I am ready to book a 4-month trip to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, but my husband is hesitant to spending 4-month overseas. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did you go? Was the hesitant spouse/partner happy they did it?
I am ready to book a 4-month trip to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, but my husband is hesitant to spending 4-month overseas.
My husband has no overseas travel experience and is worried about committing to this big a trip. I have limited travel experience to Israel, Japan, and Spain. I am ready to jump in with both feet and go for it, but he thinks this is crazy being his first overseas trip.
By the way, we are in our 40s and retired US Air Force officers.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did you go? If so, was the hesitant spouse/partner happy they did it?
Reply to this Welcome to Travelblog! I can't believe that retired USAF officers haven't had an overseas assignment sometime in their career. One of the selling points to being in the military is overseas travel. But let's not dwell on the past. We are talking about your future, and what better way to spend it than seeing that wonderful world.
Four months is just about right for that first longer trip. And SE Asia is the perfect destination. Everything caters to the tourist, but you can still get off the beaten path when you are ready. I should know. I was born in Bangkok in 1949 and lived in SE Asia for 18 years, including during the Vietnam War years. After college in the US I spent 33 years working for the Defense Department as a civilian who sent me back to Thailand and then 18 years in Europe, including USAFE, USEUCOM, and U.S. Mission to NATO. So please put any concerns behind you and go for it. If your husband is still concerned have him send me a private message by clicking on the message link on my blog.
Reply to this That is a strange fact, you guys being USAF officials have never been to SE Asia.
Anyways I recommend you to travel there without any worries as there are no issues with your identities and it should not be a concern for your husband as he might be in a worry about the mis happenings there.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #185715
Hi, I have to admit that I was the reluctant one. My husband was very keen on the big trip around SE Asia and we had a 10 year old daughter and I wasn't than keen. We have travelled in short bursts ( 2 - 4 weeks in places before) and I had done the big trip in my early 20s of three years but to be truthful, I thought it was too big an ask. But I am so glad we did it. We travelled from mid-September to end of January and had the best time of our lives. Starting in Japan and finishing in Malaysia (through China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand) provided us with so many memories, new friends and a fresh outlook on life. Do it!
Reply to this 4 months? So your time for each country is around 1 month. I don't know much about these others, but I think 1 month in Vietnam is perfect because you can cross down every interesting places there.
In case you need any other support as you travel to Vietnam, I'm ready to help.
Reply to this It's about time to explore and see how amazing Southeast Asia is. Yes, 1 month for each country will suffice. It'll be fun and I bet he won't regret it!
Reply to this Hi Gerri,
I think this is the ideal time for both of you to explore SE Asia. Once you reach these God's land you will wonder how your days pass. The beautiful beaches, green valleys, Buddhist Monasteries, rain forests, and various adventure tours in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia are simply extra ordinary. Places like Sapa, Halong Bay, Chiang Mai City, Bangkok and many more are the main attractions. You can enjoy cycle ride, boat ride and comfortable atmosphere make your trip enjoying, I am sure 4 months will feel like 4 weeks and you won't regret this trip ever
Reply to this Southeast Asia is an awesome place and you can easily spend a year <snip> around and never see everywhere!
I'd take a look at the Lonely Planet website too as their SE Asia guide is pretty good.
[Edited: 2015 Apr 04 05:45 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No URL addresses please]
Reply to this When we retired last year we traveled for six months, my husband was so ready to come home. This year we traveled for six weeks and he was ready to come home after five. We are considering a compromise of traveling to one city and renting an apartment. My hope is he will enjoy traveling to a new place but feel more at home since we will not be moving around. I am happy to just explore and be a local. I hope this compromise works for us,
Reply to this Even if you were able to convince him to go with you, I am not pretty sure if he will be happy with your trip. When me and my husband was on a trip, he too was hesitant to go for a 1 month vacation in Japan because he is busy with his business. So what happened, he was convinced to travel with me in Japan but only for few days then return way back home for his business. I respected his decision since he already accompanied me to Japan and its ok for me then. I stayed with my family there for almost a month because at that month, there were series of events and family occasions also.
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