John and Silvia - I love that - at 40 your only a beginner 😊 And yes Redsky, who cares?
Im 45, Giant is 53. I travelled from the day I got my passport at 18, Giant is newish to independant travelling (we met about two years ago on a phuket beach...since then hes been dragged around south east asia a few times and I have no intention of stopping dragging him anyhere!)
I think our age actually gives us an advantage - In SE Asia giant is often referred to loudly as PAPA which he hates (I was mortified to be called mummy a few weeks ago in Ao Nang - but that was a one off!) although I guess he is very recognisable due to his size and build and now tattood head. We find we often have young backpackers (under 25s) come and ask us for help or directions even if do get lost every now n then. Its easier to nicely bargain when your a bit older as you dont have young excited and gullible written across your head.
I take things a bit slower since I met giant..he doesnt do four flights in a day well. Im learning that its ok to have a nothing day every few days and that I dont realllly need to do 4 dives in a day then ride an elephant into a forest to find a stupid species thats extinct everywhere except zoos and malaysian suburban backyards...its not illegal to just have a day chilling out on the beach or god forbid, staying at the hotel watching dvds just lazing around.
Mel, I have to agree, looking back i must have been so arrogant and pushy and overconfident when younger. I hope and think im a nicer visitor to other countries nowdays.
Reply to this I have always avoided backpacking places and opted for upper budget, lower midrange but with the occasional splurge. So when I was in my 20s, I would usually be one of the youngest person staying in my accommodation choice, in my 30s, it seemed to be more my age group, but now in my 40s the others around me can be younger. In the end, you go with what you are comfortable with, and I am not concerned in the slightest about any negative opinions by others of my accommodation choice.
I still have my health and can carry 25kg of backpack luggage with no problems, and for that I am very thankful and lucky. Thus, hitting the 40 mark has never impacted for choice of destination as of yet. My main difference has been allowing more time off after long-haul travel - whereas before I could jump into action the day after 20 hours of flying, it is a bit harder nowadays.
I also notice that I am approached differently in haggling endeavours and don't seem to be ripped off as much - however I'm sure when I am a lot older, I might have to tackle that problem again if shopowners perceive me as vulnerable.
The major benefits of getting older are threefold - firstly, I don't have idiots offering my drugs when travelling, secondly, passing through immigration and customs is so much easier, and finally, my overall level of treatment is better - I'll tend to get nicer rooms in hotels, best seats in restaurants and the like.
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