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It’s the end of the year. No doubt your social media is flooded with destination countdowns and new year resolutions by now. 2018 has sped by, and I’m flat out keeping up with everything that’s happened. Can you believe we had a Winter Olympics this year? Me either.
So what happened for Siam Dreaming this year? And what’s next?
I did a thing.
In 2017, I wrote about travelling when you’re the fat girl. On a trip to Lombok that same year, I struggled a lot to walk the distances we did due to my total lack of fitness. I realised I needed to make some healthy changes. I wasn’t happy, and when I look back at those photos I can see it. So I found a personal trainer (actually, its my brother and I was family-guilted into it) and joined a gym. Seems like a bit of a backflip on that fat girl post, right?
When we traveled to Singapore and Cambodia in March this year, we walked three times the distance we did in Lombok and I didn’t struggle so much. I enjoyed myself! I wanted to walk that bit further to see what was around that corner! One day, we walked 8km across Singapore – without realising it. Another day, we hiked up the side of a mountain to see Preah Vihear. I climbed ancient steps that rose above my knee. I was a bit stiff and sore the next day, but I wasn’t in pain – I had also learned that difference. The knowledge that “I can do this” was intoxicating, and I loved it.
I set no goals for weight-loss. I just wanted to make it a healthy habit; it became part of my schedule. I concentrated on showing up, on eating better and getting the work done. I hated every second when I started (nope, that’s a lie, I still hate every single second of the work out) but it is worth it. And all those times I wanted to vomit, quit and cry made me look like a right twat were worth it. This isn’t to say you need to do the same. You should do whatever makes you happy, and bollocks to anyone who judges you or says otherwise. You do you, queen.
Great Southern Land
I love a sunburned country. And how sunburned it looked as we flew into the tiny resort village of Yulara in the Northern Territory. Red plains as far as the eye could see; occasionally speckled with spinifex grass or smeared with salt flats, usually barren and rich, earthy red.
In August, we camped with Mum and Dad at Yulara while visiting Australia’s most famous landmark – Uluru. Another of Mum and Dad’s bucket list destinations, they’d made the long trek from their home across the Plenty Highway to the middle of Australia. Highway is a overstatement, I feel, as they faced corrugations that shook their teeth and rattled their bones, or ultrafine bulldust that played havoc with both visibility and steering. It made for good stories, sitting around at night, bundled up for the cold and sipping port.
We walked around “The Rock”, witnessed many a sunset, and visited its neighbour Kata Tjuta. Their immense size and extraordinary colour palette blew us away, and I wish I had the words to properly describe how I felt standing there, looking up at these ancient stones. As the sun rose one morning and we stood shoulder to shoulder watching the colours of Kata Tjuta change from blue to purple to pink, I thought there is little wonder as to why or how this place captured the attention of some of Australia’s greatest artists and poets.
Great Southern Land, indeed.
Scaled it back
We bought a tent! Well, first we inherited a tent, then we bought a new one. And then all of my mother’s ingenuity when it comes to camp cooking came out. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you need to rough it, right?
We watched the sunrise at Inskip Point, and headed west (a tiny bit) to Kenilworth for some fresh air. There’s something so restorative in sandy feet, early mornings and camp fires. I always feel like someone’s hit my reset button after a camping weekend (until I have to wash everything).
Since our first trip, we’ve steadily been acquiring and inheriting more camping gear. We’re three steps away from being full fledged doomsday preppers!
What’s next?
We are yet to settle on our next destination! Mr Siam Dreaming has his heart set on Yunnan province in China. I have hopes for Vietnam. Sri Lanka has also appeared on the wish list.
In the new year, I am determined to stop letting my fear of the unknown get in my way. Picking a new destination is the cause of great anxiety for me, as I like to know… everything. “What if” rules in my mind; what if I don’t like the food? What if the weather is bad? What if the accommodation is poxy? What if its a strictly squat-loo destination (oh god my thighs!)? I have so much admiration for those travelers who ‘just go’, for those who seem to have no fear and jump in with two feet. Do they ever thing “what if”? (On that note, if you are a traveler and have these thoughts – feel free to reassure me!)
In the new year, I will stop asking “what if”. Maybe Yunnan is the next destination, then?
The usual
I will read more. In fact I will get through my outrageous pile of books I am yet to read. I tend to mini-review books on Instagram once I’m done – you can follow me @siam_dreaming if you want to hold me to account.
I want to blog here more too! I have fallen off the regular publishing wagon this year (again….) and then fallen victim to some minor website issues. I feel like I write a lot of ranty lists, and I don’t know… you might be bored of them! Next year, I will write more. Promise. Especially if we go to China! What do you want to read? Packing lists for camping? Let me know!
Happy new year everyone! Here’s to a happy, healthy and successful 2019!
