Balloons over Cappadocia
Our family world tour is over and now is the time for a final summary, the summary of all the summaries, and much more than a simple summary, it is a massive summary in three orientations: human, organizational and financial. I will tell you about the achievements, the highlights, the wonderful encounters, our favorites. I will then describe the whole organization and the costs associated with our wonderful project. In order to help you plan your next trips, I have compiled a detailed logistical and financial statistics. You will know everything about our flights, car rentals and accommodations, as well as the savings we have achieved through Travel Hacking. I will flood you with figures so you can also, in turn, consider an experience that will leave its mark on you forever! Are you ready? Here we go!
This article is the first of a three-part summary of our round the world trip:
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On the day of departure
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On the day of return
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First, here is a brief summary of this assessment with some statistics:
In addition, we traveled exclusively with carry-on baggage and we took part in Travel Hacking, a discipline that allowed us to stay very regularly, and completely free of charge, in luxurious hotels and in airport lounges.
The map below shows the countries we visited. We had designed our itinerary in order to enjoy as many experiences as possible in the most favorable climate possible, while minimizing time differences. This has led in the effect that we have not carried out a “round-the-world tour” as such (although I often describe it as such), but rather a return trip to the other side of the world with multiple stopovers.
Cappadocia, Turkey
We have lived 444 days (14 months and a half) of discovery, pleasure and wonder.
City, sea, mountain, forest, desert, we walked in the middle of amazing landscapes, each one as exceptional as the next.
Castles, palaces, cathedrals, temples, fortresses, mosques, ruins, we visited impressive places filled with history.
Architecture, sculpture, painting, music, we have appreciated art like never before.
Proboscis monkeys, Orang Outans, tarsiers, vultures, elephants, giant bats, snakes, koalas, camels, we have seen countless animals, all as incredible as they are amazing in the wild.
Pizza, sushi, paella, fish & chips, tandoori chicken, falafel, pho, couscous, dim sum, goulash, pad thai, we ate the best cuisine prepared by the locals with the best local products.
Crocodiles, scorpions, tarantulas, silkworms, crickets, ants and other flying or crawling insects, we also dared to eat special creatures. Not because of a lack of choice, but because it’s also part of the journey!
From India to the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Fiji Islands, we have seen as much poverty as wealth, exotic cultures and traditions, chaos and highly organized societies.
Plane, car, camper, ferry, train, bus, subway, tram, taxi, Uber/Grab, tuk-tuk, scooter, bicycle, cable car, horse, donkey, and even helicopter (Vanuatu) and hot air balloon (Turkey), we have used all kinds of possible and imaginable ways to travel.
Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Judaism, Sunni and Shia Islam, Hinduism, Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Confucianism, Atheism, Esoterism, we have reached some of the most sacred places in each religion and observed the practice of faith among peoples.
Hooker Valley Trail, New Zealand
Before we left, we had several goals.
We needed to escape our daily routine and comfort zone: we lived like nomads, each day differently from the previous ones. It had become our way of life.
We intended to detach ourselves from our material possessions: we traveled with only 4 suitcases of 8 kg each. But we came back full of memories in our heads and in photos.
We wanted to enjoy our children as much as possible and build strong family ties: living together 24 hours a day for 444 days was not always easy. But we overcame each difficulty together. We can now say that our relations have never been so close and that we are more than ever ready to face the winds and tides that the future holds for us.
We want to transmit the values of selflessness and humanity to Mateo and Luka. We want to equip them to succeed while avoiding being conformist, in a society where being different is perceived as a failure. We believe that during this year, they learned to develop much more than if they had attended school. They were confronted with the different realities of the world and were able to observe scenes that they would never have been able to see in Quebec. We have seen them grow and flourish. They have become more coherent, mature and responsible. These boys make us proud.
However, I must admit that Mateo and Luka probably didn’t enjoy this adventure as much as Jessica and I did. At their age, we think they do not yet realize the inestimable value of the experience they have just lived, but we have no doubt that they will realize it as they get older and thank us for it. We see this trip as an investment in their lives. If it will pay off, only the future will tell us, but we believe it will!
Of course, travel is one of our greatest passions. For years, we had been organizing one “big” family trip per year, lasting an average of one month. This trip has therefore, in a way, satisfied our thirst for discovery, allowing us to save 15 years on our objectives of exploring the world.
As Christians, we felt the need to let ourselves be guided by God. We took part in celebrations with brothers and sisters of faith in about ten countries. We were very curious about all religions and beliefs. And our faith in God has grown considerably stronger.
This experience has allowed us to question ourselves and focus on the things we consider to be the most important. Tolerance, openness, positivism, empathy, sharing, caring and minimalism are values that we will continue to perfect in our lives.
Our desire was to come out of it collectively more human, intellectually grown, emotionally transformed and spiritually better equipped. Today we can say “mission accomplished”!
Ancient Corinth, Greece
Here are a few moments for each of the 50 countries that we will always remember:
Remark:
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi
During this trip, we prioritized the encounters. It was an opportunity for us to reconnect with family and friends. Our itinerary had been planned accordingly. I must admit that we probably would not have been to Lebanon, Sri Lanka or Vanuatu without it. And it would have been a real loss for us, as these countries are so beautiful! Here is the list of people we visited:
People who are dear to us have joined us on the trip to share a slice of life and unforgettable memories:
Baume Les Messieurs, France
Both among local populations and travellers, there are always people who are open to exchange and generous to share their inspiring stories. New friendships have been made. Our world tour was also marked by meaningful encounters with 28 wonderful families who, like us, also chose that year to take the plunge and travel around the world. It was a great opportunity for us to meet them, and some of them even on many occasions, in as many as 4 different countries! Dear FAMs, you are also among our highlights! In chronological order:
Also worth mentioning are several encounters as surprising as they are amazing, which we cannot categorize but which have also contributed to some moments of happiness. It was a real pleasure to have you on our path!
Unfortunately, I cannot mention the countless other locals and travelers I met throughout the trip. We also have a special thought for you! Whether you have given us several days or only a few minutes of your time, we are grateful!
Family reunion in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Since our return, the question we have been asked repeatedly is “what is your favorite country?” The answer is here, as well as many others, in the form of rankings. Besides the first 4 answers which are personal, the following ones are presented to you by mutual agreement between Jessica and me.
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Poly’s favorite countries
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Tuz Lake, Turkey
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Jessica’s favorite countries
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Arnastapi, Iceland
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Mateo’s favorite countries
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Dead Sea, Israel
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Luka’s favorite countries
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Element Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Malaysia
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The most beautiful landscapes
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Diamond Beach, Iceland
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The most beautiful beaches
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Malcapuya Beach, Coron, Philippines
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A change of scenery
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Faces of India
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The best big cities
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National History Museum, London, UK
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The best small towns
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Salzburg, Austria
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Wonders not to be missed
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Oia, Santorini
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The most significant events
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Cappadocia, Turkey
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The oddest experiences
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Kayan Community, Loikaw, Myanmar
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The most memorable sunsets
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El Nido, the Philippines
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Because we love ancient history
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Baalbek – Temple of Bacchus, Lebanon
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We haven’t had enough of it
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Teamlab Borderless, Japan
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The food was delicious
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Kobe Beef, Japan
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The weirdest food
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Bugs Cafe, Siem Reap, Cambodia
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We see ourselves living and working there
In these places, we appreciated the quality of life, safety and services.
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Gold Coast, Australia
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We see ourselves living there 6 months a year in retirement
In these places, we liked the low cost of living, the tranquility, the kindness of the people.
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Naxos, Greece
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The kindest people
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The Fijian Hakka
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We haven’t been there yet, but we dream of it
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Where next?
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In the press, we appeared on the cover of two Quebec newspapers. First in Le Soleil, a daily newspaper with a large readership in the Quebec City area, then after our return in Beauport Express, a weekly newspaper in our district.
Before the big departure, we appeared in an article in Tripili along with 12 other travelling families. During our trip, we met 5 of them!
Also, before departure, an article on Milesopedia, the French-speaking reference in credit card loyalty programs, describes how we used credit cards to provide us with luxury at a low cost. If you live in Canada, I recommend that you join the Milesopedia community, which is simply the most amazing French-speaking community on social networks! You will find lots of tips on how to save on your next trips!
I will close by telling you about Drew Binsky, who travels the world in search of video reporting opportunities. By chance, while we were in Sri Lanka, we met this very popular traveller. When he learned that we were living a family trip around the world, he decided to introduce us to the whole world with a beautiful video about us. Thanks to him, we received a lot of encouragement from all over the world, beautiful encounters were made, and one person even spontaneously recognized us in Fiji.
After a long year of studying math and French on a tablet, whether on a beach, on a ferry, on a plane or in a hotel room, and constantly hearing Mom and Dad’s desperate sighs, Mateo and Luka are happy to be back on school benches. In fact, they are quite happy to be reunited with their old classmates and to make new friends! As expected, they have adapted very well to the traditional way of life.
For Jessica, the return is also a smooth one. She intended to continue to do what she does best, which is to take care of her family and our home, in the pursuit of a happy family life! Two weeks after the start of the school year, when she went to pick up the boys from school, the daycare director approached her and offered her a part-time job as an educator, which she graciously accepted. Her pursuit of family happiness therefore continues with the privilege of enjoying the presence of the boys in their school, in addition to an unexpected additional income. It’s a new beginning!
As for me, two weeks after the end of the trip, I returned to my job as an IT consultant within the same company as before I left. My adaptation was also very rapid, and I was able to regain my professional instincts almost instantly. I must admit that the fact that I had to keep my brains busy during the trip helped me a lot. Moreover, if you have a company and are looking to optimize your business processes through IT solutions, let me know! My colleagues at CMI Group and I will be pleased to assist you in propelling your business to the next level!
Bamboo Worms, Thailand
I can assure you; we will not stop travelling!
With these 15 additional months of experience, I will continue to share tips and tricks with you through blog posts. In addition, I will keep adding to the Wonderlusters Facebook page with future trips.
Luka (our youngest son) is a visionary and this trip around the world has given him great ambitions for the future. He’s already talking about his next world trip! His plan is to bring Mom and his brother Mateo with him for a 3-year trip to visit even more countries. However, he allows me to join them in their adventure under the condition that only he and his mom decide on everything. I don’t understand why….
Anyway, you have every reason to keep following the Wonderlusters!
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Finally, I would like to thank YOU. Yes, YOU who’s reading, who followed us on Facebook, on Instagram or on our blog. Thank you for taking part in our great family adventure.
Among you, there is family, friends, close or distant acquaintances who follow us assiduously! But there is also a crowd that we do not know, that we have never met and that we could not recognize in real life, and yet who know us through our photos and who encourage us in our quest for amazement, by sending us likes, comments or private messages. Be assured that each of your virtual gestures of encouragement, compliment and gratitude touches us deeply.
And finally, to those who prayed for us from the beginning to the end of our journey, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! For it is thanks to your prayers that He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, has protected, renewed and transformed us. To Him alone be glory. Ephesians 3:20-21
Through our sharing, we also wanted to inspire you and encourage you to go and see how things are going elsewhere, so that you can also be amazed by the nature and the people, their cultures, histories and religions.
Today, we are convinced that our journey is a real source of inspiration for many people.
So, on behalf of the Wonderlusters, thank you!
Yee Peng Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
I could not complete this self-assessment without giving you a little examination of conscience.
As you can imagine, we are no longer the same after such a trip. I must admit that before we returned, Jessica and I were afraid of falling into sadness, monotony, boredom, nostalgia. It is therefore right that we are very often asked the following question: “So, is it difficult to return?” From there, 4 options are usually offered to our interlocutor:
The truth is that we really feel good, because we have no good reason to complain.
We have seen people who, because of lack of resources, are content to simply eat, shelter and dress, but who lack nothing, and for whom a simple gesture means a lot. We have seen crowds of people who live in corrupt to the bone regimes but who, through community, work and mutual support, are worthy of the life they are given. We have seen crowds of people for whom sacrifice is an honor, and for whom giving is more important than receiving. Therefore, we give ourselves the duty not to complain.
In addition to feeling fulfilled by the satisfaction of having achieved the goals we had set for ourselves, we returned with a new mindset, a transformed perspective and a tenfold increase in motivation. This journey has totally revitalized us and has led us to be satisfied and contented by our lives today.
And if there is one essential thing that we learned from our experience, it is that our happiness must not depend on where we live, our living conditions, or our occupations, but rather on the attitude we choose to adopt when it comes to the hardships of our life.
To continue, I now invite you to read the organizational summary of our world tour, where I share with you everything about our flights, visas, car rentals, accommodations, photos and Travel Hacking!
To navigate to the other sections of our summary: