Year Two in Review: Southeast Asian Culture to COVID Cruise

Year Two in Review: From Southeast Asian Culture to a COVID Cruise in the Pacific

Our second full year of world travel was a journey defined by sharp contrasts: the frenetic energy and incredible food of Southeast Asia, the vast, sunburnt beauty of Australia, and finally, a dramatic, unplanned halt to our momentum on the high seas. This year saw us cross multiple continents, embrace long-term camping, and ultimately, become participants in a global historical event as the world closed down in early 2020.

Phase 1: Southeast Asian Immersion

The year kicked off with a deep dive into the culture and history of Southeast Asia, where we moved rapidly from bustling city centres to ancient ruins. This initial phase was characterized by sensory overload—the smells of street food, the sound of scooters, and the vibrant colours of local life.

Thailand and Vietnam: Food and History

Our time in Thailand focused heavily on the north, exploring the ancient city walls of Chiang Mai and taking a slow boat down the Mekong, transitioning from the organised chaos of Thai markets to the more structured environment of Vietnam.

Vietnam delivered on its promises of complex history and incredible cuisine. We travelled the coast, from the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An—where we splurged on bespoke tailoring—to the imperial history of Hue. The motorbiking was reserved for shorter excursions, allowing us to instead focus on the local transport and the slow appreciation of the landscape.

"The Bánh mì in Vietnam is a daily ritual. I could live off these, fresh baguettes every morning. It's the perfect travel food." — Jeff

The final stop in this region was a sombre but necessary visit to the Killing Fields and S21 Prison in Cambodia, which left a powerful, lasting impression on the resilience of the local people.

Phase 2: The Australian Odyssey

The bulk of our second year was dedicated to exploring Australia. The change was stark: swapping crowded buses for our own wheels, and humidity for dry heat. Australia became a massive camping and road-tripping adventure, covering thousands of kilometres across the continent.

The East Coast and Cultural Hubs

We began in Sydney, enjoying the iconic sights, but quickly transitioned to the road. This segment included:

• The dramatic coastline drive along the Great Ocean Road, where we camped near the Twelve Apostles, battling strong winds but rewarded with stunning sunrises.
• A deep appreciation for Melbourne's laneway culture, coffee scene, and finding a few days to settle into an Airbnb to recharge.
• Exploring the Tasmanian wilderness, including rugged hiking near Cradle Mountain and the serene beauty of Wineglass Bay.

Outback and Northern Territory Adventures

The journey turned inland for the true Australian experience. This phase included long, silent drives under vast skies.

• The dry, dusty trails leading to Uluru, where we watched the massive monolith change colour at both sunrise and sunset.
• Hikes and swims through the gorges and waterfalls of the Northern Territory, including Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.
• Learning how to manage long distances with limited services, relying on our camping setup and local knowledge for water and fuel.

The West Coast and Final Months

As the year wound down (late 2019/early 2020), we moved to the West Coast, based primarily around Perth and the wine region of Margaret River.

• This was a period of slower travel, focusing on hiking among the giant karri forests and sampling the world-class wines of the region.
• We spent several weeks in the Fremantle area, tying up loose ends and planning our final, massive push home across the Pacific.

"It’s amazing how much you can love camping when the weather cooperates. Waking up to the sound of kookaburras and not having to pack up in the rain is a game changer." — Nicola

Phase 3: The Voyage Home and The World Changes

By February 2020, while in Western Australia, we booked what was intended to be our slow, scenic journey home: a 36-night back-to-back cruise through the South Pacific aboard the Norwegian Jewel. The initial plan was simple: Sydney to Tahiti, then Tahiti to Hawaii, before flying back to Canada. The world, however, had other plans.

Embarkation and the First Warnings

We boarded in Sydney on February 28, 2020. At this point, the "coronavirus thing" was still seen as distant, a "China problem." NCL sent emails detailing precautions, including temperature checks and extra sanitization, which felt more like a formality than a warning sign.

The initial itinerary started to unravel almost immediately:

• Vanuatu was dropped even before we departed.
• The one-day stop in Brisbane was extended to two, a minor inconvenience that was the first sign of logistical difficulties.
• Subtle changes emerged on the ship: crew served the buffet and extra hand sanitizer was everywhere.

The laughter in the bars felt nervous. By the time we left Australia, we had zero awareness that this dream cruise would turn into a "cruise to nowhere," a drifting limbo where we would be turned away from island after island as global travel collapsed around us.

Year Two: Reflection

Our second year of travel gave us the contrast we needed. It taught us to love the isolation of the Australian Outback as much as the chaos of Asian cities. It showed us the extremes of history, from the serenity of ancient temples to the stark tragedy of memorial sites.

The year ended not with a tropical sunset, but with a period of uncertainty and isolation on the ocean—a dramatic, unforgettable conclusion that immediately changed the focus of our travels from finding new places to simply finding a way home. Year Two was about the vastness of the world; the final weeks were about its sudden, terrifying smallness.