Tom and Kim travel across five continents, arriving in 50 countries and territories with funding from travel blogging itself.
“If one day I don’t have to worry about rice and money anymore, what do I want to do?”. This question suddenly arises when Mr. Tom (1982, HCMC) and Ms. Kim (1984, Lam Dong) began to settle down in Australia in 2014. In answer to this question, the couple share the same idea of a world tour, sightseeing, understanding culture and human life in many different lands.
Tom and Kim’s goal is to check-in 50 countries and territories. The trip was completed from 12/2018 and completed in September 2019. They have traveled through Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa and mainland North America.
From Australia, Tom and Kim’s first destinations were Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. From Southeast Asia, the two flew to East Asia, exploring Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China, and then flying directly to the United States. Over half the time, they “roamed” across 37 parts of Europe.
With both Australian nationality, Tom and Kim can enter more than 170 countries without applying for a visa as of 2018, 2019. In 50 countries and territories, they only have to apply for an electronic visa from Cambodia; and visas at airports in Laos and China.
Most of the backpackers are in work, selling houses, selling cars, or mortgages, but Tom and Kim are still confident of making the long trip without a huge amount of funding. The way the couple prepared financially for the trip was slightly different from many “legs traveling around the world”: building a stable source of passive income.
Tom used to be a software engineer, and Kim was an advertising writer. They develop two blogs that share information about travel, destinations, culture experienced by themselves. “Enterprise” two members have the ability to do all stages such as programming, writing, designing, promoting.
At the start of 2014, Tom and Kim ignored public opinion that writing reviews could not create a “career”. To prove themselves on the right track, the couple encouraged each other through the working days 24/7 and barely had free time.
A year later, they obtained a passive source of income from stable monthly visits. Since 2015, the couple have had a fairly comfortable life and spent time exploring Australia.
As a result, Tom and Kim’s nine months of traveling the world are more psychologically comfortable, less financially pressured, as well as not having to worry about finding ways to rebuild their careers when they return. Now, they can make more journeys in life, at any age, Mr. Tom said.
For the content of blogging, Tom and Kim recorded many images, in the style of travel check-in and about daily life, as well as notes on information about past lands, especially places where fewer Vietnamese go and write such as Kosovo, Andorra, and the Balkan countries.
Tom and his wife are most impressed with the beautiful scenery of the lands in Europe, mostly by the ancient architecture and colors of mountain forests, rivers and lakes, parks … Rome (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czech Republic), Seville (Spain) are the 5 cities they like the most.
The most enjoyable experience is traveling by train and bus across Europe. The couple liked this public transport because of the wide route throughout the country, professional services, affordable. And from the train, they can enjoy mountain views, forests, rivers and lakes, European meadows. “It made us addicted, every few days wanted to jump on a bus to go through a new land, change the menu for the eyes,” Mr. Tom excitedly boasted.
Besides, in Europe, Tom and his wife walk a lot. The two like the old town, often book hotels in the center for walking, exploring alleys. In Asian countries, they take trains, or taxis, tuk tuks… In the U.S., they hire their own self-driving cars for freedom of movement.
“In addition to financial matters, a nine-month continuous trip for us is a test of toughness, endurance both physically and mentally,” says Tom. Fortunately, the couple did not experience health uncertainties or accidents along the way, partly due to thorough research.
Tom and Kim have experienced many different emotions, but mostly happiness and pride when conquering a land, enjoying the experience, favorite food. Tom said that sometimes he and his wife also “crave a bowl of sour soup”, homes homes, friends, remember the familiar bed when too tired.
After a period of moving, Tom realizes that enthusiasm or laziness depends heavily on physicality. “When I’m tired, I stop a little slower, when I’m better, I’ll go a little faster. That’s how we keep the trip breathable and have never felt like giving up,” he said.
For Tom and Kim, the journey around the world is just the beginning. They have the “dream” to set foot in as many countries as possible. After the situation of Covid-19 is positive, the couple will start other journeys such as exploring South America, Africa, “paparazzi” castles throughout Europe, visiting friends and relatives all over the world …
vnexpress