Traveling with your parents is a different challenge altogether. Maybe you can call it a test too, when you are used to traveling alone and making new plans every day, like I do. But I wanted to introduce my parents (who are 73 and 64 years old) to my travel style and make them understand what my daily life is like on the road. So I took them with me to Thailand.
Why Thailand?
Thailand is one of my most favorite travel destinations. I found that country during my 3-month internship as a student and it won my heart (I have already written about it). After that internship, I have been there many times. So much so that I have spent almost 6 months of my life in the “Land of Smiles”.
Just think, how many times I must have told my parents about Thailand. Maybe I had planted a small seed in their hearts, a desire that encouraged them to explore this country too. But, like many people, for him too the difference between dreams and reality was very big. He had both resources and ability, still he never took that step. Years passed, but no plane ticket was booked.
The Decision: Spontaneity at Its Best
When I saw that he was not able to do anything on his own, I decided that now I will take him with me! The decision was made in just 2 hours. I found a cheap plane ticket to Thailand, called mom and asked if I should “book” it, and next month we were on a plane.
This is my style – Life does not wait, whenever you get a chance, you should grab it, without asking too many questions. I like to inspire my friends and family with my travel stories, but I feel even happier when they fulfill their dreams on their own.
We went to Thailand, my parents, my soul mate Mr. Glamify, and myself, for almost two weeks. And the most interesting thing was that we traveled “my way”, without booking anything in advance, or planning anything. And I can tell you that this way of traveling, which is surprising for many people, is the best way to save money and live your life the way you want. But would my parents be able to live exactly my way? This was not confirmed.
Challenge #1: Traveling with a Backpack
There was no question of carrying a suitcase on this trip, and my parents were also happy to travel light. Seeing my father carrying a Deuter backpack made me laugh at first, but it was a symbolic moment. A real backpacker never travels with a suitcase, he will travel by himself, haha! But leaving aside the symbolism, the biggest advantage of a backpack is that we can easily go anywhere and remain completely free throughout the trip. Carrying all our things in a backpack? My parents took this challenge successfully.
Challenge #2: No Pre-Booked Accommodation
We had gone only for two weeks, but I knew that it is very easy to find cheap accommodation in Thailand by going on-site. And finding accommodation is also a part of the trip. To tell the truth, my parents did not help much in this, as Mr. Glamify and I kept roaming the streets, looking for the perfect “guesthouse” or bungalow. But they never looked at any accommodation and they were pleasantly surprised seeing the prices. They must have thought that for 300 baht (€7.50) there would be something like a rabbit hutch in a double room. But no, Mom/Dad, there aren’t always cockroaches! Accepting basic accommodation? My parents took up this challenge as well.
Challenge #3 We only use public transport
Again, this was non-negotiable as well. If you want to travel with Glamify, forget taxis and flights. We went to Koh Tao island by night bus! And again, my parents didn’t complain about this either. They looked a bit isolated among all the young backpackers, but they enjoyed the night on the bus and figured that they had saved a night at the hotel. Yes, when you travel in “backpacker” mode, every euro matters, and by saving a little you can go on longer trips. Sleeping in buses and boats? My parents accepted this challenge as well. The only thing that bothered everyone was my father’s snoring, haha!
Challenge #4 We only eat at the local “bouis-bouis”
And yes, my parents didn’t fall sick. We all lost a little weight (which is good, after all, as it is common to gain weight during end-of-year holidays) by eating “Thai” food throughout the trip. Yes, in Koh Tao we ate fries and breaded chicken but didn’t feel too guilty about it. And one more shocking thing, my mom asked to try worms, scorpions and local delicacies! And we all went along with them. Good news: the whole family is now ready for Koh Lanta. Denis Brogniart, listen up! The culinary challenge was also completed perfectly.
If you don’t step out of your comfort zone, then what is the point of going to another corner of the world?
Apart from the small “hassles” of this trip which were necessary and desirable, I had planned a few visits in advance. Since just showing my parents my travel style was not enough, I wanted them to understand why I love this country so much and which places had already won my heart. And to tell you the truth, going back to Koh Tao island, staying in the same bungalow, and swimming in my “natural pool” again was a pure joy. I had spent some time on this island during my world tour and it was an amazing feeling to find my own feet back. And that too with my family. If someone had told me earlier that one day my parents would also be with me on Koh Tao, I probably would not have believed it.
I had also thought of taking my parents to the ancient city of Ayutthaya to show them a different color of Thailand. Seeing them ride their cycle between many temples of the city without complaining was a different kind of happiness. If you think travelling with parents is boring, then you don’t know my parents, haha!
We had a lot of fun when my father was pedalling on his old city cycle, and then when he fell into a street market stall! Taking advantage of this opportunity, I told you that I had taken good travel insurance for them before the trip. My parents are no longer young (mom is 64 and dad is 73 years old), so it was not right to take any kind of risk. It is important to travel with clear conscience. But there was no accident or “tourist”-like illness, phew!
When I think back, it seems as if the roles were reversed. I took care of my parents (yes, I even chipped them a couple of times, I am telling the truth), and managed everything. This was a way to show them that I have become a grown up girl now and in my own way I am trying to give them back the love and affection they gave me when I was little. I am just a child, so maybe this feeling is even deeper.
Conclusion: A Trip to Remember
It was a hidden dream in my heart to travel to Thailand with my parents. So I am very happy that I shared this experience with them. And yes, my soul mate was also there. This trip will always remain alive in our family memories and I feel that it has made our relationship even stronger. For my parents, it was a chance to know what their “elder girl” does in another corner of the world. Maybe it also reassured them a bit.