Chapters in our lives don’t usually fall in step with dates on the calendar, however the finish of a yr is all the time a great time to replicate.

For me, 2024 (and far of 2023) have been all about one nation – this isn’t a brand new love affair however one which simply acquired critical…

The final 18 months have been all about rediscovering Thailand, a rustic I’ve visited a number of occasions over the past 12 years. It was my first solo backpacking journey again in 2013 and I’ve returned many occasions through the years and all the time discover one thing new to take pleasure in.

Trying to find a brand new house base

My old flame, India, just lately modified its visa guidelines so, after spending a few years in Goa, I wanted to search for a brand new house base and Thailand was the plain alternative for an inexpensive, enjoyable and straightforward digital nomad way of life.

It’s been nice rediscovering Thailand, I’ve spent a variety of time in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Pai and there’s nonetheless far more I need to discover.

Thailand is such a lovely nation, I really like the gorgeous temples, seashores, islands and nationwide parks, the full of life evening markets, scrumptious Thai meals and the pleasant individuals.

I like to remain in every metropolis or island for not less than 1 month – this manner I can discover past the vacationer path to actually get to know the place and take into account if it’s someplace I need to dwell for an extended time. Getting in-depth to every vacation spot additionally means I can write actually detailed and helpful weblog posts to assist different travellers.

I’ve additionally been capable of revisit a few of my favorite locations in Southeast Asia from my backpacking days, seeing how they’ve modified and experiencing them in a brand new manner – this time as a digital nomad couple with a bit extra money to spend on the distinctive experiences and nicer motels that I couldn’t afford earlier than.

I really like seashores and have been capable of fulfil my long-time dream of visiting the Maldives (btw, it doesn’t should be costly!) I additionally revisited Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Vietnam. I used to be additionally capable of return to Goa and the UK to go to household and buddies.

And I completed off 2024 with a really particular journey! After 4 years I lastly returned to Sri Lanka and this time with – the perfect journey buddy – my Mum! It was the primary time we travelled collectively since our South India journey in 2019. We each actually loved our journey across the island and I can’t wait to share my Sri Lanka itinerary and suggestions with you.

The fact of being a journey blogger and digital nomad

I actually take pleasure in exploring stunning locations, studying about totally different cultures, and sharing my experiences by writing helpful weblog posts, journey guides and itineraries which I hope assist different travellers plan their journeys too.

It would seem to be I’m all the time on trip however being a journey author and blogger is far tougher work than it appears to be like. With the explosion of AI, freelance journey writing jobs aren’t so widespread and the frequent social media and Google search algorithm updates have made running a blog a wild journey!

I’m so grateful that I can nonetheless afford to journey and help myself doing what I really like in a time when many blogs and small web sites have been killed off by the Google updates.

So if you happen to’ve discovered my suggestions helpful and booked a resort or journey via my weblog, thanks! It’s nice to know my suggestions are helpful and actually helps me to maintain me touring and writing.

Although there are a lot better methods to make a residing on-line nowadays, I like to journey and I like to share my experiences and assist others, so I don’t need to cease!

I really feel extraordinarily fortunate to be residing on this time and to have the ability to expertise the liberty of the digital nomad way of life however it’s not all the time straightforward and there are downsides to it too.

The reality is, whereas at first it’s enjoyable and thrilling to journey on a regular basis, it will probably get tense, lonely and exhausting making an attempt to juggle work and on a regular basis life with journey and life is basically dominated by visa expiry dates. Being a digital nomad may be very totally different from being on trip and most nomads burnout after a couple of years and wish a house base.

I don’t need to quit touring, however I do want someplace the place I’ve time to relaxation, work, and have long term friendships.

Plans for 2025

So what is going to 2025 deliver?

Nicely, with the current introduction of the 5 yr Vacation spot Thailand Visa (aka DTV) hopefully I can take my relationship with Thailand to the following degree! I’d like to cool down a bit extra and discover a long run house base within the Land of Smiles.

I additionally need to discover extra of Asia – I’ve seen a lot of South and Southeast Asia now I need to head to the Far East – Hong Kong, Korea, Japan!

In any case, visiting Shanghai in China on a college research journey in 2010 was what first opened my eyes to Asia and I’ve gone on to spend a lot of the final decade right here. I really like Asia, the tradition, spirituality, meals, individuals, nature – I need to see and expertise all of it!

So, till AI takes over the world or Google kills my weblog, I’ll preserve sharing my travels with you!

Thanks for studying! Blissful 2025 and Blissful Travels!

The place will 2025 take you? Do you will have any journeys already deliberate?

Learn Extra:

My 2025 12 months in Assessment and Life Replace!