At last, after nearly 2 years of being in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic, I have finally been able to get back onto a plane and return to Asia.
It has been a long hard road and for some, it will never be the same again. Losing loved ones, friends and jobs has made the last two years unbearable and will leave indelible scars on families.
However, life must go on and although we may feel guilty about traveling again, I know for a while I did. We must try to lead a normal life. Before Covid I was traveling and working around Asia and whilst this time around it will be slightly different in the way I approach things, I aim to carry on.
First stop, Singapore to see old friends after a transit through Dubai which turned out to be extra long due to misunderstandings with covid restrictions on behalf of Emirates. Then onto the Philippines for much-needed sun and relaxation before finally returning to Cambodia, where I left for a 2-week holiday to England that lasted 2 years.
I am really not sure how much longer this will carry on, or where we go from here.
I will probably take a break from posting for a few months, especially as each month seems to be a repeat of last year.
Let us all hope things become safer and better for everyone.
I will be back when I have some good news to report 🙂
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Street art that highlights the second lockdown is seen on the wall of Crazy Pedro’s on November 09, 2020, in Manchester, England. Leaders of several northern cities have tussled with Westminster over the terms of localised restrictions. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)
I believed things would improve, but this year took a turn for the worse for everyone around the world.
I think we will remember 2020 for a long time; it will go down in history as one of those years when humanity had to endure a global catastrophe.
Beginning of the end?
It had all started well enough. I attended my fourth wedding in Cambodia, where Mr Sok, one of the cooks/ tour guides at the pepper farm, got married in March. It was a joyous occasion for everyone, and it concluded a beautiful chapter of my experiences in Cambodia—one that I will cherish forever.
Pre-Covid Plans
After travelling for over 15 months and entering my third actual year of travel, I felt it was a good time to leave and discover new things.
I originally left the UK in September 2018 and spent most of 2019 living in Cambodia. Initially, I had expected to be back home by now, but I suddenly felt the urge to visit friends and family.
This year, my plan was to explore Vietnam and Laos, possibly concluding my journey in Myanmar, where I hoped to experience more of its beauty.
However, before all that, I began with a trip back to the UK in mid-March to surprise my mum for her birthday. It turned out to be a memorable surprise for both of us.
23 March 2020 will be a day I remember for a long time. I surprised her after being away for 18 months, only to be unexpectedly faced with COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions that left me stuck in the UK indefinitely.
Long Stay
It would take almost two years for me to finally get back on a plane and return to Cambodia, where I had initially left for a two-week holiday.
The sad part is that I lost several good friends who, like so many others, succumbed to Covid-related deaths.
During this time, we experienced lockdowns, mandatory mask-wearing, and witnessed many caring and compassionate individuals stepping up to help others.
Suddenly, we found ourselves away from the pressure and stress of everyday life, which allowed us to support our fellow beings.
However, this came at a price, the effects of which we are only beginning to fully comprehend years later. Inflation, the rising cost of living, and food shortages are all consequences of the economic shutdown during the pandemic.
This means that people’s lives will be affected for decades as we face the aftermath of COVID. Additionally, speculation continues about the origins of the virus, with some suggesting that it may have escaped from a man-made laboratory.
LOVE IT 😀
Thanks @jodilmorris for this perfect quote
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