I still remember the way it felt walking off the plane, leaving my trepidation in the seat, wading into the cacophony of sounds in the arrivals hall of Bangkok airport, weaving through the glass doors, and out into the soft morning sunlight.
The air had an entirely different quality in Southeast Asia, comforting with its heavy sweetness, a rush of warmth like a sauna reaching out and enveloping my body, drawing me in.
This was over five years ago, on September 27, 2012, when I flew to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport with a one way ticket to begin the journey that I’m still on today. I didn’t know back then that leaving a steady job, selling off almost everything, leaving a relationship and effectively demolishing bridges behind me would work out. Sometimes I’m like, what was I thinking and where did I get those balls of steel from?
Yet in that moment, standing on the concrete outside of the airport while taxi horns blared and their drivers chattered about their great rates to the city, only 1000 baht, I knew it had been the right call. It felt so right to be there, like the part of me who had lived in Asia when I was 21 had remained there, patiently waiting for me to come back and pick up where we left off.
It’s a beautiful feeling when you come to a place for the first time and yet it feels like you belong. There was a lightness with each step, like I was walking on clouds. It was like every baby I saw was smiling at me and life was giving me a high five.
Good job champ, you made the right choice.
And yeah, I got scammed right away and yeah, I made a lot of mistakes, and I embraced it, and I learned, and a few days later I was riding a bike through Angkor Wat more blissed out than I could ever remember being. I’d found my happy place and it was on the road.
Traveling in my 30s vs 20s
Do you ever wonder what it will be like to go back to a place that held so much meaning for you? Will it feel like everything has changed and it’s not the place it used to be, or will it feel like coming home again?
I have this question in my mind now because after a hiatus of nearly four years, this January, it’s time to go back to Thailand.
I found myself yearning for the sticky warmth of Southeast Asia, the steaming street food, the gorgeous beaches, the intricate temples, and the laid back vibe. As winter approaches in Berlin, why not go back to where it all started, in the land of smiles?
But what will it be like this time? I’m not in my 20s anymore. I’m not as gung-ho about sharing a room with 5 drunk backpackers anymore (me previously being one of them – no judgement).
But I don’t party like that anymore. My aims and desires have changed entirely.
I’m still interested in spiritual travel and heading off the beaten path, and that’s still what I will be seeking.
I still love meeting new people and I still enjoy going out, it’s just with a different aim and without the hangover now.
I still want to keep my budget in check, but I want a little more comfort and luxury now and then too. Can I balance my desires with my wallet?
Most of all I wonder, will everything be different? Will it in many ways still be the same? Can I really hold Thailand to high expectations of remaining unchanged when I’ve changed so much myself?
I think the only reasonable thing to do here is to go into it without expectations, and to just let it be what it will be, just like meeting up with an ex you haven’t seen in years but never really let go of. In a perfect world, I’d do exactly that.
But this is not a perfect world and I’m only human, after all.
What’s to Come
From January to April in Southeast Asia, I’ll be sharing what it’s like as a 30-something woman traveling solo who doesn’t want to do the party thing, stay in dorms, and stick to the banana pancake trail – not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just something I’ve outgrown. I know that plenty of you feel the same way.
I want to know, and share, what it’s like going to a backpacker’s haven when you’re not a backpacker anymore, but still want a wonderful, and reasonably affordable, travel experience.
It’s time to revisit the budget guides, the packing lists, the best places to go, the ideal activities, and the experience of going as a 31-year-old.
If you want to follow along, it’ll be on YouTube and Instagram of course, but you can also subscribe to receive blog posts via email below.
I’m not the same girl and Southeast Asia is not the same place. I’ll keep repeating it to myself until I believe it.
I’m prepared for the jamais vu. It’s an opportunity, I get to start anew.
If you have any thoughts about traveling in your 30s or questions in particular that you’d like covered while I’m there, let me know in the comments!
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Louise says
I’m dog sitting in Chiang Mai all month – drop in if you’re around these parts! 🙂
Kristin says
I am! I fly into CM
Kelly says
What a great opportunity for reflection! I’m 30 and only just started my solo travel adventures. I took short trips on and off through my 20s but never did the backpacker thing, for lots of reasons. Thailand is absolutely on my list, but I’m frankly turned off by the 20-something backpacker experience. Yet nearly everything you read about travel in Thailand and Southeast Asia is built around that idea! So, in short, I’m excited to read your take as you return. I hope it’s still a special place for you, even if it’s in a different way!
Kristin says
I think it will be, and so much of the experience is how I approach it as well, and making sure that I put myself in situations where I can enjoy it and find new and exciting things. I’m actually really excited, and hopefully after you see the posts you’ll want to go too!
Jess says
I went to Thailand when I was 19 and finally just returned 10 years later with my husband a couple of weeks ago. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to my memories, that he wouldn’t love it like I did, and that I’d feel old and out of place.
But that Thai magic was still there in full form, and even as a 34 year old my husband loved it. The people still grin ear to ear and make you feel at home and the street food is still fabulous. We stayed in small hotels and only partied one night out of ten and I didn’t feel weird about it once. Enjoy your travels!! I can’t wait to see more posts on here.
Kristin says
That’s so awesome! Thanks for sharing that, makes me feel excited. And I am sooo looking forward to the FOOD! That’s something I trust won’t have changed too much if at all 🙂
Ijana Loss says
What a cool thing! You never really hear anything about Southeast Asia outside of the young drunk backpackers on the banana pancake trail, and I’m excited to read about what you find there as a more mature traveler. When I travel there myself i would love to have a mix of the typical tourist experiences as well as experiences that don’t necessarily involve buckets and the like
GG says
I have traveled to the same country and even the same sites every 10 years or so and get something different out of it. One time it was the beaches that called me (when youngest), later times it was outdoors, and then finally the spirituality of the place (in my 30’s). Some countries or areas seem to call you back to experience them for the first time again.
I hope your first time again in Southeast Asia is a great continuation in your journey, different yet equally exciting. I think those in their 30’s and 40’s who travel know more of what they want, than their younger counterparts who are trying to figure it out, but either way brings its own joy as there is magic in spontaneity. I guarantee that you will have a great time in this wonderful place that not only welcomed you into your new path in life, but also will embrace you as a veteran and help you see how much you have grown, how much you have changed like what you want out of travel now versus before…and what you have still yet to learn as we always are learning more about ourselves. Looking forward to your posts and videos on this as we learn along with you! One thing you have in your repertoire these days is your further advanced skill with videos/photography. Do they allow drones over there? Best wishes and happy eating!
Kristin says
They do allow drones, I think. I’m looking forward to experiencing it again!
Jess says
In my experience they wouldn’t allow drones without a permit at any of the major tourist spots (Angkor Wat, Ko Phi Phi, etc), but we flew ours in by the Kulen waterfall in Cambodia and all over Ko Lanta with no issues. My husband did a lot of research beforehand and actually filled out the paperwork and got insurance, but he never needed it. Our consensus was that if you use common sense no one will bother you 🙂
Nick says
My partner and I spent 5 months in Thailand on our 18 month backpack trip. We was 28 and are now 32 back in thialand after 4 years later. Still feels like home. The only problem is we have seen so much it’s hard to find things to do. However having been here 6 weeks and still in the same place we are now enjoying getting to really know ko Samui, we have our favourite restaurants, places to relax etc. We want to explore new places but are finding it hard to leave :).
Kristin says
Sometimes it’s totally fine to just be comfortable!
Laura says
I’m going to Southeast Asia at the end of February for 3 months. I’ll be 30 and it’ll be my first solo travel experience. I think it’s safe to say that I’m just a bit freaking terrified. Oh and I’ve never been to that part of the world either.
So, in short, I’ll be reading all of your posts as you go! I’m a bit concerned that I won’t be doing the backpacker thing in like the backpacker place. So I can’t wait to start following along with your trip. I’m hoping reading about your travels as a 30 year old in southeast asia will (hopefully) ease my nerves just a little.
Kristin says
It’s such a great place for first-time travelers! It’s so easy and social. I just think that being social will require that I do things differently now. Instead of just hanging out at a hostel common room maybe that means going to a local gym or joining an activity like free diving (I want to get my license while in Indonesia!) and I’m Ok with putting in just a little more effort 🙂
Jj says
I travelled all around thailand on my solo RTW trip in my early 30’s in 2005/6. Life happened and now i am a mum and wonder what it would be like to travel with my 10year old. Would it ruin my memories or?
Have fun, you are still young ?
Kristin says
10 is such a cute age! I’d love to see it through the eyes of a child. It would be special in its own way I’m sure.
RJ says
I can’t tell you how much I love this post! I didn’t start traveling until I was 30, so there has always been a voice in the back of my head, whispering that I’m missing out on the whole “backpacker experience.” Sure, I’d love to try it out, but that’s not really who I am. Like you said, I’m not the same girl I was in my 20s. While I’m still trying to figure out my own travel dreams of visiting SEA, I can’t wait to read about your experiences in the coming months!
Kristin says
I lovingly name that voice my ’16 year old ego,’ since she never seems to think I’m cool enough. That’s okay with me!
Trang says
Ohhhhh i’m excited to hear about this because I around your age and I think about the same thing !
Sam says
Have fun Kristin!!!
Thailand is like a second home to me (well not really – but its my favourite travel destination!)
Ive been to thailand more times than i can count!
But it will be difficult for you this time around – as you grow so do your tastes – i look forward to hearing more about what thailand is like for you this time around
x
Czara says
Hi Kristin! Such an awesome post… I was in Thailand on my first backpacking adventure when I was 25 and now I’m sat here doing research on going back at 31, now as a solo backpacker! I can’t wait to feel that warm air and I also feel that I don’t have the same BP goals as before 🙂 I can’t wait to read about the adventure x
Kristin says
Have so much fun!