I’m not really sure what’s happened. One day, I was working, blogging, fetching kids from school…and the next (today), it’s the day before we hit Asia! Tomorrow, my husband and I head off to Taiwan and Thailand for three weeks of…food, basically. And, a personal highlight, seeing one of my favourite people on the planet, who now lives in Taiwan.

When I’m back, I’ll blog about a few of the highlights. But, in the meantime, I’ll be posting pics on my Insta and Facebook. So, if you’re dying to see photo evidence of me sweating 16kgs away (it’s currently 35 degrees and HUMID in the East), stay tuned.
Although I’m incredibly excited, I have a few concerns too. These are:
- Flying – well, just take-off, really. But, I was prescribed Ativan. Actually, my doctor said that the only way for me to get over my fear of flying is to give him the tickets, while I stay home. Some professions just aren’t cut out for humour. Anyway, I did a trial run of the Ativan, and suddenly found everything quite amusing. Even my daughter’s loud chewing. I’m sure that if I could smile at mouth noises, the meds may take the edge off when the plane is climbing. Actually, it’s more of a ‘plummeting’ that I worry about.
- Heat – I’m the person that hardly ever wears a jersey. I’m always fanning myself and my aircon is set to “icicles on the windshield.” It is currently 33 to 38 degrees in Thailand and Taiwan…and humid. So, my local friend there told me that the only solution is to make peace with it. Don’t fight it. Don’t try to look pretty. Just sweat. Lovely.
- Nope, I tried to think of a third concern, but I’m too excited.
We’re being surprisingly lackadaisical about booking accommodation. By that, I mean that we haven’t. And we’re leaving tomorrow. But, I mean, these are big places, with lots of tourists. There will be accommodation. Right?
For the 12 readers that care, this is our itinerary:
- 5 June – Leave SA for about 17 hours in the air
- 6 to 8 June – floating markets, shopping and sky bars in Bangkok (Thailand)
- 8 to 14 June – regroup with my special friends in Taiwan. I’m not even sure what we’re doing, and I’m not sure I care. As long as we do it together. I know that Taipei 101 (one of the tallest buildings in the world) is definitely on the cards. There are also some pretty areas close by – waterfalls, mountains, etc…And this part of the trip will also involve meeting lots of the locals and doing community work (See? Productive!). I’ll have to brush up on my very basic Chinese…I basically know how to say that I don’t understand Chinese. Bu zhidao zhongwen (Pronounced: Boo juhr-dow jongwin).
- 14 to 16 June – Phuket – just a quick tour of some pretty spots. We’re not into the very touristy places.
- 16 to 24 June – Koh Samui and Koh Tao in Thailand – we’re not really committing here. We’ll travel around and, if we happen upon an island we like, we might just stay the night. I feel the gypsy-cum-hippy in me screaming to be liberated. Just wait, Sequoia, your time is coming!

So, that’s it. The next three weeks of our lives. Our daughter is writing exams, so she’ll stay here. Three weeks will fly, but it’s a long time to be apart. I envisage a lot of tearful phone calls (I’ll probably be the tearful one). Roger that. Over and out.
Oh wow, wow, wow…..wishing you safe travels and a really great time of making memories! xx
Thank you! I’m SO excited!
So excited for you my friend and will def be one of the 12 readers following your trip progress! Holding thumbs your drugs work and you don.t embarress yourself to much🤣🤣🤣. But seriously who cares what others think, with any luck you will never see them again😉.
You so deserve a good holiday and to just chill!! Can.t wait to catch up over a bottle or two when you return. Stay safe, lots luv xxx
That sounds perfect!