Travel Q&A: You asked, I’ll answer!
How do you balance work and travel?
Good q! As we are still settling into the new routine I think this will evolve further but at the moment we’re trying to work early - finish early so the afternoon can be spent doing one type of activity or relaxing. My partner's first meeting is at 6am local time so we’re both starting work then and trying to finish around 2/3pm so we can head out and explore a new area or part of town. We’re also trying to stay in one spot for around three weeks at a time so there is no rush or pressure to try and fit everything in. Also only travelling to new places on the weekends!
I will also say from my last time working and travelling in 2023 we moved places every couple of days while working and for the work side this was very stressful. So that has definitely been taken into consideration this time around.
I think it’s important to experiment and find something that works for you - what one person finds a good balance might make another feel unbalanced.
Do you struggle to have the energy to go out after working during the day?
Honestly sometimes yes! However that’s okay - given we are travelling slowly there is enough time to have slow more rest based afternoons and not feel like we are missing out. On days where we feel more tired we will opt for a walk or something a wee bit chiller.
What are you most looking forward to in your time in Asia?
I feel like I am very easily excited about small things - I look forward to trying a new cafe or restaurant or wandering around a new area. Excited and looking forward to everything all the time haha. One thing specifically I’m looking forward to is being set up in a beachy location for a few weeks, thinking an island in Thailand maybe but this idea is still evolving.
Are you going to try and make friends while you are there or is that not really a priority?
This is such a good question! I would love to meet some new people and make friends over here - I do feel like being in place for 3-4 weeks then moving on can be funny timing, not quite long enough to build longer-term friendships but definitely long enough to meet people. I will be going to some shared workspaces and things and and hopefully make some new friends!
Is it hard to stay in a routine with time zones?
Yes and no! I would say the trickiest part is meeting times, however I’m happy to jump on a call after/before normal work hours so there is never really an issue. We are currently trying to live to the NZ work day though, starting at local time 6 am and finishing at 2 pm so we can have the afternoon exploring. Currently loving this time split.
OMG yaaay! When are you in Japan till?
We’re in Osaka until early July then getting a car and heading up near Fuji for a week then in Tokyo until mid-July! After this, I'm going to pop to Korea for the next three weeks and the plan is open from there! I want to explore Thailand and Vietnam so I will probably head there next.
Fav thing you ate?
There have been so many tasty treats when people say the food in Japan is next level they aren’t joking… I have been loving all the different snack options in the Family Mart/ 7/11 - so good.
