience with you all to try to share/show it is possible.
Honestly, the budget challenge has at times been a challenge (you can read more about our budget challenge https://www.seriouslykids.com.au/our-budget-challenge/ and I have pondered with the idea of increasing the daily limit from the $150/day but at the $150/day it means that at the total of $1050 per week. Increasing the budget would mean it not being a possibility for some families (and to be honest isn’t something that we wanted to do in that it was part of the challenge to succeed in doing it all on $150/day. Partly as a point as we had been scoffed at when we said we were going to do it so part of it was proving a point that it indeed could be done- and many have also done it on much less I would like to point out too).
The budget is a challenge only in the sense of adding in the attractions but as you may see we don’t always do the touristy attractions therefore it kind of equals out as we save some money there and it doesn’t detract from the experience. We still at times get the girls to line up for their photos outside the attraction to show them that we did get there but just didn’t go in. That’s not cheating right?!
To be honest we have found the self discipline a bit tough, the remembering to switch from complete holiday mode to fitting in the schooling and the SK work as well and fitting in the exercise too. It is all about discipline, commitment and balance. It has been somewhat of a relief some days when there has been no internet reception but at other times it has frustrating and a struggle with the simplicity of that.
The holiday, come researching trip, has been the ultimate experience in bonding with the girls as we have experienced so many things we would not have ordinarily had the opportunity to with everyday life but it is also slightly unrealistic to believe that this is sustainable in the long term for most including us. You do get in a bit of a mode though I must say.
If you asked us, with what I know now, would we do it all again it would say a big YES!! To the point that we would happily and willingly recommend it to anyone and everyone that has the opportunity.
You learn so much, gain a greater appreciation for the environment, others and Australia and develop the ability to make something out of nothing in more ways than one.
