Have you ever thought of changing pace, slowing life down, and spending every day with your family? That’s exactly what I’m doing right now with my 10-year-old daughter Emmie as we explore Asia together for the next year or so.
It’s not the first time we’ve done this – from February 2016, Emmie and I traveled for over two years, just us and our backpacks, free from deadlines or plans. This experience was liberating; it opened our eyes to the world and allowed us to spend quality time together – a luxury we didn’t have at home in Sydney, Australia.
The Essence of Slow Travel
To us, slow travel means taking it easy. The only deadline we ever have is leaving the country before our visa expires, and we plan as we go. If we love a place, we stay as long as we wish; if not, we simply move on. This flexibility means if we get sick – like when Emmie recently had an ear infection – we seek help locally and recuperate without the stress of missed bookings or rigid itineraries.
An Island Paradise
Currently, we are on Siquijor Island in the Philippines, which was dubbed Isla del Fuego – The Island of Fire – by the Spanish visitors in 1565. This mystical island province in the Central Visayas is still home to mangkukulam (healers). Although it has become a popular tourist destination, it remains an enchanting escape just a short ferry ride from Cebu or Negros.
Siquijor is the tropical island of your dreams – adorned with palm trees, vibrant starfish, and schools of colorful fish among its ancient corals. Its waterfalls cascade into turquoise pools, while idyllic beaches offer peaceful snorkeling. There are expansive cave systems and underground rivers charmingly winding through the island. While it remains quiet now, changes are noticeable since our last visit four years ago.
Modern bamboo walkways now fringe the stunning Cambugahay Falls, where rope swings provide endless fun for just 50 pesos. With plans for an international airport, I encourage you to visit the Philippines now before these hidden gems become crowded with tourists.
We have already spent three weeks on this beautiful island and plan to stay longer; there’s another marine park and hidden beaches to discover, along with plenty of time to bond and learn about this paradise.
Finding a Balance
For Emmie, full-time travel necessitates distance education, allowing her to balance schoolwork while exploring the wonders of the world. This approach is another reason we embrace slow travel. Emmie thrives when given time, and while our initial travels posed challenges in schooling, we are currently managing effectively.
A typical day includes math assignments and online research as part of her academic work. Additionally, she learns practical skills, like budgeting and converting between Philippine pesos and Australian dollars. Just yesterday, we explored rock pools, and Emmie designed her own project on corals. Today’s art class involves drawing the creatures we encountered. We blend formal education with “world schooling,” learning from our surroundings as we navigate through Asia together. The educational value of our travels is immense.
The social and life skills Emmie acquires from these journeys, coupled with her exposure to diverse cultures and lifestyles, is invaluable. At this stage of her life, it’s the best life for both of us.
Bonding Over Distance
If you’re considering full-time travel, I cannot emphasize how valuable the experience can be. The benefits of being with family or loved ones daily, free from routine and anxiety, are immeasurable. During our travels, I have learned so much about my daughter, and we have forged a timeless bond that enhances every adventure.
Experiencing life on the Great Wall of China, scuba diving for the first time, journeying through the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia, and savoring my daughter’s first taste of xiao long bao in Taipei – these moments are priceless. We’re delivering food to families in need, hiking through jungles, jumping into waterfalls, and meeting warm locals. This, to us, is truly living.
Our collection of memories from slow travel will always resonate in our hearts, and I firmly believe that this lifestyle – the slow living, the journey we share – truly embodies our best life.
This article was first published Feb 5, 2020, and updated Feb 14, 2020.
